TEACHING PHILOSOPHY My teaching is rooted in the knowledge that to speak, to write, to dance, to draw, and to act are movement verbs that expand one’s presence into the world and allow one to carve a place in which to be recognized. A teacher’s role is to provide the space and the support so students can begin to be recognized as the person they wish to become. SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
Committed to teaching excellence (15 years teaching experience in Canada and China)
Fostered effective collegial relationships with staff and collaborated on innovative projects
Managed projects and operational resources, wrote proposals, and conducted evaluations to improve teaching quality and learners’ satisfaction
Experience teaching University courses and English as a Second Language
ATESL, 4 Seasons of Reconciliation Certificate, Brain Story Certification
Languages spoken: English, French and Romanian
Strong organization and coordination of events aptitudes
Proficient in Web 2.0 tools, Google Docs, Google Apps for Education, Microsoft office
Quantitative (SPSS) and Qualitative (NVIVO) research skills
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE September 2017 –present English and Social Studies Teacher – École Lacombe Composite High School - Wolfcreek School Division
Taught ELA 10; 20; 30 and Social Studies 10, 20, 30 (-1 and -2)
Fostered effective collegial relationships and collaborated on innovative projects
Built durable relations with students, rooted in respect, trust and equity
Devised assessment that account for diverse interests and capabilities
Modeled commitment to professional learning by creating real world assessments and interdisciplinary projects
Initiated a Philosophy Club where students had the opportunity to engage with ancient and modern philosophy
January 2015 –July 2017 Project Coordinator - Calgary Chinese Community Service Association, Calgary, CA
Managed the operations and budgets for3 different ESL adult programs ( Stepping Stones ESL Program and Computer-Enhanced ESL Literacy Program)
Demonstrated visionary leadership by expanding the programs offered and the organization and by improving learner satisfaction
Lead a learning community and improved teaching standards by funding training programs
Built capacity by training others to the position of Project Coordinator
Main responsibilities included:
request for proposals (including budget proposals and logic plans) final reports, teacher hiring, training and supervision, learners language assessments and program evaluations.
January to August 2014 Elder Abuse Awareness Project Coordinator - CNIB, Calgary
Managed the Elder Abuse Awareness Project and conducted evaluations for this project throughout Western Canada
Researched elder abuse issues specific to people who are blind or partially sighted
Build instructional capacity and devised a comprehensive manual for public use
Organized and coordinated events throughout Western Canada
July 2014 to August 2015 English Language Teacher - Center for Newcomers, Calgary
Taught English to Canadian immigrants
Communicated well with people from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds
April to Aug 2013 Research Associate - Providence Health Care, Vancouver
Recruited and interviewed people to study health care supportive decision-making
Worked as part of the Ethics Team in hospital primary care
Designed and taught third and fourth-year University courses on Human Rights
Demonstrated a solid understanding of the larger societal context
Taught how technology impacts privacy, health care, and the rule of law.
Trained teaching assistants and developed solid working relationships
Jan. - June 2006 English Teacher –China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
Adapted quickly to a new environment and learned to communicate effectively with people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds
2006-Present - Private Tutor - Graduate and Undergraduate University Students
Tutored undergraduate and graduate university students for the following subjects: - English Literature, Political Science, Education, Communications, Philosophy, History and Sociology - as well as Research methods both quantitative and qualitative.
PRACTICUM TEACHING EXPERIENCE Lindsay Thurber Comprehensive High School, Red Deer February – April 2017 & Nov. – Dec. 2016
Designed unit plans and included Design Thinking to meet Curriculum Expectations
Understood the unique needs of students and adjusted accordingly to assist them using individualized instruction.
Created original and engaging materials for ELA 20-2 and Grade 9 ELA and Social
Facilitated clam, respectful and conducive to learning environments
Meadowbrook School, Airdrie March – April 2016
Formed meaningful relationships with students, staff and parents.
Disciplined using the 4C and T (Caring, Clear, Considerate, Clear and Timely)
EDUCATION 2015 –2017. BA Education University of Calgary May-June 2015 Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CELTA) 2006-2011. PhD Political Science/Bioethics, Carleton University, Ottawa Thesis: Alluring Freedoms: Heideggerian possibilities for an ethical encounter with death and dying Focused on end of life issues and the dangers of relying on Heideggerian philosophical concepts. Researched and analyzed the use of life-support technology and other life prolonging medical devices and their impact on people's quality of life and on liberal democratic societies. 2004-2005. Master of Arts, Political Science, University of Calgary, Calgary Thesis: The Intellectual in Political Transition Researched cultural, political and economic components of transition to democracy in Eastern Europe. 1999-2003. Bachelor of Arts, English / Political Science, University of Calgary SELECTED AWARDS AND SCHOLARSHIPS 2011. Senate Medal for Outstanding Academic Achievement (Ph.D.) 2009-2010 Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) 2006-2008. Joseph-Armand Bombardier CGS - SSHRC Doctoral Scholarships 2006-2010. Dean of Graduate Studies Academic Excellence Scholarship 2006-2010 Graduate Scholarship, Carleton University PROFESSIONAL AND EXTRACURRICULAR EXPERIENCE 2002. ESL Volunteer Teacher –Alberta Center for Newcomers 2009-2010. Volunteer –Palliative Care Unit, Elisabeth Bruyère Hospital, CA 2010-2011. Vice President –Graduate Political Science Society, Carleton University, CA 2015 Volunteer Teacher Student –Nakoda Elementary School PUBLICATIONS (PEER-REVIEWED) AND CONFERENCES 2013 “Standing on the shoulders of medieval men: a study of 'man' in the Leviathan,” Leviathan 7(1). Mar 2011. “‘Life that yearns for death-by-fire’- Right to die arguments and their fascination with unbound freedom,” paper presented at the 21st Century Politics: Insecurity, Uncertainty and Novelty conference of the Carleton Graduate Political Science Society, Ottawa, CA May 2009. “On Dying and Becoming: the challenges of biotechnology, ”paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the Canadian Political Science Association, Carleton University, Ottawa, CA 2007. “‘Better Dead than Communist!’ Contentious Politics in 1990 Romania,”Social Movement Studies7(2). With Daniel Béland. Reprinted and translated into Romanian with authors’ permission in Pavilion Journal for Politics and Culture, 4(15). With Daniel Béland. 2005. “Political Protest,” with Michael Keren, in Neil Tate, Governments of the World, London: Macmillan. June 2003. “The European Perspective of Albania: Perceptions and Reality” paper presented at “EU and the Balkans: What after Thessaloniki?” Belgrade, Serbia.