My beginning with the end in mind is centered around my ultimate goal of obtaining a position in B.C. when I move at the end of June. I will be spending this December working on getting together application packages and sending them off before I head to Victoria for the Christmas break. This final assignment for this course is the final assignment for my term. Report cards were due to my principal earlier today, and while I have assignments due for other classes later this week, they have been submitted already. I can finally breathe a sigh of relief, practice on the range with my Archery team tomorrow, help more with our school's Christmas Concert, and update my IPPs. In my final vision project, I have created an online digital resume/portfolio. There are a variety of pieces to it, including audio clips, videos, pictures, letters, and student work samples. I have cataloged all of my PD that I can remember, various sessions I have run and been a part of, as well as indicated which classes I have taken toward my Teacher Librarianship Diploma. I think that my final vision project indicates fairly well the amount of effort I put into my projects, assignments, and overall work. I am thorough and meticulous, organized and reflective. I hope that my use and familiarity with technology comes through in my project, and I hope that it is well received. In an effort to make sure the site is more accessible, I have removed all of the important contact information from my references (those who could be contacted), as I want to keep their information private until requested. I have also removed the password for the site, again, for accessibility purposes. In my resume section, I have elaborated more than what I have included on a resume I would submit to a school district. Here is the link to my online portfolio and resume. Let me know what you think!
www.kristabelanger.com
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In our profession, often our own learning and needs take a back seat to all of the pressures around us: report cards, assignments, grading, lesson planning, staff meetings, and extra curricular activities. Right now, Archery season is starting in our school, meaning that for two days a week I'm at school later than usual, getting some range time in with our Archery team. Report cards are due November 26th, I had my Professional Growth Plan meeting an hour ago, and all of the final assignment deadlines are looming for my four courses this term (including this course, I have 7 big assignments to start or finish). I have a busy weekend ahead of me. This year, a lot of things previously taking the front seat have taken a back seat. There simply is not enough time in a day to do all of the things needed to be done. I will say, I certainly do not think anyone has noticed much of a difference. After all, I am pretty organized. Previously, I worked in a Leader in Me school, and the first three habits I continuously repeat over and over in my mind: be proactive (think and plan in advance), begin with the end in mind (look at the big picture, what will matter in the end?), and put first things first (prioritize). These three habits have gotten me through the last month and a half. The prompt or suggestion guiding our posts this week center around who is this Vision Project for, and why? My answer is simple: this project, my online portfolio and resume, is for me and the audience is any potential employer. It's about time that I work on something for my own benefit instead of focusing solely on the benefit of my students or school. We (as teachers) give so much that we do not often engage in care for ourselves. My desired audience (a potential employer), will hopefully notice my:
I am seeking out an employer who will be:
The reason why I am choosing this project is also simple: employment. As I have mentioned previously, I am moving to Victoria at the end of June, so obtaining employment prior to my move is weighing heavily on my mind. I'm open to the idea of being a TOC, however, I have had my own classroom for my entire career, so it certainly is a shift in mindset. I appreciate all of the kindness, suggestions, and offering of support recently from the 477 Orca community, because in no other class I have taken this term has anyone offered advice or encouragement. I mentioned this in my PGM meeting earlier with the principal of my school that I am so thankful for our little school family. Everyone was so supportive of the sale of my house here in Alberta and offered rooms and leads toward finding a place to rent until I made the move. Others offered to house my snow blower until I sold it (I'm certainly not going to use a heavy duty snow blower in the rain)! Acting and engaging in discussion out of care and concern certainly goes a long way in my book. So, to those of you reading and thinking about your own projects, I say go with what interests and benefits you most. It's about time you do something for you. References Randolph Elementary School. (n.d.). Growing the Leader in Me [Digital image]. Retrieved November 15, 2018, from https://res.rfisd.net/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=760553&type=u&pREC_ID=1216009
Last night, after waiting over an hour in the Edmonton airport security line, stressed about the outcome of the lineup, I landed in Victoria (well, Sidney, but that's close enough). My husband who lives in Victoria while I finish off the school year picked me up and drove me to the rental to be reunited with my cats and dog. And then, today, it rained. I knew to bring a rain jacket - but my plans were foiled for my first day of fall break. Instead, I sit in the living room with a cat on my chest, a cat on my feet, another purring in my ear, and the dog travelling between upstairs to see my in-laws and downstairs to ensure I am still here. Over the next 6 months, I'll be Victoria-bound more than two or three times, with my vision set on obtaining a job somewhere in Victoria, Sannich, Sidney, or Sooke. My vision project revolves around the single goal of finding a job. In Alberta, there are more teachers than jobs. I have heard the opposite about interior B.C., but nothing about South Vancouver Island. I have been on the Make a Future site, but have not found any Teacher Librarian positions (I'll be finishing my diploma at the end of August). I know it's early, and I know that we are only 2.5 months into this school year, but job searching is stressful for someone who plans for everything. What makes things difficult in my perspective is that I am coming in as an out-of-province teacher with no ties or connections. In Manitoba and Alberta, those were priceless in the hiring process! Doing whatever I can to be noticed and stand out may make the difference between being hired or not. The goal of my vision project is to come up with an online resume/digital portfoilo where I can showcase what I have learned over the course of this diploma, have a quick reference for anyone interested in reading about my PD, references, having a tour of my classroom, or seeing sample lessons or unit plans. I have been working on my resume for about a week now, purchased a domain, activated a password (it has contact information for my references, including two Deputy Ministers I previously worked for), and started uploading files. I consulted a few different teaching portfolios, but none fit my vision. I consulted the following:
While the end goal is to get hired (it would be pretty great to be a Teacher Librarian or have a classroom position right away), the short-term goal is to find something I can use and offer up as a reference for administrators and others in the hiring process. References Banner: Victoria – An International City. Victoria BC [Digital image]. (n.d.). Retrieved November 9, 2018, from http://www.victoriabc.ca/
Carnaghi, M., Ms. (n.d.). Ms. Megan Carnaghi - Professional Teaching Portfolio. Retrieved November 9, 2018, from http://carnaghiteachingportfolio.weebly.com/index.html Dulmage, K. (n.d.). Kyra Dulmage • Elementary Educator. Retrieved November 9, 2018, from http://kyradulmage.com/ Östergren, M. (n.d.). Online Teaching Portfolio- Monica Östergren. Retrieved November 9, 2018, from https://ostergrenm.weebly.com/ |
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