Jocelyn Hodgkinson
Teaching Assistant
East London
Summary
Dedicated and passionate educator with a strong background in online and in-person teaching, offering over three years of hands-on experience in fostering student engagement and promoting language proficiency. Currently pursuing a Bachelor of Education in Foundation Phase, demonstrating a commitment to professional growth and effective teaching methodologies. Eager to leverage expertise in online English instruction to create dynamic learning experiences that cater to diverse student needs. Proven ability to adapt lesson plans and utilize innovative technologies to enhance educational outcomes.
Overview
2027
2027
years of professional experience
2
2
Languages
Work History
Teaching Assistant
Lilyfontein School
01.2024 - Current
- Assisted in developing lesson plans and instructional materials for diverse learning needs.
- Supported classroom management by facilitating engaging activities and ensuring student participation.
- Collaborated with educators to assess student progress and provide constructive feedback.
- Mentored new teaching assistants, fostering a collaborative environment and sharing effective strategies.
- Managed classroom behavior effectively, creating a positive learning atmosphere conducive to academic success.
- Supported classroom maintenance and upkeep, organizing books, and materials.
- Supported classroom activities, tutoring, and reviewing work.
- Helped with grading assignments and tests, providing constructive feedback to students based on results.
- Provided additional support for students with special needs, ensuring they received appropriate accommodations and resources.
- Collaborated with fellow teaching assistants to create a consistent and supportive learning environment for students.
- Facilitated activities in small groups to reinforce concepts taught by class teacher.
- Tutored struggling students individually and in small groups to reinforce learning concepts.
- Designed and implemented engaging classroom activities, resulting in higher student interest and motivation.
- Maintained safety and security by overseeing students in recess environments.
- Assisted in organization of school events, enhancing school community and student experience.
- Coordinated with parents and teachers to discuss student progress and address concerns.
- Assisted in grading assignments efficiently, contributing to timely feedback for students.
- Increased class participation by creating positive and inclusive classroom atmosphere.
- Prepared educational materials to reinforce lesson content, aiding in better comprehension.
- Collaborated with educators to implement new teaching strategies, resulting in more dynamic and effective instruction.
Petsitter
Self-Employed
2023 - Current
- Provided attentive care for pets, ensuring safety and comfort during sitting sessions.
- Administered medications as directed, maintaining health and wellness of pets in care.
- Communicated effectively with pet owners, providing updates and addressing concerns promptly.
- Managed feeding routines, ensuring nutritional needs were met consistently for all pets.
- Maintained cleanliness of pet areas, promoting a hygienic environment for both animals and owners.
- Observed behavioral changes in pets, reporting any issues to owners or veterinary professionals as necessary.
- Built trust with animals through patience and positive reinforcement techniques during interactions.
- Prepared food and water following instructions from pet owners.
- Gave animals proper attention to promote secure environment in owner's absence.
- Exercised animals regularly with walks and rigorous play activities.
- Maintained a clean and safe environment for pets, ensuring their comfort and well-being at all times.
- Cleaned out and scooped litter trays and food and water bowls to provide clean environment for pets.
- Communicated professionally with pet owners via phone, email, and text.
- Built trust with clients by consistently demonstrating reliability, punctuality, and attention to detail in all aspects of pet care provision.
- Ensured timely feedings, grooming sessions, and exercise routines for pets in accordance with owner instructions.
- Managed pet safety and wellness in owners' absence by securing yard gates and removing items that could make pets sick.
- Reduced client anxiety regarding pet separation during vacations or work-related travel by providing regular photo updates showcasing animals'' well-being and happiness.
- Enhanced pet owners' peace of mind by providing daily updates and photos of their pets during their absence.
Online ESL Teacher
Dr Muhammad Abu Samra
02.2025 - 03.2026
- Developed engaging lesson plans tailored to diverse student needs.
- Facilitated interactive online classes using digital platforms and tools.
- Collaborated with colleagues to share best practices and resources.
- Designed assessment materials to evaluate language proficiency effectively.
- Boosted reading comprehension levels for struggling students through targeted tutoring and personalized lesson plans.
- Adapted teaching methods according to each student's unique learning style, leading to improved retention rates and higher test scores.
