Ms. Julia Piekos is a bright and enthusiastic teacher who fills her classes with a special blend of academic knowledge and cultural heritage. She was raised with Polish traditions and was born in Toronto. Ms. Piekos shares her love of languages and understanding of the world with her students as she teaches Civics and French.
In addition to her work as a teacher, Ms. Piekos is a passionate advocate for the Reconciliation Club. The club’s goal is Indigenous education, and Ms. Piekos highlights how much the students have been interested in and working hard on it. She encourages people to connect with the club on social media by following “@reconciliationclub” and she pushes students to get involved, understand and celebrate the gifts that Indigenous people have given to Canada.
Outside of the classroom, Ms. Piekos likes to go on walks with her dog, do Pilates, and try out different restaurants. When she was younger, she was a great soccer player who was well-known for her ability to score goals from corner kicks and even from the half line, showcasing her competitive lifestyle.
Ms. Piekos’ interests are now more about fun than competition. Her advice to students is: “School is all about progress and balance. High school is the ideal time to try new things, take chances, and develop your identity.”
She has always had a passion for teaching, and remembers an event in her high school when she was motivated to pursue French by a guest speaker from Glendon University. She credits her passion and future career path to that specific moment.
Her favourite part of teaching is witnessing her students’ enthusiasm and creativity in the classroom and in extracurricular activities like plays and films presented at events like A’n’T night. Now in her fifth year of teaching, Ms. Piekos has never failed to motivate her students with her commitment, understanding of culture, and enthusiasm for learning.
Image Credits: Nilujan and Harshit
THE NORTH STAR 