Dione Cameron: December 2007

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Professional References

REFERENCE- Professional 1

31 October 2007

To Whom It May Concern:

Re: Dione Cameron

Dione Cameron has taught at Huntingtower for the past two years having joined us directly from University. She has been an effective teacher from the first day she joined us and developed rapport with her students very quickly. Her discipline is firm but friendly and she is respected and liked by her classes and by the parents.
Dione was nominated for a “Graduate Teacher of the Year” award at the end of her first year which demonstrates the excellent standard of her teaching and her commitment to excellence in all that she does.

Dione has been teaching Indonesian and English to Year 7 and 8 students and also Integrated Studies. She has been a Mentor to a group of students and has guided them through the year.
Dione has completed the Harvard University’s Teaching For Understanding course and has used this approach in her classes. She differentiates her teaching and ensures that all students are engaged and involved.
She has coached our Aerobics teams for the past two years and this year her teams reached the State finals.

Dione is a very happy, thoughtful person and a well-liked colleague. She is always positive in her consideration of her students and encourages them to strive to do and be their best in all things. She is reliable, thoughtful and professional; an excellent staff member whom I am very sad to lose.

I recommend Dione with confidence and am sure that she will be an asset to any organisation.

Yours sincerely,

Sholto Bowen
Principal

REFERENCE- Professional 2

15th November 2007

To whom it may concern

Dione Cameron has taught at Huntingtower from January 2006 to present. She came to Huntingtower the previous year as a student teacher to complete her final rounds in the Junior School as an Indonesian and generalist teacher. Ms. Cameron already stood out as someone with huge potential showing many signs of an excellent teacher. The school quickly recruited her as a Middle School Indonesian and English teacher. In her first year of teaching the school nominated her for an Outstanding Teacher Award as it was clear that the school had secured an exceptional educator in Ms Cameron.

Ms. Cameron is an excellent teacher, who is always thoroughly prepared, dedicated to her task of teaching and developing her students. She is committed and involved in and out of the classroom. She is intelligent, reliable, professional and takes pride in her career - placing the needs of her students first as she works at challenging and extending them. Her lessons are well prepared.

I have been constantly impressed with Ms. Cameron’s willingness to learn. Taking her role as Year 8 mentor seriously, she has dealt with many parents, always ensuring they are kept well informed of the progress of their children. Her natural sympathy, patience and understanding of teenagers have ensured that she has an easy rapport with the students and that students seek her out for counseling, advice and informal chats.

In terms of the curriculum, Ms. Cameron strives to achieve a learning environment that is lively, stimulating and meets the needs of young adolescents. She has recently completed a Teaching for Understanding online course (Harvard Graduate School of Education), presented at staff in-service, and attended a number of professional development workshops. This year Ms. Cameron took on the role of Year 8 English coordinator. She is ICT savvy and naturally integrates this aspect into her classroom teaching.

She has coordinated the aerobics teams at Huntingtower which has involved choreographing, numerous early morning training sessions, and weekend competitions. Her enthusiasm has been unfailing! She has also been involved in outdoor camps and an overseas trip with students. She has also initiated and been involved in staff fund raising events which add to the life and colour of the school! This willingness to be involved in all aspects of school life goes to show the dedication Ms. Cameron has to the school and its students.

Ms. Cameron is an asset to our Middle School due to the range of interests and abilities. This being the early years of a Middle Years programme at Huntingtower, I have required someone with determination, versatility, adaptability, and a desire to learn and grow as a professional. Ms. Cameron has certainly fulfilled these requirements.

Ms. Cameron will be missed by the students, colleagues and parents. I commend her highly and would be happy to respond to further queries.

Yours sincerely,

Mr. Peter Dry
Vice Principal/Head of Middle School

Parent References

REFERENCE- Parent 1

November 23 2007

To whom it may concern

RE: Ms Dione Cameron

Ms Cameron has been known to myself for the past 12 months in her capacity as Year 7 Indonesian teacher for my son, Hudson.

Over this time she has made herself readily available to address any questions or concerns. At all times I have felt she is being completely open and honest and communicates easily. Her sunny disposition is clearly an asset in this area.

She is certainly popular amongst Hudson and his peers, whom happily attend her classes.

Her interest in, and passion for her chosen subject are evidenced by the effort she affords in organizing the annual Indonesian Satay Luncheon much to the delight of her students. Such enthusiasm for the culture in addition to merely imparting language skills is a credit to her.

Obviously I wish all the best for the future.

Yours Sincerely,

Jo Anstee
Parent of Hudson Anstee

REFERENCE- Parent 2

To whom it may concern,

Dione Cameron has been my son’s English teacher in Year Eight. She brings to the classroom a fresh approach filled with creativity and enthusiasm. She is highly organised and I have always had a sense that she knew my son and his work habits. She has a good sense of humour and relates very well to all students. She included many activities in her program that included and appealed to all students. Her marking was thorough and she was careful to give useful feedback.

Riley has also been fortunate to have Dione as a pastoral care mentor. She always made this time challenging and enjoyable. She got to know the students very well and shared many of her own personal experiences. Riley has found her a very fair and consistent person and wouldn’t hesitate to speak to her honestly about his problems or any arising issues.

She will be dearly missed by all the students.

Yours faithfully,
Janet Irving
Parent of Riley Irving

Resume 2007

Dione Cameron

Telephone: 0438 089 127
Date of birth: 29th November 1982

CURRENT EMPLOYMENT
January 2006 - Present Huntingtower School, Mount Waverly, Victoria.
Middle School Indonesian and English Teacher

Head of Year 8 English
Responsibilities:
- Debating coach.
- Collaboration with colleagues to develop comprehension and grammar programs.
- Updating past documents in accordance with VELS and TfU (Harvard University).
- Creating a supportive environment in which students and teachers are continuously learning.
Achievement:
Along with a team of teachers, I have developed a new and innovative approach to grammar teaching. Other aspects of the English program for Year 8 have been renovated, including wide reading, literature circles, comprehension tasks, vocabulary building blocks and on-going assessment.

