Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Affiliations
Awards
Volunteer Experience
Languages
Timeline
Generic
Janet Higgs

Janet Higgs

Education Technician
Toronto,Ontario

Summary

Caring and experienced global teacher with over 20 years of experience in inclusive English language education from K-12 Expert in closely monitoring student progress while implementing modern educational techniques into daily practices. Committed to long-term student success through well-rounded educations. Culturally sensitive to refugees, second language users, in Canada, Egypt, Russia, Colombia, Kenya and the UK. Compassionate, creative and effective Teacher with valuable experience in classroom administration, professional development and project planning. Equipped with extensive background in versatile education environments. Student-centric instructor, academic facilitator and motivational coach. Competent at performing independently or as member of teaching team. Well-versed in classroom and online technologies.

Overview

15
15
years of professional experience

Work History

Emergency Response Roster

  • Disaster and Emergency Management- first tier response Turkiye Earthquake response 2023. Water and sanitation, Food and hygiene kits. Siterep and liaising with donors and vendors for over 10.000 people
  • Education in Emergencies-six years of comprehensive management of refugee and immigrant families. Interagency, report writing and case conferencing.
  • Researcher-Attitudes to Employment a comparative study between developed and developing countries

First tier Emergency responder water, hygiene and food technician


  • Developed and maintained rapport with coworkers and local staff to facilitate efficient service.
  • Reduced operational costs with effective resource allocation and strategic planning of equipment, supplies, and personnel.
  • Contributed to a safer work environment by conducting regular safety inspections and addressing potential hazards in a timely manner.
  • Delivered effective emergency relief during high-stress situations, utilizing critical thinking skills and sound judgment to make life-saving decisions quickly.
  • Determined emergency situation and developed plan of action.
  • Maintained accurate records and documentation of resources to enable tracking history and safeguard information.

Facilitated Special Education Techniques

TDSB
  • Enhanced over 150 students' reading comprehension by implementing creative strategies and engaging activities.
  • Increased student participation through group projects, presentations, and interactive learning exercises.
  • Improved overall classroom performance with consistent evaluations, feedback, and tailored support for individual needs; 30 students per year.
  • Boosted parent-teacher collaboration by maintaining open lines of communication and conducting regular meetings to discuss student progress.
  • Worked well in a team setting, providing support and guidance.

Developed a digital field handbook for INGOs for community based rehabilitation programs and services

  • Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive handbook for NGOs to successfully access rural schools and community centres
  • Developed strong rapport with patients and families, fostering trust and open communication throughout the management process.
  • Maintained detailed documentation of case management activities in accordance with regulatory requirements and best practices.

Responsible for reporting on Unaccompanied Young Asylum Seekers from Afghanistan

  • Enhanced overall project quality by diligently following blueprints and ensuring precise measurements for accurate case management
  • Collaborated with team members to complete large-scale projects within budget and on schedule, resulting in satisfied clients and repeat business.
  • Demonstrated commitment to delivering quality assessments, report writing and placement by attending regular training sessions and proactively implementing best practices on the job site.


Researched : Attitudes to Employment with people who have a learning disability

  • Managed time efficiently in order to complete all tasks within deadlines.
  • Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
  • Passionate about learning and committed to continual improvement.
  • Proved successful working within tight deadlines and a fast-paced environment.
  • Organized and detail-oriented with a strong work ethic.
  • Adaptable and proficient in learning new concepts quickly and efficiently.
  • Worked flexible hours across night, weekend and holiday shifts.

Facilitated humanitarian education law synchronous and asynchronous workshops

Canadian Red Cross
10.2021 - Current
  • Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
  • Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
  • Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations.
  • Worked well in a team setting, providing support and guidance.
  • Participated in team projects, demonstrating an ability to work collaboratively and effectively.

Toronto District School Board- Teacher

Toronto District School Board
09.2017 - Current
  • Taught basic education to children from war trauma , displaced and refugee vulnerable Managed and co-ordinated hands-on, authentic quality learning experience asynchronous and synchronously
  • Led students in quality activities to promote their physical, mental and social development including English as a second language needs
  • Prepared, gave and marked tests and assignment for over 300 students
  • Monitored and reported on students' progress and discussed details with parents who are newcomers::Girls Soccer Coach, Equity Club Lead, Union Steward, Equity Club, Girls STEM program

Swale Academy/ Primary School Teacher

Swale Academy
09.2013 - 01.2015
  • Taught in a fast paced, high quality academy
  • Delivered differentiated lessons to 60 students with quality and integrity exhibiting strong subject knowledge,Managed three educational assistants
  • Kept up to date through weekly ongoing professional development
  • Forged positive relationships with a inter-professional team .

