LAURA SPARLING M.A., B.Ed., B.A.

SUMMARY I am a creative and passionate teacher with diverse formal and informal teaching experiences, a strong understanding of classroom management and differentiated instruction techniques, and a proven excellence in equitable education. EDUCATION 2011-2012

Bachelor of Education, Intermediate/Senior History and Political Science/Civics Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto Miyumi Sasaki Education Fund recipient for dedication to social justice and equity in urban education (2012) Additional Qualification Special Education Part 1 Secondary (July 2012) Master of Arts, International Affairs Conflict Resolution and Gender Studies Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, Carleton University Match Internationals Norma E. Walmsley Award for advancing cooperation between Canadian women and women in Asia, Africa, and Latin America (2008) Honours Bachelor of Arts, International Development Latin American Studies Centre for International Development Studies, University of Guelph

2007-2009

2001-2005

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT March 2013 Aboriginal Worldviews and Education (Jean-Paul Restoule, OISE via Coursera) June 2012 Critical Crossroads: Youth, Criminal Justice and Literacy (Frontier College) November 2011 Classroom Management Seminar: The Caring and Teaching Approach (Barrie Bennett) Fall 2011 Anti-Homophobia Education Training (Tara Goldstein, OISE) LANGUAGES English (native), Spanish (advanced), French (intermediate), Tsotsil Maya (beginner) TEACHING EXPERIENCE May 2012Education Consultant Present Modest Productions Theatre Company (Toronto, ON) Developed a teachers guide for multicultural and cross-curricular learning using the contemporary play Unburdened. Facilitate workshops with local schools and youth groups, including the Toronto Street Writers youth collective, York University, and Upper Canada College, using Unburdened to teach global perspective, empathy, leadership, and story-telling. March 2012 Student Teacher (Civics, History, Gender Studies, and Genocide Studies) Subway Academy 1 (Toronto, ON) Designed creative and differentiated unit plans and lessons for grade 10 open Civics, grade 10 academic Canadian History, and grade 11 open Gender studies. Delivered guest lesson to a grade 11 academic Genocide and Crimes against Humanity course, using the Triangle of Power model to help students visualise and recognise structures of discrimination. Developed and implemented formative and summative assessment tools for student evaluation. Student Teacher (Civics and Economics) Central Technical School (Toronto, ON) Employed knowledge of students' needs and interests to develop differentiated lessons, assessments and evaluation, modifying each according to feedback. Coupled diverse teaching strategies with current events to engage students and challenge their critical thinking skills.

November 2011

JanuaryOctober 2010

Womens Rights Education Intern Centro de Investigacin y Accin de la Mujer Latino Americana (Chiapas, Mexico) Developed Spanish-language educational materials for the Alternative School for Women. Employed differentiated instruction strategies to include learners of varying literacy and language abilities.

PROFESSIONAL TEACHING & RESEARCH EXPERIENCE May-July Research assistant and Curriculum developer 2012 Gailey Road Productions/University of Toronto (Toronto, ON) Developed cross-curricular teachers discussion guide for the plays Harriets House and Anas Shadow. September 2011Present Fall 2009 Private tutor Summerhill Tutorials and privately (Toronto, ON) Provide personalised tutoring to increase academic successes for students aged 9-17. Spanish Instructor Bluewater District School Board Continuing Education and privately (Meaford, ON) Designed course curriculum and instructed an introductory Latin American Spanish course for adults. Introduced learners to gendered language, pronunciation, basic verb tenses, and themed vocabulary using games, music, and visual media to customize learning to different intelligences. Course Instructor on Introduction to Gender Studies Enrichment Mini-Course Program (Ottawa, ON) Developed and delivered curriculum for a gender studies course for youth, employing arts-based approach to teach about processes of marginalisation and how to become advocates for social justice and equity. Teacher of English as a Second Language Escuela Politecnica National (Quito, Ecuador) Taught an intermediate-level English class to summer students and professors at the National Polytechnic University. Classroom Assistant TDSB Summer Literacy Program (Toronto, ON) Worked directly with special education students and English Language Learners, using their personal interests to develop positive rapport and engagement in learning.

May 2009

Summer 2006

Summer 2005

ADDITIONAL PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCES September Various administrative positions 2005 Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General (Toronto, ON) Present Executive Coordinator, Agency Relations Division (September 2013-Present): Provide executive level support to the Assistant Deputy Attorney General for Agency Relations Division. FPT Administrative Support, Policy Division (2013): Prepared a compilation of reference materials for a summit of Federal/ Provincial/Territorial Ministers and Deputy Ministers of Justice and Public Safety. Also contributed to research for accessibility to justice policy developments. General Inquiries Coordinator, Communications Division (2005-2013 Occasional): Managed large volumes of calls from general public and skilfully handled difficult calls in both official languages and Spanish.

RELEVANT VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES January 2014 Native Womens Resource Centre Volunteer (Toronto, ON) Present Volunteer for special events and various other needs. Summers 19992005, 2012 October 2011May 2012 August 2005 April 2006 Amateur Soccer Coach (Meaford and Toronto, ON) Coaching soccer teams for boys and girls aged 5-13. Central Technical School Volunteer (Toronto ON) Volunteered regularly with after-school homework club and credit recovery programme. English tutor and Mentor Regularly met with young Peruvian student to encourage the development of his English speaking and writing skills and to increase his confidence speaking English.

PUBLICATIONS A Feminist Analysis of Protection in State Uses of Force (August, 2012). In Conflict-related sexual violence: International law, local responses. Eds. Susan Dewey and Tonia St. Germain. Kumarian Press: Sterling, VA

Death and Taxes: The Role of Violence in the Development of the European and the African State (2005). Undercurrent: Canadian Undergraduate Journal of Development Studies. Vol. II (3)