Why Mike? Simply put, Mike Gets it Done. Mike is versatile and multi-talented with a diverse skill set. He is a motivated self-starter, enthusiastic teacher and self-taught graphic designer. Mike proudly lives in Toronto, Canada.
In August 2011, Mike completed the Graphic Design-Media diploma program at Centennial College. He is working freelance in Web/Print/Music/Video and training teachers in computers and educational technologies (via the CALL TESL Workshop at CCLCS).
Mike has 15 years experience in education and youth leadership, and has worked for the TDSB and DCDSB school boards in Toronto and Durham, Parks and Recreation Departments in Ajax and Toronto, and ESL/LINC schools in Toronto, including CCLCS and Centennial College. Mike has further experience with Learning/Content Management Systems such as Moodle and Blackboard and does complementary work with website administration tools like WordPress.
Mike has operated a design company, Strongandfree.ca, since 1995. Mike is an accomplished musician and designer and the founder of a streetwear clothing company (Sick clothing, 1996-2001). He writes a Blog, maintains websites for a variety of clients and has a wealth of experience in sales and marketing. Mike has been actively involved in art and design work for 20 years.
Video Resume - Mike invites you to watch his video resume for Teaching/Education.
PROFILE
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HIGHLIGHTS / ACTIVITIES
Blogging and Writing:
iam.strongandfree.ca (this site, ongoing, please explore some “Recent Posts” at right)
iam.strongandfree.ca/workshop (teaching/training resource, ongoing)
Article on Public Space in Russia published in Spacing Magazine, Summer 2009
Read my first draft and view photos from my trip to Rostov-on-Don
Design – Media:
strongandfree.ca – (since 1996, ongoing, site features design portfolio)
Teaching/Training/Education:
CALL Workshop and Media Workshop - Teaching and curriculum design for CCLCS – (ongoing since summer 2009 – present)
iam.strongandfree.ca/workshop
iDIY – Designed, administered and instructed self-initiated Online Course in DIY Graphic Design – summer 2010
no longer online – used a combination of CMS/LMS tools including WordPress and Moodle
LINC and ESL Instruction – for a variety of private schools, colleges and agencies: CCLCS, Centennial College, St. Stephen’s, DCDSB, and ILSC (for more information please ask me for my current resume).
Travel (Favorites):
Quepos and San Carlos, Costa Rica, Bon Echo Park and Achray in Algonquin Park, Ontario, Vancouver, British Columbia, Stowe, Vermont, Rostov-on-Don / Moscow, Russia, Frankfurt, Germany .
Reading:
Technology and Business, Culture and Society Books including:
Massive Change by Bruce Mau and the Institute without Boundaries
Breaking Ground: An Immigrant’s Journey from Poland to Ground Zero by Daniel Libeskind
Globish: How the English Language Became the World’s Language by Robert McCrum
A Whole New Mind: Why Right-brainers Will Rule the Future by Daniel Pink
The Long Tail: Why the Future of Business is Selling Less of More by Chris Anderson
Outliers by Malcom Gladwell.
Grown Up Digital by Don Tapscott
World Changing: A User’s Guide for the 21st Century by Worldchanging.com (Forward: Al Gore, Cover: S. Sagmeister)
Art and Design Books including:
For Love and Money: New Illustration by Liz Farrelly and Olivia Triggs
Complete Digital Illustration by Lawrence Zeegan
Marketing Design by Stephen Heller / Marshall Arisman
Web Video: Making it Great, Getting it Noticed by Jennie Bourne / Dave Burstein
Becoming a Digital Designer by Heller/Womack
Magazines like Wired, Walrus, Spacing, Computer Arts, and POV (Point of View).
Performance:
DJ set and live music at Labspace Studio, Toronto, March 2009.
EDUCATION
Centennial College – Graphic Design – Media – Advanced Diploma
(studies in Computer Graphics and llustration including Print/Editorial, Web Design and Motion Graphics)
University of Toronto - B.A – Major: Urban Geography – Minor: English Literature
(including Creative Writing Workshop with acclaimed writer Michael Redhill)
Canadian Centre for Language and Cultural Studies (CCLCS) – TESL Certificate
RESUME / CV
Please email me for the most recent and relevant resume:
mike | strongandfree.ca
