Teaching Portfolio
Creating vibrant, engaging lessons which foster critical thinking, literacy, and collaboration, equipping our students with the skills our society needs.
K-12 Certified
My orginal goal was to teach high school students. After accepting a position with an elementary school, I was priviledged to experience the curiosity and enthusiasm of this age group. I’ve now gained experience teaching grades four, five, and six.
Skills Summary
Leadership
I’ve had the opportunity to serve as Head Teacher in three schools over the past 11 years. I was chosen for these positions based on strong organizational, interpersonal, and pedagogical skills. I can lead a team of teachers in accomplishing goals.
Language & Literacy
My qualifications, and lived experience integrating into another culture have provided me with the educational techniques, resources, and knowledge necessary to guide diverse groups of learners, and to ensure they can find success.
Life-long Learning
Teaching Philosophy
In my own life I continually work to gain new knowledge and skills. I believe this is one of the most critical tools for success, and strive to instill it in my students.
Make lessons applicable to students’ lives.
Have students keep a Learning Journal.
Demonstrate real-world applications.
Example: During my student teaching I was asked to help two Grade 12 students who were unable to complete basic multiplication problems. I convinced them of the importance of this skill by relating times I found descrepencies in my own hourly wages through use of multiplication.
Students construct a Rube Goldberg machine while studying transfer of energy. After each failed attempt students were asked to make an assessment of why the machine failed, and how to improve the machine for the next attempt.
Assessment Strategies
Students had finished a unit on electricity. The students had been assessed on their ability to design a working circuit. To demonstrate real-world application, we made light-up greeting cards, complete with a working electric circuit students designed and constructed themselves.
Assessment is an important tool for both educators and students to measure progress. I believe it’s important to include multiple forms of assessment to help students understand that assessment is a useful, reflective process.
Formative: Constant and ongoing to monitor student understanding, and any need for adjustment.
Summative: Used for demonstrating mastery of the subject.
Student-Led (Introspective): Having students reflect on their own perceived strengths and weaknesses, explaining what they felt comfortable with, and what they found challenging.
Informal Assement: Used continuously throughout each lesson to check for understanding, and make modifications in the moment.
Example: When asking students to repeat back instructions and objectives, they may do so incorrectly, showing a need to make adjustments before continuing.
Engaging Material
The best way to ensure a classroom is successful is to create lessons the students want to particpate in, and look forward to.
Incorporate group work and project-based-learning.
Example: When learning about literary elements in fiction students worked on a long-term project to create their own novella, incorporating the literary element we most recently covered. This also served as formative assessment.
Use a variety of instructional methods, including various learning styles.
Encourage creativity and opportunities for thinking outside of the box.
Students prepare PPT slides for a book review of a novel. Students were required to discuss a number of literary elements, while also including images and animations, blending literacy and technology skills.
Speaking at a faculty meeting. During this meeting I was preparing teachers for our yearly parents day, when parents are invited to attend the class along with their children.
Collaboration & Communication
When offering feedback to newly hired teachers, I often mention that anything I do well, I do well because I previously did it wrong. Working closely with same-grade and same-subject teachers is vital for finding the best methods of delivering the curriculum to students.
Hold regular meetings with same-grade teachers to stay informed.
Connect with the previous-grade-level teachers to ensure a smooth transition between grade levels.
Contact parents and guardians with positive news and success, not only when problems arise.
Example: Whenever a student who has been struggling with behavior or academic issues has a successful moment in class, I always make sure to talk to the student, ensure they know I recognize the achievement, and communicate the good news to parents.
Regular communication with the principal and vice-principal to ensure goals are being met.
Shortly before one of the debate teams I coached took the stage at a national debate competition. Over the course of two years one of my students progressed from being nearly too nervous to speak, to winning best speaker at a national event.
It remains the proudest moment of my career to date.
Debate & Discussion
When done well, structured debates have incredible educational potential. Students build confidence, improve speaking, writing, and critical-thinking skills. Socially, they learn to consider another person’s point of view, and to offer kindness and respect to those we disagree with.
Structure debates clearly and simply to aid student communication.
Example: Debates I hold in my classroom are very different to debates I hold when coaching a debate team. Typically I use a simplified version of Asian Parliamentary in the classroom, which is an easy and intuitive style.
Choose topics that will develop critical-thinking skills.
Focus on developing interpersonal skills, communication, and confidence
Certifications & Education
Level 5 Teaching Certificate
Level 5 Teaching Certificate - New Brunswick (K-12)
COMP Certificate
Classroom Organization and Management Program
TESL Canada Certificate
TESL Canada Professional Standard I
Bachelor of Education
Crandall University
Moncton, New Brunswick
Teaching Practicum
Salisbury Regional School
Salisbury, New Brunswick
Bachelor of History
Crandall University
Moncton, New Brunswick
Sample Lesson Plan
Grade 4 Science - Electric Circuits
This was an actual lesson I held with my grade 4 science class. In the PDF you will find my lesson plan, a table listing considerations for the lesson, and photos of the lesson in session.
References
Edited to remove personal information.
Full references with contact details available on request.
