Dominique Klimaszewski
Elliot Lake,ON
Summary
Experienced pedagogical consultant with a strong background in literacies, arts-based education, and Indigenous pedagogies. Skilled in interdisciplinary curriculum and project development, teacher training, and student-centered engagement strategies. Committed to advancing equity, cultural responsiveness, and student success through collaborative, community-rooted, and evidence-based approaches.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Conseillance Pédagogique Independant Pedagogical Consultant
Institut Tshakapesh
10.2024 - Current
- Providing ongoing virtual pedagogical consulting to English and Arts teachers in seven Innu communities
- Collaborating closely with educational services teams and staff
- Integrated Innu voices and perspectives into curriculum and classroom practice
- Designing culturally responsive curriculum, activities, and learning materials
- Facilitating teacher training, coaching, and professional development sessions
- Developing student-centered engagement strategies and classroom projects
- Creating assessment and evaluation tools tailored to community needs
- Promoting Indigenous student success through inclusive, holistic, and experiential pedagogies
- Advocating for Indigenous knowledge systems and ways of learning
- Strengthening school-family-community relationships and resource connections
- Developing engaging, interactive virtual learning tools
- Advanced equity, diversity, and inclusion in all aspects of teaching and learning
Academic Community Education Program (ACE), Elementary Teacher
Huron Superior Catholic District School
08.2022 - 10.2024
- Provided specialized instruction, interventions, or support for students needing extra academic assistance
- On-going curriculum development and instruction. Preparing and delivering lessons and units for elementary school students, integrating Anishinaabe perspectives
Special Education Department Head
Waapinichikush Elementary School, Cree School Board
09.2021 - 08.2022
- Serving our Eeyou Istchee school community in leading The Special Education Department by assisting staff regarding modifications, accommodations, curriculum, instructional strategies, intervention plans, and use of data to determine student needs to increase student achievement
- Assisting with delivering professional development and Indigenizing pedagogy
- Taking part in student assessment and IEP meetings, collaborating in developing and implementing plans for culturally responsive teaching
- Creating and providing opportunities for students and staff in multi-modal learning formats for positive, safe, and supportive environments
- Providing culturally responsive and bias free experiences to increase the learning potential for all students with disabilities and special needs
- Creating strategies for improving department efficiency, assessing learning needs, and promoting development alongside leading educational programs
- Leading and participating in team-building activities to enhance working relationships
Specialist Art Teacher and Secondary Homeroom Teacher
Waapitiwewan School, Cree School Board
01.2019 - 07.2021
- Secondary 5 College and University preparation, integrated projects (IP), personalized, individualized and professional coaching
- Developed and implemented student-driven improvement strategies and plans to promote continuous engagement
- Whole school (elementary and secondary) specialized Art lessons, instruction and assessments
- Led cross-curricular community projects and analyzed data to identify opportunities for improvement
District Experiential Collaboration Teacher
Gold Trail School District
09.2016 - 09.2019
- Provided coaching and training to principals and teachers district-wide in experiential teaching and learning
- Collaborated with principals, teachers, students, community members and various boards on innovative projects and initiatives (developed Hands On. Minds On. Hearts On. Teaching strategy)
- Worked directly with superintendent of schools to carry out progressive province-wide curriculum reform
- Specialized in culturally responsive pedagogy and initiatives relating to the traditional territories of the Nlaka’pamux, St’át’imc and Secwepemc Peoples
Homeroom Teacher
Badabin Eeyou School, Cree School Board
09.2013 - 07.2015
- Developed and designed core curriculum and lesson plans aligned with the CSB and guaranteed viable curriculum standard
- Differentiated the curriculum, instruction and environment to meet academic and social needs of all students
- Implemented responsive and creative classroom strategies to support students academically, spiritually, emotionally, and physically
- Supported Indigenous student success: self-esteem and identity through incorporating Indigenous teachings and values into the classroom
Education Assistant
St. Joseph's Children Centres
05.2011 - 01.2013
- Implemented child-centered, developmentally appropriate approach that was built upon the principles and practices of the High/Scope Educational Model
- Researched and assisted in professional development opportunities, managed and distributed up-to-date resources to support and promote families’ needs
- Prioritized, supported, and promoted an inclusive learning environment
- Provided art therapy, coaching, cognitive problem-solving and life skills development to enable students to gain maximum benefit from lessons
Education
Master of Education - Societies, Cultures, And Literacies
University of Ottawa
Ottawa, ON01.2015
Bachelor of Education - undefined
Nipissing University
North Bay, ON01.2013
Bachelor of Fine Art - undefined
Ontario College of Art And Design University OCADU
Toronto, ON01.2008
Skills
- Twelve years specialist theoretical and practical knowledge in the field of education
- Excellent interpersonal, relationship building and collaboration skills
- Expertise in culturally responsive pedagogies with knowledge of Indigenous research principles and methods
- Comprehensive knowledge of current issues and future directions with focus on developments in equitable education
- Trauma-informed knowledge, approaches and frameworks
- Strong technical research abilities with excellent verbal and communication skills including public presentations
- Extensive experience in the coordination of workshops and seminars within Indigenous organizations and communities
- Focus on decolonizing, indigenizing research methodologies and education policy initiatives
Accomplishments
- Qualitative Research - Critical review of fundamental aspects of qualitative research in education: approaches, characteristics and strategies
- Research in Education - Critical review of approaches, methods and processes in educational research; examination of complementarity of different types of research methodology; focus in community-based participatory research
- Inclusion and Special Education- Critical examination of current issues and research in inclusive and special education
- Youth Culture, Popular Culture and Pedagogy - Research in youth culture, popular culture and their implications for pedagogy
Certification
- 2024 Yellowhead Institute Land Back Modules course
- 2016 Mental Health First Aid and Applied Suicide Intervention Training
- 2012 CPI Certified - Non Violent Crisis Prevention
- 2012 The Learning Partnership’s Welcome to Kindergarten (WTK) Certificate
- 2010 OCAD Continuing Education - Web Art and Design course
Timeline
Conseillance Pédagogique Independant Pedagogical Consultant
Institut Tshakapesh
10.2024 - Current
Academic Community Education Program (ACE), Elementary Teacher
Huron Superior Catholic District School
08.2022 - 10.2024
Special Education Department Head
Waapinichikush Elementary School, Cree School Board
09.2021 - 08.2022
Specialist Art Teacher and Secondary Homeroom Teacher
Waapitiwewan School, Cree School Board
01.2019 - 07.2021
District Experiential Collaboration Teacher
Gold Trail School District
09.2016 - 09.2019
Homeroom Teacher
Badabin Eeyou School, Cree School Board
09.2013 - 07.2015
Education Assistant
St. Joseph's Children Centres
05.2011 - 01.2013
Bachelor of Education - undefined
Nipissing University
Bachelor of Fine Art - undefined
Ontario College of Art And Design University OCADU
Master of Education - Societies, Cultures, And Literacies
University of Ottawa