Welcome
to My Sites
This site focuses on my interests and training for Career and Academic Counselling.
For teaching Theatre and English - see this site: https://pjmhunni.wixsite.com/website-1
About Me
"I am not what happened to me, I am what I choose to become."
Carl Jung
I am a passionate, lifelong learner who loves to read, research, write, create and attend theatre, garden, walk, hike, bike, and travel the world. I am consummately filled with curiosity, wonder, and hope. I now have found a dream position as a Career and Academic Advisor with Foundations for the Future Charter Academy (FFCA - South High School) after 27 years of teaching English and drama!
I am an idealist - someone who always seeks the best in each student and each colleague, who quests to reveal potential while being a supportive, empathetic listener and problem-solver when challenges arise. I embody the helping skills required of a high school guidance counsellor: empathy, respect, warmth, and genuineness. I learn quickly, work hard, and am adaptable to new challenges in order to meet the needs of a diverse variety of learners. I love working with both teens and adults, helping them to develop their skills and efficacy, to achieve success (whatever success looks like for them), and to realize their potential.
My personal world is also occupied with academic pursuits and post-secondary institutions, for I am married to a mathematics professor at the University of Calgary, which has exposed me to the realities and opportunities with a variety of post-secondary experiences and lifestyles across Canada, the US, Europe, and Argentina. I am also a mother to two young adults - one studying Software Engineering at the University of Calgary (3rd year) and one pursuing Fine Arts at Alberta University of the Arts (2nd year) - so my home reality is well-experienced with the challenges teens face in both academics and career possibilities: choosing secondary courses to align with future goals; post-secondary programming, requirements, and applications; scholarships, grants, and loans; gap year experiences, programs, and opportunities; and employment. Further to this - as a Grade 12 teacher for most of my 27 years of teaching (including adult education), I've kept in touch with many alumni and learned from their own academic and career journeys - all of this provides me with a solid foundation of knowledge and experience.
I truly understand and empathize with the needs of students and families who have questions, concerns, and confusions about how to navigate these teen academic years while transitioning into post-secondary studies and adulthood. These past few years have reinforced my goal to work in the heart of student services as the guidance counsellor to support the success of all students.
Career Objective
“The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.”
– Ralph Waldo Emerson
As a trained specialist in Career and Academic Advising through the University of Calgary's certificated program, along with 27 years as an English and Theatre teacher, and recently an Inclusion Facilitator, my goal has been to become a Guidance Counsellor where I may support students in managing their struggles while discovering their strengths, goals, and planning their academic path. My training and experience provide me with the skills and wisdom in creating a caring, inclusive counselling environment that ensures students and parents feel heard and respected - always maintaining and supporting each student's dignity, hope, and empowerment. Through the skillful use of strategic, timely interventions, workshops, and meetings, I seek to help all students develop and enhance their personal and social strengths in order to achieve academic success, reach their post-secondary goals, and pursue their career aspirations. It is my objective to create a truly safe and caring place to guide, counsel, advise and support all students and their diversity of needs.
I have opened up a private practice of Guidance Counselling to support students and families with more one-on-one support when making Career and Academic decisions. If you are seeking an advisor, I can meet at your convenience in your home, in a library, online, or in my home in the NW of Calgary. Please contact me at hunniadvisor@gmail.com.
Professional Experience
Background & Expertise
“I want to look back on my career and be proud of the work, and be proud that I tried everything.” — Jon Stewart
Foundations for the Future Charter Academy - Academic Guidance Counsellor
JMarch 2024 - present
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Career Counselling
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Exploration of values, interests, abilities, and needs
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Establishing career goals
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Research and exploration of related occupations
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Work Experience and Teacher Assistant programs
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Educational Counselling
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Inform students of information and regulations regarding high school diploma and post-secondary requirements
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Selection of high school courses
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Program planning
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Student concerns regarding courses
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Inquiries regarding course changes
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Post high school educational planning
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Displays and speakers from post-secondary institutions
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Financial Advisor
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Scholarship and bursary information
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Loans and grant information for university and college
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Ways to finance future schooling
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Foundations for the Future Charter Academy - Inclusion Facilitator
January 2021 - June 2021 / August 2022 - March 2024
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Conduct regular meets with the Inclusion Team to discuss and make support plans for students on the current Inclusion list.
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Observing struggling students in the classroom setting and working with teachers and parents to establish strategies for support and accommodations.
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Level B Assessment Trained
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Expertise in UDL (Universal Design for Learning), Executive Functioning, Classroom Management, Collaborative Problem Solving Training.
