NAME:
Miss Meredith Crocker and Miss Michelle Crocker
SCHOOL:
Swansea Junior and Senior Public School
CLASS:
Junior and Senior Kindergarten-Room #107
SCHOOL PHONE:
(416)393-9080
Welcome. As most, if not all of you know by now, our names are Miss
Meredith Crocker and Miss Michelle Crocker.....and "yes", we are identical
twin sisters who are both elementary school teachers teaching Kindergarten
here at Swansea P.S. "No, we are not kidding,and we are so excited to be
doing so!
Prior to teaching Kindergarten together this year, we have both taught a few
other grades here at Swansea. Meredith orignally came to Swansea four years
ago and during her first year at Swansea, taught Kindergarten. She, then
taught the First Grade for the past two years. Now, it seems that she has
come full circle as she makes her return to Kindergarten this year.
Michelle came to Swansea seven years ago and initially taught Physical
Education. Subsequent to this position, she then taught the First Grade for
a few years, the Third Grade for a year, and finally, Kindergarten for the
past two years (this year marks her third year in Kindergarten).
We both consider ourselves so very fortunate to be part of such a
great school, staff, and community! Prior to our time here at Swansea, we
taught in High Point, North Carolina, U.S.A. and in the York Region, in Oak
Ridges.
We began our post secondary studies in our hometown of Thunder Bay, ON, at
Lakehead University; however, within a few years, we needed to spread our
wings and therefore, transferred to the University of Western Ontario in
London, ON where we both completed a B.A. in Psychology, a diploma in
Kinesiology, and finally, a teaching certificate.
During our time there, we were both members of the U.W.O. cross country team
and worked as aquatics' instructors and lifeguards at the campus recreation
centre.
Okay, aside from our educational backgrounds, here is a bit more information
that you may wish to know about us:
We were born and raised in Thunder Bay, ON by parents whom we consider to be
the BEST parents on the face of this earth (of course, this is a completely
unbiased opinion). We consider our parents to be two of the most
influential role models in our lives. They are remarkable human beings who
embody and emulate humbleness, loyalty, determination, unconditional love,
care, generosity, selflessness, and respect. We count our blessings
everyday to have them as our parents.
In addition to our parents, our immediate family also includes one other
very important and influential member, a younger brother, Willy who is a
firefighter in Thunder Bay(Although now, as an adult he prefers to be
called "Will" or "Bill"-much more mature-sounding, not so juvenile; however,
we are his older sisters and being older and of course, wiser, what we say
goes! Thus, "Willy" it is.).
Now, thus far, we are sounding scarily identical (and truth be told, we
are and proud of it!); however, we do have a few, just a few, differences.
Meredith has a wicked sense of humour, an incredible business sense, a calm
and humourous laidback personality, and best of all, the BEST FASHION
SENSE! She is truly the more relaxed of the two of us; always seeing the
comical and lightness in every situation-good and bad. Now, right now, she
is sounding rather "angelic" but, do not be fooled, she has some downfalls.
She cannot cook to save her life. She detests driving (if she is behind the
wheel, "Stay off of the sidewalk!"). She hates jeans and anything tight.
She prefers a New York lifestyle. She loves Kelly Ripa. She also loves to
read.
Michelle, on the other hand, is much more serious. She loves to cook and
bake. She enjoys reading and collecting cookbooks. The Food Network is her
favourite. She adores her many Uggs, jeans, tees, Juicy sweatsuits, and
anything organic and eco-friendly! She is a California girl and London,
England at heart. She loves Gwyneth Paltrow.
A Few Other Interesting Twin Facts About Us: we are "mirror image" twins-
meaning that Meredith is right-handed and Michelle is left-handed; Michelle
is eleven minutes older than Meredith; we both have the same number of
bridges and crowns in our mouths and they are in the exact same spots (a big
dilemna for our poor dentist!)
Some of Our Favourite Things:
T.V. Shows-Martha Stewart, House, Brothers and Sisters, Sex and the City,
cooking shows, home and clothing design shows
(our favourite networks-The Food Network, Bravo, Slice, and Life Network)
and all reality shows (especially, Top Chef, Project Runway, The
Bachelor/Bachelorette, Hell's Kitchen, and Survivor, etc.)
Movies-The Hours, Cider House Rules, Crash, Girl Interrupted, Shakespeare in
Love, Proof, Sylvia
Actress(es)-Gwyneth Paltrow (Michelle), Sarah Jessica Parker (Meredith)
Actor(s)-Hugh Grant (Michelle), George Clooney (Meredith)
Musician(s) or Music Group(s)-Coldplay (Michelle), Madonna (both), Justin
Timberlake (Meredith), John Mayer (both)
Fruit-apples, berries
Vegetables-most: salad greens, kale, broccoli, swiss chard, bok choy,
cauliflower, squash, carrots, cucumber, cabbage
Colours-blue and green (Michelle); black, black, and more black (Meredith-
plus, a little white and gray)
Season-1st-Fall, 2nd-Summer
Hobbies-cooking, baking, cleaning (Michelle), reading (especially,
fiction, eco books, and cookbooks), distance running (we actually run stride
for stride-without even knowing it), yoga, spinning, walking,
shopping at street front shops in Yorkville (Michelle) and at Holt Renfrew
(Meredith), grocery shopping at the Big Carrot, visiting and shopping at
local organic farmers' markets, eating at vegan restaurants
Food-fruits and veggies, whole grains, beans/legumes, soy
(tofu, tempeh, edamame, miso), seaweed
Drink-green tea, soy milk
Books-any Shopaholic novel from the series, Lovely Bones, Memoires of a
Geisha, Summer Sisters, The Friday Night Knitting Club, Comfort Food, Eat,
Pray, Love, all vegan cookbooks (Michelle); Chasing Harry Winston, The Devil
Wears Prada, Bergdorf Blondes, The Nanny Diaries, Something Borrowed,
Something Blue, The Manny, Sex and the City series, any and all fashion
style books (Meredith)
Subject(s) when we were in high school-Home Economics, English, French,
Biology, Physical Education (Michelle-making her dad, a retired Physical
Education high school teacher proud); Math, Science, Physical Education,
French (Meredith)
Authors as children-E.B. White, Judy Blume, Roald Dahl, Beverley Cleary, Dr.
Seuss
Animals-all animals; especially, dogs
Pet Peeves-smokers, disrespectful people, 'bad' drivers, messy
handwriting/printing, heights (Michelle), loud/pounding music, polyester,
gum-chewing, cell phones, our mother's chewing and gulping (Sorry, mom!)
Okay, we have divulged enough personal 'dirt' about ourselves. We have to
keep some things private.
We approach our chosen career with great passion, responsibility, and
respect, always doing our best to act professionally appropriate. At the
forefront of every decision and action that we make, is our students' best
interests. Everything we do as our students' teachers is done with the
intent of fostering and nurturing academic growth, respectful and
responsible citizenship, divergent thinking, and creating safe, caring,
stimulating, and positive learning environments. We consider it an honour
to be such prominent and influential figures in our students' lives.
