Hello! My name is Marlee Tremblay, and for as long as I can remember, I have dreamed of becoming a teacher. One of the earliest memories of this dream came from kindergarten, when my teacher first set up a mock classroom center. Every day, I would pretend to be the teacher at this center, confidently leading my peers and announcing that I one day become a teacher. At home, I would line up my stuffed animals (and sometimes my little brother!) and teach them everything I had learned at school that day. As I grew older, that passion never faded. I naturally gravitated toward helping others, finding joy in creating moments of understanding and building connections. I began to recognize the importance of empathy, patience, and listening skills that would later shape how I view teaching. To me, being a teacher is about far more than delivering content. It’s about building trust, creating inclusive environments, and helping every student feel that they belong and are valued.
Growing up, I was deeply immersed in sports and played nearly everything my schools had to offer. I played ultimate frisbee, baseball, basketball, volleyball, field hockey, and track—but my greatest passion was ringette. I played for the Westside Ringette Association from the age of six to nineteen, captaining ten teams and earning three provincial gold medals and a bronze. Many of our teams were recognized with “most sportsmanlike” awards, a reflection of the values we held both on and off the ice.
These experiences helped shape my understanding of leadership, perseverance, and how to work collaboratively toward a shared goal. At age twelve, I began mentoring younger players through the association’s development program, where older athletes supported the youngest teams. After four years, I stepped into the role of assistant coach. Coaching allowed me to apply what I had learned as a player in a new and meaningful way. I quickly realized that coaching was about so much more than drills and gameplay but instead it was about building confidence, encouraging effort, and creating a space where young athletes felt supported and empowered. These moments affirmed my love of teaching and strengthened my desire to work with children in an impactful way.
We all come from the land and one day will become the land, therefore we must respect and learn from this place of such importance. I would not be who I am today without the impact the outdoors has had on my life. Whether I’m hiking through forested trails, casting a line into still waters, or swimming in any lake or river nearby, nature has always been my place to recenter and recharge. It offers a sense of peace and clarity that I have yet to find anywhere else. I truly believe that the natural world around us is one of the greatest teachers we have. It teaches us to slow down, observe closely, adapt, and respect the world around us.
These lessons have profoundly influenced my values and how I want to shape my classroom—through curiosity, mindfulness, and connection. Just as nature has helped me grow, I hope to create a learning environment where students are encouraged to explore, question, and find strength in their own learning journeys.