Valerie Rodgers Lugonja Curriculum Vitae

Summary:

• 30 years with Edmonton Public Schools
• Awarded with the National Council of Teachers of Englihs (NCTE) for  excellence in Teaching in 1989
• Awarded with two Fine Art Awards from the University of Alberta Faculty of Extension in Drawing (2005, 2006)
• Language Arts Department Head
• European Student Tour Coordinator
• University of Alberta Student teacher Liason for Kate Chegwin School
• Written,  published, and edited professional articles, programs, documents, study guides and a cook book (an article in The Tomato (used to be The City Palate)  in the Jan/Feb issue titled: Edible Education at Kate Chegwin School and the Fantan Thermomix Cookbook)
• Taught from Kindergarten to grade 12, primarily English Literature, and am now teaching students how to cook delicious, nutritious, and healthy food!

Specifics:

A.    Education:

a.  Academics

• Bachelor of Education                             University of Alberta, 1981; Major in English, and Fine Arts
• Early Childhood Diploma                       University of Alberta, 1981
• Applied Arts Certification Program      Faculty of Extension, University of Alberta, 2003 –present

b.  Professional Development

• Participant:      Christmas in November JPL 2010
• Collaborator:    EPSB Foods Teachers Support Group
• Coordinator:    U of A Student Teacher Liason for Kate Chegwin School
• Participant:     Thinking Maps Project
• Delegate:          Brain Growth and Engagement Conference
• Collaborator:  Telus Author Connection Project
• Participant:     Maxwell Bates and Expressionism, Edmonton Art  Gallery
• Marker:           HLAT exams, 2000 to present
• Mentor:           Student teachers from University of Alberta, 1983 to present
• Host:                Korean Teacher International Exchange Initiative
• Host:                Spanish Teacher International Exchange Initiative
• Writer:             personal poetry, short stories, and professional articles, ongoing
• Editor:              Grade 9 Key; English 30-1 Key
• Member:          Publication Committee, Bell and Candor,2002 – 2003
• Contributor:     Bell and Candor Article, 2002 – 2003

B. Experience:

a.   Teaching

• High School:      English 10, 20, 30
• Junior High:      English Language Arts, 7-9, Social Studies, Science, Math, P.E., Health, and most complementary courses (Art, Drama, Foods), 7-9
• Elementary:      Kindergarten to Grade 6

b.   Community

• Volunteer:      Play Around the World Project Faculty of Phys. Ed. and Recreation, U of A
• Director:         Heritage Festival

c.   Leadership

• Lead teacher:      Hardisty, Language Arts, 2000 – 2003
• Presenter:            English 30 Excellerator Diploma Preparation Course Castle Rock Research Corporation
• Writer:                 The Key for Grade 9 Language Arts Castle Rock Research Corporation
• Editor and Contributor: The Key for English 30-1 Castle Rock Research Corporation
• Lead teacher:      TELUS 2001 to 2003
• Presenter:             School Technology Skills
• Presenter:            School, Basic Technology Skills
• Presenter:             English 30-1 Diploma Preparation Courses for both Castle Rock Research Corporation and Prime Time Learning

d.   Special Skills and Competencies:

• adapting and integrating curriculum within authentic learning situations
• collaborating and providing collegial support
• prioritizing time and implementing task analysis
• achieving results (the grade 9 Language Arts Provincial Achievement Exam results were the highest of all 4 core areas at Hardisty, and the high school English 30 Diploma results in 2000, found 100% of my students at the provincial benchmark, and 66% at the standard of excellence)
• communicating with precision and clarity when speaking, and in writing
• reading comprehension and diagnostic processes
• writing processes and integrating thinking skills
• learning processes and strategies, with particular interest in independence, collaboration, organization, and the development of quality work
• qualifying accreditation to teach High School English and  Fine Art, as well as an Early Childhood Education special diploma

C.   Significant Accomplishments and Involvements

• Coordinator:            U of A Student Teacher Liason; University of Alberta Study Buddy Program,
• Student Teacher Mentor and School U of A
• Advisor:                  Student Leadership Student Activities Committee
• Organizer:            Euro-tour (15 years)
• Collaborator:       Lunch hour LA Help Sessions
• Initiator:               Friday Forum (reading and writing circle)
• Creator:                 Nutritious Lunch Program and Catering Club at Kate Chegwin School
• Supervisor:           Senior Boys Volleyball and Basketball; Peer Support
• Director:               Just Follow the Yellow Brick Road and Peter Pan