Jennifer Niskanen's Curriculum Vitae

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

. Certification for the subject areas of English, and History, at the Intermediate/Senior Level.
. Attained first class honours in both my Bachelor of Arts degree and my Bachelor of Education degree.
. Experience teaching children, adolescents, and adults of various ability both in the classroom and on a one-to-one basis.
. Computer knowledge and experience, including special training in interactive multimedia, the use of various word processing and graphics programs, the Internet, and Web Page design.
. Created an extensive web site for the Nipigon Public Library.
. Music, Theatre, and Art background.
. Experience teaching in a multicultural environment.
. Experience teaching students with special learning and behavioural needs.
. Special training in communication skills including speaking, listening, conflict resolution, and assertiveness training.

TEACHING EXPERIENCE:

Secondary School Teacher
September - June 1999 - 2000
Kapuskasing District High School,
Kapuskasing, Ontario

. Instruction of grade ten and twelve English students, at the advanced, general, and basic levels, as well as a number of English as a second language students, and students with special learning and behavioural needs.
. Acquired teaching, classroom management, and communication skills in a multicultural school environment, where a significant number of the students speak French as a first language.
. Assisted in the school library which included the use of the program circulation plus.
. Taught as a member of teaching team, for a grade eleven and twelve Communications-Technology course. Achievements included: instruction in Corel Draw, Corel Photo Paint, Microsoft Publisher, the use of video equipment, and the use of digital cameras, and incorporation of various artistic techniques.

Teaching Placements
1997 - 1999
Grade Seven, Nine, Ten, and Twelve
Hillcrest High School, Thunder Bay, Ontario
Port Perry High School, Port Perry, Ontario
Kingsway Public School, Thunder Bay, Ontario

. Created and implemented lesson plans, marked various assignments.
. Implemented various classroom management techniques.
. Assisted in unit creation, marked tests, projects, homework and group assignments and presentations.

Volunteer Placements
April - June 1995
Grade Two and Kindergarten
Cartwright Public School, Blackstock, Ontario

. Facilitated crafts and activities.
. Assisted with daily activities, lessons, and class work.
. Cultivated effective relationships with staff and children.

Private Tutoring for a Learning Disabled Child
June - August 1997
Blackstock, Ontario

. Independently created and implemented a summer tutoring program for a fourth grade child focused on math skills, printing, and correction of reversals, letter recognition, spelling, reading, work habits, and focusing skills.

COMPUTER AND LIBRARY EXPERIENCE:

Internet And Computer Trainer
July - August 1999
July - August 1998
Nipigon, Ontario

. Instructed both children and adults, on a one-to-one basis and in small groups. Programs used include: Windows 3.1, Windows 95, Windows 98, Microsoft Office, Microsoft Works, Corel Word Perfect Suite, Microsoft Publisher, Paint Shop Pro, Netscape Communicator, Netscape Composer, Microsoft Front Page, Microsoft Internet Explorer, and various shareware programs and games.
. Created a new web site for the Nipigon Public Library and a complete electronic tutorial on Internet and general computer skills.
. Developed program promotion material, and a workshop about Y2K, also wrote a newspaper article on the subject.
. General library assistance and management and assisting patrons in research using both the library collections and the Internet. Training people of various ages and skill levels how to use the Internet, e-mail, and create web pages.

LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE:

JP School of Drama and Art
April - June 1996
Thunder Bay, Ontario

. Independently created drama and art activities for a six week program for children with and without special needs ranging in age from five to twelve.
. Assisted with administrative undertakings, setting up and securing a location, creating brochures, fund raising, etc.

Ambassador Program
1993 - 1994
Port Perry High School, Port Perry, Ontario

. Assisted in the creation and implementation of activities for high school and public school children including a craft program for 400 students.
. Organized various workshops and community programs.

Stay in School Initiative Program
1993 - 1994
Port Perry High School, Port Perry, Ontario

. Played a leading role in the organization of focus groups with teachers and students.
. Led several presentations including one to the Durham Board Area team.

EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATION:

Interactive Multimedia Post-Diploma Program
2000 - 2001
Canadore College, North Bay, Ontario

. Received the Rotary Club of Nipissing scholarship.
. Received training in audio, video, web page design, and software design.
. Assisted in the creation of a number of computer-based training products one of which was for a company in the private sector.
. Training in instructional design and communication in various multimedia platforms, various research techniques, project management, and team skills.
. Received training in the following programs: 3D Studio Max, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Premiere, Dreamweaver Ultradev, Homesite, Macromedia Authorware, Macromedia Director, Macromedia Flash, Microsoft Power Point, Microsoft Project, Sonic Foundry ACID Style, and Sonic Foundry Sound Forge XP.

Bachelor of Arts and Concurrent Education Program
1994 - 1999
Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, Ontario

. Graduated with first class standing in both my Bachelor of Arts degree and my Bachelor of Education degree.
. English major and History minor.
. Qualified to teach at the Intermediate/ Senior level in Ontario, Canada.

SPECIAL TRAINING:

(1998 - 1999) Various Art Classes - Introduction to painting and ceramics at the University, as well as private study of pottery with a local artist.

(Fall 1998) Interpersonal Communication - Included both listening and speaking skills, as well as conflict resolution techniques and assertiveness training.

(Winter 1998) Teaching In A Multicultural Setting - Included an introduction to a variety of cultures present in Canadian classrooms, communication techniques, and recommendations on how to create a multicultural environment in the classroom.

(Winter 1996) Educational Media - Included training on how to use computers and the Internet in the classroom. Independently created an interactive web site for students grades seven to nine, for which I received a mark of 100%. Attained other computer skills such as the use of databases, spreadsheets, word processing, and the use of the Internet and e-mail.

My Philosophy of Education, Multimedia Portfolio, and several Lesson Plans are also
available.