Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Sace Registered
Languages
Referrals
Personal Information
Affiliations
Languages
Accomplishments
Certification
Timeline
Generic
Sophia Catharina Viljoen-McCradic

Sophia Catharina Viljoen-McCradic

Glendale, Arizona,USA

Summary

Education professional with 30 years of experience in delivering exceptional learning experiences across diverse subjects and age groups. Recognized for effectively integrating technology and tailoring lessons to accommodate various learning styles, particularly in Dramatic and Visual Arts and Languages. Proven organizational expertise and strong event management skills support leadership capabilities within educational settings. Committed to fostering impactful learning environments that promote student engagement and success.

Overview

26
26
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Dramatic Arts Teacher

Mitchell House College
Polokwane, South Africa
01.2020 - 12.2024
  • Designed and implemented an engaging curriculum for high school drama classes, grades 10-12.
  • Employed multiple educational strategies to elevate engagement in arts and culture for grades 8-9.

Associate Producer/Graphics

Phoenix Rising Motion Picture Group LLC
Phoenix, AZ
08.2021 - 12.2021
  • Company Overview: Link: https://www.strangeplacestv.com/crew
  • Collaborated remotely from South Africa while managing production and graphics duties for a US-based film studio.
  • Link: https://www.strangeplacestv.com/crew
  • Crafted visual art assets essential for production processes.

Visual Art, Elementary Dance, Drama & Life Skills Teacher

Mitchell House College
Polokwane, Limpopo, South Africa
01.2019 - 12.2019
  • Facilitated creative learning experiences across multiple disciplines for grades 8-9
  • Enhanced Afrikaans as a second language skillset through continuous monitoring and strategic improvements for grade 10.
  • Developed and implemented curriculum to teach life skills such as budgeting, communication, problem-solving and decision-making.

First Additional Language Teacher

Mitchell House College
Polokwane, South Africa
01.2016 - 12.2018
  • Taught First Additional Language to 6th and 7th-grade students.
  • Organized cultural events such as plays, music performances and guest speakers to help students gain a better understanding of the culture associated with the language being taught.

First Additional Language Teacher

Northern Academy High School
Polokwane, Limpopo, South Africa
01.2015 - 12.2015
  • Facilitated learning activities targeting First Additional Language proficiency for Grades 9 and 10.
  • Designed activities that encouraged students to practice their new language skills in a fun and interactive way.
  • Delivered instruction on fundamental life skills to support student growth for Grade 7 learners.

First Additional Language Teacher

Atokia Elementary & Middle School
Atok, Limpopo, South Africa
01.2014 - 12.2014
  • Taught First Additional Language, Visual Art, Social Sciences, Economics to Grades 4-7.
  • Developed tailored strategies to assist struggling students with academic progress.
  • Encouraged students to use their native language when necessary for clarification or understanding of new concepts.

First Additional Language Teacher

Elsburg High School
Germiston, Johannesburg, South Africa
01.2013 - 12.2013
  • Developed and implemented comprehensive lesson plans for Grade 10 first additional language studies.
  • Instructed students on how to use digital tools such as translation software and dictionaries while studying foreign languages.
  • Founded Drama School 'Stars' for children in grades 1-7.

Director & Co-ordinator of Star Performer, CATS Di

CATS & NAATME
Windhoek, Namimbia
01.2010 - 12.2012
  • 2009 - Oversaw operations as Director and Coordinator, Star Performer in private sector.
  • 2010 - Led mentoring and coaching Namibian team for South African Championships of Performing Arts.
  • 2011 - Directed national-level programs to foster growth in creative sectors across Namibia.

Visual Art, Drama & Study Methods Teacher

Tsumeb Gymnasium Combined Private School
Tsumeb, Namibia
01.2008 - 12.2009
  • Educated elementary through junior high students on visual arts, dramatic arts, plus effective study strategies.
  • Led combined English classes for First Additional Language learners across grades 1-3.

Class Teacher - English - First Additional Language

Platina Elementary School
Swartklip, North-West, South Africa
01.2004 - 12.2007
  • Provided comprehensive English education to Grade 3 students focusing on it as their first additional language.
  • Led drama classes spanning grades 1 to 7 within a specialized private academy.
  • Participated in professional development workshops related to instructional strategies or curriculum design.

