Nicholette Thompson
Email: [email protected]

OBJECTIVE

To effectively contribute to community development through the creative and efficient use of technology incorporating the visual and performing arts; while bridging language and cultural differences and assisting individuals in becoming independent, confident and socially aware citizens.

PERSONAL STATEMENT

I currently possess a Certification of Recognition of Caribbean Community Skills from the Ministry of Labour in Jamaica, as well as a Jamaican driver’s license.

My work experiences involve translating instructional material for hotels, and labels for food and beauty products. I have translated for Spanish speakers at major events; and translated, transcribed and time sampled Public Sector Announcements.

My duties as an Administrative Assistant encompassed creating, organizing and monitoring school documentation; liaising with director, administrator, staff and parents; managing and distributing information to areas of staff within the school and dispatching outgoing mail; answering telephone enquiries, attending to visitors and assisting other staff in the organization with their enquiries; operating office machinery; monitoring and recording tuition and other fees, and assisting with the compilation of end of term financial and educational reports; monitoring and encouraging a healthy, safe and structured learning environment; monitoring and distributing stationery and teaching/ learning material; scheduling appointments and activities.

As a Special Educator, I have worked with children and adults from different cultures, beliefs, learning styles and abilities. I have also tutored persons with speech impediment, those who are hearing and visually impaired, have mild to moderate disabilities (particularly reading difficulties), physical disabilities as well as behavioural and emotional disorders.

I have coordinated and co-ordinated several children’s camps, and have been a founder and executive member of various community volunteer groups/ associations.

I am apt and willing to participate in the creation of new opportunities as we seek to develop and implement plans and programmes geared towards maintaining and elevating the country’s current status in the Millennium Development Goals.

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Administrative Assistant, Teacher of Spanish and the Sciences – Kindergarten to Grade 6
Vista Prep School
September 2014 – December 2015
·         Created, organized and monitored school documentation; liaised with director, administrator, staff and parents; managed and distributed information to areas of staff within the school and dispatched outgoing mail; answered telephone enquiries, attended to visitors and assisted other staff in the organization with their enquiries; operated office machinery; monitored and recorded tuition and other fees, and assisted with the compilation of end of term financial and educational reports; monitored and encouraged a healthy, safe and structured learning environment; monitored and distributed stationery and teaching/ learning material; scheduled appointments and activities.
·         Children learned and practiced Spanish by following directions in Spanish and through observing and participating in conversation. With the use of ICT (Information and Communication Technology), puppets, Spanish cartoons, videos, and songs, and other teaching/learning aids, children in Kindergarten through to grade 6 enjoyed vibrant, interactive and dynamic Spanish classes thrice per week.
·         Prepared and conducted Science and Social Studies lessons, incorporating elements of the American and Canadian curriculum with that of the Jamaican one (September to December, 2014).
·         Coordinated the School Environmental Program (SEP) at the school as well as prepared and conducted weekly Environmental lessons with children from Kindergarten to grade 6. In June 2015, the school was awarded by the Jamaica Environment Trust in the category of Community Outreach.

Special Educator – Grades 1 – 3
Emmanuel Christian Academy
September 2013 – August 2014
REASON FOR LEAVING: End of contract
·         Develop and implement Individual Education Plans (I.E.P)
·         Conduct a pull-out program in a small group setting with students who have been assessed formally and diagnosed as slow learners.
·         Utilized and modified the A Beka program for students with Special Education Needs (SEN).
·         Administer weekly tests to review improvement in students.
·         Liaise with parents, teachers and principal to ensure the holistic development of each child.

Afterschool Special Education Tutor: Mathematics, Reading and Comprehension, Calligraphy, Speech Therapy, Spanish
January 2013 – present
·         Interview parents and students
·         Assess students in the particular academic areas of concern, regarding the learning needs of the student
·         Develop and implement Individual Education Plans (IEP)
·         Collaborate with parents, regular classroom teachers, and resource personnel
·         Prepare weekly reports on the development of the students, and at the end of the target period as specified on the IEP.

Special Educator/ Spanish Teacher
Employed to CCA Limited, teaching at The Pelican School (international school) / The Canouan Government School (state owned)
September 2011 – December 2012
REASON FOR LEAVING: End of contract
·         Assisted with general classroom duties (and small group teaching) at the private international school owned by the company – The Pelican School – and assumed the role as class teacher in the absence of the general classroom teacher.

·         Shadowed a 6 year old child who is on the Autistic spectrum, as well as assisted with other students who had learning needs. In October of 2012, I accompanied the 6 year old to Barbados and assisted with her assessment by an Occupational Therapist and Speech Pathologist.

