EDUCATION

BACHELOR OF EDUCATION pending May 2004
Nipissing University, North Bay, Ontario
Junior/Intermediate Division – Mathematics
Laptop Computer Program

Additional Basic Qualification – Primary Division pending May 2004

BACHELOR OF ARTS LIBERAL April 2003
Nipissing University, North Bay, Ontario
Liberal Art Areas of Focus– Sociology and Geography
** Graduated With Distinction

ACCOUNTING DIPLOMA August 2001
Georgian College of Applies Arts & Technology, Barrie, Ontario
Two Year Diploma
** Graduated With Honours

ONTARIO SECONDARY SCHOOL DIPLOMA June 1999
Huron Heights Secondary School, Newmarket, Ontario
** Graduated With Honours

TEACHING AND RELATED EXPERIENCE

GRADE 6 PRE-SERVICE TEACHER February 2004
(3 weeks) Bogart Public School, Newmarket, Ontario

GRADE 8 PRE-SERVICE TEACHER Fall 2003
(6 weeks) Glen Cedar Public School, Newmarket, Ontario
Developed, implemented, and evaluated lessons in mathematics and history.
Created and taught a unit on measurement.

SENIOR CAMP COUNSELLOR Summer 2003
(9 weeks) Learning Centre for Georgina, Georgina, Ontario
Program planning and delivery of ‘The Ultimate Summer Camp’.
Combination of academic and computer skills with ‘The Trailblazers” adventure camp.
Camp ran for children ages 6-13.

TUTOR Summer 2003
Newmarket, Ontario
Personal tutoring in mathematics for a grade 9 student in summer school and one student continuing on to grade 6.

PEER TUTOR Summer 2002
Nipissing University, North Bay, Ontario
Tutored students in Finite Mathematics .

WORK EXPERIENCE

PERSONAL TAX MANAGER January-April 2001
Softron Tax., North York, Ontario

PAYROLL ASSOCIATE May-August2000
ClubLink Corporation, King City, Ontario

ACCOUNTING ASSISTANT September-June 1998
The Town of Newmarket, Newmarket, Ontario

VOLUNTEER WORK

BIG SISTER October 2001-Present
Big Sisters of Nipissing, North Bay, Ontario

BAND MEMBER - FLUTIST September 2001-April 2003
22 Wing Military Band, North Bay, Ontario

TECHNOLOGICAL SKILLS

Proficient In: Microsoft Word, Publisher, Excel, Front Page, and Power point, the Internet, HTML, and the Curriculum Unit Planner.
Familiar With: Markbook, Wordperfect, Adobe Photoshop 6, Macromedia Dreamweaver, and Appleworks

TRAINING SEMINARS AND WORKSHOPS

Math Related
Patterning and Algebra Workshop, Near North District School Board, February 2004
Data Management and Probability Workshop, Near North District School Board, January 2004
Number Sense and Numeration Workshop, Near North District School Board, January 2004
Measurement Workshop, Near North District School Board, December 2003
Geometry and Spatial Sense Workshop, Near North District School Board, October 2003

Technology Related
Markbook Workshop, Nipissing University, January 2004
Ontario Curriculum Unit Planner, A Series of Workshops, Nipissing University, January 2004

Other
Nutrition Education Workshop, Dairy Farmers of Ontario at Nipissing University, October 2003

REFERENCES

Please contact me if you wish to contact any of my references.

Cover Letter (top) (main page)

Dear Members of the Hiring Committee:

Please accept my application for a junior/intermediate teaching position with your board. Upon completion of my Bachelor of Education degree from Nipissing University in June 2004, I will be qualified to teach in the junior and intermediate divisions with a focus on mathematics. I am well versed in the language of mathematics, which provides me with a unique perspective on the boards literacy focus as I believe that mathematics and the English language are, in many ways paralleled. In addition to my education degree, I am enrolling in the ABQ course, beginning in May 2004, for instruction at the primary level. This additional qualification will offer me a more well-rounded understanding of all students at the elementary level and their unique needs.

York Region is very culturally diverse and I believe that “the classroom life should seek to make every student feel significant”. I believe there are a variety of strategies that a teacher can utilize to develop multicultural classroom. The primary element to an inclusive classroom is teaching and expecting respect, which correlates with the boards ‘Character Matters!’ attributes.

Through my experiences, students have demonstrated their needs for teachers to be flexible with their teaching style and strategies, as well as employing various assessment techniques so that they may all reach their academic potential. I believe that it is crucial for teachers to reflect and modify their lessons to address the range of learning styles within a classroom and to make the learning relevant to the everyday life of their students. The curriculum must illustrate connections to our changing world community to prepare students for their future. Technology is a key element to an inclusive education program. Through the use of technology students can build many essential skills, by means of curriculum expectation in all subject areas, to aid in their future successes.

Thank you for your time and consideration of my application. At this time I would like to request an interview at your earliest convenience. I can be reached by phone at: (905) 895-1497 or by email at: adenbleker@yahoo.ca. Once again thank you and I look forward to returning to York Region as an educator and former student.

