Erica Dawn Thompson

Formerly Erica Dawn Welsh

welshe@uleth.ca
403.929.1662

Education
2015-2018 Bachelor of Fine Arts/Bachelor of Education- University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge AB
2012-2013 Community Rehabilitation Program- University of Calgary, via correspondence
2009-2011 Therapeutic Recreation-Gerontology Diploma -Lethbridge College, Lethbridge AB
2006-2009 Visual Arts Diploma Program -Red Deer College, Red Deer AB
2006 High School Diploma -Erle Rivers High School, Milk River AB

Applicable Skills
Planning Skills
o Long-Range Planning: In my third Professional Semester, I created a guiding LRP to help me
keep on track with my Unit Plans and Lesson Plans.
o Unit Planning: Using my grade’s and subject’s respective Programs of Studies, I have built unit
plans that I have adapted and reflected upon both in previous experiences and for future use.
o Lesson Planning: Through my three Professional Semesters at the UofL I have learned to design
lesson plans for week, day, and multi-day lessons, as well as learned to adapt, prolong, and
shorten them based on contextual factors and student needs.
o Program Planning: When I worked as a Recreation Therapy Assistant, as well as in my
Neighbourhood Play Program Site Leader positions (NPP), I was responsible for daily
programming of a variety of activities including baking, music, physical activities, Special Events,
and group outings.
o Budget tracking and planning: as Therapy Assistant and casual Recreational Therapist, I had to
use cost/benefit analysis as well as allocate available funds for programs, outings, and supplies.
Organizational Skills:
o Time management: Working in multiple classrooms as an Educational Assistant, traveling
between sites for work as a Therapy Assistant, and through my Professional Semesters all
required prioritization of tasks and being mindful of time spent with clients.
o Resource management: In all of my professional semesters as well as my Rec. Therapy
experiences, and Neighbourhood Play Program experiences, being mindful of budget, supply,
time, and human resources as well as using these resources effectively and efficiently for the
best interest of our clients proved imperative.
Interpersonal Skills
o Leadership: Skills that I have developed in my three Professional Semesters, Neighbourhood
Play Program Site Leader positions, and coaching experiences.
o Building rapport with clients of all ages and abilities.
o Confident public speaking skills developed through participating in rounds, family meetings;
leading group exercises and programs; four years in 4-H clubs; three summers of travel
counseling for Travel Alberta; and participating in musicals and other performances.
 o Effective listening skills necessary for communicating and building rapport with clients and
team-members as learned and practiced from communications courses and in all of my previous
held employment experiences.
o Effective communication and collaboration with clients, client’s family members (and/or
guardians), and fellow team members to effectively reach common goals.
o Problem solving and conflict resolution with students in my experiences through my
Professional Semesters as well as an Education Assistant, with seniors in Alberta Health Services,
and with clients of Travel Alberta.
Professionalism and Accountability
o Desire to maintain education, accountability and modernity through research, in-services, and
personal and district-directed professional development.
o Professional interdisciplinary team-work and independent motivation as a Therapy Assistant
working at sites without a supervisory Therapist on site and as an Education Assistant
encouraging and helping students to reach their reading goals.
o Professional documentation and confidentiality related to programming and events as
mandated by Alberta Health Services and Covenant Health.
o Training with assessments and therapies utilized by Recreational Therapists in AHS, Covenant
Health and Good Samaritan’s Society.
Other Skills:
o Adaptability and Flexibility o Delegating to others and recruiting
o Loading/unloading clients on/off handi- volunteers
vehicles o Optimism and energy
o Problem Solving o Researching skills and knowledge of
o Creativity and resourcefulness resources

Work Experience
2018 UofL Education Professional Semester 3 completed at Dorothy Dalgliesh School
2017 UofL Education Professional Semester 2 completed at G.S. Lakie Middle School
2016 UofL Education Professional Semester 1 completed at Milo Community School
2017-2018 Summer Site Leader at Lethbridge’s YWCA Neighbourhood Play Program
2013-2018 Educational Assistant with Lethbridge School District no. 51, full time temporary and
casual
2011-2013 Therapy Assistant at Milk River Medical Centre: Long Term Care and Community for
Alberta Health Services
2010 Casual Recreation Therapist Assistant at Park Meadows Designated Assisted Living
facility for Good Samaritan’s Society
2009-2011 Summer Travel Counselor for Travel Alberta
2006-2013 Casual Recreation Therapist Assistant at Milk River Long Term Care for Alberta Health
Services

Professional Development
2018 Presented in, and helped facilitate at, the University of Lethbridge Professional Inquiry
Project Symposium
2018 Participation in Palliser Regional School District-Wide Professional Development Day and
Collaboration Day
2017 Level B Assessment Certification (achieved by completing appropriate courses at the
University of Lethbridge)
2017 SWATCA 2017, EUS PD Certificates (attended over 15 PD sessions), First Aide, Level C
CPR training
2016-2018 Alberta Teacher’s Association membership and membership in the Education
Undergraduate Society, EUS Wellness Week PD Certificate, and general EUS PD
certificate; SIVA Training and Palliser School District fall PD day
2014 Lethbridge School District PD day for Educational Assistants
2011-2013 Best Practice Days and Professional Development opportunities by AHS
2008-2017 Saint John’s Ambulance First Aide and Level C CPR
2005 Counselor-In-Training Certification through Easter Seals
2003-2006 4-H volunteering and community involvement
Personal Achievements
2016-2018 Nomination for Jason Lang Scholarship for Undergraduate Students
2011 ATRA excellence in Field Work Award and Graduated with Honours from the Lethbridge
College Therapeutic Recreation Program
2010 AUPE Student Scholarship
2009-2011 Honorable Recognition at Lethbridge College
2007-2010 Jason Lang Scholarship
2006-2008 President’s Honour Roll at Red Deer College and Student Excellence Recognition at Red
Deer College
Up to 2006 Premier’s Citizenship Award and Grade 10-12 Rutherford Scholarship

Volunteer Work
2003-Present Milk River Long Term Care (150+ hours)
2010-Present Lethbridge Humane Society (40+ hours)
2004 Easter Seal’s Camp Horizon (one week)
References:

Bernadette Kirk
PSI Teacher Associate
Grade 1-3 Teacher at Milo Community School
Cell phone: 1.403.485.5992
Email: bernadette.kirk@pallisersd.ab.ca

Karen Henrie
Grade 1 Teacher at Galbraith Elementary School
Cell phone: 1.403.380.7864
Email: karen.henrie@lethsd.ab.ca

Leah Durrant
Grade 2 Teacher at Galbraith Elementary School
Cell Phone: 1.403.308.7093
Email: leah.durrant@lethsd.ab.ca