CTESL Graduate Sophia Hiles Lands Teaching Position With the OCDSB
Recent Carleton University graduate Sophia Hiles has accepted a term position teaching English with the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB).
Sophia completed a Bachelor of Global and International Studies Honours with a specialization in Teaching English in Global Contexts and a minor in Italian. She also completed a Certificate in the Teaching of English as a Second Language (CTESL).
During her time as a student in the CTESL program, Sophia completed placements with the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) and the Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization (OCISO). After her placements, she began working on the supply list with the OCDSB before earning a term position teaching English.
“During the CTESL program, we had a representative come in to our class to explain the whole process for applying to be on the supply list for teaching ESL with OCDSB,” Sophia shares. “After a backpacking trip to celebrate graduation (with my friends from the CTESL program!) I was ready to apply to teach and simply followed the instructions given to us during this presentation.”
“The first day as a supply teacher was so exciting. I tried to introduce myself to as many people as possible and the class went very well. The same teacher ended up calling me a few more times since I had already supplied for her, which meant people started to see my face more often around the school. Since then I have been supplying regularly for other teachers that I have met or have previous connections with.”
When a term position opened up, Sophia was offered the position as she had already supplied for the class.
“I think it really helped that I had a placement with the OCDSB because it meant that a lot of the teachers recognized me when I went back for employment,” Sophia notes. “My host teacher was also able to introduce me to the rest of the staff and spread the word around that I was supplying since I had already established a relationship with them.”
“Since beginning my teaching role I have returned many times to my notes that were taken during the CTESL program, most recently for course design, lesson planning and referencing the CLB. My notes have served as a touchstone for me starting my career. This has made me feel more confident in my teaching ability and very well prepared. Equally as important are the connections I made through the program. Both professional connections including professors and host teachers, and other connections through the practicum placement and friends from the program.”
“I have been in touch with many friends from the program, exchanging updates and even asking them for advice or referencing class material,” she shares. “For students in the CTESL program I would suggest taking good notes and keeping them organized so that you can refer back to them later when you start teaching.”
During the course of her time as an undergraduate student, Sophia also completed a minor in Italian and had the opportunity to travel to Florence in Italy for an internship at an English summer camp for kids during the summer of her third year. In her final year at Carleton, Sophia signed up for a language exchange program through WorldLangAmerica, where she was matched with conversation partners to practice Italian and English.
“The WorldLangAmerica program was an incredible opportunity that allowed me to practice my Italian with a native speaker and also make great friends,” Sophia shares. “We were matched with an Italian student from a participating school and we would meet once a week on zoom to speak 30 minutes in Italian and 30 minutes in English.”
“Since we would be going through Italy on the backpacking trip I decided to go and meet my conversation partners in Cagliari! It was so fun to meet them and I am still in touch with my partner. We started our weekly meetings again outside of the program so we can continue to practice together.”
Sophia plans on returning to Italy in the spring to continue teaching English and practicing Italian.
“Building connections is very important! Networking, introducing yourself, and making a good impression are all extremely important when you’re starting a teaching career, especially if it’s supply work. A great place to start is your practicum placement, so try to meet as many teachers as possible and make a good impression by showing up, being professional and trying your best.”