Natasja Willms

Setting the vision for, and instructional leadership of, a Christian community of learners in kindergarten – grade 12 Working with families of prospective students on initial intake to assess learning needs Overseeing all individualized student programs (Preschool to grade 12)

Principal - EMMAUS LEARNING COMMUNITY & kOINONIA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL ECS - Red Deer, Alberta

(2022-01)

• Setting the vision for, and instructional leadership of, a Christian community of learners in kindergarten – grade 12
• Working with families of prospective students on initial intake to assess learning needs
• Overseeing all individualized student programs (Preschool to grade 12)
• Supporting teachers in creating and implementing Individualized Program Plans (Preschool to grade 12)
• Interviewing, hiring, and supervising Educational Assistants
• Coordinating Educational Assistants' schedules and assignments
• Coordinating services (Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Psychology, Counselling) for students diagnosed with severe disabilities
• Submitting Program Unit Funding applications including budgets, as well as Severe Disabilities Funding applications to Alberta Education
• Supervising PUF programming and providing special education consultation to early learning teachers
• Working collaboratively with other professionals (OT, PT, SLP, Counsellor, Psychologist) and parents to help students with complex needs
• Providing Professional Development opportunities for administrators, teachers, and educational assistants
• Administering Level B assessments to students for program planning purposes
• Dealing proactively with discipline issues and effectively resolving conflict
• Being a member of the Senior Leadership Team; reporting to Executive Principal
• Establishing and collaborating with Parent Advisory Councils
• Establishing and collaborating with Student Councils

Interim Principal - kOINONIA@HOME - Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario

(2024-01 - 2025-01)

• Continuing to implement the vision for, and instructional leadership of, a Christian community of learners in kindergarten to grade 12
• Overseeing all student programs ("Little Lights" Kindergarten to grade 12) and course planning with students and parents
• Supervising three vice principals, and 26 teachers across Alberta, Saskatchewan and Ontario
• Distance learning teacher assignments and home education facilitator assignments
• Providing Professional Development opportunities for vice principals, distance learning teachers and home education facilitators
• Establishing and collaborating with Parent Advisory Council

Vice Principal, Learning Supports - koinonia christian school red deer - Red Deer, Alberta

(2021-01 - 2022-01)

• Working with families of prospective students on initial intake to assess learning needs
• Overseeing all individualized student programs
• Supporting teachers in creating and implementing Individualized Program Plans
• Interviewing, hiring, and supervising Educational Assistants
• Coordinating Educational Assistants' schedules and assignments
• Coordinating services (Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Psychology, Counselling) for students diagnosed with severe disabilities
• Submitting Program Unit Funding applications including budgets, as well as Severe Disabilities Funding applications to Alberta Education
• Supervising PUF programming and providing special education consultation to early learning teachers
• Working collaboratively with other professionals (OT, PT, SLP, Psychologist) and parents to help students with complex needs
• Providing Professional Development opportunities for administrators, teachers, and educational assistants
• Administering Level B assessments to students for program planning purposes
• Dealing proactively with discipline issues and effectively resolving conflict

Teacher, EMMAUS Transitional Program - koinonia christian school red deer - Red Deer, Alberta

(2020-01 - 2021-01)

• Creating and implementing a pilot project – a high school program for 7 students in grades 10-12 with severe disabilities
• Coordinating support services including counselling and meaningful work experience placements
• Building a sense of belonging and community

Learning Supports Coordinator - koinonia christian school red deer - Red Deer, Alberta

(2017-01 - 2020-01)

• Coordinating Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Psychology services for students diagnosed with severe disabilities
• Submitting Program Unit Funding applications including budgets, as well as Severe Disabilities Funding applications
• Supervising Program Unit Funding (including Family Oriented Programming) programming and providing special education consultation to early learning teachers
• Working collaboratively with other professionals (OT, PT, SLP, Psychologist) and parents
• Guiding teachers in creating and implementing Individualized Program Plans
• Providing Professional Development opportunities for administrators, teachers, and educational assistants
• Coordinating Educational Assistants' schedules and assignments
• Administering Level B assessments to students for program planning purposes

Preschool Teacher - koinonia christian school red deer - Red Deer, Alberta

(2018-01 - 2019-01)

