David Cloutier

How long have you been teaching at Connect Charter School? Almost three years. 

What is your educational/professional background? I studied at the University of Calgary for a year, but ended up finishing by Bachelor of Education at Mount Royal University. Over this time, I took a year off of full-time studies to hold an office in the Students’ Association, where I developed my passion for student voices informing the work of education. I have done independent technology consulting work since about 2011, including for several years with various Calgary Board of Education departments and schools. I’m excited that I get to put that experience to use at Connect! 

What brought you to Connect? I finished my final practicum with Kevin Sonico in Grade 5 Math and Science. Originally, I had Mount Royal University for a placement in middle school humanities, but I couldn’t be more thankful for my time in Math and Science in Grade 5. Even though my teacher education was as an Elementary Generalist, the placement was outside my comfort zone – and that was powerful learning! In that work, I got to better understand our the mission and purpose of Connect and realized that working at Connect would be the greatest career I could ask for. An opportunity opened up for a role in Teaching and Educational Technology, and I’m thankful to have accepted the offer. 

What do you consider the best part of working at our school? There’s a real emphasis on everyone in the building being a learner. Connect pushes our students and staff alike to take risks and learn outside of their comfort zone. I think that we all benefit from this culture, particularly in the ways that we emphasize the idea of “we” – decisions informed by perspectives of students, parents, teachers, and experts. 

Tell us a bit about your family. I grew up in Calgary, but my parents are from B.C. and from Quebec. My wife and I in the process of moving into our (first) home in the Southeast. We have two furry friends (cats) named Oleg and Winston. A puppy is on the horizon! 

What do you like to do when you’re not at Connect? You would probably find me tinkering with technology: more specifically, trying to automate something (I have not yet figured out how to automate my laundry!) That, or, hiking/snowshoeing/biking in the foothills or mountains. These are both re-energizing activities for me. 

Bonus Question! 

What movie genre would you want to have a starring role in? A science fiction in space? When I was in Elementary school, I loved coming home from school to watch Star Trek in my command-red costume!