Sheldon Durstling

Background

About Sheldon Durstling

With over 12 years of experience in education, I have had the privilege of teaching students from Grades 3 through 9 across various programs including mainstream, Cogito, and Gifted and Talented. My passion for education extends beyond the classroom, with experience working with pre-service teachers at the University of Alberta, bridging their practice with educational technology. Additionally, I have contributed to learning initiatives by marking Grade 6 PATs for many years, producing instructional videos for a private education company that have been enjoyed by thousands of children across Alberta, and developing a global resource-sharing platform for educators. My journey in education has been shaped by a commitment to fostering inclusive and engaging learning environments for all students. The primary focus of my work over the years has been working with neurodivergent, twice-exceptional students. In 2015 I was honoured to be nominated by families and colleagues for an Alberta Excellence in Teaching Award, and in 2019 I was the recipient of an Education Champion Award for "an outstanding contribution to the Edmonton and area autism community," awarded by Autism Edmonton. UNIQUE SKILLS • Frontend development (PHP, CSS, JavaScript) • Google for Education certified • Graphic design (full Adobe CC suite) • Video production • Copywriting and strong written, visual design and verbal communication skills • SEO/analytical implementation and digestion (Google Analytics, et al.) • UI/UX design • Quality control experience • Branding • Trade show booth design and marketing • Organization skills • SEO • ERP and inventory management experience • Social media marketing • Advertising content writing and production • Expertise with instructional design rooted in learning methodologies and best practices for a variety of learning situations • Critical thinker who brings expertise as well as innovative solutions and thinking to every project • Highly motivated by challenging assignments • Demonstrated commitment to building strong professional relationships through excellent communication and interpersonal skills • Proven abilities to exceptionally research, design, deliver, and assess a variety of engaging learning, training, and development programs • Intimately familiar with project management lifecycles and the critical role of collaborating with others and maintaining strong, customer-focused relationships • Familiarity with Learning Management Systems (Blackboard, Canvas, Moodle)