Richard J.

Svekla 
765 Haliburton Crescent, Edmonton, Alberta, T6R 2Z8 
780 756 2602 
r_svekla@live.ca 
http://richardsvekla.weebly.com/ 
 
Professional Profile 
“…taken by his
 
creative mind and · Eager to push the limits of twenty-first century learning using a unique
combination of education experience coupled with over twenty five
independent work
years’ experience programming, computer use, and technology. 
ethic…”  · Holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. 
Heather Raymond
· Holds a Masters of Education as a Teacher of the Visually Impaired 
PhD · Experienced in the use of the Internet and educational software. 
Director Inclusive · Provided, through a trans-disciplinary team, assistive technology
Learning,
Edmonton Public support to schools. 
Schools  · Dedicated to enthusiastic and dynamic teaching as a means of creating
and nurturing a lifelong love of knowledge in children. 
· Teacher of the Visually Impaired working alongside classroom teachers
and education assistants.  
“...can work well · Assistive Technology for Learning Consultant working closely with
teachers, education aids, and consultants for students who are deaf
… to make sure
and hard of hearing, have alternative and augmentative
programming is communication needs, and are visually impaired.  
· Managed assistive technology library. 
effective and
 
engaging for all.”  Key Qualifications 
 
Kim MacLaren
Kindergarten · Masters of Education, Teacher of the Visually Impaired, University of
Teacher British Columbia, Vancouver, B.C. - 2013
Edmonton Public · Bachelor of Education – Elementary, University of Alberta, Edmonton ,
Schools 
Alberta - 1999
· Permanent Professional Certificate, Alberta Learning, 2003
· Introduced intervention strategies in the classroom to enhance student
learning. 
  · Planned and instructed each subject area using a wide variety of
teaching aids, motivational and implementation strategies to engage
  students in active learning. 
· Incorporated learning modality principles into classroom and individual
instruction.  
  · Implemented technological approaches to subject material.  
· Researched educational resources on the Internet.  
  · Assisted with information retrieval. 
· Experienced Computer Educator 
· Designed and conducted various faculty workshops for training in word
  processing, classroom management software, and computer use.  
· Designed and conducted various workshops and presentations on
  technology use in the classroom throughout Alberta.  
· Instructed students in all aspects of computer technology. 
 
   
 
 
   Computer Skills 
 
“...positive · Google Guru 
· Google for Education – Trainer Essentials Chrome and Apps  
attitude and
· Read and Write for Google trainer 
reliability have · Hour of Code  
· Software (IBM and Apple environments): Microsoft Windows® and
made him an
DOS, WordPerfect, Lotus123, Microsoft Office, PageMaker, Books in
excellent asset to Print, iOs, Print Shop, Presswriter, SmartSuite,  
the children and
· Extensive knowledge of the use of the Internet in the classroom 
· Interest in app development 
staff.”  · Manage and assist in the training of staff equipment and devices 
Allan Mahoney, · System installations and debugging; terminal/printer operations 
B.Ed.  · Computer/software/hardware/internet troubleshooting 
· Smartboard connectivity, classroom audio and personal FMs 
· Repair and configuration of technology and equipment (iPad, iPod,
Speech generating devices, switches, classroom sound systems and
“…vital part of the cell phones) 
 
school culture
Employment 
and will be  
· Consultant - Teacher of the Visually Impaired - Edmonton Public
missed.” 
Schools and Edmonton Area RCSD - 2019 - 2020
Cheyne Allen, · Acting Consultant - Teacher of the Visually Impaired – Edmonton Public
Vice Principal, Schools and Edmonton Area RCSD – 2017 – 2019
Alexis First Nation
School  · Teacher – Edmonton Public Schools – 2016 – 2019
· Teacher – Black Gold Regional Schools – 2015 – 2016 
· Consultant - Teacher of the Visually Impaired and Assistive Technology
for Learning Consultant – Black Gold Regional Schools / Leduc and
Area RCSD and Parkland Evergreen and Area RCSD – 2015 – 2016 
· Coach - Teacher of the Visually Impaired and Assistive Technology for
Learning – Black Gold Regional Schools – 2014 – 2015 
· Supply Teacher – Edmonton Public Schools – 2014  
· Assistive Technology for Learning Technician – Edmonton Public
Schools – 2010 - 2014 
· Assistive Technology for Learning Consultant – Edmonton Public
Schools – 2009 to 2010 
· Supply Teacher – Edmonton Public Schools - 2009 
· Low Vision and Blindness Technology Specialist – Aroga Marketing
Group – 2008 to 2009 
· Supply Teacher – Edmonton Public Schools – 2006 to 2008 
· Webmaster (alexised.ca) – Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation School - 2004 to
2006 
· Teacher / Computer Technician – Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation School –
2000 to 2006 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Professional Development Presentations 
 