Years 7 and 8 Indonesian
Responsibilities:
- Developing a middle year program that caters for students of vast ability levels.
- Adopting an approach in which language and culture are linked in an engaging and relevant way.
- Utilising technology and teaching students about the protocol for such tools.
- Engaging adolescents in a language and culture which has, unfortunately, adopted many negative connotations.
Achievement:
Student enrolment in the Indonesian program doubled in 2006 from a quarter of Year 7 students to just over half. Student feedback is, overall, very positive and they are engaging thoughtfully in the language and culture of Indonesia.

Aerobics Coach
Responsibilities:
- Motivating and Encouraging students.
- Choreographing and teaching routines.
- Collaborating with School Aerobics Competition Board members.
- Promoting student leadership and success.
- Teaching time management skills.
- Providing personal training programs for team members.
Achievement:
Senior and junior teams were placed in the top four in Victoria at the State Championships in 2006 and 2007.

Year 8 Mentor
Responsibilities:
- Motivating and Encouraging students.
- Teaching study skills.
- Providing an outlet for students under pressure - emotionally, socially and/or academically.
- Collaborating with colleagues to develop an interactive and relevant program for Middle Years students.
- Promoting student leadership and success.
- Teaching time management skills.
- Fostering an environment in which student can feel happy and be able to maximise their learning and developmental experiences.
Achievement:
There is a sense of happiness within my class allowing for mutual respect among my students and between the students and me.

Debating Coach
Responsibilities:
- Developing a committed and skilled team of debaters.
- Adhering to strict timelines in order to train team members for upcoming events.
- Creating a supportive environment in which student could learn and succeed.
Achievement:
Students formed an enthusiastic and supportive team of 12 students. Prior years had seen teams of six students signing up. This team achieved success in regional debates and developed life-long thinking skills.

Netball Coach
Responsibilities:
- Motivating and Encouraging students.
- Teaching netball skills.
- Providing a physical outlet for adolescent student.
- Promoting student leadership and success.
- Encouraging team coordination skills and mutual respect for other team members.
Achievement:
Students achieved highly in the regional competition and some students who had not played netball prior were able to contribute positively to their team at a competitive level.

Extension Skills Program Co-ordinator
Responsibilities:
- Most importantly, boost students’ confidence and faith in their abilities.
- Focus on developing a non-threatening environment in which students who had previously struggled to achieve highly were able to participate and succeed.
- Develop skills-based activities with directly related goals and possible outcomes.
- Foster leadership skills and improve upon these.
Achievement:
Throughout 2007 these students achieved success in netball, soccer and tennis round robins.

Middle Years Program Presentation
Responsibilities:
- Prepare and present a seminar on engaging students in the Middle Years.
- Create a succinct account of various class-room activities.
- Engage colleagues from various subject areas in a relevant and practical professional development session.
Achievement:
Successfully presented flexible and relevant activities to colleagues from different subject areas.

All of my experiences as outlined above have enabled me to:
Work successfully in a team environment to meet objectives.
Motivate, train and coach children and teenagers at various sports.
Co-ordinate team members to meet required standards.
Organise and delegate responsibilities.
Write and structure learning programs to accommodate individual needs.

ACHIEVEMENTS
Nominated for the Victorian Teacher of the Year Award 2006
Coached the senior and junior Aerobics teams to State Finals
Year 8 mentor 2006/07
Completed the first level of Teaching for Understanding
Participated in Middle Years Program training sessions
Lifted the profile of Indonesian in the school through implementation of cultural activities
Coached the middle school debating team to regional victory in 2006
Appointed Head of Year 8 English Department for 2007
Developed the junior school Aerobics program based on my experience with the senior teams
Created and coordinated a social committee at Huntingtower
Assisted various teachers on Duke of Ed camps and year level camps
Assisted in organising and running a Malaysia Trip for Years 7-12 in 2007
Organised a fund-raiser for the aerobics squad ‘Staff-Aerobics’ Competition

PREVIOUS EMPLOYMENT
January 2002-January 2006 Latte Victoria, Melbourne Exhibition Centre, Melbourne, Victoria.
Barista
Responsibilities:
- Organising and executing a reliable catering service for seminars;
- Assisting in the training of new staff members.
- Managing funds and balancing till at the end of each day;
- Adhering to health and safety standards.

Other employment included catering for Michael O’Brien catering company. During the summer of 2001, I worked for the International Office at Deakin University as an administrator. Prior to 2000, I held various positions of responsibility in restaurants and cafés in Melbourne and Warrnambool.

EDUCATION
The University of Melbourne, Australia 2003-2005
Bachelor of Teaching

The University of Melbourne, Australia 2000-2003
Bachelor of Arts (Psychology/Indonesian)

Warrnambool College, Australia 1995- 2000
Secondary School Education

REFERENCES (Attached)
Professional:
Peter Dry (Vice Principal)
Sholto Bowen (Principal)

Parents of Students I’ve taught:
Jo Anstee
Janet Irving

OTHER INTERESTS
Family
Friends
Music
Fitness
Netball
Cooking
Reading
Travelling
Languages and ESL

REFEREES
Peter Dry Phone (work): (03) 9807 8888
Vice Principal Huntingtower School

Sholto Bowen Phone (work): (03) 9807 8888
Principal Huntingtower School

Jody Goddard Phone (work): (03) 9807 8888
Head of Year 9 Huntingtower School

Andrew Kelly Phone (mob.): 0404 817 517
Latte Victoria Pty. Ltd.