Shafrena Khalfan

I am a passionate and highly motivated educator with over 15 years of experience. I have spent the majority of these years teaching internationally which has helped me learn how to adapt and use a variety of teaching strategies in meeting the needs of students from many diverse backgrounds. I remain committed to providing engaging, meaningful and culturally relevant experiences for all students. I strongly believe in creating and enhancing partnerships with parents, school administrators and team members to collectively work in the best interests of all our students.

• Certified Member of the Ontario College of Teachers, 428145
• Additional Qualification ESL Part 1, 09/01/00
• Additional Qualification ESL Part 2, 07/01/23
• Additional Qualification Reading, Part 1, 07/01/22

• Community Service
• Travel
• Fitness
• Personal Development

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE –Details

Grade4/5LEAP and ESL Teacher, Thorncliffe Park Public School, October 2022-June2023

• Use STEP to adapt ministry expectations to plan effective lessons for English Language Learners with limited prior schooling

• Utilize Universal Design for Learning Strategies (UDL) to help students at all levels to be successful

• Incorporate Science of Reading components for intentional and explicit literacy instruction

• Build relationships with students and families to support settlement and education through culturally responsive pedagogy

Grade 2/3 ESL Resource Teacher, Thorncliffe Park Public School, May 2022-July 2022

• Planned engaging and meaningful lessons to target oral, reading and writing skills for English Language Learners

• Provided small group based reading instruction with a focus on both letter/word work and discussions of themes, ideas, literary features and vocabulary building

• Collaborated with Grade 3 teachers to provide accommodations for ESL students e.g., using assistive technology tools when writing the EQAOs standardized assessment

Pre-K Teacher, Saudi Aramco Expatriate Schools, Sept 2013-June 2016/ Sept 2020-Present

• Deliver engaging, developmentally appropriate, curriculum based learning experiences for 4 and 5 year old chil-dren

• Cultivate a sense of community by incorporating intentional and specific routines during virtual meets

• Balance a hybrid program that involves both digital and in person learning with a commitment to standards of best practice

• Foster language and literacy development for English Language Learners using a variety of teaching strategies

• Plan and provide age appropriate learning experiences that promote growth in all domain areas

• Provide online resources for parents to successfully support student learning at home

Teacher Librarian, Saud Aramco Expatriate Schools, Jan 2017-June 2020

• Work with team members to plan age appropriate and high interest lessons for Kindergarten to Grade 4 students

• Engage students in developing an awareness and understanding of literature formats, author styles, book han-dling, genres etc.

• Help students be successful in navigating through the library and using online tools such as Destiny to find books that are relevant to their age, experiences and interests

• Motivate students to stretch themselves as readers and explore a variety of genres through exciting activities across various grade levels

Grade 2 Classroom Teacher, Thorncliffe Public School, Toronto, Sept 1999-June 2002

• Worked collaboratively with team members in diverse and largely populated school setting

• Designed and implemented integrated units to help students achieve curriculum expectations

• Utilized culturally sensitive materials and approach in language instruction for ELL students

• Involved in various community projects, including parent education