A Brief History of Chris
Chris was born and raised in Canada. He completed a B.A. in Criminology at Carleton University in Ottawa, Ontario. He then moved to Saint Petersburg, Russia, where he did an M.A. in International Relations from 2005-2007. During this time in Russia, Chris started teaching ESL and began to develop a passion for teaching. He next moved to S. Korea to teach ESL for 2 years to gain experience and build his portfolio. After coming back to Canada for a year to help his father build a house, Chris moved to Malaysia to work as a teacher consultant from 2011-2014. During this time he completed an M.A. in Teaching English Language through the University of East London. In 2014, he returned to Canada to complete his B.Ed. in Primary/Junior education at the University of Ottawa.
After graduating from the B.Ed. programme, Chris moved to Sweden to teach in a brand new school to teach English and Math, while also taking on the role of Head of Modern Languages. After 1 year in Sweden, he was offered a job back in Malaysia as a Grade 4 teacher and was promoted to Key Stage 2 Coordinator during his first term at the school. During these two years in Malaysia, Chris got married and started to make plans to return to Canada to start a family. Just before moving back to Canada, Chris was contacted by the Canadian International School of Phnom Penh and offered a 7 month teaching position as an immediate start. After some discussions with his wife, they decided that it would be a great opportunity and that they would then return to Canada in June, 2019.
After graduating from the B.Ed. programme, Chris moved to Sweden to teach in a brand new school to teach English and Math, while also taking on the role of Head of Modern Languages. After 1 year in Sweden, he was offered a job back in Malaysia as a Grade 4 teacher and was promoted to Key Stage 2 Coordinator during his first term at the school. During these two years in Malaysia, Chris got married and started to make plans to return to Canada to start a family. Just before moving back to Canada, Chris was contacted by the Canadian International School of Phnom Penh and offered a 7 month teaching position as an immediate start. After some discussions with his wife, they decided that it would be a great opportunity and that they would then return to Canada in June, 2019.
Teaching ExperienceGrade 3 Homeroom Teacher
Canadian International School of Phnom Penh, Cambodia December 2018 - June 2019 SK2 Coordinator; Grade 4 Homeroom Teacher Rafflesia International School, Malaysia August 2016 - July 2018 Head of Modern Languages; Grade 7/8 Math & English Teacher Internationella Engelska Skolan August 2015 - July 2016 English Language Consultant Brighton Education Group January 2011 - August 2014 |
ExpertiseIntercultural Relations
Delivering Professional Development Training Curriculum Assessment Curriculum Design Teaching Young Learning ESL Methodology Conflict Resolution Mediation ProficienciesMultilingual
Google Apps for Education Classroom Management Software (Seesaw, Blackboard, Class Dojo) School Management Software (Gibbon, Quickschool, Schoolsoft) Integrating technology into the classroom |
Teaching Philosophy
I believe that each child is unique and through these differences each child brings something special to the world we live in. I will help children to develop to their full potential by providing them with a secure, caring, and stimulating atmosphere in which to grow and mature emotionally, intellectually, physically, and socially. I will help students discover who they are by providing a safe environment that supports risk-taking and the sharing of ideas.
Every classroom presents a unique community of learners with a variety of learning abilities and styles. My role as a teacher is to guide students’ learning, not as a primary source of information, but by providing access to information so that the students can find answers to their own questions. Through differentiated instruction, I will teach to each individual child’s needs, in a manner that allows them to succeed. I will incorporate various themes, integrated units, projects, group work, individual work, and hands-on learning in order to make children active learners. Finally, through my interest in global issues, I will tie student learning into the context of the world community.
My classroom will be a place where students can feel safe and equitable, as responsible members of the classroom community. Using strategies such as class meetings, positive discipline and democratic principles will help students to develop a sense of respect for their teachers, their peers, and the lessons presented. By allowing the children to be responsible for themselves and their own learning, I am giving them the tools to be successful in life, to respect themselves, others, and the environment.
I believe that teaching is a lifelong process of learning and growth. As an educator it is my hope to instill a love of learning in my students, as I will share my own passion for learning with them. Learning occurs through all aspects of my work; learning from parents and the community, learning from colleagues, and especially learning from the children. Because of this, I will never forget to smile and cherish the fact that I am an educator.
Every classroom presents a unique community of learners with a variety of learning abilities and styles. My role as a teacher is to guide students’ learning, not as a primary source of information, but by providing access to information so that the students can find answers to their own questions. Through differentiated instruction, I will teach to each individual child’s needs, in a manner that allows them to succeed. I will incorporate various themes, integrated units, projects, group work, individual work, and hands-on learning in order to make children active learners. Finally, through my interest in global issues, I will tie student learning into the context of the world community.
My classroom will be a place where students can feel safe and equitable, as responsible members of the classroom community. Using strategies such as class meetings, positive discipline and democratic principles will help students to develop a sense of respect for their teachers, their peers, and the lessons presented. By allowing the children to be responsible for themselves and their own learning, I am giving them the tools to be successful in life, to respect themselves, others, and the environment.
I believe that teaching is a lifelong process of learning and growth. As an educator it is my hope to instill a love of learning in my students, as I will share my own passion for learning with them. Learning occurs through all aspects of my work; learning from parents and the community, learning from colleagues, and especially learning from the children. Because of this, I will never forget to smile and cherish the fact that I am an educator.