Christopher Walasek, MEd
Teacher & Guidance Counsellor at University of Toronto Schools- Claim this Profile
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English Native or bilingual proficiency
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Bio
Steven Ples
Chris is a Co-Teacher with me at Our Lady of the Snows. Chris is an outstanding educator and role model for the students at OLS. He volunteers his time for multiple extracurricular sports and clubs throughout the year. Chris is always professional when addressing students and peers and truly holds the respect of his students and co-workers. He is a hard-working, knowledgeable, dedicated and selfless professional that can deliver in stressful situations while still holding a positive and energetic demeanor. I would highly recommend Chris in any leadership capacity, especially in an educational field.
Aretha Heenan
Chris and I worked together at Historica Canada. Chris is personable and goal-focused; the positive attitude he brought to his work each day made him a pleasure to work with! In addition, Chris's expertise as an educator professional proved to be a tremendous asset. Any team would be lucky to have him.
Steven Ples
Chris is a Co-Teacher with me at Our Lady of the Snows. Chris is an outstanding educator and role model for the students at OLS. He volunteers his time for multiple extracurricular sports and clubs throughout the year. Chris is always professional when addressing students and peers and truly holds the respect of his students and co-workers. He is a hard-working, knowledgeable, dedicated and selfless professional that can deliver in stressful situations while still holding a positive and energetic demeanor. I would highly recommend Chris in any leadership capacity, especially in an educational field.
Aretha Heenan
Chris and I worked together at Historica Canada. Chris is personable and goal-focused; the positive attitude he brought to his work each day made him a pleasure to work with! In addition, Chris's expertise as an educator professional proved to be a tremendous asset. Any team would be lucky to have him.
Steven Ples
Chris is a Co-Teacher with me at Our Lady of the Snows. Chris is an outstanding educator and role model for the students at OLS. He volunteers his time for multiple extracurricular sports and clubs throughout the year. Chris is always professional when addressing students and peers and truly holds the respect of his students and co-workers. He is a hard-working, knowledgeable, dedicated and selfless professional that can deliver in stressful situations while still holding a positive and energetic demeanor. I would highly recommend Chris in any leadership capacity, especially in an educational field.
Aretha Heenan
Chris and I worked together at Historica Canada. Chris is personable and goal-focused; the positive attitude he brought to his work each day made him a pleasure to work with! In addition, Chris's expertise as an educator professional proved to be a tremendous asset. Any team would be lucky to have him.
Steven Ples
Chris is a Co-Teacher with me at Our Lady of the Snows. Chris is an outstanding educator and role model for the students at OLS. He volunteers his time for multiple extracurricular sports and clubs throughout the year. Chris is always professional when addressing students and peers and truly holds the respect of his students and co-workers. He is a hard-working, knowledgeable, dedicated and selfless professional that can deliver in stressful situations while still holding a positive and energetic demeanor. I would highly recommend Chris in any leadership capacity, especially in an educational field.
Aretha Heenan
Chris and I worked together at Historica Canada. Chris is personable and goal-focused; the positive attitude he brought to his work each day made him a pleasure to work with! In addition, Chris's expertise as an educator professional proved to be a tremendous asset. Any team would be lucky to have him.
