Christine Beswick

CHRISTINE BESWICK 82 Paffard St. Box 1648 Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario; CANADA L0S 1J0--Mobile:- Objectives Mikhail Baryshnikov said, "I do not try to dance better than anybody else. I only try to dance better than myself." In my work as an artist of words, my short-term objectives are to achieve the highest results possible for myself, and for the publishers that I work with every day. My long-term objectives are to strive for levels where I am dancing better than myself, every day after that. Key Skills and Talents ✓ Member of the Canadian Journalists Association ✓ Proven Writing Skills: First byline at age 16 for year-long weekly column in The Niagara Advance ✓ Quality Written Products that Convert and Engage Readers ✓ Enthusiasm for Collaboration ✓ Self-Motivated, Independent Worker ✓ Flawless attention to detail in fact finding, information gathering, and research! ✓ Solid grasp on the digital era and the technological skills required to stay competitive in today's changing markets. ✓ Over a decade of experience writing in the fields of crime, justice, politics, science, and mental health. These skills come with a network of sources and connections made during the course of my coverage of trials such as the Jodi Arias trial, Jian Ghomeshi trial, Oscar Pistorius trial, and more. Education January 2004 to December 2005 January 2000 – January 2003 September 1995-December 1998 September 1992 – June 1995 M.Sc. in Adolescent Education D’Youville College; Buffalo, NY. Biology, Life Sciences, General Sciences M.A. (Honours) Psychology Goddard College; Plainfield, VT B.A. (Honours) Psychology Brock University B.Sc. Human Kinetics University of Guelph; Guelph, ON Employment History December 2006 – Present Freelance Journalist/Copywriter (Full Time) My work has been read on CNN, Yahoo, Examiner, The Inquisitr, and SZ Mag, the only international print magazine dedicated to schizophrenia. My online content production includes article marketing, blogging, ebook writing, press releases, social media management, online reputation management, native advertising, and website content creation. I am familiar with all social media platforms, and scour them daily for sources, information, and facts to bring to my readers. September 2004 – October 2004 Princess Margaret Public School – Student Teacher, Grade 8 6624 Culp St.; Niagara Falls, Ontario - This position entailed working directly with two co-operating teachers, Mr. Dean Warkentin, and Mr. Martin Beswick. In Mr. Warkentin’s class I was the full-time student teacher assisting in all classroom activities from the first day of school until November 1, 2004. I was responsible for the entire Music component for a Grade 8 class of 30 for First Term. This included planning a themed unit around the History of Rock ‘N Roll, co-coordinating a culminating project for the unit, planning individual lessons three times a week, and accomplishing all marking activities for First Term as well as establishing First Term marks for Music for all students. I also assisted with English lessons when needed. Further to this specific classroom, I also took on Special Education students and conducted individual lessons on a daily basis for their specific ability level. This involved preparing individualized math homework and lessons, math tests, and establishing First Term marks for this set of three students. In conjunction with Mr. Warkentin’s Grade 8 class, I was also the Science Teacher for this class, as well as Mr. Beswick’s Grade 6,7,8 Gifted and Talented class of 26 students. This component of my student teaching involved planning units for both classes; planning individual lessons five times a week for both classes; creating tests, quizzes, and labs for both groups; coordinating culminating unit projects; and accomplishing all marking activities for First Term as well as establishing First Term marks for Science for all students. The Grade 8 class unit entailed Ecosystems, whereas the Grade 6,7,8 entailed a Cells/Tissues/and Organs unit. November 2004 – December 2004 Niagara District Secondary School– Student Teacher, Grade 9 Academic; Grade 11 University Prep 1875 Niagara Stone Rd.; Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario - This position entailed working directly with one co-operating teachers, Mr. Ken Riedeger. In Mr. Riedeger’s class I was the full-time student teacher assisting in all classroom activities from the first day of November until December 17, 2004. I was responsible for two full periods a day, each entailing 75 minutes of class time. For the Grade 9’s, this included planning two themed units about Reproduction and Electricity, co-ordinating culminating projects for the units, planning individual lessons five times a week, and accomplishing all marking activities for Second Term through the use of software Markbook. For the Grade 11’s, this was a University Preparation course and this included planning two themed units about “The Diversity of Life”, and “Plants”, co-ordinating culminating projects for the units, planning individual lessons five times a week, and accomplishing all marking activities for Second Term through the use of software Markbook. August 2002 – January 2004 (Full Time) )/January 2005 Ronal Canada -- Purchaser 2677 Winger Rd.; Stevensville, Ontario - As a member of the management team for a manufacturer of aluminum wheels, this position was responsible for the purchasing of all plant materials, tools, and supplies through a central computerized database. Reporting directly to the company Controller and General Manager, daily activities included placing purchase orders according to department requisitions and requirements, confirming delivery and follow-up on backorders. Strong negotiation and customer service skills were utilized in the development and maintenance of vendor service agreements. This position also involved daily communications and cohesive involvement with the Accounting Department in order to stay within budgetary guidelines. September 2001 – June 2002 Halton Learning Foundation – Office Co-Ordinator 1123 Glenashton Dr.; Oakville, Ontario L6H 5M1, - Responsible for the provision of administrative, secretarial, and research support during the establishment of a new charitable foundation for the Halton District School Board. Reporting directly to the Executive Director, Dilki de Silva, duties included administrative support such as filing, word correspondence, reports, as well as the preparation of presentations and other meeting materials. Duties also included conducting research on prospective donors, grants, giving histories and linkages using on-line and hard copy database sources, as well as the recruitment and training of all HDSB school program volunteers. Duties further included acting as Secretariat for the Board of Directors, answering and/or directing for all Board inquiries as well as the relevant Committees of Marketing, Fundraising, and Scholarship. Other duties and projects performed as assigned. January 1999-January 2001 (Management Restructuring) Learning Disabilities Association – Social Skills Director Welland, Ontario; Eastdale High School Providing social skills program to children ages five to thirteen maintaining a diverse range of learning disabilities. Monitoring the child’s progress and assisting with and addressing any related concerns by developing individualized program plans if necessary. Liaising with Program Director to ensure volunteers were provided adequate assistance to their Buddy. Assisting in Volunteer Training and Evaluation including coaching and mentoring of volunteers and their progress. Volunteer Experience ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ Stamford Lioness of Lions International 2017 to Present: Active member seeking to serve the hearing impaired and autism community Princess Margaret Public School, School Council Chair 2007 to 2015: Elected for 7 consecutive years to lead an organization that has raised over $70,000 in poverty initiatives in 7 years, and over $50,000 in fundraising in one year alone. Princess Margaret Public School- Intermediate Science Fair Judge, Intermediate Speech Competition Judge, Olympic Bid Judge Holy Family Boys Home (Sept. 1999-Dec. 1999; Jan. 1998- Apr.1998; Sept. 1997- Dec.1997) – Life Skills Coordinator St. Catharines General Hospital (Sept.1998-Dec.1998) – Social Skills Leader/ Out Patient Assistant, Community Service for Youth Supervisor Brock University Delta Zeta Sorority/Omicron Tau Chapter (Sept.1995-Dec.1998) – Executive Vice President New Member Education, Academic Chair, and Philanthropic Chair, Bethlehem Place – (1996 11 months) Parent Child Resource Center Volunteer Big Sisters of Niagara (1996: 9 months) – Big Sister Personal Interests Reading and writing Fiction and Non -Fiction, Screenwriting courses, Fitness/Working Out, Spending time with Family