- Enhanced cultural understanding among students with diverse backgrounds through the incorporation of global literature and multimedia resources.
- Communicated with students using Zoom and online learning platforms, webcams and headphones.
- Assisted in reducing classroom disruptions and behavioral issues by implementing clear expectations, consequences, and positive reinforcement strategies.
- Wrote, prepared and submitted weekly lesson plans and created and designed homework, quizzes and exams to test abilities.
- Improved student communication skills by incorporating interactive group activities and role-playing exercises.
- Combined students' personal interests with lesson objectives to create student-specific activities.
- Developed and taught ESL curriculum to improve students' conversational abilities.
- Adopted new technologies and online platforms to facilitate student learning.
- Gave one-on-one attention to each student while maintaining overall focus on entire group.
- Developed engaging lesson plans to enhance conversational skills and boost student confidence.
- Facilitated interactive classroom activities promoting language fluency and cultural understanding.
- Mentored new teachers, sharing effective strategies for managing classrooms and fostering student engagement.
- Strengthened students'' listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills with diversified teaching methods.
- Developed tailored lesson plans to accommodate individual student needs, resulting in improved academic performance.
Babysitter
Kayla Booth
2021 - 2025
- Provided attentive care and supervision for children in a safe environment.
- Developed engaging activities to stimulate children's learning and creativity.
- Assisted with meal preparation, ensuring healthy options for children.
- Maintained cleanliness and organization of play areas and living spaces.
- Communicated effectively with parents about children's progress and behavior.
- Adapted quickly to changing schedules and individual child needs.
- Fostered positive relationships with children, enhancing their emotional well-being.
- Played games, worked on puzzles, and read books to young children.
- Organized and cleaned home after activities by picking up toys and straightening up play room.
- Maintained a clean and organized environment to ensure the well-being of children under care.
- Prepared healthy, age-appropriate snacks and meals.
- Reassured children when upset providing emotional support and stability.
- Bathed, dressed, and helped with teeth brushing as part of bedtime preparation.
- Handled conflicts between siblings effectively using conflict resolution techniques resulting in a more peaceful household.
- Improved child safety by vigilantly monitoring play areas and consistently enforcing rules.
- Created a fun and educational atmosphere by incorporating age-appropriate games and activities that promoted learning while keeping children entertained.
- Communicated with parents regarding children's progress and development, raising any issues.
- Planned fun outings and educational activities to keep children entertained.
- Enhanced language development by engaging in storytelling, reading books, and encouraging conversation among the children under my care.
- Fostered creativity through engaging arts and crafts projects, stimulating imagination and expression.
Teaching Assistant
The Learning Centre
04.2023 - 04.2023
- I worked at the learning centre as a teacher assistant in the holidays to assist students with revision of their school work during the holidays in preparation for their upcoming June exams.
- Tutored students individually and in small groups to reinforce learning concepts from core subjects.
- Supervised students to maintain adherence with health and safety requirements, inside and outside classroom environments.
- Boosted academic achievement of special needs students through compassionate, considered individual tutoring.
- Provided safe, stimulating classroom environments to maximise student engagement and attainment.
- Collaborated with teacher to determine class schedule and work shift.
- Maintained clean workplace standards to comply with school guidelines and procedures.
- Oversaw students during recess and lunch breaks to maintain safe environment.
- Planned and arranged classrooms to promote learning and student achievement.
- Supported teachers in managing challenging student behaviour, conducting progress meetings to provide feedback and recommend appropriate action.
- Arranged recreational spaces and equipment to encourage physical activity.
- Encouraged students to work together to complete projects and solve problems.
- Attended to younger children's basic physical needs and assisted in development of personal skills.
- Offered students personalized support during in-class activities and projects.
- Delivered additional learning support opportunities to small student groups, enabling improved academic confidence.
- Maintained child safety, security and good behaviour during classroom and outdoor activities.
- Helped teachers with lesson plan development, class preparation and student mentoring, improving overall department attainment.
Shop Assistant
Brian & Le-anne Heuer
12.2021 - 12.2022
- I worked part-time in the Christmas shop during the Christmas holidays in 2021 and 2022.
