Nicola Giles
Hamilton,ON
Summary
Accomplished teacher and former elementary vice principal with a commitment to, and expertise in the area of mental health in Ontario schools. Bring a unique perspective having both experience as a classroom teacher in multiple grades and specialized programs, and as a vice principal in three different elementary schools. Conducted a research practicum prior to becoming an administrator which focused on the mental health of school-age children and more specifically on the role of caring adults in schools. The practicum spanned the first year of the pandemic and provided rich data about the impact of school closure on elementary students. Four years of experience as a mental health representative and two years as school lead for two-spirit and LGBTQIA+ students.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Elementary School Teacher
Hamilton Wentworth District School Board
09.2022 - Current
- Demonstrated knowledge and implemented key principles of school-based mental health practice by imbedding daily mindfulness activities in classroom and using solution-focused and emotion-coaching strategies with students
- Designed and delivered culturally responsive and inclusive lessons for both French and English instruction based on system-wide equity framework called "Reimagining Wellness"
- Planned, conducted research and implemented programming in relation to school-based mental health, as it relates to well-being and safety of two-spirit and LGBTQIA+ students, by initiating and facilitating weekly Positive Space program for students in grades 5-8
- Facilitated cross-sectoral partnership and collaboration by inviting community organization The Get Real Movement to work with students in grades 6-8 on equity and diversity awareness
- Collaborated with Social Work, school's Child and Youth Care Practitioner, Learning Resource Teachers and administration to successfully provide mental health, behaviour and academic supports for students in need
Elementary Vice Principal
Hamilton Wentworth District School Board
12.2020 - 07.2022
- Demonstrated experience with student mental health and well-being at school level and within Ontario education system, as evidenced by ongoing communication, consultation and collaboration with school board's Special Education consultants, Child and Youth Care Practitioners and external stakeholders such as Children's Aid Society and McMaster Children's Hospital
- Demonstrated understanding of role of schools within continuum of mental health care for students, by nudging staff to imbed well-being practices such as those found in School Mental Health Ontario toolkit and resources in their practice, and leading staff professional development on mental health and equity
- Fostered culturally responsive and relevant learning environments, by leading professional development sessions on equity, developing Positive Space initiative for two-spirit and LGBTQIA+ students, as well as formulating equity-imbedded interview frameworks for interview candidates
- Built community connections and understood stakeholder concerns, by representing Hamilton Wentworth Principal Council on school board's Parent Involvement Committee and sitting on Parent Council as vice-principal at three different schools
- Managed multiple sensitive and complex issues with tact and political acuity as vice principal, where job involved managing staff, students and parents, as well as addressing and problem-solving challenges with school board trustees, principal colleagues, system consultants and superintendents. During pandemic there were multiple challenges with regards to Covid 19 outbreaks and managing families with sensitivity and confidentiality
- Played key role in strategic thinking and problem-solving large-scale system issues to develop effective policy decisions, as member of Hamilton Wentworth School Board's Human Rights Policy-Writing Committee and as Hamilton Wentworth Principal Council's representative on board's Equity Committee
- Demonstrated excellent planning, time-management, organization and collaboration skills, as vice principal at three schools of which most recent had 50+ staff ranging from caretaking to office and administrators and teaching staff, and 750 students
- Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain positive relationships with key members of education community to support student well-being, by collaborating on weekly basis with system experts and principal colleagues to identify student needs, provide advice determine best plans of action for each student, using education policies and materials to support decision-making
- Advised and participated on committees addressing wide variety of policy and program related issues, for example actively participated in Human Rights, Equity and Parent Involvement committees
Elementary School Teacher
Hamilton Wentworth District School Board
09.2008 - 12.2020
- Demonstrated knowledge of key principles of school-based mental health promotion and literacy, evidenced in 2019 Research Practicum entitled "An exploration of how students and teachers define “Caring Adult” and development of action plan to improve culture of caring at James Macdonald School HWDSB"
- Demonstrated experience and knowledge in school-based mental health promotion, prevention and intervention at school and system level, from four years of specialized training and leadership as school-based mental health representative, utilizing and sharing strategies and resources such as emotion coaching, validation conversation and Mindup
- Built cultural responsive and inclusive learning environments, as demonstrated through involvement with school Positive Space programming and utilizing system Equity and UDL frameworks to inform teaching practice
- Expertly utilized data and researched to inform planning and decision-making, as evidenced in collaborating with system data analysts in formation of surveys, data collection tools and analysis of data with regards to research practicum
- Planned, conducted research and made recommendations and implemented programs in relation to school-based mental health, during process doing research practicum on role of caring adults and relationship to student well-being
- Participated on system-level task force to write series of Bullying Prevention lesson plans that were tailored to each grade level and administered board-wide
Education
Bachelor of Education - Teachers College
Brock University
Hamilton, ON06.2008
Master of Arts - Art Conservation
Queen's University
Kingston09.1996
Bachelor of Arts - Modern Languages
Queen's University
Kingston09.1991
Skills
- Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (OISE Certification in Progress)
- Principal Qualifications 1 & 2 (Ontario Principal Council)
- Intermediate Qualifications (OISE)
- Primary and Junior Qualifications (Brock University)
- Special Education Part 1 (York University)
- Leadership 1 (HWDSB)
- French as a Second Language Part 1 (Brock University)
Additional Information
- Equity as Gap Closing: Brave Spaces 2021
- Closing the Achievement and Well-Being Gap 2021
- Safe Schools Action Plan and Math De-streaming 2021
- Specialized Services Using an Equity Lens 2021
- Culturally Responsive and Relevant Pedagogy 2020
- Mental Health and Well-Being Part 1 2020
- Classroom Strategies to Enhance Caring Adult Relationships 2020
- FSL Supporting Student Confidence in Core French 2019
- Mental Health Liaison Rep Training 2016-19
Timeline
Elementary School Teacher
Hamilton Wentworth District School Board
09.2022 - Current
Elementary Vice Principal
Hamilton Wentworth District School Board
12.2020 - 07.2022
Elementary School Teacher
Hamilton Wentworth District School Board
09.2008 - 12.2020
Bachelor of Education - Teachers College
Brock University
Master of Arts - Art Conservation
Queen's University
Bachelor of Arts - Modern Languages
Queen's University
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