Name: Ms. Amy O'Malley
School and class: Dr. F.D. Sinclair Elementary, Grade 6/7, Div. 3
School Phone: 604-596-1537
I grew up surrounded by teachers, and not just because I went to school. My father is a longtime teacher and coach in the Surrey school district, and it seems likely my desire to become a teacher must partly be due to his obvious dedication to this profession. I continue to glean as much from his wisdom as I can, and you can often find me on the phone with him in the evening or "talking shop" when we visit.
I have been teaching in Surrey going on 6 years. I have taught a variety of grade levels at many schools, but there is something unique about teaching kids in the final years before they embark to high school. I often endeavour to weave my passion for music and theatre into the programs that I teach. One of my favourite French units, for example, centers on learning the lyrics and history of “O, Canada!” in French. All of my French students at William F. Davidson were able to perform the anthem en français from memory at the year-end Fine Arts assembly. In Science, I helped my grade 6 students understand and represent the steps of the scientific method through story-telling and dramatic tableaux. I believe that making learning fun is crucial if we are to make our children lifelong learners.
I am married to Ben Coulas, a Program Coordinator for Visual Arts at the Art Institute. When we aren't teaching, we enjoy camping, hiking, bike-riding and spending time with our families at Star Lake, in Clearwater B.C., where we were married. We are parents to a beautiful little girl by the name of Lydia May Coulas, born in February 2013.
I am happy to hear from you at the school or by email should you have any questions about your child's education.
Our Mission (which we choose to accept!)
The Greek playwright Aeschylus once wrote "I'm not afraid of storms, for I am learning to sail my ship." We will endeavour to bravely accept new experiences not as trials to be suffered, but challenges to be celebrated. We will have a positive attitude about learning and accept personal responsibility for our own successes and failures. We will also learn not to fear these failures, for they present us with opportunities to learn and grow. And, when at all possible, we will have fun doing all of it.
