Pets create connections for teachers and students
Teachers share pictures of their pets along with an explanation of how the animal helps them in their profession.
Mitzy and Mara
Upset kiddos love animals and to help them regulate, I sit with them and quietly, calmly talk about my cats. They are two different personalities and the kids enjoy the stories. I will show [students] their pictures and this helps get past the moment. Periodically, I will share updates and pictures of their latest adventures with the whole class.
Shawna Reagan
Gordie
Coming home to this face every day releases all my stress and always makes me smile, no matter how bad the day was.
Amy Ciezki
Mika and Abbie
These sweet girls are always the characters in any story that I write with my Grade 2 students.
Ashley Reynolds
Kally
She comes into my classes often. The students think she is fabulous.
Ingrid Rose
Peanut
Peanut is our class pet. She is a six- to seven-month-old leopard gecko. Kids just love her, as does my family.
Joanne Cudmore
Leonardo da Pinchy
He’s a blue Borneo crab that lives with his older brother, Leggy Krabbitz, in my Grade 9 class.
I also have yellow and blue shrimp, different fish and snails in two small tanks. My Grade 9s
sometimes like to get up and stretch and wander around, and instead of wandering over to bother their peers, they often just watch the critters in their peaceful environment. Or, when they just need a brain break, they’re welcome to try to spot the crabs or count the shrimp. Students are super interested in the care and natural planted environment, so apart from experiencing the calming effect, they learn a little bit too!
Christy Haggarty
Hugo
He is our classroom rabbit and helps students regulate, and teaches them responsibility, as they take turns caring for him every day. He’s just as curious as my students, and sometimes gets into places that he shouldn’t!
Teresa Andersson
Reba
I often speak of her and show update photos. She helps build connections during our sharing circle when we welcome a new student to our class. I used to take her to school for visits and former students still come by years later and ask how Reba is doing. She is my greatest source of joy and reminds me to live in the moment.
Lisa Schafer
Teachers’ pets rocking Red for Ed
Zeus
Lucille
Titan
Izzie
