My name is Shield Swearing, and I grew up in Toronto as a child of Jamaican parents. My siblings and I were the first generation to benefit from a Canadian community that prioritized education. support from dedicated teachers and principals, who provided resources tailored to my learning style. This inspired me to pursue a career in Early Childhood Education. Through my studies at Humber College, I have developed intervention techniques, resolution strategies, and effective communication skills to assist children, youth, and their caregivers. For example, while working with youth at Inner City Outreach, a non-profit organization, I applied my observational skills to identify teaching methods that met the unique needs of the youth, sharing the resulting documentation with staff and families to promote a welcoming environment and open communication.

As an enthusiastic, creative, and compassionate educator, I have experience working in communities affected by trauma, gained through my roles as a childcare assistant and youth program coordinator. I recognize the intersectionality individuals may encounter and am committed to advocacy in this area.