- Athletics: Former competitive athlete with four years experience on the Queen's University Gymnastics team, 5 years as a Provincial Level Gymnast; and one year in the Queen's Triathlon Club
- Coaching: WAG Competitive Gymnastics coach; Elementary and High School Assistant Basketball Coach, and Assistant Ultimate Frisbee Coach, fostering teamwork, and skill development
- Mentorship: Mentorship in areas of Global issues, English Language Learning, Indigenous student experience, and Mental Health
- Arts and Culture: Youth Artist for Our Stories Our Truths in mediums of beadwork, painting, and drawing; co-facilitator of the Moon Sisters hand drum group
- Health and Wellness: Passionate about fitness, nutrition, mental health, and healthy active living
Claire Samson
Toronto,Canada
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
Work History
Secondary Teacher
Toronto District School Board
10.2024 - Current
- Co-taught and facilitated weekly lessons for Contemporary First Nations, Metis and Inuit Issues and Perspectives (NDA3M; NDA4M) which included a political run down, hands on activities, and group projects.
- Co-planned and facilitated two multi-day land based field trips at the Monocliffs Outdoor Education Centre.
- Provided guidance and mentoring to students regarding academic, social and emotional issues.
Primary Teacher, Grades 2/3/4
Toronto District School Board
09.2024 - Current
- Designed engaging and personalized instruction to nurture and empower students, resulting in positive learning outcomes and student goal achievement.
- Developed individualized learning plans for students with diverse needs, promoting academic success and personal growth, and met with parents to review Individualized Education Plans and next steps.
- Assessed student learning using a variety of tools, including grade-specific tests, examinations, and reading assessments, to monitor growth, determine reading levels, provide constructive feedback, and communicate progress to parents.
- Led extracurricular activities such as hand drumming, and co-coached the High School basketball and Ultimate Frisbee team.
Junior Intermediate Teacher, Grade 6/7
Toronto District School Board
09.2022 - 06.2024
- Designed and facilitated engaging, inclusive lessons that integrated Indigenous ways of knowing and being, supported cultural identity, incorporated land-based learning experiences, and utilized integrative technologies such as Smartboards to enhance student engagement and understanding.
- Devised and implemented classroom management strategies around the seven sacred teachings, and clan responsibilities.
- Developed individualized learning plans for students with diverse needs, promoting academic success and personal growth.
- Improved student reading comprehension by building a classroom library based on student interest, and whole class novel studies using culturally relevant texts.
- Participated in the Building Thinking Classrooms professional development, collaborating with a math coach to adapt and refine mathematics instruction in alignment with current best practices, fostering student collaboration, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
- Planned and supervised class projects, field trips, and guest speaker visits (e.g., Growing Up Healthy, and Level), while also organizing extracurricular activities such as hand drumming, basketball, and tutoring sessions to extend learning opportunities beyond the regular school day.
Program Facilitator
Finding Our Power Together
07.2022 - 08.2024
- Collaborated with fellow facilitators to design, develop, and implement FOPT programs which included the Building Our Bundle Program, Youth Mentorship, Youth Leaders Circle, Orange Heart Club, Helpers Camp, and Muskiki Aki Camp
- Supported Indigenous youth 12-30 in cultural ceremonies such as Moon Lodges, and Sweat Lodges
- Planned and implemented mental health skill-building activities, including Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) strategies, to support participants’ emotional regulation, resilience, and overall well-being.
Intermediate Teacher, Grades 7/8
Toronto District School Board
09.2021 - 06.2022
- Designed and delivered differentiated instruction to meet diverse learning needs while monitoring student progress through assessments, observations, and portfolios; communicated results with professionalism and care to identify learning gaps and support academic and personal development.
- Established a positive and inclusive classroom environment by setting clear expectations, building trust, and encouraging critical thinking and life skills through culturally relevant pedagogy.
- Collaborated with colleagues, families, and school staff to develop interdisciplinary units and maintain consistent communication, enriching student learning and fostering a supportive, connected school community.
- Prepared students for high school transition by guiding them through the application process and helping them set academic and personal goals for future success.
- Adapted in-person teaching strategies to virtual learning environments during the COVID-19 pandemic, effectively leveraging digital tools (e.g., Google Classroom, Zoom) to maintain student engagement, assess learning, and support diverse learner needs.
