Experience

University of Toronto Schools

• Canada
• Education Administration Programs
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Guidance Counselor

  • Aug 2016 - Present

  It has been extremely rewarding to be part of the UTS community for the last three years. In my role as a grade 10-12 guidance counsellor, beyond supporting students with postsecondary applications and social- emotional counselling, I have had the opportunity to co-develop the most important course I have ever taught. “Design the Life You Want” is a Grade 11 course taught each week. It allows students the time and space to do very important foundational work that might not happen otherwise. The course begins with students reflecting and self-assessing their core values and characteristics in order that they establish their unique sense of self and distinguish themselves from others. From this, students establish/ prioritize the post- secondary school criteria/ indicators to determine programs of individual best fit. They research all aspects of these programs including pre-requisites, cut-offs, and supplementary components .We provide extensive writing workshops and student exemplars for written supplements and scholarships, which prove to be challenging and time-consuming for all students.The course culminates with a half hour meeting with each student, their parents and counsellor to present his/ her post- secondary plan.This Grade 11 course provides students with key tools and builds confidence for their application process in advance of the crunch time in Grade 12. It is highly important that each student makes decisions and choices based on what is best for him/ her alone. This process allows this to happen in a very meaningful way.



Branksome Hall

• Canada
• Primary and Secondary Education
• 100 - 200 Employee

• IB English Teacher

  • Jul 2013 - Aug 2016

  I completed my third year back at Branksome Hall, where I enjoyed teaching two Grade 12 IB English Literature courses, one Grade 11 IB English Literature course, and two Grade 10 MYP English course. A highlight my BH experience was certainly my role as staff editor of Perennial, Branksome's literary magazine. I enjoyed teaching such a wonderful group of girls ; their passion for learning and desire for growth are inspirational. I was also most fortunate to work with exceptional colleagues in the English department who share my love of literature and passion for teaching.



Greenwood College School

• Canada
• Primary and Secondary Education
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Guidance Counsellor & AP English Teacher

  • Jun 2011 - Jun 2013

  While continuing to teach Grade 12 AP English at Greenwood, most of my time has been spent as a guidance counsellor these last two years. I have been the academic counsellor for one third of the Greenwood students in grades 8-12 each year, and supported grade 12 students with the postsecondary research and application process. I have worked daily with graduates to research, choose, and apply to postsecondary institutions in Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom. My expertise in writing has been an important resource for the students’ application essays, and I have given presentations to teachers to help guide their reference letters for students. In terms of the process, my hope is that my students will become mindful, life-long learners, rather than seeing postsecondary school just as a means to an end. Really, it is the social-emotional support I have provided which has benefited the students most. Fuelled by my natural connection with kids and my psychology degree from Queen’s, I continue to research and implement strategies to help students improve their wellness and support positive mental health. It has been most rewarding to help students discover their authentic selves and adopt a growth mindset as they navigate challenges along the way

• Grades 9- 12 & AP English Teacher

  • Aug 2006 - Jun 2013

  I developed and taught several English courses for grades 9, 11, and 12 including two Advanced Placement courses: the Enriched ENG3U3 pre-AP English course and the Grade 12 ENG4UO AP English Course. ENG4UO is the only formally approved AP course at Greenwood College and I have taught it for five years. Students write their three hour exam in May each year, and those who attain level 4 or 5 are granted a first year English credit at most postsecondary institutions. Last year, 7 out of 12 students were awarded such distinction.



Branksome Hall

• Canada
• Primary and Secondary Education
• 100 - 200 Employee

• English Teacher

  • Aug 1998 - Aug 2006

  At Branksome Hall I taught and co-developed several courses for grades 7-OAC English, including the International Baccalaureate A1 English literature course (which I helped to implement at the school). I was passionate about the creation, writing and teaching of these courses and collaborating with the dynamic group of teachers and librarians at the school. During the ministry inspection in my final year at Branksome, I was the English teacher selected to go through all our documentation with the inspector because of my mastery of the curriculum and attention to detail.



The International School of Panama

• Head of English, International Baccalaureate English teacher

  • Aug 1996 - Jun 1998

  At the International School of Panama I was a member of the Academic Council, Head of English and the lead IB A1 English Literature teacher. This was my first experience with the International Baccalaureate, and I was trained and implemented two other courses intended for students whose first language was not English: Language A2 course and Language B. At the International School of Panama I was a member of the Academic Council, Head of English and the lead IB A1 English Literature teacher. This was my first experience with the International Baccalaureate, and I was trained and implemented two other courses intended for students whose first language was not English: Language A2 course and Language B.