Barb Fouts-Melnychuk
Sherwood Park,Alberta
Summary
Dynamic and dedicated educational leader with over 34 years of experience in instructional and operational leadership, specializing in student engagement and retention. Proven track record in designing and implementing effective student support programs that promote academic success and personal growth. Strong collaborator with key stakeholders, adept at analyzing student success data to drive continuous improvement and foster a supportive learning environment.
Overview
34
34
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Teacher
W.P. Wagner
01.1991 - Current
- Collaborated to create WPW Pathways for English as an Additional Language program, enhancing student engagement and academic success.
- Designed and implemented student assessment checklists to monitor English proficiency and communicate progress to families.
- Coordinated with faculty and staff to benchmark 386 ELL students, ensuring tailored support for diverse learning needs.
- Facilitated workshops and parent meetings to connect families with relevant services and resources.
- Developed and executed communication plans to effectively engage students regarding academic supports and initiatives.
- Taught English 10 & 20-1, English 10, 20, & 30-2, English 10 & 20-4; Social Studies 10, 20, & 30-2, 10-4
- Creation of Academic Achievement Through English Language Development 15 & 25; ESL Expository English 15 & 25, Reading 15 & 25, EAL 1 & 2
Consultant
Edmonton Public Schools
01.2016 - 06.2019
- Led professional development initiatives across 14 junior high/K-9 schools, focusing on literacy and student retention strategies.
- Collaborated with district administrators and teachers to implement the District-wide Focus on Reading initiative, significantly improving student outcomes.
- Coached literacy lead teachers and facilitated meetings that enhanced instructional practices and student engagement.
Dr. Donald Massey School
01.2010 - 01.2016
- Collaborated and facilitated English Language Learner PD, and co-facilitated Maker Day sessions for Social Studies teachers within catchment PD
- Co-creation of Career & Technology Foundations and myBlueprint for grade 5-9 option class
- Co-facilitated implementation of school wide Literacy Plan, grade 1 to grade 9, using BAS(Fountas & Pinnell)
- Facilitated best practices reading and writing PD sessions for Humanities teachers, and monthly Humanities meetings
- Initiated inquiry based reading and writing practices, using philosophy and resources of the Freedom Writers Foundation
- A key component was student service learning resulting in partnerships with local businesses
- Lead professional dialogue with staff to align assessment practices, based on products, observations and conversations
- Organised and implemented HLAT and PAT reading and writing resources
- English Language Learners Benchmarking training and ongoing data analysis
- Collaborated with new staff to support: long range planning, assessment plans, best practices in reading and writing, and ELL benchmarking
Education
Master of Education - Curriculum and Instruction: Literacy (focus - secondary literacy)
University of Victoria
01.2019
Bachelor of Education - Special Education & English
University of Alberta
01.1991
Skills
- Leadership Development Competencies: Envisions the Future
- Able to construct and implement the use of instructional and assessment practices that simultaneously create academic success for academic challenge students, mainstream students, students with identified learning needs, and English as an Additional Language learners
- Integration of assistive technology: Read & Write for Google, EquatIO, AI, Quizziz, digital portfolios in English, Social Studies, Science, Math, for all range of students in synchronous and asynchronous classrooms
- Research and implement current literacy best practices when designing WPW EAL program
- Research and implement supports to match the complexity of classroom instruction due to increasing diversity
- Crafting professional dialogue opportunities to create, extend and clarify the school & district vision
- Through collegial dialogue and collaboration, created routines and resources that empower students, while supporting colleagues disciplinary literacy
- Publishing of classroom practices linked to researched best practices
- Team leadership & development
- Extensive knowledge and application of theories and practices related to student persistence and academic success
- Strong project management and organizational skills, effectively managing multiple initiatives simultaneously
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate across departments and engage diverse student populations
- Proficient in data analysis to monitor student success and inform program improvements
- Familiarity with student administration systems (eg, PeopleSoft), LMS (eg, Moodle), and various educational technology platforms
Certification
2020-2025
- Benchmark 2.0 - Regional Assessment Consortium for new benchmarks & EPSB
- Navigating New Realms: Generative AI and Literacy Education - ILA
- AI in our Classrooms - EPSB
- ChatGPT - OTIS for Educators
- Shifting our Mindset to Online Teaching for English Language Learners & ESL Best Practices CoP - EPSB
- Indo-Pak Culture: Atif Hirjee - W.P. Wagner
- Digital Literacy Institute, (Lucy Calkins) Reading & Writing College, Columbia University, NY
- Getting to Reliable and Valid Evidence: Ideas for Online Learning. Anne Davies, Sandra Herbst, Brenda Augusta - Connect2Learning
- Assessment and Grading to Support Learning at Home: Rick Wormeli - ERLC
- Concept Based Curriculum and Instruction for the thinking Classroom - CRS
- Decolonization and Indigenization in the Classroom - Dr. Shauneen Pete
- Complex Behaviour Training: Module A - EPSB
- Engage and Empower Adolescents: Kelly Gallagher - ERLC
Accomplishments
- Co-author and writing coach, supporting WPWagner student chosen for Dear Freedom Writer, April 2022
- Co-author: An Educator’s Guide - Secret Kindness Agents: How Small Acts of Kindness Really Can Change the World, 2020
- Initiated and continued collaboration bringing the Anne Frank House travelling museum to Alberta, 2019-2021
- Published blog for Centre for Academic Communication: University of Victoria, 2018
- Co-author publication: Get In Trouble by Torbjorn Yegdaard & Freedom Writer Teachers
- Nominated for Excellence in Teaching Award 2016
- Published Freedom Writers as Student and Teacher Learning Contexts: The Teaching Journey That Keeps on Going, and Growing, and Going, Alberta Voices, 2016
- Co-author publication: Reflections and Inspirations by Torbjorn Yegdaard & Freedom Writer Teachers
- Building a culture of collaboration, and shared learning with colleagues, over 7 years, in a new K-9 school
- Awarded ELAC Research Grant 2014-15: How do teen’s factual based narratives and inquiry based projects engage grade 9 students seeking to write, present and create partnerships with the business and non-profit communities?
Timeline
Consultant
Edmonton Public Schools
01.2016 - 06.2019
Dr. Donald Massey School
01.2010 - 01.2016
Teacher
W.P. Wagner
01.1991 - Current
Bachelor of Education - Special Education & English
University of Alberta
Master of Education - Curriculum and Instruction: Literacy (focus - secondary literacy)
University of Victoria
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