MELISSA BAIRD
Waterloo,Ontario
Summary
I am a passionate, high-energy teacher who takes pride in my reputation for fostering positive learning environments and maintaining a safe, organized, and disciplined classroom. Caring and compassionate in addressing individual student needs, I work tirelessly to create a safe space that supports diverse learning needs. I am always ready to collaborate and communicate with parents, staff, and students alike, doing all I can to promote positivity in the classroom, the school, on the playground, and in the community.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Teacher - Grades 4 & 5
Remote Learning
08.2020 - Current
- Organized, launched, tracked, and assessed Grades 4 and 5 program
- Developed, implemented, and monitored differentiated instruction to support the diverse learning requirements of accommodated and modified students, fulfilling curriculum standards from Kindergarten to Grade 5
- Mentored colleagues, guided and shared with SERT the process and materials developed for IEP students
- Engaged in various club activities and assemblies
- Cultivated a safe and inclusive classroom environment prioritizing character development, team collaboration, respect among peers, and appreciation of cultural diversity
- Received recognition for outstanding work in the digital classroom
- Transformed all curriculum materials into digital format
- Developed digital resources to meet the students' academic and social-emotional needs
- Fostered a healthy connection between school and home through regular phone calls, emails, 'missing work' reports and monthly newsletters
Teacher - Grades 3/4 and 4/5
Sandowne Public School
08.2014 - 06.2020
- Organized, launched, tracked, and assessed Grades 3, 4, and 5 programs
- Developed, implemented, and monitored differentiated instruction to support diverse learning requirements of accommodated and modified students, fulfilling curriculum standards from Kindergarten to Grade 5
- Mentored three student teachers and many university and high school volunteers
- Engaged in various club activities and assemblies
- Cultivated a safe and inclusive classroom environment prioritizing character development, team collaboration, respect among peers, and appreciation of cultural diversity
- Fostered a healthy connection between school and home through regular phone calls, emails, 'missing work' reports and monthly newsletters
- Worked with teaching partners and SERT to create safety and transition plans
- Participated in workshops, trainings and conferences to improve educational skills
- Utilized technology-based learning tools to enhance classroom instruction
- Contributed to school community by decorating the front display case monthly, highlighting positivity and student growth
Teacher - Junior and Senior Kindergarten
Westvale Public School
08.2001 - 06.2015
- Planned, monitored, and assessed center-based learning in all areas of the kindergarten curriculum
- Collaborated with Kindergarten teams throughout the board to improve instruction and enhance learning
- Facilitated learning by studying, instructing, and implementing essential ASL vocabulary to assist and communicate with non-verbal ASD student
- Organized parent conferences throughout the year to discuss student progress
- Welcomed parent volunteers on a daily basis
- Planned field trips to enrich students' educational experiences outside of the traditional classroom setting
Education
Bachelor of Education - Primary/Junior
University of Western Ontario
London, Ontario04-1998
Honours Bachelor of Arts - English Major, Social Studies Minor
Wilfrid Laurier University
Waterloo, Ontario04-1997
High School Diploma -
Bluevale Collegiate Institute
Waterloo, Ontario06-1993
Skills
- Differentiated instruction
- Classroom management
- Curriculum planning
- IEP collaboration
- Parent communication
- Positive learning environment
- Digital literacy
Certification
- AQ - Special Education, part 1, University of Western Ontario, 1998
- AQ - Reading, part 1, ETFO spring, April 15 - June 13, 2025
- Vocal music, Wilfrid Laurier University, 1994, 1995
- Piano and Musical Theory, Royal Conservatory of Music, completed Grade 8 level
Timeline
Teacher - Grades 4 & 5
Remote Learning
08.2020 - Current
Teacher - Grades 3/4 and 4/5
Sandowne Public School
08.2014 - 06.2020
Teacher - Junior and Senior Kindergarten
Westvale Public School
08.2001 - 06.2015
Bachelor of Education - Primary/Junior
University of Western Ontario
Honours Bachelor of Arts - English Major, Social Studies Minor
Wilfrid Laurier University
High School Diploma -
Bluevale Collegiate Institute