How well do you know your Education Students' Association execs for 2015-16? We asked them all five questions to get to know them better.

In Part 1, we introduce you to Alysha Kazimirchuk, Vice President, Academic for the ESA and Waishing Lam, Vice President, Finance & Operations. Read Part 2 here.

5 Questions with Alysha

Faculty of Education: As a child, what was your favourite subject in school?

Alysha: My favourite subject in school was always English. Writing was a great outlet, and reading was a great escape—being able to connect with authors in their stories, lyrics, and poetry. I think human connection is so important, and I love art for its ability to achieve this.

Faculty of Education: What made you want to do a degree in Education at the U of A?

Alysha: In my K-12 experience, I felt bored with the traditional school system. I like alternative forms of learning and would love to incorporate them into my teaching practices or start a new system of schooling.

I got into teaching because I never felt inspired, and I am hoping to bring a fresh, alternative approach to schooling. I love naturalistic learning, and I would love to see more of that in education. I would love to see students who are not engaged in school find a new love and appreciation for the pursuit of knowledge.

Faculty of Education: If you could have dinner with anyone—living or dead, famous or non-famous—whom would you pick and why?

Alysha: My great-grandma—she was one of my best friends while she was alive, and I would love to have another dinner with her. We talked so much about her life. I even made a short book when I was younger documenting it, but I have so many more questions I would love to ask.

Faculty of Education: Tell us one fascinating thing you’ve learned in one of your classes this term.

Alysha: This semester I learned in African History 260 about the history of racism and the origins of humans. I find this class fascinating and am always disappointed when the 50 minutes end. If you can take a class with Guy Thompson, I strongly recommend it.

Faculty of Education: Last question – describe yourself in just thre words.

Alysha: Free spirited – conscientious – warrior.

5 Questions with Waishing

Faculty of Education: As a child, what was your favourite subject in school?

Waishing: Social Studies

Faculty of Education: What made you want to do a degree in Education at the U of A?

Waishing: My reason for [choosing] Education? To make a difference in the lives of others. My reason for [choosing] the U of A? It's the first Faculty of Education in Canada, established in 1942, a Top 5 university, and Edmonton is my hometown. My life is here - it made sense to stay.

Faculty of Education: If you could have dinner with anyone—living or dead, famous or non-famous—whom would you pick and why?

Waishing: John Oliver, the host of the HBO show Last Week Tonight. John Oliver sheds light onto so many important issues that are often forgotten and fall through the cracks in society, but his dedication to accountability is admirable, not to mention his humour and spin on sensitive topics.

Faculty of Education: Tell us one fascinating thing you’ve learned in one of your classes this term.

Waishing: One fascinating thing I've learned this term is that it's much easier to sue for 'breach of contract' than it is to sue for committing a tort (from my B LAW 301 class).

Faculty of Education: Ok, last question — can you describe yourself in just three words?

Waishing: Improvise, adapt, overcome.

Feature image: Members of the Education Students' Association Executive photographed on North Campus in the fall of 2015. Clockwise from top left: Hanan Ali, Samantha Volk, Alysha Kazimirchuk, and Waishing Lam.