JOAN DINARDO
Phnom Penh
Summary
Personable and empathetic, with a genuine passion for supporting students on their journey. Adept at fostering student engagement. Excellent communication facilitates meaningful connections and empowers learners. Committed to fostering positive change and proven ability to collaborate effectively with the school community.
Overview
37
37
years of professional experience
Work History
Counselor
Canadian International School of Phnom Penh
Cambodia
08.2023 - 06.2025
- Oversaw university fairs to connect students with post secondary opportunities
- Conducted presentations at parent meetings, providing information on graduation pathways and post secondary options
- Developed and implemented student guidance plans to foster academic success
- Collaborated with students, parents and school faculty to address problems and grow student success
- Supported students with the post secondary admissions process and scholarship requirements
- Empowered students through counseling and skill-building exercises
- Delivered supportive and knowledgeable counseling to students with academic or personal concerns
Guidance Counselor
Sunway College - CIMP
Malaysia
07.2019 - 12.2021
- Assisted high school students with post secondary applications
- Reviewed transcripts to verify students met graduation and university entrance requirements
- Assisted students with letters of recommendation, personal essays and personal statements
- Counseled students regarding course and program selection, class scheduling and career planning
- Worked with students focusing on stress management, academic skill development, and post secondary exploration
- Conducted presentations at parent meetings, providing information on graduation pathways and post secondary opportunities
English Teacher
Sunway College - CIMP
Malaysia
07.2018 - 12.2021
- Worked with other teachers to support struggling students and provide thorough help to rectify comprehension issues
- Increased student motivation by providing timely feedback and recognizing individual achievements
- Created and implemented activities to foster critical thinking skills of students
English Teacher
Taylor's College - CPU
Malaysia
07.2017 - 06.2018
- Co-chaired departments as HOD (Head of Department) meetings
- Promoted a positive learning environment by modeling respect, empathy, and active listening skills during all interactions with students
- Assisted struggling students through targeted interventions, leading to increased academic success
- Supported staff and students in preparation for the OSSLT (Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test)
French Immersion Teacher and FI Department Head
Thames Valley District School Board
London, ON
09.2010 - 06.2017
- Mentored new teachers in the French immersion program, sharing resources and offering guidance on best practices
- Organized field trips and extracurricular activities related to French culture and language learning
- Promoted cultural understanding through the integration of French history, literature, and current events into lessons
- Collaborated with colleagues to create interdisciplinary units that combined French language learning and other subjects
- Communicated with students in French to foster oral proficiency
Teacher On Special Assignment (TOSA)
Thames Valley District School Board
London, ON
09.2011 - 06.2012
- Supported new teachers by mentoring on classroom management, lesson planning, and differentiation
- Facilitated workshops to support teachers to increase student engagement and to promote critical thinking
- Worked collaboratively to support teachers in administering new French curriculum
English, French and Social Sciences Teacher
Caribbean International Academy (CIA)
Sint Maarten
08.2009 - 06.2010
- Developed strong relationships with students, parents, and colleagues by maintaining open lines of communication and fostering a supportive learning environment
- Identified struggling students and provided additional support through tutoring sessions, differentiated instruction and modified lesson plans
- Organized extracurricular activities such as clubs or field trips that enriched students' learning experiences outside traditional classroom settings
English and French Teacher
Thames Valley District School Board
London, ON
01.1997 - 01.2009
Elementary and Secondary School French Teacher
TVDSB - Teacher Exchange
Perth, Western Australia
01.1996 - 01.1997
- utilized various teaching strategies to accommodate diverse learning styles and needs within the classroom
- built cultural literacy by organizing lesson plans focused on French-speaking countries
- organized annual French cultural events at the school, promoting awareness and appreciation for the culture among all students
English and Core French Teacher
Thames Valley District School Board
London, ON
02.1988 - 01.1996
Education
Guidance And Careers Part 1 - Trent University
Peterborough, ON11-2022
French As A Second Language Specialist
Western University, London, ON01-1997
Bachelor of Education - Intermediate - Senior French And English
Queen's University -
Kingston ON01-1986
Bachelor of Arts -
Queen's University
Kingston, ON01-1985
Skills
- Collaborative
- Student engagement
- Critical thinker
- Excellent communication skills
- Caring
- Open-minded
- Resilient
- Growth Mindset
Timeline
Counselor
Canadian International School of Phnom Penh
08.2023 - 06.2025
Guidance Counselor
Sunway College - CIMP
07.2019 - 12.2021
English Teacher
Sunway College - CIMP
07.2018 - 12.2021
English Teacher
Taylor's College - CPU
07.2017 - 06.2018
Teacher On Special Assignment (TOSA)
Thames Valley District School Board
09.2011 - 06.2012
French Immersion Teacher and FI Department Head
Thames Valley District School Board
09.2010 - 06.2017
English, French and Social Sciences Teacher
Caribbean International Academy (CIA)
08.2009 - 06.2010
English and French Teacher
Thames Valley District School Board
01.1997 - 01.2009
Elementary and Secondary School French Teacher
TVDSB - Teacher Exchange
01.1996 - 01.1997
English and Core French Teacher
Thames Valley District School Board
02.1988 - 01.1996
Guidance And Careers Part 1 - Trent University
French As A Second Language Specialist
Bachelor of Education - Intermediate - Senior French And English
Queen's University -
Bachelor of Arts -
Queen's University