HELPING TEACHERS INSPIRE COMPASSION FOR ANIMALS, PEOPLE & THE ENVIRONMENT

About

Blog

Teacher Highlight: Susan Guba

Alberta teacher and human education advocate:

Susan Guba, a recently retired teacher, believes humane education plays a vital role in the classroom. Susan has been a long time champion of Alberta SPCA education programs, particularly the book lending program AnimalTales, which helps to build empathy and literacy. Throughout her 15-year teaching career, Susan has taught in three different colony schools in Alberta. Over this time, she has incorporated AnimalTales into her teachings on a regular basis. Susan appreciates that the picture books in the program help facilitate discussion and the activities are centered around compassion towards animals, people, and the environment. Susan noted, “Not only are picture books enjoyable to read and visually attractive, they also promote critical thinking, resulting in some very thought provoking discussions.”

Susan believes that each book teaches an important lesson. She remembers her students shedding a tear for Chicu, the parrot, as they read about his journey in Always Blue for Chicu. They learned the importance of doing research to understand the physical and mental needs of animals before committing to a new pet. Her students explored the needs of chickens while building chicken coop models out of recycled materials, after reading Sonya’s Chickens.

Susan is a proponent of integrating humane education in the classroom. She believes that people who demonstrate kindness and compassion towards animals tend to treat each other in the same manner. Living by this philosophy she has always been one to model kindness, such as picking up and relocating an insect or spider found in her home or classroom. Susan was thrilled when her students started to pick up this habit!

When asked what she will miss most about teaching Susan responded, “Reading books aloud to my students! I am an avid reader myself and have added quite an extensive variety of books to my private collection, including a few of the AnimalTales books! My plan is to continue reading aloud to my grandchildren and anyone else who enjoys listening to a good book!”

We wish Susan all the best in her retirement and thank her for sharing her love of animals and modelling compassion for every living thing with her students. Her impact will continue to be felt far beyond the classroom.

For additional information on AnimalTales and to schedule it for your classroom click here.

Every One Counts Contest Prize Recipients!

We are happy to announce the prize recipients of the Every One Counts contest! Many of the entries were strong contenders, so to say it was a difficult decision would be an understatement. The three entries selected to receive a prize did a great job

Read More »

Volunteer Spotlight – April 2018

We are fortunate to have two dedicated volunteers to help in our education program. From helping with our book lending program, to translating material for our recently launched French website, much of what we do would not be possible without the help of these fantastic

Read More »

Five Reasons for AnimalTales

AnimalTales is a free book lending program (grades K-6) that encourages students to become more compassionate and develop a greater respect for all living things. This program was started in 2010 and is continually being updated with new books and materials! The feedback we get

Read More »

Two Must Have Books for Every Elementary Classroom!

Looking for new and exciting resources for teachers and students to use in the classroom is an important part of what we do. We strive to find books that engage student learning and promote humane education, as well as create activities that align with the

Read More »

November is family violence prevention month

Deliberate abuse of a pet is a form of family violence and identification and intervention leads to protecting both people and animals. There is a plethora of research that shows a definitive link between animal abuse and other forms of violence. Young people who witness

Read More »

Announcing the 2017 Humane Award Recipient!

The Alberta SPCA’s Humane Awards recognize Alberta teachers and students who inspire others to show compassion for animals, people and the environment through example and leadership. We are pleased to announce this year’s Humane Award recipient! The Animal Rescue Crew at F.R. Haythorne Junior High

Read More »

What inspires us? What sustains us?

Many years and several careers ago, I came across this picture in a magazine; for some reason it resonated with me, so I cut it out and put it in a thrift store frame and hung it on my wall. Something about that lonely, hungry

Read More »

5 – Freedom to Express Normal Behavior

This week we will be discussing the last of the Five Freedoms: the freedom to express normal behaviour. This freedom is all about providing an animal with an environment that allows for behaviour that promotes their well-being. This is accomplished by providing the animal with

Read More »

4- Freedom from Fear and Distress

This week we will be discussing the fourth of the Five Freedoms: the freedom from fear and distress. This freedom is about providing animals with conditions and treatment that do not cause them to suffer mentally or physically. Read the following blog with your students

Read More »

E-news Sign Up

Subscribe to our monthly e-news for activities, ideas and information on integrating humane education into your classroom!