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Welcome to my ePortfolio!

I am a Bachelor of Education student with a passion for community-based, hands on and culturally responsive learning. This space reflects my growth, experiences, and journey as an emerging educator.

About Me

Welcome to my ePortfolio!

My name is Denae Lafferty, and I am from the Tłı̨chǫ region in the Northwest Territories, within Treaty 11. I am currently completing my Bachelor of Education at Thompson Rivers University, building on my Early Learning and Child Care diploma from Aurora College. This space reflects my growth, experiences, and journey as an emerging educator, with a focus on community-based, hands-on, and culturally responsive learning.

Growing up in a small community, sports were a big part of my life. Being involved in athletics helped me understand teamwork, communication, and the importance of community. It also led me into coaching, where I realized how much I enjoy supporting others and helping them build confidence. Alongside this, I spent a lot of time babysitting my dad’s large extended family and volunteering at school events, helping with crafts, sports, and different activities. I am also the second youngest of five, and now an aunt to three nephews with a niece on the way. Being an aunt has added another layer to who I am, as it has strengthened my sense of care, patience, and responsibility, and has made me even more aware of how important it is for children to feel supported and understood.

I also spent a year substitute teaching in my local Indigenous community, which had a lasting impact on me. It helped me see how important educators are in students’ lives and how even small, everyday moments can make a difference. That experience pushed me to complete my Early Learning and Child Care diploma in 2023, and then continue my path into the Bachelor of Education program in 2025.

My upbringing has strongly shaped my educational philosophy. As a late-diagnosed ADHD learner, I know firsthand that not all students learn in the same way. I often experienced learning differently from my peers, and at times struggled in systems that were not built with students like me in mind. This has made me more aware of the need for flexible, inclusive teaching practices that meet students where they are at. I also saw this through my younger brother, who has ADHD and dyslexia. Watching him struggle in school, and seeing teachers underestimate his abilities or not give him the time and support he needed, had a huge impact on me. It showed me how damaging it can be when students are not seen for their full potential, and it motivates me to be a teacher who listens, adapts, and advocates for every learner.

My mom has also been a strong influence in my life. She worked in an Indigenous community with a focus on cultural and land-based learning, and I saw her face challenges and criticism, especially as a non-Indigenous educator in that space. Watching her continue to show up with respect, resilience, and commitment to the community taught me a lot about the importance of relationships, humility, and lifelong learning as an educator.

All of these experiences connect deeply to my educational philosophy. I believe that learning should be inclusive, relational, and connected to students’ identities, cultures, and lived experiences. I want to create a classroom where students feel safe, seen, and capable, and where different ways of learning are valued. My goal as an educator is to support students not just academically, but as whole people, helping them build confidence, a sense of belonging, and the skills they need to succeed in both school and life.
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Work And Travel

Employment Reflection My employment experiences have helped me understand education in a more real and meaningful way. Working as a respite worker taught me patience, empathy, and how to support individuals with diverse and sometimes complex needs. I have also had the opportunity to work with two levels of government in education, where I helped …

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