- Updated product labeling and pricing to reflect discounts and offers.
- Operated cash registers with accuracy and processed cash and card transactions.
- Assisted customers with product selection and sales, recommending items to increase transaction value.
- Documented stock count and operations to track usage and procurement.
- Accepted card and cash payments in POS register system.
- Inspected products for damages.
- Tagged products quickly and accurately with price tags and stickers.
- Managed customer lines for minimum wait times and high satisfaction.
- Organized displays to promote inventory and encourage customer purchases.
- Prepared orders for customers with wrapped, bagged and boxed items.
- Demonstrated product usage and features to customers.
- Totaled bills using math skills and maintained accurate till count.
- Packed and wrapped gifts with decorative details to match customer preferences.
- Designed visually pleasing in-store and window displays to increase footfall.
- Completed purchases with cash, credit and debit payment methods, providing customer receipts for reference.
Education
National Senior Certificate - English, Afrikaans, Mathematical Literacy, Life Orientation, History, Computer Applications Technology, Life Sciences
Clarendon High School For Girls
East London, Eastern Cape 04.2001 -
Bachelor of Education - Foundation Phase Education
STADIO Higher Education Instution
Durban, South Africa 04.2001 -
Newly Qualified Teachers -
Arista Training
04.2001 -
Teachers, Psychologists in The Making -
BizSkills
East London, South Africa 04.2001 -
TEFL/TESOL 180 Hours - Online English Teaching
TEFL On The Beach
04.2001 -
First Responder NQF: Level 1 -
Alderson MTEC
East London, South Africa 04.2001 -
Global Mega Trends in Education -
BizSkills
East London, South Africa 04.2001 -
Excellence in Teaching -
Arista Training
04.2001 -
Grade 4 – 7 - undefined
Clarendon Primary School
East London, Eastern Cape12-2018
Grade 00 – Grade 3 - undefined
Clarendon Preparatory School
East London, Eastern Cape12-2014
Skills
- Critical Thinking
- Patience
- Communication
- Organization
- Imaginative thinking
- Leadership
- Teamwork
- Time Management
- Computer Skills
- Conflict resolution
- Mentoring students
- Teaching techniques
- Behaviour management
- Maintaining safe environments
- Team player
- Classroom support
- Early childhood education
- Tutoring
- Student supervision
- Learning activity programs
- Special needs education
- Student safety
- Academic support
- All skills obtained during Computer Applications Technology at Clarendon High School for Girls
- Microsoft: Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Access, OneDrive, Teams
- Google: Docs, Drive, Forms, Sheets, Slides, Gmail, Classroom
- Beginner Programming/Coding (HTML)
- Adobe Acrobat, Zoom, Skype
Interests
Working with children, Reading, Travelling, Photography, Sports, Dancing, Cooking & Baking, Crafts, Music, Languages, Writing, Animals
Timeline
Online ESL Teacher
Dr Muhammad Abu Samra
02.2025 - 03.2026
Teaching Assistant
Lilyfontein School
01.2024 - Current
Teaching Assistant
The Learning Centre
04.2023 - 04.2023
Shop Assistant
Brian & Le-anne Heuer
12.2021 - 12.2022
National Senior Certificate - English, Afrikaans, Mathematical Literacy, Life Orientation, History, Computer Applications Technology, Life Sciences
Clarendon High School For Girls
04.2001 -
Bachelor of Education - Foundation Phase Education
STADIO Higher Education Instution
04.2001 -
Newly Qualified Teachers -
Arista Training
04.2001 -
Teachers, Psychologists in The Making -
BizSkills
04.2001 -
TEFL/TESOL 180 Hours - Online English Teaching
TEFL On The Beach
04.2001 -
First Responder NQF: Level 1 -
Alderson MTEC
04.2001 -
Global Mega Trends in Education -
BizSkills
04.2001 -
Excellence in Teaching -
Arista Training
04.2001 -
Grade 4 – 7 - undefined
Clarendon Primary School
Grade 00 – Grade 3 - undefined
Clarendon Preparatory School
Petsitter
Self-Employed
2023 - Current
Babysitter
Kayla Booth
2021 - 2025