Curriculum Vitea

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Education   
                                          
Advanced Environmental Management Certificate (ongoing)
University of Toronto

Bachelor of Education  (2017–2019)
Brandon University 

Bachelor of Science – Geography - Environmental Studies, Minor in Geology (1995 - 2000)
Brandon University                                                                    

Professional Experience - Contributions and Observable Impacts

Educator – Brandon School Division (2019 - 2025)
Taught Kindergarten through Grade 8 in various schools including Riverheights School, Waverly Park School, George Fitton School, Kirkcaldy Heights School, and École New Era School.
  • Established a student-focused, teacher-led classroom community where learners helped shape expectations and routines through shared decision-making and a classroom contract.
    • ​Created a welcoming, inclusive space that encouraged idea sharing, ownership of learning, and mutual respect among all students.
  • Created inclusive, culturally responsive classrooms that integrated Indigenous perspectives and supported the success of diverse learners, including Indigenous students and newcomers.
    • Resulted in stronger connections, promoting positive interactions and tolerance between students, higher engagement during instruction, and a greater sense of belonging for Indigenous students and newcomers.
  • Designed and led inquiry-based, experiential lessons that encouraged exploration, collaboration, and reflection.
    • ​Resulted in deeper conceptual understanding, rich student questioning, and stronger connections between learning and real-world contexts.
  • Encouraged and modelled critical thinking across subjects.
    • Observed growth in student independence, depth of inquiry, and authentic understanding of material.
  • Valued student voice and perspectives, encouraging active participation and collaborative learning.
    • ​Resulted in interactive lessons, improved digital literacy, and higher student engagement, while enabling students to demonstrate learning in creative, multimodal ways.
    • Enhanced collaboration, problem-solving, and accessibility for all learning styles.
    • Students exhibited more confidence in self-expression, lively classroom dialogue, and meaningful contributions to the learning process.
  • Initiated and co-led a school-wide science fair program, contributing to staff collaboration and student participation across multiple grade levels.
    • Sparked student enthusiasm in all grades, fostered teacher collaboration, and broadened student participation in scientific exploration.
  • Developed and delivered cross-curricular STEAM instruction using a responsive, inclusive approach that supported diverse learning needs through differentiated strategies. 
    • Strengthened creative problem-solving, supported diverse learning styles, and built authentic links across subject areas.
  • Consistently worked within classroom budgets to ensure appropriate use of funds, maximizing available resources.
    • Resulted in well-equipped lessons and engaging learning experiences without overspending.

Professional Photographer - Entrepreneur (2016 – 2017)
  • Delivered editorial, real estate, and portrait photography services.
    • Photos were publish in local and national magazines.
  • Managed e-commerce website and digital marketing and social media.
    • Resulted in increased exposure and sales.
  • Managed finances and budgets.

Instructor – The Paw Resort and Wellness Centre (2012 – 2018)
  • Worked collaboratively to co-developed curriculum and taught adult dog-handler training programs in K-9 obedience and behaviour management.
    • Participants built practical, real-world skills with measurable results.
  • Adapted lessons to each group by assessing communication styles and training needs.
    • Lead to more successful, cohesive group interactions, clearer communication, and more consistent outcomes.
  • Demonstrated training techniques. 
    • Helped learners visualize steps and successfully replicate desired behaviours and outcomes.
  • Taught classes from beginner through advanced levels.
    • Guided students to achieve increasingly high standards of achievement and a closer relationship with their dogs.
  • Provided individual coaching throughout program. 
    • Allowed participants to confidently apply skills and troubleshoot challenges on the spot.
  • Built a positive, encouraging environment where adult learners felt supported.
    • Resulted in enthusiastic feedback and strong word-of-mouth recommendations.

Emergency Measures Coordinator – RM of Whitehead (2016)
  • Updated and expanded municipal Emergency Plan to comply with Manitoba Emergency Measures Act (CCSM c. E80).
    • Resulted in a more comprehensive and complete Emergency Plan.
  • Created new forms to ensure easy and effortless implementation during an emergency. 
    • Completed plan was put into action very shortly after completion during a winter emergency and worked very successfully.

