Chris Brauer B.Ed. Learning Consultant for Wynndel Wondertree Family status and relevant experience with home learning My family and I have just returned from three years living on the Arabian Sea and now we’re looking forward to life in Canada again (my kids are especially looking forward to seeing snow again!).  My wife will be returning to work as a hairstylist (making people beautiful), my ten-year old son Adam will be joining me in the Wondertree School, and my four-year old son Nicholas will be entering preschool.  I also have a sock monkey named Bruno. I am in the unique position of having an actual ‘bricks and mortar’ building in the Creston Valley where I can work with my learners and observe them on a daily basis.  Age of learners I prefer to work with and specific focus My experience in the teaching ‘field’ has been in small schools where I was in constant contact with students of all ages, even if they weren’t necessarily in my classroom. This year, I look forward to working with learners of all ages in the Wynndel Wondertree School.  My ‘training’is in the humanities (English, History), as well as English as Foreign Language, but I have experience teaching mathematics, sciences, and other subjects such as film studies, cooking, philosophy and cultural studies. Description of my approach to working with SelfDesign Life doesn’t fall into fifty-minute single-subject chunks, and neither should learning.  History (for instance) is not just about falling asleep while reading a poorly written textbook; it should involve cooking the traditional food, listening or playing the traditional instruments, looking at traditional architecture, art and artifacts, checking out the local flora and fauna, following the currency on the international market, and so much more.  I believe that children have a natural enthusiasm to life,and their education should reflect what each student is interested in.  I also believe that learning is a never-ending process.  I have recently started playing guitar and writing songs, and I am currently writing a book about my travels in the Middle East. Education/ My years of teaching/ working experience/ interest focus I received my Bachelor of Arts and my teaching certificate from the University of Victoria and received an English as a Foreign Language certificate in Victoria as well.  My life as a teacher has taken me across Canada and across the world.  I taught for two years in First Nations communities --- one year near Williams Lake and one year in a fly-in community south of Prince Rupert.  I taught for five months north of Montreal before meeting my wife, at which point I decided to publish and write a small newspaper.  I shifted gears again (lots of gears) when we decided to move to the Arabian Sea where I taught English at the college level for three years.  I am interested in a lot things (sometimes I surprise myself) --- the only thing I’m not interested in is eating celery sticks (no matter how much Cheez Whiz or peanut butter is slopped on!). Back