Samantha
Lazaruik
FUTURE TEACHER
Hello
Here's who I am & what I do
This e-portfolio highlights my academic, professional, and practical experiences in Physical Education, health education, kinesiology, and youth sport coaching. It represents my ongoing development as an aspiring educator and provides insight into the knowledge, skills, and experiences that have shaped my approach to teaching, coaching, and working with youth.
My background in kinesiology has provided me with a strong foundation in human movement, physical activity, health, and the factors that contribute to lifelong physical well-being. Through my studies and practical experiences, I have developed a deeper understanding of how movement and physical activity can support not only physical development, but also confidence, mental well-being, social connection, and overall student success.
Coaching youth sports has further strengthened my passion for working with young people. These experiences have taught me the importance of building positive relationships, communicating effectively, creating inclusive environments, and adapting my approach to meet the individual needs of athletes. I believe youth sport provides valuable opportunities to develop teamwork, leadership, resilience, discipline, and confidence—skills that extend well beyond the playing environment.
As an aspiring educator, I am committed to creating positive, inclusive, and engaging learning environments where students feel supported, valued, and encouraged to challenge themselves. I strive to make physical activity accessible and meaningful for students of all abilities while helping them develop the knowledge, confidence, and habits needed to lead healthy and active lives.
This portfolio includes lesson plans, assignments, certifications, reflections, and examples of my teaching, coaching, and academic experiences. Together, these demonstrate my continued growth and commitment to developing as a knowledgeable, adaptable, and student-centered educator.
About Me.
Background
Throughout my educational journey, from elementary school through university, I have maintained a strong connection to sport, physical activity, and health. From a young age, I participated in competitive sports year-round, including ringette, volleyball, and softball. These experiences helped shape my appreciation for physical activity and showed me the many ways sport can contribute to confidence, teamwork, discipline, and personal growth. Today, I continue to prioritize physical activity through hobbies such as hiking, skiing, golfing, resistance training, and regular workout routines, which allow me to stay active and maintain a strong connection to health and wellness.
My passion for movement, physical fitness, and health ultimately led me to pursue degrees in Kinesiology and Secondary Education. Through my studies, I have developed a deeper understanding of human movement, health, physical activity, and the role educators can play in helping young people develop lifelong healthy habits. These experiences have strengthened my desire to become a Physical Education teacher who can share the positive impact that physical activity has had on my own life with future students.
Teaching Philosophy
As a Physical Education teacher, I want students to leave my classes with positive experiences that they can carry with them beyond the classroom. My goal is to create an environment where students feel comfortable participating, developing their skills, challenging themselves, and discovering forms of physical activity that they genuinely enjoy.
A central part of my teaching philosophy is the development of physical literacy (PL). I view physical literacy as an important foundation for lifelong engagement in physical activity because it supports students in developing the knowledge, confidence, competence, motivation, and understanding needed to participate in movement throughout their lives. Physical literacy also reflects a holistic approach to health by recognizing the connections between physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being.
Research supports the importance of developing physical literacy from an early age. Caldwell et al. (2020) found that higher levels of physical literacy are associated with more positive health indicators in children. This highlights that physical literacy is not simply an outcome of Physical Education, but can also play an important role in supporting students' overall health and well-being.
As a future Physical Education teacher, I aim to go beyond simply meeting curriculum outcomes. I want to help students understand why physical activity matters and empower them to make informed, healthy choices throughout their lives. Ultimately, I believe Physical Education should provide students with the knowledge, skills, confidence, and positive experiences necessary to develop an active and healthy lifestyle that extends well beyond their time in school.
Academic Accomplishments
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Rutherford Scholarship for Academic Achievement
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Standard of Excellence (Honor Roll) - Grade 10 to 12 Bev Facey High School
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Character Award - Grade 10 to 12 Bev Facey High School
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Academic Excellence (Highest Core Average in Grade 9 Science)
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Standard of Excellence (Honor Roll) - Grade 7 to 9 F.R. Haythorne Jr. High School
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Character Award - Grade 7 to 9 F.R. Haythorne Jr. High School
Athletic Accomplishments
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F.R. Haythorne Volleyball MVP Award - Grade 7
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F.R. Haythorne Volleyball MVP Award – Grade 8
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Western Canadian u14A Softball Champion (2018)
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Alberta Ringette u19A Provincial Champion (2023)
Education
Fall 2022 - Fall 2026
(Convocation March 2027)
Bachelor of Kinesiology,
University of Alberta
This degree provided me with a broad background in human movement, exercise science, health, and wellness. My coursework covered areas such as anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, exercise prescription, and health promotion, allowing me to build both theoretical knowledge and practical skills. Throughout the degree, I developed strong abilities in critical thinking, communication, teamwork, and problem-solving, while learning how to apply scientific concepts to real-world health and fitness settings. Overall this prepared me to support individuals in developing and maintaining healthy, active lifestyles. Additionally, it helped me develope an appreciation for adapted physical activity and the importance of modifying activities, environments, and approaches to ensure that individuals of all abilities have meaningful opportunities to participate.
Fall 2022 - Fall 2026
(Convocation March 2027)
Bachelor of Education,
University of Alberta
In my degree, I developed a strong foundation in educational theory, teaching practices, classroom management, and student development. Through coursework, practicum experiences, and hands-on learning, I strengthened my communication, organization, collaboration, leadership, and problem-solving skills. My studies provided valuable experience creating inclusive and engaging learning environments, adapting instruction to meet diverse student needs, and building positive relationships with students, families, and colleagues.
