Please consider me in your search for an Educational Facilitator, Inclusive Post-Secondary Education; at MacEwan University.
I believe my experience in education, residential care and commitment to inclusion, combine to make me an ideal candidate.
My Education Degree from the U of A and experience in journalism, led me to many years of teaching students, from Grade Three to adult, in seven different countries. I have developed curricula, educational materials and assessments for many different subjects and, while overseas, taught while referencing the Irish Leaving Certificate, IGCSE and International Baccalaureate PYP, MYP and Diploma Programmes. I have the unique distinction of having taught Journalism at Grant MacEwan Community College; studied at MacEwan University in its Hearing Aid Practitioner Program and studied history with Grant MacEwan while I worked in Public Affairs at The University of Calgary.
I’ve also served as a Residential Care Worker for the Prince George Association for Community Living and Thomson Community Services, where I served clients with varying degrees of physical and cognitive challenges, including autism. Informal counselling was part of my role and I also helped my clients by providing them with recreational and craft activities.
When I returned to Canada in 2012, I launched my website jamesmillercreative.com to highlight my creative talents in painting, photography, videography, music, writing and graphic design. My art emphasizes the positive and my Happy Face Series is a good example. Since returning to my home city of Edmonton in 2021, I have worked for Edmonton’s Mustard Seed, where I regularly interacted with the city’s homeless population.
You seek someone who is a “Dedicated learner, reflective practitioner, and committed to one’s professional development” and I believe I demonstrate these characteristics in my practice as an artist and through my reflections as a writer, which demonstrate my commitment to an inclusive community and world. In my essay, Assholes – Another Theory, I argue against Harvard educated philosophy professor Aarron James’ statement in his book, Assholes * *A Theory, that a “sound beating” is one solution for what he identifies as the “asshole” problem. In my job application for the position of Anti-Racism Specialist at Norquest College (which I published as a webpage) I suggested Norquest consider taking a more positive approach to the issue, including renaming the position, Inclusion Coordinator.
You may, or may not, agree with my position, but I do hope you agree that a respectful debate involving different possible approaches to solving problems like racism, war and the relative worth of a human being is the essence of what inclusion is all about.
As an active member of the Edmonton Interfaith Centre for Education and Action, I regularly attend lectures and other events. In July, I attended the Pedagogy of Ahisma, A Workshop for Peace and Social Justice Minded Educators, where, in addition to sharing my point of view, I provided my photo and video skills.
I sincerely believe I have all the qualifications you are looking for in filling this position. Accordingly, let me suggest we meet to discuss the contribution I could make to Inclusion Alberta in filling the role of Educational Facilitator, Inclusive Post-Secondary Education.