• Creating a rich, play based learning environment for 17 students (ages 3-5)
• Assessing readiness skills for Kindergarten
• Supervising two educational assistants
• Creating and implementing Individualized Program Plans for students who qualified for Program Unit Funding
• Working collaboratively with other professionals (OT, PT, SLP, Psychologist) and parents to help students with complex needs gain skills

Home Education Facilitator - e2 academy

(2017-01 - 2018-01)

• Supporting home education families with twice-exceptional students by providing special education consultation
• Organizing monthly events for home education students
• Organizing and delivering monthly parent education classes on various special needs topics
• Helping parents develop learning plans and individualized program plans for at-home students
• Twice yearly home visits to determine and report on student progress

Tutor - mrs. Willms' tutoring

(2015-01 - 2016-01)

• Tutoring students with learning difficulties in the areas of literacy and numeracy
• Administering baseline assessments to determine areas of strength and areas for improvement
• Setting Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Timely (SMART) goals
• Tailoring an individualized program to meet students' learning needs
• Building skills and strategies by harnessing student strengths
• Employing multi-sensory approaches to learning
• Communicating and collaborating with parents

Tutor - mrs. Willms' tutoring

(2020-01 - 2021-01)

• Tutoring students with learning difficulties in the areas of literacy and numeracy
• Administering baseline assessments to determine areas of strength and areas for improvement
• Setting Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Timely (SMART) goals
• Tailoring an individualized program to meet students' learning needs
• Building skills and strategies by harnessing student strengths
• Employing multi-sensory approaches to learning
• Communicating and collaborating with parents

Home Educator - hot chocolate homeschool

(2013-01 - 2017-01)

• Creatively addressing the academic, emotional, social, physical and spiritual needs of my two sons
• Dealing positively with discipline issues and effectively resolving conflict
• Establishing strong familial bonds by spending quality time together and nurturing a lifestyle of learning

Vice Principal - christ king catholic school

(2012-01 - 2013-01)

• Day-to-day operations of the school in the principal's absence
• Dealing positively with discipline issues and effectively resolving conflict
• Conducting and mediating meetings with parents
• Leader in Me Lighthouse team member
• East Central Alberta Catholic Schools Wellness Committee founding member

Special Needs Coordinator - christ king catholic school

(2010-01 - 2013-01)

• Coordinating services (Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Psychology) for students diagnosed with severe disabilities (Prader-Willi Syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Conduct Disorder, Sensory Processing Disorder, Tourette Syndrome, and Pervasive Developmental Disorder)
• Submitting Program Unit Funding applications including budgets
• Guiding teachers in creating and implementing Individualized Program Plans
• Facilitating a Reading Intervention Program for at-risk students
• Coordinating Educational Assistants' schedules and assignments
• Administering Level B assessments to students for program planning purposes

Grade 3 & 4 Teacher - christ king catholic school

(2006-01 - 2010-01)

• Teaching the Alberta Program of Studies to students in grade 3 and 4
• Running extracurricular activities such as Art Club, Environmental Club, and Gardening Club
• Assisting fellow educators in their quest to improve student learning as AISI (Alberta School Improvement Initiative) Lead Teacher

Special Needs Coordinator - st. THOMAS AQUINAS catholic school

(2000-01 - 2003-01)

• Coordinating Educational Assistants' schedules
• Coordinating services for students with severe disabilities
• Guiding teachers in creating and implementing Individualized Program Plans
• Teaching life skills to students with Oppositional Defiant Disorder and developmental delays

Kindergarten Teacher - st. Thomas aquinas catholic school

(2001-01 - 2002-01)

• Creating a rich learning environment to teach the AB Program of Studies to Kindergarten students
• Assessing readiness skills and differentiating instruction

Special Needs Coordinator/Teacher - fox creek school

(1995-01 - 1999-01)

• Submitting applications for Severe Disabilities Funding
• Implementing a Reading Intervention program for at-risk students
• Teaching life skills to students with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Diploma - Sacred Studies - John paul ii bible school (2004-01)

Bachelor of Education - Elementary Education (Major), Language Learning (Minor) - University of Alberta (1995-01)