Intermediate Long Term Occasional Teacher
Toronto District School Board
02.2021 - 06.2021
- Collaborated with school staff to identify and deliver curriculum content that had not yet been taught, ensuring continuity in student learning and alignment with grade-level expectations.
- Designed and facilitated lessons and activities that incorporated cultural practices such as beading, singing, and drumming, fostering cultural awareness, identity, and student engagement.
- Maintained accurate records of student progress, using data-driven analysis to inform instructional decisions and support interventions as needed.
- Established positive rapport with all students through individualized, care-based support that emphasized relationships, empathy, and student well-being, while maintaining consistent communication with parents via phone and email.
Occasional Teacher
Toronto District School Board
09.2020 - 06.2021
- JK/SK-Grade 8; Special Education Resource; Ojibwe
- Managed classroom behavior effectively by establishing clear expectations, modeling appropriate conduct, and consistently enforcing established rules and consequences.
- Communicated a clear and professional summary of the day to the homeroom teacher, including details about student learning, participation, and behaviour, to support continuity and student success.
- Created fun and engaging language games to support student learning and retention of Anishinaabemowin, fostering enthusiasm and cultural connection through interactive activities.
Occasional Teacher
Rama First Nation
09.2019 - 03.2020
- Implemented Homeroom teachers’ plans while ensuring delivery of Ontario curriculum through an Indigenous lens.
Junior Teacher, Grade 6
Canadian International School of Vietnam
08.2017 - 07.2018
- Enhanced student engagement by incorporating culturally relevant, real-world, and inquiry-based (STEAM) hands on activities into daily lesson plans.
- Collaborated with grade team to create Unit and Long Range Plans, and worked with a Professional Learning Community (PLC) to enhance teaching practices in Mental Health and Wellbeing.
- Differentiated instruction for students with diverse learning needs, utilized UDL, and provided accommodations and modifications for students on IEPs, including adapted assessments and learning activities to support English Language Learners (ELLs).
- Implemented a balanced Literacy and Mathematics program through Daily 5, math centres, and open-ended questioning.
- Participated in and organized school-wide events, activity days, and extra-curriculars (e.g., Global Issues Network Conference, Clean Up Vietnam, Gymnastics, School Spirit Days), and inspired Human Rights-based initiatives through Visual Arts (hand-painted mural) to promote student involvement, creativity, and global competencies.
- Led parent-teacher conferences with professionalism and sensitivity, addressing concerns directly while providing actionable feedback for improvement at home.
Education
Masters of Education - Social Justice Department
University of Toronto
12.2020
Bachelor of Education - Concurrent Program, Primary/Junior Divisions
Queen’s University
04.2017
Bachelor of Arts Honours - History, English
Queen’s University
04.2016
Additional Qualifications
Intermediate Division, First Nations, Métis and Inuit Studies ABQ, August 2021
Teaching English Language Learners, Part 1, August 2017
Beginner Ojibwe, Rama First Nation, May 2021
NCCP - Gymnastics Foundations; Competition Intro., Nov 2011; Feb 2017
NCCP - Basketball Fundamentals, Nov 2024
Interests
Timeline
Secondary Teacher
Toronto District School Board
10.2024 - Current
Primary Teacher, Grades 2/3/4
Toronto District School Board
09.2024 - Current
Junior Intermediate Teacher, Grade 6/7
Toronto District School Board
09.2022 - 06.2024
Program Facilitator
Finding Our Power Together
07.2022 - 08.2024
Intermediate Teacher, Grades 7/8
Toronto District School Board
09.2021 - 06.2022
Intermediate Long Term Occasional Teacher
Toronto District School Board
02.2021 - 06.2021
Occasional Teacher
Toronto District School Board
09.2020 - 06.2021
Occasional Teacher
Rama First Nation
09.2019 - 03.2020
Junior Teacher, Grade 6
Canadian International School of Vietnam
08.2017 - 07.2018
Masters of Education - Social Justice Department
University of Toronto
Bachelor of Education - Concurrent Program, Primary/Junior Divisions
Queen’s University
Bachelor of Arts Honours - History, English
Queen’s University
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