Dinah W.R. Biddle
Portfolio


Welcome to my portfolio site.

You will learn about me professionally and personally through this ongoing portfolio process.
You are invited to share in some reflections and musings
about who and what I am during this reflexive journey.

Portfolio Contents:

I. Professional background information - what am I?

Resume
SUPERVISOR ONTARIO WORKS & SOCIAL SERVICES
Norfolk County

ASD CONSULTANT
Hamilton Health Sciences Centre 

ONTARIO WORKS CASE MANAGER
Norfolk County 

COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH CASE WORKER/CASE MANAGER
Community Support Program

CONSULTANT
Carey & Associates - Dr. Bob Carey, Ph.D., C.Psych.

BEHAVIOUR THERAPIST
Community Resource Team, Family Counselling Centre of Brant, Inc.


BEHAVIOUR THERAPIST
Family Support Services, Family Counselling Centre of Brant, Inc.


BEHAVIOUR MANAGEMENT THERAPIST
Haldimand-Norfolk REACH


RESEARCHER
Community Access Support Services-Norfolk


SUPERVISOR
Community Access Support Services-Norfolk

INSTRUCTOR - Developmental Services Worker Program 
Fanshawe College: J.N.A.Campus


FIELD SUPERVISOR - Developmental Services Worker Program
Fanshawe College: J.N.A. Campus

MANAGER
Norfolk Association for Community Living, Community Support Program


PRE-SCHOOL NURSERY TEACHER
Norfolk Association for Community Living


DAY NURSERY RESOURCE TEACHER
Children's Mental Health Service of H-N


COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FACILITATOR AND TEAM LEADER
Norfolk Association for Community Living


INDIVIDUAL PROGRAM CO-ORDINATOR
Norfolk Association for Community Living


SUPPORT WORKER
Norfolk Association for Community Living


Throughout my career, I have had the opportunity to delve into many roles including front line, management, consultant, researcher, and teacher. Through these positions, I have worked in many different community agencies and schools. I have found all of these experiences to be so very valuable! Learning and information sharing was a mutual process. Integration of these professions is very interesting and effective. In all of these roles, I am a teacher - a facilitator of development and more, I am a learner willing to explore and evolve.

Each step in my career has provided professional growth, affirmation, or adaptation of practice, and an improved sense of self. In most situations, my values, beliefs and skills were reaffirmed. In other environments, it became apparant that some elements did not "fit" - for example, people who "talked the talk" but didn't "walk the walk". Quite simply, some people truly do not understand concepts, yet strongly believe that they employ the ideology. Myself, I try to continue to question and reflect and try to instill this in others. With an open mind and willingness to learn, I journeyed through several very interesting practices. Within the context of my current position there is always something interesting to learn, share or further develop. The challenge exists daily without predictability. I like that!

I like to grow, change, and do my best! I love to teach, learn, and inquire within the context of any position.

Course Work

EDUCATION

The Ontario Institute for Studies in Education of the University of Toronto 1996 - 1998

Degree: Master of Education
Department of Curriculum, Teaching, and Learning

Courses:
Program Evaluation as Reflexive Inquiry, Dr. J. Gary Knowles
Internet Resources and Education, Dr. Robert McLean
Research Methods, Dr. Andy Anderson
Effective and Responsible Teaching, Dr. Andy Anderson
Education Administration, Dr. John Davis
Foundations of Curriculum, Dr. Alex Norrie
Political Skill in the Arena of Education, Dr. Richard Townsend
Evaluation of Curriculum and Instruction, Dr. Merle Wahlstrom

Master’s Research Project:
Analysis of Positive Systems Approach

The University of Western Ontario 1982 - 1985

Bachelor of Arts Degree Major: Sociology
Year I: Business Administration, Economics, Psychology, Sociology, & Computer Science.
Year II: Methodology & Statistics, Sociology of Work and Industry, Applied Psychology, Social Psychology, and English. Year III: Psychology of People, Work & Organizations, Organizational Behaviour, Social Problems, Writing, The Family, & Survey of Sociological Theory.