Sincerely,

Amanda DenBleker

Letters of Reference

SUSAN M. TAYLOR (top) (main page)

To Whom It May Concern:
Re: Amanda DenBleker

Amanda was employed at the Learning Centre for Georgina as Camp counsellor from June to August, 2003. Amanda assumed an integral role in the program planning, preparation and delivery of The Ultimate Summer Camp and her strong work habits and organization skills were large contributing factors to the success of the camp in 2003, its critical first year of operation. Amanda’s conscientious attitude and thoroughness are evident by viewing the multitude of documents and files that she created and stored on our server for future camp operations and counsellor use, as well as a multitude of lists of suggestions for improvement of the camp in 2004.

As an employee, Amanda demonstrated tremendous initiative and worked independently on most aspects of the job, yet she was very good at seeking others’ ideas or help when needed. She showed an exceptional ability to problem solve and used creativity and insight to see beyond the immediate parameters of the tasks at hand. The children enjoyed her personable style, and benefited greatly form the learning experiences that Amanda provided. Please see the attached flyer regarding the highlights of the program that Amanda developed and delivered.

Amanda will be an excellent teacher candidate. Her self-motivated style and excellent work habits will be great assets as she completes her Bachelor of Education, and during her career as a teacher. Most importantly, Amanda is a genuine, considerate person who relates positively to students in a professional manner. We wish her the very best in her future, as she pursues her teaching career.

Sincerely,

Susan M. Taylor
Executive Director

AARON FERGUSON (top) (main page)

To whom it may concern:

I had the pleasure of meeting Amanda Den Bleker in September 2003 at Glen Cedar Public School. Amanda was completing her first six week practicum while attending the Faculty of Education at Nipissing University. Amanda quickly demonstrated deep understanding of the needs of the intermediate students and she modeled a caring respectful manner for all individuals.

She developed and implemented her own units and lessons that were very successful in the classroom. Amanda clearly understands that it is necessary to structure lessons for a variety of learners in the classroom and did an outstanding job of doing so.

Amanda was interested in all aspects of school like at Glen Cedar and showed genuine enthusiasm in learning all she could while she was here. The best recommendation that I could give for Amanda would be to say that the students in the classes that she taught respected her, appreciated her thoughtful lessons, admired her enthusiasm and miss her now that she is gone.

If I were a Principal I would want to have Amanda on my team. She is dedicated and knows how to work with students. If you would like to talk further about my recommendations for Amanda, please feel free to call me.

It is a pleasure to recommend Amanda for a teaching position with the York Region District School Board upon her graduation.

Sincerely,

Aaron Ferguson
Teacher
Glen Cedar Public School

BOB TUCK (top) (main page)

To Whom It May Concern:

This is a letter of reference for Amanda DenBleker. Last year she took a mathematics course from me, Math 1070, “Fundamentals of Arithmetic For Teachers”. She was an enthusiastic participant in the class often raising interesting questions about the material presented.

During the latter part of the year, I was tied up with some personal matters and needed someone to take two of my tutorials on short notice. A former student took on of them, but was unable to handle the other. Amanda asked if she could conduct if for me. Because of her success, I agreed. The feedback from the students that attended the tutorial was extremely positive.

This year Amanda sought me out to ask for ideas in her first placement. She took the time to sit down and go over a collection of materials. After her return, she informed me about the resources that worked well in her teaching practicum.

Amanda has proven to be a keen teacher that cares about her performance in the classroom. She also likes to have extensive knowledge about the material being presented. Her bubbly personality is catching and I feel she will do well as a classroom teacher.

Yours truly,

Bob Tuck

DR. SHIRLEY VAN NULAND (top) (main page)

February 4, 2004

Re: Ms Amanda Den Bleker

Please consider this letter in support of Ms Amanda Den Bleker.

In my position as Assistant Professor of Education at Nipissing University, I am directly involved in the education program in which Ms Den Bleker is enrolled. Over the 2003-2004 academic year, I have had the opportunity to observe her growth as a teacher-candidate.

As a student of Foundations in Education: Education and Schooling (EDUC 4204), Ms Den Bleker participates actively in class discussions and activities with great attention. Her earnest manner and thoughtful and direct approach to the group assist in the development of team building, a skill essential to be a constructive staff member. Her assignments reveal a conscientious approach to the task and her writings indicate a thoughtful insight to becoming a teacher. She demonstrates perceptive thought and shows understanding of the issues discussed.

In addition, she has been involved with the Laptop Initiative, a program for Junior Intermediate teacher-candidates to implement technology into the teacher education program. She made extensive use of her laptop in preparation of classwork, resources, and assignments.

Her associate teacher has rated her very successful and outstanding in the various components of developing teacher. She continues to seek ways to improve her instruction process in working with students.

It is my belief that Ms Den Bleker will be an effective teacher in your school system. I would be pleased to discuss her application further; should you require any additional information, please feel free to contact me.

Sincerely,

Dr. Shirley Van Nuland
Assistant Professor
705.474.3461 ext. 4360

DARLENE JAMIESON (top) (main page)

November 6, 2003

To Whom It May Concern:

I am pleased to recommend Amanda Den Bleker to your organization.

Amanda has been a volunteer with Big Sisters of Nipissing since October 2001. She has maintained a high level of involvement with her Little Sister. She is ale to provide a mentoring relationship to a young teen, and also to participate in group activities, and revenue development functions in support of our agency.

We are very pleased with Amanda’s maturity and respect when dealing with other volunteers, parents and children involved in our mentoring program.

I believe that she would prove to be an asset to any organization in which she chooses to have an affiliation.

Sincerely,

Darlene Jamieson, BA
Executive Director, Big Sisters of Nipissing