TDSB/ Elementary and Special Needs Teacher

TDSB
01.2009 - 01.2013
  • Responsible for assessing, teaching and writing individual education plans for 40 students, presenting at review committees and planning for additional resources for students from Kindergarten to Grade 8
  • Diplomatically describing additional resourcing needed for students to parents, gatekeepers and special needs assistant
  • Gaining financial support from administration for special education programs, accommodations for students Voluntary: School trips, clothing drive, special education workshops

Kent County Council/ Advisory Teacher for Refugee Outreach

Kent County Council
09.2008 - 01.2009
  • Assessed, documenteAssessed and Presented the educational needs of unaccompanied asylum seekers at social work, refugee council and meetings.Team work with foster carers, social work and schools to provide psycho-social, educational planning and program response to program for thirty Afghan asylum seekers.

Education

Teaching English as a Foreign and Business Language -

International House
Moscow, Russia

Professional Certificate in Disaster And Emergency Management -

York University
Toronto, ON

Master of Science, Community Based Rehabilitation for Developing Countries -

University College Centre For The Institute of Child Health
London, UK

Bachelor of Education (Hons) Teaching Children with Severe Learning Difficulties -

University of West England
Bristol UK

Skills

  • Sphere and Education in Emergencies trained
  • Psychological First Aid (CRC), Trauma Training (TDSB)
  • Flexible to relocate
  • Water purification technician
  • Computer Skills Microsoft 365, Teams, Google Suite Word, LMS
  • Fluent in English, working knowledge of Spanish
  • Technical Teaching, Capacity and Interdisciplinary skills
  • Competent in different Learning Management Systems and Incident Management Systems (IMS) 100 and IMS 200 Full standard and automatic driving license
  • Sphere and Education in Emergencies trained

Affiliations

  • *CW4WAfghan active member Toronto Chapter * CRC Advisory Team Youth Forum* Development and Peace committee member * Fairtrade coffee plantations in Mexico. Tea and coffee fundraiser* 'Out of the Cold' - homeless 'soup kitchen volunteer *Inter Agency Network for Education in Emergencies member*
  • York University Delegate for DEMCON 2023.

Awards

Centre for Institute of Child Health, UCL Full tuition Bursary, 10/1995, 10/1996, Master of Science in Community Disability Studies for Developing Countries. Dissertation: Attitudes to Employment a comparative study with people with LD from high and low-income countries PASS. VIVA- recommendation for PhD

Volunteer Experience

  • Global Medic, Toronto, Canada, 04/2021, current, GM Representative Community Events: Food security Toronto, hygiene distribution for Alberta forest fires. Information relayer to 200 people. Water Technician-Rapid Response Team Turkiye Earthquake first responder (5 water purification tanks, 1000 food and hygiene kits, support for trauma MPHSS project MDM)
  • Canadian Red Cross, Ontario, Canada, 10/2021, current, Train the Teacher International Humanitarian Education Law training and workshop. Trained 20 High School Teachers; promotional video. Advisor Youth Committee CRC National Summit for International Humanitarian Law asynchronous showcasing of youth initiatives
  • Voluntary Services Overseas, 01/1992, 1995, Teacher trainer to teachers about children with special educational needs in a rural Kenyan primary school for 50 children with multiple learning difficulties. Fundraising and community awareness: proposal writing corrective surgery referral and funding, placement to schools with specific learning needs, budgeting of residential unit and conference contributions

Languages

Arabic
Elementary
Swahili
Elementary
English
Native or Bilingual
Spanish
Professional Working

Timeline

Facilitated humanitarian education law synchronous and asynchronous workshops

Canadian Red Cross
10.2021 - Current

Toronto District School Board- Teacher

Toronto District School Board
09.2017 - Current

Swale Academy/ Primary School Teacher

Swale Academy
09.2013 - 01.2015

TDSB/ Elementary and Special Needs Teacher

TDSB
01.2009 - 01.2013

Kent County Council/ Advisory Teacher for Refugee Outreach

Kent County Council
09.2008 - 01.2009

Teaching English as a Foreign and Business Language -

International House

Professional Certificate in Disaster And Emergency Management -

York University

Master of Science, Community Based Rehabilitation for Developing Countries -

University College Centre For The Institute of Child Health

Bachelor of Education (Hons) Teaching Children with Severe Learning Difficulties -

University of West England

Emergency Response Roster

First tier Emergency responder water, hygiene and food technician

Facilitated Special Education Techniques

TDSB

Developed a digital field handbook for INGOs for community based rehabilitation programs and services

Responsible for reporting on Unaccompanied Young Asylum Seekers from Afghanistan

Researched : Attitudes to Employment with people who have a learning disability

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Janet HiggsEducation Technician