Resume

Carissa R. Forbes

 

Highlights of Skills & Experience

• Excellent communication skills in English and French (verbal and written), proven ability to work independently, collaborative team player, strong organizational skills, honed good work ethics, trustworthy, hard-working, problem-solver, fast learner and detail-oriented.

• Proficient in Zoom, Microsoft Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Publisher), Google Suite (Docs, Slides, Sheets), Power Director, Canva, Concepts, FlipaClip, Infinite Painter, PENUP (Samsung), Wix, WordPress.

• Vice-President Social of the Black Literature and Arts Club at the University of Toronto.

• Beginning Master’s Degree in Social Justice Education.

 

Education

University of Toronto                                                                                      2021 – Present

Ontario Institute for Studies in Education                               Starting September 2025

• Master of Education, Social Justice Education with a Collaborative Specialization in Education, Francophonies, and Diversity (first year).

Mississauga Campus                                                                                                 2021 – 2025

• Honours Bachelor of Arts, double Major in Philosophy and French Studies.

 

Work Experience

Tutor                                                                                                                                    2025

• Tutor students in French language - math, science, and history.

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Volunteer Experience

Alliance Française Mississauga                                                                                    2024

• Supported instructors with summer camps and sorting props and costumes using experience with theatrical productions.

• Assisted instructors with teaching French and history of Haiti’s revolution.

• Led arts and crafts activities as well as games for campers.

• Utilized experience in volunteering with musical theatre productions to create an inclusive and safe environment for campers.

University of Toronto Mississauga                                                                   2022 – 2025

Vice-President Social Black Literature and Arts Club                                 2024 – 2025

• Created engaging posts for social media and pitched marketing post and video ideas.

• Helped promote and organize events including filming videos during the event, setting up the area, and cleaning up after the event.

• Collaborated with other clubs to work jointly and market their events.

UTMSU                                                                                                                                 2022

• Helped with first year orientation week.

• Assisted in directing first year students on where to go for activities, setting up spaces, and break-down after events.

Theatre Unlimited, Mississauga, Ontario                                                                   2023

• Utilized art experience to help with set design (painting, building props, moving into the theatre).

Young Artists Theatre                                                                                                   2022

• Utilized previous volunteer experience to work with instructors in leading warm-up activities and vocal exercises for youth ages 10-12.

• Utilized experience in dance to work with instructors to choreograph small dance and movement numbers.

Living Arts Centre, Mississauga, Ontario                                                      2018 – 2020

• Utilized highly developed creative arts skills to assist participants with craft making.

• Worked collaboratively with other volunteers from diverse backgrounds to determine various craft items to engage participants.

• Employed excellent communication skills to greet visitors in a positive and welcoming manner.

• Utilized highly developed organizational skills to arrange set pieces, costumes, and sign in for campers.

• Worked with camp instructors to organize and lead activities for campers.

 

Accomplishments & Awards

University of Toronto Mississauga                                                            2021 – Present

• Leadership Bootcamp – 2022

St. Aloysius Gonzaga Secondary School, Mississauga, Ontario             2017 – 2021

• Ontario Scholar – Grade 12

• Extended French Certificate – Grade 12

• Honour Roll – Grade 12

• Junior Leadership Award – Grade 12

• Arts Certificate – Grade 12

• Ontario Vocal Festival, invited to nationals – 2019

• Ontario Vocal Festival, invited to nationals – 2018

Luv2Dance Competition, Mississauga, Ontario                                                         2013

• Ballet – Gold (Junior Competitive Group), Street Jazz – Gold (Junior Competitive Group), Tap – Gold (Solo)

Luv2Dance Competition, Niagara Falls, Ontario                                                    2012

• Ballet – Silver (Junior Competitive Group), Jazz Hip Hop – Gold (Junior Competitive Group)

 

Interests

Writing – fiction, non-fiction, research-based papers/stories. French – literature, culture of Quebec and France, language acquisition. The arts – both visual and performing arts – including theatre, dancing, drawing, and visiting art galleries. Photography. Philosophy covering a range of topics, for example feminism, political philosophy, and metaphysics. Archery. Steel pan.

 

Other

St. Aloysius Gonzaga Secondary School, Mississauga, Ontario             2017 – 2020

• Concert Choir Ensemble

 

Community Theatre

Brampton Music Theatre                                                       July 2025 – November 2025

• The Prince of Egypt

Theatre Unlimited, Mississauga, Ontario                            October 2022 – April 2023

• Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

Young Artists Theatre                                                                                       2020 - 2021

• Senior Musical Theatre Class, Coffee House – 2021, Coffee House – 2020

Toronto Metropolitan University Teen Musical Theatre                                      2019

• Senior One Day Theatre Intensive

Mirvish Productions and Travelling Stage                                                              2018

• Into the Woods

Living Arts Centre, Mississauga, Ontario                                                      2014 – 2019

P.L.A.Y. Project

• Bye Bye Birdie, Game of Tiaras, The Sound of Music, Seussical

Beyond Bravo Broadway

• Hercules

Bravo Broadway

• Aladdin, Hairspray, Oliver, Newsies, The Little Mermaid

St. Therese of the Child Jesus Elementary School , Mississauga, Ontario       2016

• The Trials of Alice in Wonderland