Kande Williston, Faculty Rep.

Guiding others with kindness and motherly concern is the major activity in Kande Williston’s busy day. Whether she is guiding an Algebra II class through a conic sections dance, student council organizing for Fall Fair, or her own children on an outdoor excursion, Kande will be setting clear boundaries for what needs to happen, and displaying the fun that is possible within those boundaries.

After earning a Bachelors degree at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Kande was first exposed to teaching while working as an instructor at a science camp on Catalina Island. From there, she went back to UBC and obtained a teaching credential, taught in Ghana for two years, then in Gibsons, British Columbia, finally arriving at York in 2002. With her sister living nearby, and her husband working in Moss Landing, Kande chose York as the place to put down roots and start a family. 

As a teacher, Kande is constantly trying new approaches to the material she is covering. This can involve experimenting with online graphing programs, using motion sensors for math labs, and trying out the flipped classroom experience. Her classroom is seldom quiet as students are encouraged to ask questions, openly collaborate with each other, and, whenever possible, music is incorporated into lessons. Students in Chemistry are the ones most likely to experience these activities, but she has also taught Science 8, Algebra I, Algebra II, and Geometry.