Chrystal Tushaus
Middle Sackville,Nova Scotia
Summary
Creative Middle School Teacher with a passion for integrating artistic methods and innovative thinking into the classroom. Skilled in developing and implementing engaging instructional strategies that foster student growth and achievement. Effective team collaborator with a focus on achieving positive student outcomes and adapting to changing educational demands.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Middle School Special Education Teacher
Halifax Regional Centre for Education
08.2021 - 10.2024
- Developed and implemented engaging and interactive lesson plans to teach students in grades 6-9 and 10-12 in subjects of English, History, Social Emotional Learning, Life Skills, & Social Communication Skills.
- Created and maintained an orderly, well-managed, and stimulating classroom environment.
- Provided individualized support and programming and/or adapted curriculum for students with exceptionalities and learning differences.
- Engaged students in critical thinking skills through inquiry-based activities that encouraged creative problem-solving.
- Planned extracurricular activities such as after-school clubs or special projects that provided enrichment opportunities for students.
- Student Services Team Member-Collaborated with colleagues on curriculum development, implementation of best practices, professional development activities, and sharing resources across grade levels.
- Developed innovative ways to engage reluctant learners by incorporating music, art or literature into daily lessons.
- Evaluated student academic growth, recording and preparing progress reports for parents or guardians.
- Utilized technology such as iPads, Smart Boards, online programs, and other digital media was used to enhance instruction.
- Created assessment tools including rubrics, tests, quizzes, and projects to measure student progress.
- Used varied tools to perform both formative and summative assessments.
- Assessed student learning and provided ongoing formative feedback for growth.
Creator & Manager of Post-Secondary Autism Program
Autism Nova Scotia
06.2018 - 03.2022
- Developed a well-organized learning environment benefiting 60 students yearly throughout Nova Scotia.
- Developed curriculum for PASS program and coordinated training for Learning Specialists.
- Managing fiscal operations on a day-to-day basis.
- Facilitated access to various learning resources and tools for better student engagement.
- Designed and delivered training for post-secondary faculty that enhanced accommodations and programming.
- Collaborated with post-secondary professionals to identify learning and social challenges. Worked together to provide effective accommodations for students.
- Developed measurement instruments for Learning Specialists to document student progress.
- Learned about new technology tools and implemented them in the department to enhance content quality and production efficiency.
- Enhanced production through mentorship of PASS Coordinators.
- Achieved departmental goals by developing and executing strategic plans and performance metrics.
Autism Outreach Coordinator
Ready, Willing, & Able/Autism Nova Scotia
08.2015 - 05.2018
- Designed and implemented Autism Job Seekers Database for individuals with developmental disabilities. Serviced over 250 clients across Nova Scotia.
- Developed and highlighted educational content to inform job seekers about RWA initiatives.
- Built strategic partnerships with external groups to enhance outreach initiatives.
- Evaluated and monitored the effectiveness of initiatives.
- Created compelling educational resources with various authoring tools.
- Assisted with navigating the complexities of post-secondary processes.
- Developed, facilitated, and evaluated inclusive autism training sessions for employment agencies across Nova Scotia. Developed post-training assets to drive behavioral change, improve performance, and business outcomes and manage training sustainment activities when required.
- Assisted job seekers in creating employment goals using a person-centered approach and individual job action plan.
- Facilitated hiring and on-the-job training support for employment candidates. Connected individuals with job support services, including funding for job coaches.
- Supported colleagues with resources to enhance their skills and capabilities.
- Created promotional materials to support the Autism Job Seekers Database initiative.
- Collaborated with national team members, external stakeholders, and clients to develop RWA initiatives. Simultaneously managed PASS Program along with the Program & Outreach Coordinator role.
Middle School English Teacher
Halifax Regional Centre for Education
01.2011 - 06.2015
- The ability to use broad knowledge and information from different sources to make the curriculum accessible and engaging for students.
- Planed instructional goals and provincial curriculum outcomes for all students through culturally responsive teaching.
- Demonstrated the ability to implement strategies, activities and instruction in the higher order thinking skills and respond to diverse student learning needs through culturally responsive teaching.
- Demonstrated the ability to provide culturally-responsive and student-centered responses to differences in student behaviour associated with culture, language, and life experience and address unacceptable student behaviour in an equitable, consistent and fair manner.
- Effectively adapted the curriculum to meet the varying rates, patterns and needs of all students, including students who extend learning beyond designated outcomes.
- Effectively contributed to and responded to diverse student learning needs through individualized program planning.
- The ability to align assessment activities with learning outcomes to guide teaching and learning, monitor student progress, engage students in self-assessment and evaluate information from a variety of sources to support equitable and responsive student assessment.
