I see myself as a facilitator, equal in power and experiences to my students. When I teach, I assume all the knowledge I have on the topic is embedded in the audience. My role is to pull it out of people, to deepen their understanding in an interesting, relevant way. 

"Teacher"

• To impart knowledge, skill
  
• Top down power differential
  
• Develop for and deliver to
  

"Facilitator"

• To pull out existing knowledge and help make connections and develop new skills
  
• Working with students in equal partnerships
  

Facilitation skill development

I learned how to effectively facilitate from a number of different experiences:

• Creating good questions (Education 750, McMaster University)
  
• Body language and importance of positive classroom environment (Humber's Centre for Teaching & Learning)
  
• Creating fun, dynamic activities (Youth Advocacy Training Institute (YATI))
  
• Engaging people in supportive problem solving for healthy behaviour change and facilitating challenging people or topics 

         (YATI, Weight Watchers train the trainer, feedback and observing others)