DSS Richmond Hill is a private German Saturday school in Richmond Hill ON, Canada with more than 35 years of teaching excellence.During my term as Principal, DSS Richmond Hill created a fun and memorable learning journey for the students. Approachability and a sense of team spirit between administration, teachers and parents helped foster students’ success. To develop acute listening, reading, oral and written communication skills in a fun, caring and effective manner was always paramount.Proud member of the "Partner Schulen Initiative" since 2008- implemented curriculum of the New European Framework of Reference for learning languages in all grades (Kindergarten to Grade 12 credit)- implemented Ontario Ministry of Education Guidelines for 3 international language high school credits- kept parents informed and involved through email updates, newsletters and parent council meetings - hired new teaching staff and assisted with their integration- advertised and promoted the school online, through brochures, newsletters and local papers- introduced a student council with nominations and monthly meetings- introduced opportunities for team-building and provided support for staff, teaching assistants and volunteers- offered teaching support and opportunities for professional development- fund-raised for school equipment and biannual summer camp experience in Germany - provided students with opportunities to participate in contests and exchanges- designed and supervised highly successful children's German language summer camp- worked closely with the Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany, Goethe Institute, KVDS and the German Language Consultant for Canada East- attended and contributed to regular board meetings as a director of DSS Metro Toronto Inc.

- free-lance journalist for acclaimed, respected and awarded International German Language Newspaper issued in Canada- articles included reviews of hotels and tourist destinations in Europe as well as coverage of special events

- designed and implemented course outline for 10 week beginner German adult class- designed and implemented course outline for 10 week intermediate German adult class- used creative ways to make the learning of a language fun and rewarding

- designed and implemented a 10 week Nutritional and Wellness Course for adults- accompanied students on the last day of class to the local Health Food Store, helping them understand and appreciate the available products

- designed and implemented a program for 20 children between the ages of 4 and 14

- designed and implemented program for Grade 1 in keeping with the curriculum outline provided by the KVDS (Kanadischer Verband Deutscher Sprachschulen)- provided students with a fun and creative learning atmosphere incorporating crafts, songs and games- brought the teachers of the primary grades together to encourage discussion and teamwork- introduced and facilitated an extra-curricular Children's Choir featuring the latest German children's songs for annual Christmas and Spring concerts as well as the German Canadian Christmas Fair held for two years at Nathan Phillips Square.

URSAKAN is a company started by Ursula Kessler to help others reach their health potential naturally through personal consultation, informative classes and creative cooking sessions- helped clients implement healthful changes to their diet and lifestyle - offered themed cooking classes featuring vegetarian, non-dairy, and other specialty meal items- developed complimentary cook book for all cooking class attendees

- lead discussion groups with parents and community members in Georgina- conducted surveys to improve commuity life- worked as part of a team to discuss parameters for student achievement

- helped with the set-up of the Kindergarten classroom- assisted with reading recovery program- read aloud to various grades- worked one-on-one with students to improve reading and math skills- supervised during field-trips- acted as a lunch-time supervisor

- assisted in the primary level special education classroom

- assisted teacher in daily activities in special education class for students from Grade 4 - 8- conducted short lessons involving reading- assisted with one-on-one reading and math skills

- introduced and created monthly newsletter- developed brochures for promotional purposes- organized booking of conference room

- was asked to return to duty to cover a maternity leave

- assisted the public daily, providing friendly and efficient service and information about passport and visa regulations, citizenship, life certificates for pensions and press and cultural affairs- provided translations to Vice-Consuls: German to English, English to German and German to French