Outdoor activities, fitness, time with family, NZ history and exploring our beautiful country
Kirsty Ussher
Leader for Learning (Health & PE)
Milford,Auckland
Summary
Experienced Department Head with strong Health Education, Physical Education and Outdoor Education background. Encouraging team leader and analytical problem-solver with talents for team building, leading and motivating, as well as excellent relationship-building skills. Proficient in using independent decision-making skills and sound judgment to positively impact students and staff. Forward-thinking and highly responsive to emerging trends affecting the current education environment.
Overview
1
1
Certification
4
4
years of post-secondary education
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
HoD Health and Physical Education
Carmel College
Auckland, Auckland
07.2004 - Current
- Managed team of five department members, overseeing hiring, training, and professional growth of team. Currently also have ten Year 7 & 8 teachers working directly in my department to deliver PE to their Core Learning Groups.
- Evaluated and Implemented programme-level departmental policies and procedures and managed budgets to support educational programme and curriculum.
- Conferred and resolved education-related issues and problems with students, parents and department members.
- Developed and implemented new Senior Outdoor Education and Senior Health Education programmes.
- Planned and implemented staff development and in-service training programs to enhance knowledge and skills.
- Organized, implemented and led Outdoor Education programmes for students in Years 7 - 13. Including multi-day camps and trips.
- Managed and maintained school equipment and facility grounds.
- Kept classroom environments consistent and focused on learning by establishing and enforcing clear objectives with students and staff.
- Diversified teaching techniques and learning tools to help students with differing ability levels and varied learning modalities.
- Served on a range of academic and administrative committees dealing with institutional policies, departmental matters and academic issues. These included groups such as; Heads of Departments, Board of Trustees, Reimaging the Curriculum Focus Group, and Health and Safety Committee
- Utilized current technology, particularly Google, to diversify and enhance classroom instruction.
- Planned, managed and updated department timetables and space rosters to ensure that all students and teachers had equitable access to appropriate teaching and learning resources available.
- Collaborated with, and managed external providers in order to provide quality programmes to students.
Health and Physical Education Teacher
Mount Albert Grammar School
Auckland, Auckland
01.2002 - 06.2004
- Taught Year 9 - 12 physical education classes covering exercise strategies, sports and safety.
- Instructed Year 9 - 10 students on principles and concepts of healthy living, including benefits of active lifestyles, good nutrition and stress management.
- Coached Waterpolo, Netball and Sport Aerobics.
- Attended department meetings and made recommendations to faculty regarding updating curriculum for NCEA to modernize and improve instruction.
Education
Bachelor of Leisure Studies - Education
University Of Waikato
Hamilton 02.1994 - 11.1996
Post Graduate Diploma in Secondary School Teaching - Education
University Of Auckland
Auckland 02.2001 - 02.2002
Skills
Leadership and facilitation
undefinedCertification
First Aid Certificate (current)
Interests
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Additional Information
INVOLVEMENT IN KEY GROUPS AND INITIATIVES:
- Member of the consultative group for the designing and building of the new Gymnasium facility at Carmel College (2006 - 2008)
- Staff Representative on the Board of Trustees (2014 - 2016)
- Health and Safety Representative (2015 - current day). In this role I reviewed the Health and Safety policies and procedures of the school and made recommendations according to the 2015 H&S legislation. I continue to monitor and recommend change in my role.
- Introduced, planned and participated in the World Challenge programme with Carmel College. I traveled with school groups to Vietnam, Cambodia, Nicaragua and Costa Rica with a focus on service and personal development for students. (2012/2013 & 2014/2015). From my experience with this I reviewed and updated the school procedures for all Overseas trips.
- Member of focus group to review practices and culture of HoD/SLT team and make recommendations for improvement. (2018 – 2019)
- Member of Reimaging the Curriculum focus group (2021) with the intention of developing a new local curriculum for Years 7 - 10, with Universal Design for Learning as the foundation.
RECENT RELEVANT PROFESSIONAL LEARNING:
- Participated in PB4L and Restorative Practices professional development.
- Trained as an in-school "Travelers" facilitator to work with Year 9 students identified as 'at-risk'.
- Participated in the "TEAM Leaders Toolbox" professional learning workshop run by Growth Culture
- Participated in 2 day workshop for "EOTC and Effective Safety Management Systems" run by Education Outdoors NZ
Timeline
HoD Health and Physical Education
Carmel College
07.2004 - Current
Health and Physical Education Teacher
Mount Albert Grammar School
01.2002 - 06.2004
Post Graduate Diploma in Secondary School Teaching - Education
University Of Auckland
02.2001 - 02.2002
Bachelor of Leisure Studies - Education
University Of Waikato
02.1994 - 11.1996
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