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I have accumulated extensive experience in the educational sector, primarily at St. Alfred Catholic Elementary School, where I have worked since 2010.
My roles have ranged from providing essential support as an Educational Resource Worker (ERW) to covering for teachers and administrative staff. These positions have equipped me with a deep understanding of diverse learning needs, classroom dynamics, and the importance of creating an inclusive and supportive educational environment.
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I have accumulated extensive experience in the educational sector, primarily at St. Alfred Catholic Elementary School, where I have worked since 2010. My roles have ranged from providing essential support as an Educational Resource Worker (ERW) to covering for teachers and administrative staff. These positions have equipped me with a deep understanding of diverse learning needs, classroom dynamics, and the importance of creating an inclusive and supportive educational environment.
280 Vine St, St. Catharines, ON L2M 4T3, Canada
Emergency supply teacher for DECE and ERW and Teacher coverage for St. Alfred and St. Pio
280 Vine St, St. Catharines, ON L2M 4T3, Canada
Lunch supervisor, responsible for monitoring classrooms, outside recess
Providing coverage for the head secretary in the office, including answering and transferring phone calls, attendance packages, etc.
280 Vine St, St. Catharines, ON L2M 4T3, Canada
ERW- providing support to children from kindergarten to grade 8
Mississauga, ON L4Y 3J8, Canada
280 Vine St, St. Catharines, ON L2M 4T3, Canada
Working as an Educational assistant I have learned a deeper understanding of diverse learning styles, and challenges, influencing attitudes toward inclusivity and empathy. It has offered insights into my patience, adaptability, and also my communication skills. In this paid position as an EA, I have learned how to collaborate with educators, adapt to classroom dynamics, and provide support to students with diverse needs. This experience has highlighted the significance of inclusive education and reinforced the belief that every student deserves an opportunity to be successful, it has given me a sense of fulfillment in contributing to students’ academic and personal growth, and this role has also shaped my attitude by installing a sense of responsibility towards a positive and inclusive educational atmosphere. I cannot emphasize the importance of recognizing a student’s strengths and weaknesses and reinforcing that education is a collaborative effort involving teachers, students, and support staff. This experience has helped me shape beliefs regarding the importance of personalized education and its impact on student’s overall development. It has also given me a deepened appreciation for diversity in learning styles and individual needs.
Handling difficult conversations at work requires careful planning to ensure clear communication and effective message delivery. It's important to choose the right time and place, ideally in a private location, and strive to understand the other person's perspective with empathy. During the conversation, sticking to facts and allowing the other person to express themselves without interruption is crucial. Keeping calm and composed, and avoiding defensiveness is also important. Finally, following up on any next steps is a critical part of the process.
Before initiating challenging conversations with co-workers, taking time to reflect on one's role and being willing to take responsibility for any mistakes is essential. When discussing issues with co-workers, it's important to focus on the situation that needs to be addressed, avoiding placing blame, and expressing concerns respectfully. Listening to co-workers without interruption and reflecting on what they're saying to ensure a clear understanding of their concerns is equally important. Acknowledging their feelings and concerns with empathy and focusing on finding solutions that benefit both parties is key. Being open-minded and willing to receive feedback from co-workers is also important.
Leadership styles can play a crucial role in shaping a team. Authoritative leadership provides clear direction and guidance, while democratic leadership involves team members in decision-making. Transformational leadership inspires and motivates members to reach their full potential. Effective leaders can adjust their style to meet the needs of their team and create an environment where communication and respect thrive, contributing to positive teamwork.
Technology offers numerous ways to enhance teamwork and communication. Platforms like Slack and Microsoft Teams provide channels for real-time communication, while video conferencing tools like Zoom and Google Meet allow face-to-face virtual meetings, making it easy for team members to connect even when working remotely. Leveraging these technological tools can streamline communication, enhance productivity, and lead to better outcomes and stronger teams.
The goals I set for myself were improving communication with teachers, enhancing my skills in adapting to diverse learning needs, attending professional development opportunities, and having a positive and inclusive classroom environment. I have also set clear objectives so I can contribute effectively to student’s success in their own professional growth. I also made sure I attended all team meetings and participated in professional development sessions. I have assisted in IEP meetings, learning and utilizing any new technology, and also making sure to implement behavior management strategies. I have also made sure to develop a deeper understanding of diverse student needs, including those with educational requirements.Regular self-reflection and also seeking feedback from peers can further support my ongoing professional development.
In March 2023, I had my performance appraisal, I was given positive feedback overall. On the competencies portion of my appraisal, I received 6 satisfactory check marks and 22 exceptional performance check marks. I always respond with a positive attitude, acknowledge the feedback, express gratitude for the guidance, and clarify any points that may be unclear. I always make sure to demonstrate a commitment to improvement. I thank my supervisor for the feedback (good or bad) and reflect on how the feedback aligns with my roles and responsibilities. I discuss specific steps and actions I plan to take to address the suggestions, always having a proactive approach and a willingness to learn and grow.
After discussing the satisfactory marks with my supervisor, I took a proactive approach, I reflected on the feedback provided, identified all the specific areas for improvement, and also created an action plan. I signed up for additional training and consistently assessed my progress. I also began to document my progress for future performance reviews. I continue to demonstrate a commitment to growth and keep contributing to my professional development as an educational assistant.
Assistive Technology Tools
Features
This portfolio supports screen readers, ensuring that visually impaired users can access all content through text-to-speech technology. This feature is crucial as it allows these users to navigate the site, read text, and understand the context of images and multimedia.
I have implemented comprehensive keyboard navigation, allowing users with motor impairments to use keyboard shortcuts for navigating through the site. This feature is valuable as it enhances usability and accessibility for users who cannot operate a mouse.
All images include descriptive alternative text (alt text). This text is read by screen readers, providing a description of the image content to visually impaired users. Alt text ensures that these users do not miss out on important visual information.
This ePortfolio offers a high contrast mode, which enhances the contrast of text and background colors. This feature is designed to aid users with low vision or color blindness, making text easier to read and the site more accessible.
All video content is accompanied by captions, and audio content includes transcripts. These features are essential for users who are deaf or hard of hearing, providing them with the information in a readable format.
Users can adjust the text size on our site to suit their needs. This feature improves readability for users with visual impairments, allowing them to increase the text size for better clarity.
The multimedia content, including videos and infographics, is designed to be accessible. I ensure that multimedia elements are accompanied by alternative formats and descriptions, making them accessible to all users, including those with disabilities.
Visible focus indicators are implemented to help users navigate the site using a keyboard. This feature is particularly useful for users with motor impairments or those who prefer keyboard navigation over a mouse.
Contact Me
didianor@sheridancollege.ca