Anne Wellnhofer

Middle & Senior School Outdoor Education
How do you continue learning in your life? 
I keep learning by trying new things. In my 25 years of teaching, I have taught 25 different courses. Sometimes I teach things that I only know a bit about, and I'm not afraid to learn along with my students. I find it is human nature to want to do what you feel good at, but I will only keep growing if I do things that are slightly uncomfortable. 

What is your professional passion? 
Any field course. Allowing students to immerse themselves in a new environment, new experience, new skills, new perspective. There is so much magic in this, and it often surpasses what you can do inside four walls.
Any chance to connect students with the natural environment - this helps them see the relevance of their choices, develop purpose in their life, and experience more joy.

What is one of your favourite interactions with students?
When I understand a student's learning needs so thoroughly that I can consistently anticipate their needs and meet them. Doesn't happen all the time, but it sure makes me smile when it does happen.
 
Otherwise, favourite moments include having a surf day (kind of like a ski day here) with my students in Costa Rica. They were all way better than me and took time to teach me and help me feel safe. Another favourite is taking students to Kyuquot, which is a boat access community off the west coast of Vancouver Island. By exploring the place and learning about natural and cultural history, my students are in a position to begin to understand the impacts of the Indian Act. When we are there, they get to talk with local people about life in residential schools, reclaiming their language, traditional skills, family structure, settling land claims, and what it's like to have a deep connection to the land. Pretty magical.
 
Favourite thing about working at CDS:
Driving to work with my son, imagining how we can use the space across the train tracks, scheming and dreaming about how to deepen our experience and connection with our campus.

What is one of your life goals?
To raise three happy and healthy kids, treat everybody with kindness, try new things even if they are scary, be deeply passionate about teaching for my whole life, coach skiing until about half the coaching staff are female, own a sailboat and go on trips for a few months at a time.

Other than CDS, I support: Foster Parents Plan - I've had a foster kid for over 20 years.

Hometown: Second Line of Oro Township, only paved in the last few years ... closest town was Barrie.

Also Known As: Annie Bananie, but only by people who love me
     
Joined CDS in: 2020

Education: B.E.S. (joint honours in Environment and Resource Management and Geography, minor in Biology) from the University of Waterloo, B.Ed. from Bishop's University, Klingenstein Summer Institute (Columbia University)
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School Information

13415 Dufferin Street King, Ontario L7B 1K5
(905) 833-1220
communications@cds.on.ca
admissions@cds.on.ca
Founded in 1972, The Country Day School is a co-educational private school offering programs in JK-12 and located on 100 acres north of Toronto in King.