Forest Protection Health Inspector – Manitoba Natural Resources and Indigenous Futures (2013)
  • Carried out tree health assessments by testing, observing symptoms, and diagnosing disease. 
    • Led to accurate identification of Dutch Elm Disease and informed management actions. 
  • Liaised with the public on Dutch Elm Disease, firewood regulations, and forest pest prevention towards conservation efforts.
    • Resulted in improved awareness, stronger compliance, and reduced risk of spread. 
  • Collaborated with other government agencies to enforce compliance under the Forest Health Protection Act.
    • Ensured regulatory standards were met and cross-agency coordination was maintained. 
  • Followed and promoted safe work practices in all field and public engagement activities. 
    • Supported workplace safety requirements and compliance with provincial regulations.

Marketing and Merchant Relations Specialist - Sealed Bid Auction Specialists Inc. for Ducks Unlimited Canada (2012 – 2014)
  • Managed a monthly fine art auction campaign to raise funds for Ducks Unlimited Canada.
    • Partnered with local businesses to host sealed bid art auctions and successfully expanded community participation in Ducks Unlimited’s conservation fundraising efforts.
    • Spoke to members of the public and encouraged support for Ducks Unlimited and conservation efforts.
    • Resulted in consistent and reliable funds and positive community feedback.

Planning Technician – Brandon and Area Planning District (2000 – 2004)
  • Reviewed development proposals (subdivisions, conditional use, variances, development plan applications) to ensure compliance with The Planning Act (CCSM c. P80). 
    • Resulted in higher consistency with legal standards and fewer regulatory rejections or revisions required. 
  • Produced urban and rural planning documents and GIS / AutoCAD-based maps. 
    • Provided stakeholders and decision-makers with clear visualizations that supported more informed planning decisions. 
  • Collaborated with government agencies, developers, and public/private stakeholders on infrastructure projects.
    • Improved coordination, reduced delays, and increased stakeholder buy-in on projects. 
  • Worked with the Brandon Neighbourhood Renewal Corporation on gentrification initiatives. 
    • Contributed to revitalized neighbourhoods and increased property investment in target areas. 
  • Represented the Planning District at the Assiniboine Delta Aquifer Round Table Committee.
    • Influenced water-management and land-use policies by bringing district perspective into regional planning discussions. 
  • Facilitated public consultations and liaison with citizens, developers, and municipal bodies. 
    • Lead to greater transparency, public acceptance of proposals, and smoother approval processes. 
  • Monitored project compliance with municipal planning bylaws and provincial regulations.
    • Ensured developments adhered to required standards and minimizing legal or environmental risk to the District. 
 
Early Career

Research Assistant III – Rural Development Institute, Brandon University  (2000)
  • Provided research and technical support in the creation of the Manitoba Community Adjustment Handbook.
    • Contributed content that strengthened its practical value for Manitoba communities.
  • Assisted with Facilitation of focus groups in small communities to gather perspectives on adjustment challenges,
    • Generated insights that directly shaped project recommendations.
  • Conducted literature reviews and analyzed policy documents to support evidence-based strategies,
    • Ensured the final resource was credible and relevant.
  • Organized and synthesized qualitative data, wrote the outline and initial for the handbook in consultation with the head researcher. 
    • Maintained accuracy and consistency that enabled timely completion of project deliverables.

Leafy Spurge Specialist – Brandon Soil Management Association (1999 – 2000)
  • Supported the invasive species control program for private and public lands by releasing and monitoring Aphthona beetles in agricultural areas infested with Leafy Spurge.
    • Contributed to long-term suppression of leafy spurge infestations.
  • Digitized and georeferenced paper maps for integration into ArcGIS.
    • Modernized spatial data resources for more efficient management and analysis.
  • Collected and recorded spatial data using GPS.
    • Ensured accurate tracking of beetle release sites and infestation levels across affected areas.
  • Produced and interpreted spatial maps in ArcGIS.
    • Provided visual evidence of treatment outcomes and informing future management decisions.

Map Librarian – Brandon University Geography Dept. (1998 – 2000)
  • Maintained 1:50,000 topographic map library, supported GIS digitization and research.
    • Ensured accurate, accessible map resources that supported student learning, faculty research, and the transition to GIS-based analysis.

