DAVID
LEATHER
EDUCATION:
·
Accredited English teacher (TESOL)
International TESOL Training Center
·
University Degree from University of Toronto “
Bachelor of Education”
·
Graduate of Centennial College, a leading
Canadian college. Major was in “Medical” field.
·
Graduate of Canadian senior High School
EXPERIENCE: September 28/2004 to March 15/2005
teaching an all English program at an exclusive catholic
girls school. Taught health, English, and math to grades
3-9. The school is in Bangkok.
I have taught in
China for a year and a half. The city was Shantou . It is a
small city with 4 million people. My students included
kindergarten ages, early teens, late teens and adults. Also
taught advanced English to international business people.
Materials included English books, tapes, flash cards and
movies. Teaching included group work, individual, pairs and
team work. Books used included New Interchange series, New
Parade, Cambridge, and others. Enjoy teaching all ages and
levels.
In the past I had the
opportunity to host a Japanese English student. Akiko was
on a special course of learning English, while visiting
Canada. As a host I was able to spend a lot of quality time
with her. I would converse with her about what she had
learned at school and help her with grammar and
pronunciation. She learned a lot about Canadian culture and
the English language. During the evening we were able to
have many conversations in the English language. During her
visit, she gained more confidence when speaking in English.
I also had a wonderful
experience with coaching a boy’s hockey team. These boys
were 10 years old with a lot of energy. As a coach my
responsibilities included, teaching off ice theory, and on
ice practice. During my teaching off the ice, I would use
visual aids; this would help the children to understand what
I was talking about. The on ice practice would include
visual aids, and demonstrations. I would actively lead them
using demonstrations, during the practice drills. Our, on
ice drills were applied in a manner that kept the children
motivated by having fun, and they were learning what I was
teaching them. Our team did not finish the season in first
place but all the team players had a fun and good learning
experience at the same time
In the past, I lived
in Asia (Philippines) for several months. During this time I
became friends with many of the local people. This included
children and adults. I found that on a daily bases when
interacting with them I would help them with there English.
During a conversation with an adult, if their pronunciation
was incorrect I was able to help them without interrupting
their story or appearing rude. Showing an interest in the
Philippine culture, people could see that I had a sincere
and genuine attitude. This created a positive environment,
so that any helping of the English language would be
appreciated rather then looked at in the wrong way. At the
same time I was eager to learn there language this created a
two way learning process while being fun at the same time.
For several years, I
had the opportunity of owning and operating a business. It
was a partnership; and when the business was acquired it
needed good management skills to make it become successful.
My role in the business included sales, marketing, customer
relations and hiring. My sales role involved finding new
customers, meeting with them and explaining our business
plan. This was a very important role because if the
conversation did not go well, you would never acquire new
customers. I believed in our company, and in myself, so
during any presentations the potential customers could see
that I was sincere in what I was saying.
Customer relations involved problem
solving. I was able to relax and guide them, by explaining
different ways that the problems could be dealt with. I
always spent quality time with the troubled customer, by
having them actively involved; this showed them that I truly
cared about their problems. The hiring process involved
interviewing potential employees, then training them in all
aspects of the business. It was best accomplished with, a
hands on method. Showing them how these operated,
demonstrating, then getting them to operate it with my
assistance if needed. If it required repeating the whole
process, then we did it many times with patience and
pleasantness. The new employees would eventually learn,
while I enjoyed the interaction and teaching aspect of the
process. Our business grew 30% while acquiring new assets.
During the time when I was a
paramedic, my skills in communication and leadership were
vitally important. Sometimes during an emergency situation
it was of outmost importance to be able to give directions
in a professional manner. No matter what the situation, you
had to be able to stay calm, while showing a reassuring
mannerism; the result would be trust!
I had a friend that was a non-English
speaker, and was learning how to drive a car. She was
having some difficulties in obtaining her license, and
understanding of what was being taught. I was able to help
explain the rules and regulations of driving, in a clear and
simple way. She started to understand and her driving
ability improved. She was able to pass her test, and I was
happy to offer the help needed, to build her
self-confidence.
In the past I was a supervisor for a
very large company. My job description included supervising
15 employees. I was responsible for the training and
assigning of daily tasks for the 15 workers. If needed I
would demonstrate any new tasks. My job description also
included the evaluation of my employees. This would include
work recommendation and or any discipline letters. I feel
that I had an excellent relationship with my workers and
that I treated them very fair and with respect. In return I
had employees that produced good work and showed motivation,
and a positive attitude. They were seldom late and their
absents was very low.
I know that with my interesting life
experiences with all types of people and children: combined
with my friendly and positive personality I would make a
great teacher at your school. With each experience in life
it builds your confidence, and gives you a better
understanding of people in general, I look forward to an
exciting and personally rewarding opportunity!
REFERENCES:
Professor. Peter Appleton _____ Director of
International (TESOL) Training center
Mr.
Andrew Barber _____ General Chartered
Accountant
Mrs. Linda Case _____ Principal of
elementary school