Class Teacher - English - Second Additional Language

Northam Elementary School
Northam, North-West, South Africa
01.1999 - 12.2003
  • Conducted lessons for Grade 1 students in English, focusing on it as a secondary language.
  • Created instructional strategies to teach Afrikaans to grade 2 learners.

Education

Diploma - Licensend Speech And Drama

South African Guild of Speech & Licensed Drama Teachers
Johannesburg, South Africa
08-2005

Higher Education - Primary And Middle School

University of Pretoria
Pretoria, South Africa
12-1994

MATRIC - Senior Year

High School Elandspoort
Pretoria, South Africa
12-1990

Skills

  • Educator Background
  • Subject Matter Proficiency
  • Effective Technology Integration
  • Theatrical Leadership
  • Course Structure Development
  • Student Involvement Strategies
  • Strong Written Communication
  • Detail-Oriented Planning
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Career Growth Initiatives
  • Crisis Resolution Proficiency
  • Analytical Problem Solving
  • Curriculum Integration
  • Joint Educational Facilitation
  • Effective time management

Sace Registered

74460, South African Council for Educators

Languages

  • English
  • Afrikaans (Read, Write, Speak)

Referrals

  • Reggie Goodwin, Colleague, +27 74 815 8488, reggie.g@curro.co.za
  • Andy Ramirez-McCradic, US Producer - Director, +27 74 815 8488, andy@strangeplacestv.com
  • Cecelia Cillié, Drama Mentor, +27 82 690 7660, cjcil@absamail.co.za
  • Claude Goeminne, Head of College, Mitchell House College, Polokwane, Limpopo, South Africa, +27 74 815 8488, c.goeminne@mitchellhouse.co.za
  • Stephen Lowry, Principal, Mitchell House College, Polokwane, Limpopo, South Africa, +27 72594 3696, principal@mitchellhouse.co.za

Personal Information

  • Age: 52
  • Health Status: Very Good
  • Date of Birth: 09/30/72
  • Nationality: South African
  • Marital Status: Married

Affiliations

Beyond my academic studies, I have always been actively involved in fostering a love for the arts, particularly Drama, through specialized courses and community events. These initiatives, often organized to showcase the arts as an integral part of society, have allowed me to contribute meaningfully to cultural enrichment. My strong family bonds have played a central role in these endeavors, as I believe in maintaining a balanced lifestyle that harmonizes family, community engagement, and professional responsibilities.

Languages

English
Professional
Afrikaans
Professional

Accomplishments

From 2020 to 2024, my senior students consistently achieved final marks well above the national standard, with several earning distinctions.

In 2012, as the National Director of NAATME in Namibia, I was honored with the Teacher Award for Best Director and Coach. Under my leadership, the Namibian team competed against South Africa at the SACOPA (South African Championships of Performing Arts), an international platform showcasing some of the best entertainers worldwide.

Certification

Licensed teacher at South Africa Council for Educators.

Licensed Speech and Drama teacher.

Timeline

Associate Producer/Graphics

Phoenix Rising Motion Picture Group LLC
08.2021 - 12.2021

Dramatic Arts Teacher

Mitchell House College
01.2020 - 12.2024

Visual Art, Elementary Dance, Drama & Life Skills Teacher

Mitchell House College
01.2019 - 12.2019

First Additional Language Teacher

Mitchell House College
01.2016 - 12.2018

First Additional Language Teacher

Northern Academy High School
01.2015 - 12.2015

First Additional Language Teacher

Atokia Elementary & Middle School
01.2014 - 12.2014

First Additional Language Teacher

Elsburg High School
01.2013 - 12.2013

Director & Co-ordinator of Star Performer, CATS Di

CATS & NAATME
01.2010 - 12.2012

Visual Art, Drama & Study Methods Teacher

Tsumeb Gymnasium Combined Private School
01.2008 - 12.2009

Class Teacher - English - First Additional Language

Platina Elementary School
01.2004 - 12.2007

Class Teacher - English - Second Additional Language

Northam Elementary School
01.1999 - 12.2003

Diploma - Licensend Speech And Drama

South African Guild of Speech & Licensed Drama Teachers

Higher Education - Primary And Middle School

University of Pretoria

MATRIC - Senior Year

High School Elandspoort
Sophia Catharina Viljoen-McCradic