Brayden Oppelt

A life-long learner who thrives on challenges and opportunities for growth, Brayden has been blessed to share these principles with learners on his lifelong journey in education.

From South Korea to Nunavut, a stop on the west coast in Surrey, BC and finally to Calgary, Brayden has worked with a diverse network of learners across the globe, taking a whole-child approach to teaching, considering each unique need and background of his students.

A pivotal moment in Brayden’s career came in 2018 when he started a Graduate Diploma in Inclusive Education at Simon Fraser University. This program rocked Brayden with an unexpected seismic shift, altering his perception of his students, his teaching, and his understanding of his own experience in education. By adjusting his approach to appeal to students’ multiple intelligences, Brayden was able to see his classroom transform in real-time into one where his students experienced greater agency and self-confidence. Before completing his Master’s program in April 2021, Brayden shifted into the role of Integration Support Teacher, working to aid the inclusion of students with special needs into the classroom. Brayden worked with students, parents, teachers, and other key stakeholders to develop and implement programming tailored to each individual students’ strengths and needs.

Brayden’s work is encapsulated in “Be Here Now,” a focus on being authentic and present in all daily interactions, especially those with students.

Brayden strongly believes that cultivating autonomy, self-advocacy, and metacognition are central in setting students up for continued success in life. He encourages reflection, working with strengths, and stepping outside one’s comfort zone, valuing process over product. Brayden is grateful for every opportunity to work with students and knows that authentic connection is at the core of exceptional learning experiences. To that end, Brayden brings not only patience and understanding, but also humour and energy to his work with students.

Outside of Kaizen, you will most likely find him in the middle of some type of self-care, which, according to Brayden may look like hiking, exercising, reading, enjoying an excess of coffee, spending quality time with his family, or being immersed in il dolce far niente (pleasant relaxation in carefree idleness). Anything that nourishes the body and mind.