My name is Desiree Bracey, and I’m excited to share a little bit about myself. I’m a mom of three, and a lot of my free time revolves around my kids and the things they love to do. Whether it’s helping out with their activities, spending time outdoors, or working on projects together, my family plays a huge role in shaping who I am and the kind of educator I want to be. Being a parent has taught me patience, flexibility, and the importance of creating a supportive and encouraging environment things I know are just as important in the classroom.
I’m someone who really values curiosity, growth, and building meaningful connections. I enjoy learning new skills, trying new things, and finding creative ways to solve problems, which is a mindset I hope to bring into my teaching. I want my classroom to be a place where students feel comfortable asking questions, taking risks, and learning from both their successes and mistakes. I believe that when students feel safe and supported, they are more willing to engage and take ownership of their learning.
One way I’ve taken ownership of my learning is by committing to waking up early every day to drive from my home in Bridge Lake to the TRU campus in Kamloops for the BEd program. It’s not always easy, but it’s something I’ve made a priority. One of the best parts of those early mornings is getting to see some pretty incredible sunrises, this one is definitely one of my favourites.
I have also included some pictures from my small hobby farm. 4-H and my children’s sports activities are huge part of my life. I volunteer a lot of time to these endeavors and feel very passionately that all kids should have a chance to participate in afterschool activities which is why I will continue to volunteer as a teacher sponsor, coach, or community member even after my children age out.
^ Above are our ducks taking a break on the bank beside our pond they must have been tired from splashing around.
<This cute little guy is Douglas my daughter’s 4-H swine project from last year. In the picture he was about 3 months old, he got to be much bigger with his final weight being 290lbs.
Here is a picture of one of the baby chicks I hatched last spring. His name is Martin and he is now a 1 year old rooster who has just found his voice.
A big part of who I am comes from my love of animals, and the outdoors. I enjoy gardening, going for walks, easy hikes, and spending time on the water (even if it’s more about boating than fishing!). I also have a strong interest in farming, which has become a meaningful part of my life through our small hobby farm. I spent all of my life living on dairy, and chicken farms, because my dad worked as a farm mechanic/ maintenance person, so it makes sense that I feel most comfortable when caring for animals and being outside. Each year, my family raises ducks, chickens, pigs, and turkeys through 4-H, and it has been such a rewarding experience for all of us. It’s taught my kids responsibility, hard work, and care for animals, and it’s something I’ve become really passionate about.
As a future teacher, I love the idea of bringing some of these real-life experiences into the classroom. For example, a class garden or growing center would be a wonderful addition to a classroom. I also think it would be amazing to hatch eggs in an incubator as part of a science unit. Bringing these things into a class provides a hands-on way for students to learn about life cycles, responsibility, and observation, and it creates a lot of excitement and curiosity. I’m really interested in creating learning experiences that feel real, engaging, and connected to the world outside the classroom.
Overall, I always try to be someone who is reliable, adaptable, and positive, even when things get challenging. Teaching is something I’m genuinely excited about, and I’m looking forward to continuing to learn, grow, and find new ways to connect with students. I hope to create a classroom environment where students feel valued, included, and inspired to be themselves.