- The ability to create and maintain positive learning environments that are equitable, inclusive, and safe.
- The ability to establish respectful relationships with students and actively involve students in the creation, implementation, and self-monitoring of classroom behavioral expectations.
- The ability to communicate effectively with students, staff, parents/guardians, community and outside agencies to better meet with the needs of students.
Middle School Special Education Teacher
Northwest School Division
08.2009 - 07.2010
- Developed and implemented engaging and interactive lesson plans to teach students in grades 6-9 and 10-12 in subjects of English, History, Social Emotional Learning, Life Skills, & Social Communication Skills.
- Created and maintained an orderly, well-managed, and stimulating classroom environment.
- Provided individualized support and programming and/or adapted curriculum for students with exceptionalities and learning differences.
- Engaged students in critical thinking skills through inquiry-based activities that encouraged creative problem-solving.
- Planned extracurricular activities such as after-school clubs or special projects that provided enrichment opportunities for students.
- Student Services Team Member-Collaborated with colleagues on curriculum development, implementation of best practices, professional development activities, and sharing resources across grade levels.
- Developed innovative ways to engage reluctant learners by incorporating music, art or literature into daily lessons.
- Evaluated student academic growth, recording and preparing progress reports for parents or guardians.
- Utilized technology such as iPads, Smart Boards, online programs, and other digital media was used to enhance instruction.
- Created assessment tools including rubrics, tests, quizzes, and projects to measure student progress.
- Used varied tools to perform both formative and summative assessments.
- Assessed student learning and provided ongoing formative feedback for growth.
Middle School English and Language Arts Teacher
Cape Breton Victoria Regional Centre for Education
05.2006 - 07.2009
- The ability to use broad knowledge and information from different sources to make the curriculum accessible and engaging for students.
- Planed instructional goals and provincial curriculum outcomes for all students through culturally responsive teaching.
- Demonstrated the ability to implement strategies, activities and instruction in the higher order thinking skills and respond to diverse student learning needs through culturally responsive teaching.
- Demonstrated the ability to provide culturally-responsive and student-centered responses to differences in student behaviour associated with culture, language, and life experience and address unacceptable student behaviour in an equitable, consistent and fair manner.
- Effectively adapted the curriculum to meet the varying rates, patterns and needs of all students, including students who extend learning beyond designated outcomes.
- Effectively contributed to and responded to diverse student learning needs through individualized program planning.
- The ability to align assessment activities with learning outcomes to guide teaching and learning, monitor student progress, engage students in self-assessment and evaluate information from a variety of sources to support equitable and responsive student assessment.
- The ability to create and maintain positive learning environments that are equitable, inclusive, and safe.
- The ability to establish respectful relationships with students and actively involve students in the creation, implementation, and self-monitoring of classroom behavioral expectations.
- The ability to communicate effectively with students, staff, parents/guardians, community and outside agencies to better meet with the needs of students.
Education
Bachelor of Education B.Ed. - Education
Memorial University of Newfoundland
St John's, Newfoundland 10-2005
Bachelor of Arts - English Literature
Saint Mary's University
Halifax, Nova Scotia 05-2004
Skills
- Lesson planning
- Curriculum development
- IEP development
- Written and verbal communication
- Parent-teacher communication
- Collaborative teaching
- Curriculum adaptation
- Assistive technology
- Visual support training/certificate
- Story narrative training/certificate
- Creative writing
- Differentiated instruction
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Certification
Nova Scotia Teacher Certification License
Visual Supports Certificate
Story Narrative Certificate
Police & Change Implementation Certificate
Interests
- Reading
- Writing
- Travel
- Dance
- Photography
Timeline
Middle School Special Education Teacher
Halifax Regional Centre for Education
08.2021 - 10.2024
Creator & Manager of Post-Secondary Autism Program
Autism Nova Scotia
06.2018 - 03.2022
Autism Outreach Coordinator
Ready, Willing, & Able/Autism Nova Scotia
08.2015 - 05.2018
Middle School English Teacher
Halifax Regional Centre for Education
01.2011 - 06.2015
Middle School Special Education Teacher
Northwest School Division
08.2009 - 07.2010
Middle School English and Language Arts Teacher
Cape Breton Victoria Regional Centre for Education
05.2006 - 07.2009
Nova Scotia Teacher Certification License
Visual Supports Certificate
Story Narrative Certificate
Police & Change Implementation Certificate
Bachelor of Education B.Ed. - Education
Memorial University of Newfoundland
Bachelor of Arts - English Literature
Saint Mary's University
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