Credentials
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ASIST Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training
LivingWorksJan, 2020- Oct, 2024 -
CPR Level A
Canadian Red Cross -
SAFEtalk Suicide Awareness Training
Queen's First Aid
Experience
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University of Toronto Schools
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Canada
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Education Administration Programs
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1 - 100 Employee
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Teacher & Guidance Counsellor
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2019 - Present
• Teach History and Geography courses and offer counselling services at an elite private school • Partner with the other teachers to update the curriculum with a focus on inquiry-based learning • Present daily lesson plans and project-based instruction to groups of academically advanced students • Proctor student tests, assess performance, prepare report cards, and host parent-teacher interviews • Maintain daily office hours to provide one-on-one counselling and support to students with varying issues • Deliver wellness, empathy, and life skills presentations to students that are adapted to their unique needs • Support the student admission process by conducting interviews and providing acceptance recommendations Key Achievements: ✔ Introduced several popular new educational activities including podcast development and role-playing initiatives ✔ Participate in the 1UP and Inclusivity Clubs to remove social barriers and establish more livable spaces ✔ Supervise the Esports, Programming, Reach for the Top, and Ultimate Frisbee Clubs ✔ Chaperone student events, initiated the Movember fundraiser and helped cultivate partnerships with CAMH Show less
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Our Lady of the Snows Academy
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Canmore
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Junior High School English Teacher
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2017 - 2019
• Taught English and Creative Writing to classes with up to 30 students in Grade 7 to 9 at the public Catholic school • Designed, tailored, and facilitated daily Readers’ & Writers’ Workshop instructional methods • Evaluated student reading progress and assessed their writing skills to generate personalized feedback • Served as a Mentor for new English teachers to educate them on school policies, programs, and curricula • Coached various sport teams and oversaw extracurricular programs, community events, and student council Key Achievements: ✔ Recruited to join the expert panel at the school board’s annual meeting to instruct a group of 50 teachers on the best practices for implementing and optimizing the Readers’ & Writers’ Workshops in their classrooms ✔ Earned the highest percentile on the Grade 9 Provincial Achievement Tests and twice achieved a top 5 ranking ✔ Represented the 7-member English Department on the Education Council and participated in monthly meetings ✔ Completed various professional development courses and conducted Fountas & Pinnell testing for ELL students Show less
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Historica Canada
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Canada
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Non-profit Organization Management
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1 - 100 Employee
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Program Assistant
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2016 - 2017
• Led the national outreach strategy for the Here’s My Canada Program to celebrate citizenship and national identity • Engaged 1,000+ school administrators from across Canada and distributed learning tools to over 14,200 schools • Planned and directed the coast-to-coast trips that featured over 100 schools travelling from Vancouver to Halifax Key Achievement: ✔ Played an integral role in securing over 9,000 entries for the Here’s My Canada student video challenge by effectively raising awareness of the program among superintendents, principals, teachers, and students Show less
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Youth Ottawa
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Canada
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Non-profit Organizations
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1 - 100 Employee
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Facilitator
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2015 - 2016
• Tasked with integrating the Day of Information for a Lifetime of Action Program into Civics classes across Ottawa • Prepared in-class mini-units centered around inquiry-based learning, cognitive education, and learning by doing • Helped students create plans and strategies to accomplish impactful change and growth in their communities • Tasked with integrating the Day of Information for a Lifetime of Action Program into Civics classes across Ottawa • Prepared in-class mini-units centered around inquiry-based learning, cognitive education, and learning by doing • Helped students create plans and strategies to accomplish impactful change and growth in their communities
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St. Pius X & Hillcrest High School
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Ottawa, Canada Area
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Practicum Teacher
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2014 - 2015
• Gained experience teaching differentiated classes in Geography, Civics, and Careers at the high schools • Presented learning activities, managed performance, and provided regular updates to students and parents • Aided with the day-to-day activities of a specialized Asperger’s Unit by working closely with special needs kids • Uploaded relevant course content to the Ottawa Catholic District School Board’s online platform Desire2Learn Key Achievement: ✔ Earned overwhelmingly positive feedback at the completion of the practicums for surpassing expectations Show less
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Queen's University
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Canada
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Higher Education
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700 & Above Employee
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Activities Coordinator
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2012 - 2014
• Oversaw the planning and execution of learning activities for over 3,500 high school and elementary students• Administered the $20,000 budget, negotiated contracts with vendors, and addressed any escalated issues
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Residence Advisor
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2012 - 2013
• Tasked with maintaining a safe and secure living environment for 62 first-year students at the Queen’s residence • Maintained a 24 hour per day open-door counselling policy and organized various events and programming
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Education
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University of Toronto
Senior Division, Social Sciences Certification -
Ontario Tech University
Teaching and Learning Through e-Learning Certification -
University of Toronto
Guidance & Career Education Part 3 Specialist Certification -
2015 - 2016
University of Ottawa
Master of Education (M.Ed.), Societies, Cultures and Languages -
2014 - 2015
University of Ottawa
Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) Honours, Education -
2010 - 2014
Queen's University
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Honours, History and Geography
Community
