August, 2016 Attention: Hiring Committee Re: Application for Principal/Vice-Principal Cover letter: Steven Docherty Please consider my application and enclosed resume for the position of Principal/Vice-Principal with your school board. I would be honoured to have the opportunity to work with a very giving and caring administrative team that demonstrates having all student's interest at heart. I am an advocate for students, committed to helping all students achieve their full potential. For the past sixteen years, I have been working full time with the HWCDSB. The HWCDSB is a full inclusivity board, which has enabled me to have worked with a wide spectrum of special needs students. Presently, I am the Principal of Sakastew School of the Mathias Colomb Cree Nation located in northern Manitoba. I have just recently graduated from the two Intern leadership program with the HWCDSB. I am most proud of my ability to help students move forward in their learning and essential life skills. I have been leading instructional programs as demonstrated in the classroom at St. Agnes where EQAO results where above Board and Provincial standards for an equal opportunity school. In the school and Board as Physical Literacy lead, SIP lead, Junior math committee, Science fair committee and by providing coaching to staff when needed. I am setting direction by leading staff and students with Board initiatives. Initiatives such as SIP, Growth mindset, Christian meditation and Physical literacy. I spend a lot of time getting to know my students and staff, building a trusting relationship which is essential for student success. Equally important is developing a sense of community, positive communication between home, school and with staff. I was truly honoured to have been previously nominated for the Premier’s Excellence in Teaching Award and recipient of the Director award for most outstanding commitment to student learning. The established relationships set the tone for a positive learning environment for my students and staff. I enhance it with engaging tools such as software, websites, and interactive activities for example, the use of Smart Boards, and Chrome tablets in the classroom, Success Maker, Smart Ideas, Bit Strips for Schools, Prezi, Glogster, and Prodigy. Technology plays an important role in schools to help support all learning styles and needs of the 21 st century learner. I wish to impress upon you that my focus is not only on effective communication and curriculum delivery, but also on the student’s overall educational experience, ensuring that school is a place they like to be. Maintaining high expectations for staff and students and showing them that you care. In addition, I believe in the importance of collaboration and self-directed learning with the goal of self-advocacy, critical thinking, as well as creative problem-solving solutions. Within that framework, collaboration between colleagues and community is a crucial component to being more effective in the classroom, school and all shareholders. I see my role as being a proactive student focussed facilitator and a compassionate leader for the differentiated learning environment, also the one responsible to scaffold the basic essential skills required that will enable student success.
Sincerely, Steven Docherty Principal Sakastew School Pukatawagan (905) 929-1424 Docherty1414@gmail.com
1Steven Docherty (905) 929-1424 cell/home Docherty1414@gmail.com PROFESSIONAL PROFILE • Student-focused, enthusiastic, self-motivated, creative leader with a dedication to assist and advocate for young people in reaching their full potential both academically and as responsible members of society • Draw upon the personal leadership resources to effectively enact leadership practices (proactivity, managing emotions and knowledge of effective school and classroom practices) • Implement and monitor the use of appropriate disciplinary practices in classrooms and throughout the school (restorative practices, tribes community agreements and progressive discipline) • Provide advice to teachers about how to solve classroom problems by supporting a solution focussed learning environment • Strong interpersonal skills promoting meaningful collaboration within the school community (School council) TEACHING QUALIFICATIONS Ontario Teaching Certificate, • Intermediate-Senior, September 2000 Basic Qualifications, • Intermediate Division Science – General, April 2001 • Intermediate and Senior Divisions Individual and Society, November 2000 Junior Basic Qualification, • Junior Division -General, December 2005 Additional Qualifications, • Religious Education, Specialist, June 2002 • English as a Second Language, Specialist, July 2003 Principal Qualifications, • Part 1, June 2014 • Part 2, September 2014 Special Education for Administrators, January 2015 Special Education • Part 1, July 2016 EDUCATION Master of International Education, Present • Charles Sturt University, Australia Professional Program in Education, • Teaching Diploma, D'Youville College, New York, U.S.A, January 2000 Bachelor of Arts,
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Brock University, St. Catharines, Ontario, Graduated September 1999 Completed a degree in Sociology with a focus in Criminology with a minor in Science Graduated with honours
American Sign Language, Mohawk College, Hamilton, Ontario, • Part 1, August 1999 • Part 2, April 2000 EMPLOYMENT September 2016- Present Principal Sakastew School- Pukatawagan, Manitoba Grades K-12 September 2015- June 2016 Principal Intern St. Matthew CES-HWCDSB Placement includes grade 4 September 2014- June 2015 Principal Intern St. Patrick CES-HWCDSB Placement includes grade 8 September 2005- July 2014 Teacher/Division Leader/Physical Literacy Lead St. Agnes CES-HWCDSB Placements included grades 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 LEADERSHIP CLASSROOM • Maintaining high expectations for teachers, students and myself (above average EQAO achievement scores 2013-2014 grade 6 St. Agnes CES) • Promoting creativity to the 21st century learner (Prodigy, Growth Mindset, Success Maker and the use of technology in the classroom-Chrome books) SCHOOL • Assist the Principal in the effective administration of the school (schedules for staff, announcements, discipline-restorative justice practices, organizing planning times) • Actively engaged in fundraiser and preparing for large school events • Building capacity by ensuring that a shared vision is clearly articulated • Develop and maintain partnership with other institutions, organizations and outreach groups (The Learning Partnership-Little Loomers, Food4Kids and Catholic Youth Organization) • Collaborate with staff during the process of data interpretation (implementing school improvement goals and division goals) BOARD • Science fair judge (2008, 2010, 2016), • Co-chair prose and poetry committee (2016), • Junior math committee (2015-2016), • Received Directors Award for outstanding commitment to staff and students (2014) REFERENCES-Please contact me first before contacting my references so I can inform them thank you.
Mr. Melvin George Director of Education Pukutawagan Education Authority 204-553-2163
Mr. Vito Picheca Mentor Principal St. Agnes CES HWCDSB 905-928-3108 Mrs. Diane Ing Principal St. Joseph CES HWCDSB 905-529-1002