CONTINUING EDUCATION

The University of Waterloo - Psychopathology

The University of Western Ontario - Advanced Writing

Fanshawe College, Simcoe - Programming Strategies I - Management of Disturbed Behaviour - Programming Strategies II
- Computer Applied Accounting - ACCPAC - Windows 3.1 - Windows 95

CompuMaster - Web Site Development and Design - certificate. (June 2000)

BH Productions - Advanced web site design and administration training. (Dec/99)

C.T.T.A. Inc. - Microsoft ACCESS (level 1 & 2) (1999). DOS, Wordperfect, Quattro Pro & Paradox, Windows 3.1 & 95, Microsoft Office:Word, Excel, Access & Powerpoint; ACCPAC Simply, Lotus, Schedule+,Works: word processor, database, spreadsheet; Internet, e-mail, computer troubleshooting & repair.

I cannot begin to accurately express what a significant role formalized education has meant for me. Incidental learning is very valuable as well. But for example, the computer training I received has been a very solid framework for me to launch from simply wordprocessing skills to confidence with an array of competencies through various hardware, software and utilities. Completing my Master's in Education has been a long-time goal that has resulted in tremendous personal satisfaction and growth. The skills and knowledge acquired through this graduate process has been truly a fascinating yet exhausting experience that has affected me through very rich opportunities.

I have attended a vast number of workshops. What can I say? I love to learn.
These specialized seminars on specific topics are a tremendous opportunity to acquire and share relevant information.
Another very interesting and positive byproduct is the networking that occurs during such training sessions.

Philosophy of Work

People are our greatest resources.
All people can learn.
Help others so that they can help themselves.
If I cannot do Great Things, I'll do Small Things in a Great Way.
"You cannot hope to build a better world without improving individuals. We all must work for our own improvement, and at the same time share a general responsibility for all humanity." - Marie Currie
"The great aim of education is not knowledge but action." - Herbert Spencer
Be bold, commit, and act.

I like to facilitate learning, success, and satisfaction in people's lives.
I would like to utilize my skills and abilities in a way that maximizes opportunities and quality of life for others.
In the process, I would like to draw upon my experiences and competencies developed through all of my experiences: education, management, front line, consultant, therapist, researcher and case manager. Further, I would like to continue to professionally evolve through the development of skills, abilities, and acquisition of information.
I find this very cathartic!

People who have influenced me (letter acronyms used to protect privacy)

TR - for her kind, positive, grass-roots, real approach to community services and leadership.
BU - for his expertise with people and services, leadership, and his caring
AR - for her intellect, strength, kindred spirit, beauty, and compassion.
BO - for his soulful caring, leadership, mentorship, positive political, people and clinical skills
CH - for her love, laughter, youthful innocence, intelligence and promoting the important things in life
TI - for his love, support, encouragement, caring, partnership and parenting
AI - for her teaching, mothering, and mentorship.
PA - for her wisdom & leadership

...

Through this reflection, it became apparent at how fortunate I have been to be positively touched by so many people. So many, that it is impossible to include them all. I endeavored to include salient people that I have had the good fortune to know and who have demonstrated themselves to be caring, committed and true individuals to themselves, their families and the community.

III. Personal background information - who am I?

About me
As you read, I am a teacher, a manager, a leader, a therapist, a case manager and more.
I am a mother, a wife, a daughter, a sister, and a friend.
As people we are multi-faceted, and I believe that I possess a very unique perspective
based on the integration of my experiences, education and evolution.

Things I like
Friends, children, family - people.
Fun.
Honesty and truth.
Fairness.
Challenges and new opportunities.
Computers.
Reading.

Things I don't like
People who profess to walk the talk but simply talk the talk.
People who do not actively listen to others.
Inequality.
People who take advantage of others.
Power over others versus power with others.

What is important to me
My spouse and family.
Making a difference for and with persons in need.
Caring. Understanding. Listening.
Teaching.
Education and lifelong learning.