Publications & Media

Print Publications
  • Manitoba Community Adjustment Handbook (2005), Rural Development Institute, Brandon University. 
  • Have Tent, Will Travel , Our Canada Magazine (Dec/Jan. 2017, pg. 20-23)
  • Photo publications: 
    • Our Canada Magazine (January 2018); rear cover image
    • Design Your Home Magazine (Spring Summer 2018): front cover image, images pg 6,7,9,10,11,12
    • Design Your Home Magazine (Spring 2017): images pg 3, 5, 7, 8,9
    • Design Your Home Magazine (Fall 2016): images pg 3,5,7,8
    • Design Your Home Magazine (Summer 2016): images pg 10-11

Educational YouTube Videos; Created original educational content as needed to align with the Manitoba Social Studies and Science curriculums. This  included research, scripting, narration, editing, sound effects, music and visual production. I used some of my own images, and some open source content.
  • The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms for Students (2022) – An overview of the Charter in accessible classroom language.
  • The Subarctic Peoples of Canada (2022) – Pre-contact history and culture of the Indigenous peoples of Canada’s Subarctic.
  • The Plateau People of Canada (2021) – Geography and culture of the Plateau Peoples, pre-contact. 
  • Ancient Manitoba - Ordovician Life 450 Million Years Ago ( 2021) Early life in Manitoba.
  • Martin Frobisher - Early European Explorer in Canada ( 2020) Who was Martin Frobisher, and why explore Canada? 

Professional Development 

  • Environmental Studies & Incorporating Indigenous Perspectives: Environmental Education (2017, 2019); Cultural Adaptations, Brandon University (2017); Smarter Science, Brandon University(2017); Infusing Indigenous Perspectives, Brandon University (2017, 2018, 2019);  Environmental Management, Niagara College, ON (2012); Global Warming Concepts, Niagara College, ON (2009); Circumpolar Ecosystems Conference, Churchill MB (2000)
 
  • GIS & Land Management: Introduction to GIS for Environmental Management, University of Toronto (2025); Geographical Information Systems, Niagara College (2013); Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CEPTED) Regina SK (2001), Winnipeg, MB (2003), Portage la Prairie MB (2009); ArcGIS 8.0, Winnipeg MB (2004); Manitoba Planning Conference (2003); Western Manitoba GIS Users Conference, Assiniboine Community College (2002, 2004), ArcView GIS I & II, Assiniboine Community College (2000 – 2001)
 
  • Educational Practices: Orton-Gillingham Teacher Training (2023), Cultural Adaptations and Clarification (2019); Collaborative Teacher Teams in an RTI Framework (2019); Working with Educational Assistants (2019); Cultural Adaptations (2018); Critical Thinking(2018, 2019); Crisis Intervention (2017–2019), Deescalation Techniques & Non-violent Crisis Intervention (2018); Benchmark Assessment Training (2018); Brain Nutrition and Concussion Protocols (2018); Creating and Teaching Art (2018); Numeracy Interventions (2017); First Steps in Math (2017)

Volunteer Experience

  • Website Designer/Manager, content creator - A Tail to Tell Frontline Rescue (2023 - present)
  • Trainer/Foster/Co-website Manager – Funds for Furry Friends (2018 – present)
  • Sunday School Teacher - St.Georges Anglican Church (2012 - 2020) 
  • K-9 Evaluator - St. Johns Ambulance Therapy Dog program (2018 - 2019)  
  • Science Fair Judge - Western Manitoba Science Fair, (2000, 2018 and 2019) 
  • Alexander Spring Sports Coach (2014 - 2018)
  • 4-H Leader, Alexander Manitoba (2014- 2016) 
  • Volunteer - Ducks Unlimited Canada (2012) 
  • President - Portage Kennel Club (2011) 
  • Safety Audit Team Member - Portage Community Revitalization Corporation (2009) 
  • Secretary - Crocus Obedience and Kennel Club (2005) 
  • President and Co-founder - Westman Disc Dogs (2003 - 2005)
  • Secretary - Crocus Obedience Club (2005)
  • Founder/President – Westman Disc Dogs (2003 – 2005)
  • Brandon University – President of the Geography Club and Science Faculty Clubs (1998 – 2000) 

Recognitions, Certifications, Memberships, and Community Involvement

  • Honour Roll Recipient (2018, 2019)
  • Permanent Professional Teaching Certificate, Kindergarten to Grade 12 – Manitoba Education and Training (2019)
  • Member, Manitoba Teachers’ Society 
  • Member, Canadian Network for Environmental Education and Communication (EECOM)
  • Member, Manitoba Eco-Network
  • Supporter, Westman Youth for Christ
  • Supporter, Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind
  • Supporter, A Tail To Tell Frontline Rescue

Websites  (selected for currently published sites)