·         Conducted daily afternoon classes, tutoring children with learning needs in Mathematics and Literacy – grades 1 through to 6 at the island’s state school. I was commended for my work done at the Canouan Government School and was featured in the CCA Beacon (the company’s newsletter).

·         Developed and implemented I.E.P.s (Individualized Educational Plans) for each child and collaborated with nanny, parents, teachers, principals, Speech and Language Therapists and Occupational Therapists.

·         Lessons included the use of relaxation, memory and physical activities; manipulatives, puppets and audio-visuals which include the use of ICT (Information and Communication Technology). Students engaged in group as well as individual activities, participating in not only book work, but also singing, poetry and drama.

·         Developed and implemented a Spanish program specifically designed for the group of students that I work with which involves the children following directions in Spanish and learning Spanish through observing and participating in conversation. With the use of ICT (Information and Communication Technology), puppets, Spanish cartoons, videos, and songs, and other teaching/learning aids, children in both Kindergarten and grade 1 (Foundational stage) enjoyed vibrant, interactive and dynamic Spanish classes twice per week.

·         Wrote 2 scripts for the annual Christmas productions and lead practices. Assisted with Christmas Carolling practice and introduced the school to a Jamaican Song ‘Sing De Chorus’.

·         Lead early morning activities with the children and assisted with out-of-hours fundraising events for the school. Completed Lunch and Break time supervision duties, including food preparation and monitoring whole school play. Assisted at Coral Reef Pre-school when teaching cover was required throughout the year.

EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS

Universidad de Ciencias Pedagógicas, Rafael María de Mendive
Bachelor’s Degree, Special Education
2004 – 2010

·         Awarded in 2005 at a scientific fair for the most creative and useful teaching aid.

·         Secretary of the Association of Jamaican Students in Cuba between the years 2006 to 2007 of the division in Pinar del Rio.

·         Active participant in various presentations and galas. Excellent skills in planning and organizing as well as being a good team player.

Activities and Societies: Association of Jamaican Students in Cuba
Mico University College
Diploma, Mild Disabilities, Special Education
2001 – 2004

Activities and Societies: Sign Language Club, Drama Club

Meadowbrook High School
1992 – 1997

Executive member of varied clubs and societies and have been an active participant in various concerts, fundraisers, and presentations.

Activities and Societies: Girls’ Guide, Interschool’s Christian Fellowship, Drama Club, Peer Counselling Club, Sign Language Ministry

KEY SKILLS AND EXPERTISE

I possess a grade 2 in Information Technology at the CXC level and continue to update my skills with Microsoft Office and varied technological devices (for example: tablet, digital camera, scanner technologies). I currently use these skills to aid both my personal and professional life.

Other skills include:

·         composing poems and short stories

·         creativity in the performing arts and in Art and Craft

·         developing teaching aids

·         outstanding ICT skills and is fully confident and consistent in using Microsoft Office, tablet, digital camera and scanner technologies

·         coordinated and implemented several children’s camps

·         translated instructional material for hotels, and labels for food and beauty products; translated for Spanish speakers at major events; translated, transcribed and time sampled Public Sector Announcements.

·         have been an active participant, and member of the executive board of several High School and College clubs and societies; presently the assistant secretary of the Havendale/Meadowbrook Citizen’s Association. In 1998 and 1999, founded and coordinated the Roehampton Drive and Neighbouring Communities Youth Group.

·         Since 2000 I have personally tutored over 10 children and adults, privately, in Mathematics, Spanish, Language Arts (with major emphasis on reading and comprehension) and Behaviour Modification.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Proficiency in Spanish and can teach English as a second language. Also possess elementary proficiency of Portuguese and French.

INTERESTS AND ACTIVITIES

Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), art & craft, poetry and story writing, drama, sign language, travelling, languages and culture.

VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE

·         Special Education Teacher at the Mico CARE Summer Programme (2011)

·         Volunteer Receptionist at Jamaica AIDS Support for Life (2008)

·         Head Teacher of Ministry of Finance and Planning, After-Care Summer Programme (2007)

·         Teacher and co-ordinator of Church and Urban Renewal Enterprise (Organization of Holiness Christian Church) Computer and Arts Summer Camp (2004-2006)

·         Administrative Assistant – Lasco Foods Limited (2002, 2003)

·         Vacation Bible School (VBS) teacher (1998, 2000)

·         Founder and coordinator of Roehampton Drive and Neighbouring Communities Youth Group (1998-1999)

REFERECES WILL BE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST