Connor McCauley
Program: Master of Arts in Child Study and Education
Expected year of graduation: 2025
What led you to apply to APHD at OISE?
The MA-CSE program within the APHD family was particularly interesting because of the focus on applied research related to children that dynamically addresses the challenges facing students, teachers and families today. Coming out of the workforce, the balance between professional placements and academic coursework was very appealing. As I moved through different jobs and industries I realized that my path was bringing me back to education and this program had everything I was looking for to get me there. An added bonus was coming back to the University of Toronto after completing my undergraduate degree here! Within this department I have found like minded thinkers and those willing to engage in constructive discourse on the challenges facing educators today.
What was your past experience like?
In the past I have worked in recreation with a variety of populations and in different environments. At Variety Village I worked as a recreation therapist in the day programs there. The facility is located in the east end of Toronto and supports all people looking for a space to stay active and engage in sport in many different ways. I have also worked at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital in a similar capacity as a recreation therapist. There I worked with some amazing people to deliver an outpatient program in robotics. Before starting the program I worked at The Hospital for Sick Children in the child life department. During the pandemic the common play spaces were closed and many patients were restricted to their rooms during their stay. It was our job to bring some normative play experiences to patients and families in the hospital. I had so much fun and felt so privileged to be welcomed into rooms to play some music, shoot some mini hoops or roll the dice for monopoly. It is truly amazing how kids continue to be kids in some of the hardest moments and the staff at SickKids really understands that in order to deliver exceptional care to patients and families.
What is one thing you like most about your experience so far at OISE?
The MA-CSE program and learning environment has opened my eyes to aspects of child development and education that I had never previously considered. I have been blown away by the efforts and expertise of the professional faculty here, and the sense of community the school fosters. Getting to know my peers has been such a pleasure, and I have so much to learn from each of them. I have felt engaged and excited by our classroom discussions, collaborating on lesson plans and unraveling different pedagogy.
Through volunteering at events and getting to know people around the department I have been exposed to aspects of child development and education that I had never previously considered. I appreciate the tireless efforts of the professional faculty at the MA-CSE program. They are not only leading experts in their respective fields, engaging instructors in the graduate classrooms but also fierce advocates and good people. The amount of support in the community is incredible and I think it is well known that we can all stand to learn something from one another. The future may be unknown but I am confident that this community will help mold it into a promising one.
What is your favourite thing about Toronto?
I am a born and raised Torontonian鈥 and I love every part of it! Don鈥檛 get me wrong, I can complain about construction and transit with the best of them. But the food, festivals, art and multiculturalism always call me back, despite leaving for many years of travel. More recently, I have begun to explore the green spaces our city has to offer. Biking down the waterfront pathway is a personal favourite in the summer!
What does your 鈥渨eekend鈥 typically look like?
I spend my weekends recharging with friends and family. There are so many great restaurants and cafes in the city, so I typically end up trying a new spot out each weekend! Every so often, my Dad and I will play a local gig at the Free Times Cafe or The Coach and Lantern in Ancaster.
What are some of your hobbies & interests?
During the week I spend a lot of time cooking to unwind from a busy day before I dig into some coursework and/or lesson planning for school. I also love to play squash at the AC with my good friend Luke. He is a great player and I鈥檓 just okay. Earlier on in my life I loved to travel. I spent some time in India and South America on two different trips. I still love to travel but it is less about the journey and more about the destination. I enjoy getting up to Collingwood and strapping on the cross country skis for a glide around the trails there. Playing music is another hobby I enjoy in my free time at home. I will pick up either the guitar, mandolin, ukulele or harmonica to play a tune.
What is your favourite type of cuisine?
Indian!! I was fortunate enough to live in India for a year and fell in love with garlic naan, palak paneer, aloo gobi and malai kofta.
Where do you see yourself after you achieve your degree from APHD?
I entered this program with the intention to teach in a classroom, and my placement experiences thus far have confirmed my passion and interest working with primary and junior students. This term I am placed at the Jackman Institute. It has been an incredible experience so far. The school has a unique culture and focus on inquiry and learning that is unlike many other programs. It would be amazing to find myself back here someday. Whatever the job looks like I will stay committed to learning and supporting others to learn in any endeavor.
