Classroom
Management
Testimonial:
"Mr. McGill conscientiously plans well-structured lessons which support a range of different learning styles and needs. Student participation during lessons is good and Mr. McGill has established positive relationships through his approachability and his willingness to guide, support an nurture student's development and understanding."
"Mr. McGill believes in a holistic education, that goes beyond what is taught in the classroom. He has actively sought and led on opportunities, that engage students in the teaching and learning process and has encouraged personal and collective responsibility."
- Benjamin Joannou, Head of Science
Classroom Management Skills
My strength in classroom management is a combination of many skills. Most notably, it is a combination of good planning, established classroom routines, student engagement and supportive relationships with my students. I ensure that all my classes follow regular routines. This empowers students to self-direct their behavior and engage systematically during class activities and lesson. I make very well planned and detailed lessons which are distributed to each students on Class OneNote prior to lessons. This enables students to start lessons immediately, and provides information and activities that challenge, apply, consolidate and extend their learning.
I also use a variety of lesson activities and practical activities to support differentiation of instruction and provide variety to the learning environment. This is supported by interactive OneNote lessons which allow me to engage with students during lessons so I can accommodate for individual needs.
Technology
Testimonial:
"Jamie has led KS3 Science at St-Ignatius and his development of resources for KS3 is; in my thirty-year teaching experience second to none. His utilisation of OneNote has been exemplary, and his skill in training teachers, such as myself. in using it as a learning tool, has greatly increased the capabilities of not only the Science department but all departments at St-Ignatius. This, of course, has been of particular value in the school’s transition to online learning."
"Jamie’s IT skills are very impressive, a number of times I took problems to our IT helpdesk, often several times, but the problems remained. Only to discover that when I took the same problem to Jamie it was solved within minutes and an explanation of how to fix it myself next time followed."
- Stuart Rogers, Team Member
Technology Skills
I have very good technology skills and I use Class OneNote as a web-based learning platform for all my lessons. As a Microsoft Innovative Educator, I am very comfortable using Microsoft 365. In addition to regularly providing technology support, training and professional development for my school and colleagues, I have also presented on the use of Microsoft Teams and Class OneNote for the Cayman Island Private School Conference.
I have set-up my entire department to use Microsoft Teams for communication, collaboration and sharing of files and resources. I have developed Class Notebooks, Excel marksheets and many electronic templates for my department and colleagues. My ability to touch type an average of 50 words per minute has also helped me be very efficient with developing resources, keeping notes and other administrative tasks.
I am also very experienced with the use of scientific laboratory equipment in the preparation and delivery of practical lessons. My life experience with mechanics and construction also gives me a strong skill-set for problem-solving and STEM projects.
Collaboration
Testimonial:
"It has been my genuine pleasure to work alongside James McGill in the Science Department of St. Ignatius Catholic School. We have been working for five years now, and I can say that James has always been an excellent colleague, team player, and well-rounded educator... James has mentored his colleagues and has supported us in terms of providing feedback after lesson observations, resource materials, pedagogical ideas, and assessment techniques."
- Von Ryan Abrantas, STEM Coordinator
Collaboration Skills
I feel that collaboration and the sharing of good practice between colleagues is essential for a successful school. I am a committed life-long learner, and most of my inspiration for innovation and successful strategies in teaching comes from collaborative work with colleagues. I am a skilled problem solver, and I embrace challenge and innovation. I like to work with people to find solutions and improve our practice.
Collaboration also strengthens relationships with colleagues. I am very collaborative with my team and leaders. It is through sharing our strengths and embracing our weaknesses that we build stronger and more successful relationships with our colleagues and leaders.
Leadership
Testimonial:
"teachers are not always the best students and his (James) patience and ability to drive our meetings forward meant our limited time was used successfully. He was able to advance his coordinator role as well as my own professional development by coaching and mentoring me as and when I needed it. His leadership qualities have helped us to develop a good foundation for stronger future links between the primary school and high school ensuring a smooth transition, progress and accountability."
- Anna Winfindale, KS2 Science Coordinator
Leadership Skills
My leadership style comes from a culmination of all my teaching and coaching skills. I approach leadership as project-based learning that needs to be well scaffolded, chunked into manageable pieces and monitored for success. I typically use an affiliative and coaching approach which is collaborative by nature. I am well organised and have strong communication skills that naturally keeps a good pace for completion dates. It is also very important for me to lead by example. I like to challenge my skill set to create exemplars for my team. This helps them complete tasks with templates, and I can provide better support and instruction for my team to help them succeed.
Ultimately, it is my strong organization and collaboration skills which make me a successful teacher, colleague and leader.