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Hello! I'm Melissa
Currently, I am working with the Hamilton-Wentworth District School board as a supply Educational Assistant in Hamilton, Ontario. I have been working with children of various ages for the past fourteen years. For nine years, I provided home childcare for families and been a school bus driver in the Hamilton-Wentworth District for five years. During this time I have been involved with various needs and ensuring they are met. I have been attending the Ontario Early Years Centers for fourteen years and have two children of my own that been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder with a Learning Disability.
I have now made a long term career change, specializing in working with Exceptional children. I achieved my goal of becoming an Educational Assistant by working hard during each class and placement by asking questions and seeking help when necessary. I dedicate the required time and skills needed by learning through my life, school and work experience so that I have a solid foundation of knowledge and hands-on experience working within the EA profession.
LIVE TO LEARN! LEARN TO TEACH!
PLACEMENT EXPERIENCE & EVALUATIONS
2019
Semester 4 Field Placement
St. Luke's Catholic Elementary School
HAMILTON WENTWORTH CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD
This placement gave me the true experience of working with a team. The Educational Assistants at this school are amazing team players; they support each other and work like a well-oiled machine. During this placement, I helped prepare nutrition snack bins, helped share the workload when an Educational Assistant was away and helped with feeding, toileting, harnessing and adaptive techs such as adaptive bikes, stationary bikes and Rifton Activity chairs. This placement offered many hands-on experiences.
2018
Semester 3 Field Placement
Sir Winston Churchhill Secondary School
2018
Semester 2 Field Placement
W. H. Ballard Elementary School
HAMILTON WENTWORTH DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD
This placement opened doors to experiences that I didn’t previously have. I worked in the Autism Spectrum Disorder classroom, Developmentally Delayed Junior class, the Resource room and mainstream classrooms. I experienced many challenging behaviours during this placement and had to incorporate many strategies and speak with fellow staff to learn new ways to handle situations. This allowed the opportunity to be involved and ask questions from skilled teachers and educational assistants. Truly grateful for the experience.
HAMILTON WENTWORTH DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD
For this placement, I had the opportunity to shadow an Educational Assistant and experience his day working with a student that’s non-verbal autistic. This placement was both a learning and teaching experience. I learnt new strategies when working with a child with autism and was also able to teach the EA new strategies and resources when dealing with behaviours. I truly enjoyed my first placement experience.
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RESUME & LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION
ACADEMIC HISTORY
2018-2019
Educational Support Diploma
MOHAWK COLLEGE
Develop knowledge and skills to work with and support exceptional children and youth in their learning. Apply theory and skills in field placement experiences each semester and prepare for the real world. Assist students with everything from academics to social and personal skills in a school or alternative setting. BMS and NVCI training.
1998 – 2001
Microcomputer Support Technician Diploma
COLLEGE OF THE NORTH ATLANTIC
Received experience with Microsoft curriculum including
Windows 95, Windows NT server, Microsoft Office ’97, Enterprise, SMS and others. I also have experience in Computer hardware and peripherals.
1997-1998
High School Diploma
HARRIOT CURTIS COLLEGIATE
Achieved Level III Diploma
PROGRAM OF STUDY: EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT
TECHNOLOGY SKILLS
iPad Tips and Tricks
Microsoft Office
Knowledge of additional Apps and online resources. Useful websites.
Adobe Spark Pages
IXL
Sample PowerPoint Book and Presentation created by myself.
COMMUNICATION SKILLS
TEAMPLAYER
My strongest professional skill is working well as a team player and taking initiative. This is evident through my work as a school bus driver. For example, although not required, I took the initiative to create a seating plan for my students to create a safer and more structured experience for the students. The principle and I worked hand-in-hand with recommendations of School board, teacher, parents, students and myself as driver. Together we came up with a clear effective seating structure. Their input made a challenging process manageable. Clearly, my teamwork and intuitive will benefit your company by contributing to a positive working environment.
RESPONSIBLE
Also, my responsibility is a strong professional skill. This is proven through my time working as a self-employed home child care provider. Working self employed requires a great deal of responsibility; providing proper care for the children, nutrition and activity plans, money management and running tight time schedules. For example, I would have to get three different children to different areas of the city within a very small time frame. Clearly, this responsibility makes me an asset to your company.
COMMUNITY AND VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE
CERTIFICATES
Melissa K Watts
Educational Support Assistant
Phone:
(C) 905-220-9203
(H) 289-389-6102
Email:
melissa.watts@mohawkcollege.ca
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Address:
Hamilton, Ontario
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