Foundations for the Future Charter Academy - Teacher (English & Theatre)
August 2006 - March 2024
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I am a master teacher creating well-designed, inspiring courses, units, lessons, and environments that engage learners as critical and creative thinkers, readers, writers, performers, and directors.
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Former Coordinator for English, AP, and Fine Arts
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Courses: Diploma and AP English, English 8-12 both -1 and -2, Creative Writing, Drama, Advisory
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Service: Performing Arts, Professional Development Coordinator and Speaker, Literacy Leader, Coaching, Blogging Consultant, Diploma Exam marking, Provincial Curriculum Development, Teacher Trainer
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I have always sought to support learners in realizing their true potential in all courses.
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Building reading and writing programs with a one-school continuum initiative called "For the Love of Reading."
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Designing sets and lighting, guidance, advice and support with our school's Performing Arts productions and community.
Yufeng Chinese School - Special Interest Course Teacher
2011-present
Teacher of English Reading and Writing Skills Grades 9-12.
Diploma Preparation Program
Edge School for Athletes - English Teacher
August 2021 - June 2022
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Teaching and working with high-performing athletes in a private school academy.
Alberta High School Drama Festival - Vice President
May 2011 - May 2021
Member of the Executive Team in producing the Provincial Drama Festival yearly.
Webpage developer and manager
Advice Prep School - English Second Language teacher
February 2014 - July 2014
Conversational meetings to reinforce language mastery;
Shakespeare for Teens workshop production of scenes;
substitute teacher
Waterloo Region School Board - Cameron Heights Collegiate - Theatre and English Teacher
August 1998 - June 2006
English 9-13; IB English Coordinator and teacher; Theatre teacher 9-13; Advanced Acting; CIS Coordinator for English; Special Education and Behavioural Specialist; Gifted Education Advisor; Continuing & Adult Education Teacher;
Committee: CIS - Cameron International Studies; IB Committee; Social Committee; PD Committee
Director: One Act (Award winning) & Musicals; Provincial Curriculum Drama Developer and Trainer
Vice-President of CODE: Council of Drama and Dance Educators in Ontario (teacher education and professional development workshop weekend)
IB English and Theatre consultant from August 2004-June 2006 when living in Hartford, Connecticut
Educational Background
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”
~Nelson Mandela~
For me, academic institutions are where we gain the knowledge, skills, tools, and networks to build successful experiences, careers, and futures. Take a look below to learn more about my educational path.
University of Calgary - Career and Academic Advisor Certificate
Sept 2018 - August 2020
"...theoretical foundations, communication and helping skills to facilitate, motivate and work successfully with a diverse population. Specialization courses will allow you to focus your studies on the area(s) of personal interest and relevance based on the context and clientele you work with."
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see more information below about the courses I completed for this certificate
Universidad Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
Spanish Second Language courses
Reading, Writing, and Speaking skill development
2014
Trinity College - Hartford, Connecticut
2005-2006
Master's of English (incomplete degree moving to Calgary and began teaching again)
Courses Completed: Literary Criticism; French Colonial Literature in translation; Art of Column Writing and Blogging
Nipissing University - North Bay, Ontario
September 1997 - July 1998
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Specialist in English and Theatre Grades 4-13
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AQ - Additional Qualifications: Special Education
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Professor Assistant: Resource Manager; Section 11 Leader
University of Ottawa - Ottawa, Ontario
Bachelor of Arts - Double Major in Theatre and English
September 1990 - April 1996
University of Calgary
Career and Academic Advising
200 Hour Certificated Courses
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Learning Online
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Preparation for online learning tools and expectations: D2L, online discussions, Zoom, assignment submission and online tests
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Search the Internet and the University of Calgary library for credible resources
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Helping Skills in Career and Academic Advising
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Develop the listening and helping skills for establishing the advising relationship: assisting others, explore career and academic issues, learn how to clarify and pursue their career goals.
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Action plan for supporting client goals, access to services and community resources to assist clients in addressing their individual needs.
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Develop interpersonal listening and speaking skills
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Ethics for Career Development Professionals
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Understand key ethical principles and their relevance in professional conduct; responsibilities in the career development field; recognize moral dilemmas and apply an ethical decision-making model in resolving them
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Employment Counselling Toolkit for Career Development Practitioners
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identify skills, interests, preferences and accomplishments
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local and regional community resources
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current, in-person job search techniques and how to effectively use these techniques to plan academics and search for work
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provide effective feedback on client created documents
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train to use technology and social media in academic and career/work searches
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mock interview and mock negotiation sessions
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Social Media Essentials
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Explore the potential of social networking tools such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, wikis, blogs, podcasts and more. Learn how social media can be leveraged as an alternative and companion to traditional forms of advertising and communication. Develop an integrated social media strategy and formulate a plan that will reach and engage your audience.
