1465 Jefferson Crescent

Oakville, ON L6H 3G5

January 25, 2016
Joe O'Hara
Executive Officer
Human Resources Services
Halton Catholic District School Board
802 Drury Lane, P.O. Box 5308
Burlington, ON L7R 4L3
Dear Mr. O'Hara,
As an English and Geography secondary teacher, I believe that a student's self-worth derives
from their sense of belonging within the classroom. Most importantly, cultivating positive support
and recognition within my students, especially those in disadvantaged circumstances, helps employ
an effective framework for inclusivity in learning. Cultivating a sense of belonging has allowed my
students to feel like valuable contributors within their faith community which will guide them to
serving the needs of others and impacting change.
In the course of my practicum in Oakville, I actively sought to build collaborative
relationships through strategies including collaborative inquiry, group work, and inquiry-based
discussion. In English, I encourage students to engage with the material through challenging and
questioning in order to build a diverse, shared knowledge with their class. Working to infuse
technology into the classroom allowed deeper, more intricate learning opportunities for my students.
Blended learning enabled students to problem-solve and refine their digital literacy skills in order to
transform their learning into the 21st century. By allowing opportunities for collaboration, students
both recognized their equal contributions to the learning community and saw value in building a
shared knowledge of the subject. I believe such strategies in education create an innovative and ongoing commitment to student learning through facilitating positive, safe, and secure school
environments.
I believe that student success in school derives from a healthy balance of academic, social,
and spiritual development. As my accompanying resume indicates, I am strongly committed to
school-community partnership programs which provide students an opportunity to serve as people of
faith and develop an on-going commitment to our Catholic school culture. I look forward to
participating in all aspects of school life and leading students towards their own vocation.
My experience as a successful student and teacher candidate within Halton Catholic District
School Board has influenced my commitment both professionally and personally to serving the
Catholic community. Additionally, I have intentions of pursuing additional qualifications in English
as Second Language in order to better serve the growing diversity within the classroom. I look
forward to being a part of the already rich educational and outreach opportunities available in the
HCDSB. In an interview, I look forward to sharing my enthusiasm and experiences with you.

Sincerely,
Laura Heimpel