Hello! I’m Deanna Kooistra,

I've been lucky enough to teach in a school that I attended!  I grew up in Strathmore, attending Westmount and then Brentwood, once it opened!  I attended the University of Calgary and have worked in Golden Hills throughout my career.  I live on a farm outside of Strathmore with my husband and a variety of pets!  We have two daughters that are currently attending university.  We love to spend time together as a family; traveling and learning about new places and cultures.  In my spare time, I also enjoy reading, gardening, and cooking.  

My teaching philosophy is simple. I believe in making learning authentic and meaningful by offering as many experiences as possible.  While no one will remember a worksheet they did in Grade 3, it’s my hope that real-life experiences will have a lasting impact.  If you can make a child believe school is fun and interesting, you’ve likely succeeded in encouraging a lifelong love of learning in them, which is the greatest thing any teacher can do.

“Develop a passion for learning.  If you do, you will never cease to grow.”

- Anthony J. D'Angelo