· Presenter - Challenges of a Visually Impaired Student - GETCA 2020
· Presented about the Eye and how it works - Grade 1 Edmonton RCSD
2020
· Presenter - So you have a student in your classroom with vision loss -
EPSB/RCSD 2019
· Presented on The Teacher Exchange Program (my experience) - ATA
2019
· Presented about the Eye and how it works - Grade 1 EPSB 2018
· Presented at Poster Session during Seeing Beyond the Horizon –
Canadian Vision Teachers Conference – 2018
· Presented at Poster Session during Seeing Beyond the Horizon –
Canadian Vision Teachers Conference – 2016 
· Presented at Black Gold Leadership Conference on Breakout EDU -
2016 
· Assistive Technology for Learning Seminar – Leduc and Area RCSD and
Parkland Evergreen and Area RCSD - 2015 
· Task Galore – Make and Take – Black Gold Regional Schools - 2015 
· Read and Write for Google – 2014 – 2016 
· Expectations and Experience of Visually Impaired Children – ASVI
Conference 2014 
· Presented at Poster Session during conference of the International
Association of Special Education on the use of Smart Brailler - 2013  
· Social Skills for students who have low vision 
· Explore2 with iPad2 
 
Professional Development Completed  
 
· Dr. Christine Roman Cortical Visual Impairment: New Research and Updates -
2019
· Leadership (LQS) Training and Certification - ATA 2019
· Learn Net Usability - Alberta Education 2019
· Teacher Exchange (Special Education - Vision) - Germany 2018
· Canadian Vision Teachers Conference (Attendee and Chair of Programs
Committee) - Alberta Education 2018
· Intranet (EPSB Connect) - EPSB 2018
· Guided Math - EPSB 2018
· Braillenote Touch - Humanware -2017
· Blind Hockey Canada - 2017
· Foundations of Literacy - EPSB 2016
· Guided Math - EPSB 2016
· Multimodal Communication and Learning Strategies for Children Who
Face Significant Challenges including Severe Multiple Disabilities and
Children on the Autism Spectrum Training with Linda Burkhart – ERLC
2016
· Assessment and Programming Process for Students with Dual Sensory
Loss, Vision Challenges and/or Additional Disabilities – Linda Mamer –
ERLC 2016
· Leader in Me Empowerment Day – Black Gold Regional Schools 2015
· Braille Formats – Let’s keep in shape – Inez Kreamer 
· Adapting physical education for students who are blind or visually
 impaired
· Google Education training exam - 2015
· Braillenote Apex Training - Alberta Education 2015
· SLA Development – ERLC 2015
· Expanded Core training – Robbin Keating - 2015 
· Non Violent Crisis Intervention – Edmonton Public Schools – June 2014
and Black Gold Regional Schools – November 2014
· Google Apps for Education Alberta Summit 
· iTunes U training through the Council for School Leadership 
· ICAN – visual scenes 
· ICAN – iPod/iPad usage 
· UDL – David Edyburn 
· Training on Phonik sound systems 
· Training on Video Conference Suites 
· UDL – Summer Institute 
· Brain Development in early years 
· Physical Literacy for students who have low vision 
· EPSB EdTech Community of practice 
· Orientation and Mobility for Young Children 
· Thoughtful Choices: Literacy Instruction for Beginning Readers Who
Use Braille or Dual Media 
· iPad use with students who are visually impaired – Linda Mamer 
· Wacky Worksheets – Tactiles for students with visual impairment

Professional Development in Education 

 
· Teacher of the Visually Impaired, 2019 -2020 Edmonton Area RCSD
· Acting Teacher of the Visually Impaired, 2017 - 2019, Edmonton Area
RCSD
· Teacher, Grade 5 Math, Science, Health, and Art 2018 - 2019,
Edmonton Public Schools, Alberta
· Teacher, Grade 4 Math, Science, Health, and Art 2017 - 2018,
Edmonton Public Schools, Alberta
· Teacher, Grade 3 Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies, Health,
and Art, 2016 - 2017, Edmonton Public Schools, Alberta
· Teacher, Grade 3 Language Arts, Math, Science, Health, Leader in Me ,
2015 - 2016, Black Gold Regional Schools, Alberta 
· Teacher of the Visually Impaired, 2014 – 2016, Black Gold Regional
Schools, Leduc and Area RCSD, and Parkland Evergreen and Area
RCSD, Alberta 
· Assistive Technology for Learning Consultant – 2014 – 2016, Black
Gold Regional Schools, Leduc and Area RCSD, and Parkland Evergreen
and Area RCSD, Alberta 
· Substitute Teacher, K thru High School, Edmonton Public Schools,
Alberta 
· Professional Development and Workshop Presenter, 2000 to 2016 
o Black Gold Regional Schools 
o Edmonton Public Schools 
o Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation 
o Clearview School Division 
o Fort McMurray School District 
o Fort McMurray Roman Catholic Separate District 
o St. Thomas Aquinas Regional Division 
 o Wetaskiwin Regional Public Schools 
o Aspenview Schools 
o Greater St. Albert Roman Catholic Separate 
o Aspen View Schools 
o Battle River School Division 
· Teacher, Grade 8 LA, Grade 8 Science, Grade 8 Math, Grade 8 Social
Studies, Grade 8 Health, Computers K – 12, High School Cyber School,
Social 10, 13, 20, 23, 30, and 33, English 10, 13,20, 23, 30, and 33,
Calm 10, and various Junior High options, 2000 to 2006, Alexis Nakota
Sioux Nation 
· Student Teacher, September to December 1999, Edmonton Public
Schools, Alberta 
 
Professional Affiliations 
 
Alberta Teachers’ Association