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How to use social media to enhance resource sharing with students and parents in planning academics, post-secondary, and careers, and how to promote habits and resources for health, wellness, and success.
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Career Development Foundations
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Concepts of major career development theories and apply to case studies (Culturally Responsive Counselling, Strengths-Based Advising, Holland, Super, Gottsfredson, Social Cognitive, etc...)
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Understand how career issues intersect with psychological, social, and environmental influences.
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Diversity in Adult Learning
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Develop personal and professional awareness (personal assumptions and biases) of diversity and culture in classrooms and workplaces - the importance of culturally responsive facilitation through an inclusive, multicultural lens;
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Understand relationships between culture and motivation to learn;
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Assessment Practice in Career Development
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Learn to skillfully manage the assessment process; develop client profiles that describe relevant interests, skills, values and other personal factors. Emphasis is on using a variety of assessment techniques and guiding the client through the key steps in the career planning process as well as providing support for the career action plan.
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Communicating Interculturally
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learn the developmental model of intercultural competence understanding "culture" and "cultural diversity"
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Reflect on own cultural identity, values, belief systems, and the ways these impact your interactions with culturally different others
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Communication styles
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Explore barriers to effective intercultural communication including ethnocentrism, stereotyping, prejudice, discrimination
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Develop skills for communicating across the language and culture divide
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Train the Trainer
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Learn key skills and training techniques to ensure that individual and group needs are met in school or workplace workshops and professional development sessions.
Strengths and Characteristics
"When you begin to understand people's talents from a strengths-based perspective, you start to grasp what motivates them and what they need from their experiences." ~ Brian Brim ~
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Empathetic
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Collegial
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Adaptable
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Affable
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Organized
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Communicator
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Strong Work Ethic
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Creator
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Reliable
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Innovative
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Problem Solver
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Critical Thinker
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Analytical Thinker
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Caring
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Honest
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Trustworthy
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Respectful
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Optimistic
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Life-long Learner
"Do not go where the path may lead.
Instead, go where there is no path and leave a trail"
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Testimonials
Colleagues and Student References
Professional Development
“Believing in your potential and calling upon your courage to change will fuel your professional growth and help you accomplish goals.”
― John Manning, The Disciplined Leader: Keeping the Focus on What Really Matters
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Think Kids: Collaborative Problem Solving Certification
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Level B Assessment Training
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Jigsaw Learning: Collaborative Response
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Mental Health and Stress
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Inclusion Education with a PLC group of Counselors, Inclusion Directors, Learning Strategists, Directors of Student Success Centres
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National Council Teachers of English – NCTE Conferences for teaching English: Chicago, Las Vegas, Boston (Presenter), Costa Rica (Presenter)
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Critical Thinking Consortium and TC2
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Calgary Regional Consortium – Penny Kittle, Assessment, Response to Intervention, ADHD, Inclusive Education, Shakespeare, Writing, Literacy, Indigenous Studies, ESL, Diplomas, etc...
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Alberta Education: Curriculum Development, Diploma Exam Marking
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MOOC - Massive Open Online Courses: Executive Functioning: Smart but Scattered - Supporting Struggling Students; Education Technology, etc...
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FFCA Professional Development
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Alberta Charter Schools Professional Development
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AISI Professional Development
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Critical Thinking Conference – Berkeley, California(2008 & 2009)
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Advanced Placement Training for Language and Literature
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AP Mosaic
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IB Training and Workshopping
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Council of Dance and Drama of Ontario – CODE Conferences for teaching Drama
Competencies and Expertises
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Special Education & Inclusion Liaison: Gifted, Executive Functioning, and Learning Disabilities
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Advisor Teacher: Academics, Career, Life Skills
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Coordinator: Department & Professional Development
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Curriculum Developer
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Instructional Designer
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Coaching Teachers
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AP teaching and exams, SAT exams, IB Teaching, Diplomas
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Blog Writing and Website Designer
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Digital & Social Media Educator and Skills
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Writer and Creative Writing teaching
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Theatre Set & Lighting Designer
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Event Coordinator and Marketing
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Presenter at International, Provincial and Local Conferences for Teaching
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Practicum Teacher Partner and Trainer
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Computer Skills: Macbook, Microsoft, School Software Programs, Smartboard, Clevr student records, Photoshop
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Online Learning Platforms: D2L, Google Classroom, Edublogs, Edsby, Edmodo, Wordpress, Canva, etc…
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Classroom Management
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Critical & Creative Thinking Teacher
