- Resume
- Teaching Philosophy
- Teaching Experience Overview
OBJECTIVE
A position teaching social
studies at the secondary or middle school level; looking forward to leading
extra-curricular activities, and teaching summer school
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
8th Grade Social
Studies & Reading Teacher – Central
Junior High, East Peoria, IL August 2011- Current
·
Works daily with a team to plan interventions
and meet the needs of struggling students
·
Plans
Common Core aligned lessons that strengthen literacy skills and require
students to utilize technology using Google Chrome books
·
Took on
leadership role in development of a school-wide vocabulary program
·
Coordinated
a televised mock presidential campaign debate
·
Serves
as school Student Council sponsor, planning field trips, school dances,
organizing fundraisers, and leading meetings
Long-term
Substitute Teacher – Summit Hill Junior High, Frankfort, IL Spring 2011
·
Substituted on a
long-term basis, taking on all the classroom teaching responsibilities of a 7th
grade social studies teacher
·
Participated in a
new teacher mentoring program
·
Differentiated
instruction by designing and managing a class wiki website
·
Led students
through the step-by-step process of writing a research paper
Long-term
Substitute Teacher - Woodstock North
High School , Woodstock , IL
- Assumed all teaching responsibilities including
planning, instruction, and assessment for three courses: 9th
grade - Geography, 10th grade - World History, and 11th
grade -
- Reported regularly to
the teacher on-leave to inform her of classroom developments and help ease
her transition back into the classroom
Student
Teacher - Downers
Grove North High School , Downers
Grove , IL
- Taught 9th grade Global Connections
and co-taught 9th grade Global Connections
- Collaborated daily with a special education
co-teacher to meet the needs of all students
EDUCATION &
CREDENTIALS
Northern IL University, DeKalb, IL May 2010
IL Professional
Educator License
Endorsements: Middle School Social Science, History,
Political Science, Geography, Sociology and Anthropology
Northern IL University, DeKalb ,
IL
Bachelor of the Arts majoring in
History and Political Science, magna cum laude
§
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Exemplary
Student Teacher Award
§
J. Patrick White Award for Secondary Teaching in
History and Social Studies
SPECIAL SKILLS
▪ MS Office Applications ▪ Literate in Portuguese
▪ SMART Board ▪ Electronic
Gradebooks: TAC/Gradequick
RELATED EXPERIENCE
College for Kids Teacher, Illinois Central College Summer 2013
- Taught two-week long enrichment courses for
accelerated students including: debate and the assassination of J.F.K.
Teaching American History Professional Development, R.O.E. #26 Summer 2013
- Participated in a ten day long historical tour of
the Washington D.C. and the surrounding area, including Mount Vernon,
Monticello, Gettysburg, and Antietam
- Selected to serve on the exemplar lesson planning committee developing
curriculum to fulfill grant requirements after plans were selected by the
leadership team of professors and principals
Volunteer Tutor, Chicago HOPES Summer 2012
- Tutored students living in homeless shelters one-on-one, focusing on
developing literacy skills.
- Helped plan summer enrichment activities and field trips for
elementary age children.
ESOL Teacher, Tubarão, Santa Catarina, Brazil Fall 2010-Spring 2011
- Volunteered to work with classrooms of middle
school students focusing on the development of conversational language
skills in a public school setting
- Tutored adult English language learners to help
them master basic English language skills
- Helped coordinate the organization’s annual
trivia bee fundraiser
ESOL Teacher, Kanarassadornbumroong School,
Yala and Satit School, Pattani,
Thailand Fall 2001- Spring
2002
- Planned and taught 10th and 11th grade ESOL lessons two times per week for six months
- Taught two week-long English camps for elementary school students
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
·
The National
Council for the Social Studies
·
Teaching
Tolerance
BUSINESS EXPERIENCE
Accounting Assistant, Francis L. Dean & Associates, Wheaton , IL
- Developed accounts receivable bookkeeping
practices for large insurance underwriting agency
- Electronically processed payments, corresponded
with clients regarding accounting matters, and trained colleagues to
enhance the efficiency of accounting operations
Teaching Philosophy
As
a social studies educator, I believe encouraging active learning in the
classroom is a priority. Therefore, I
plan my lesson around essential questions and develop a variety of engaging
activities to motivate students. I plan
fun, interactive, lessons that keep students interested and on-task. My lessons require students to read, write,
research, discuss, and demonstrate they have met lesson objectives. Some of the teaching methods I use frequently include: simulation, role play, formal debate,
primary source analysis, having students write and perform raps or other
performance pieces, creation of political cartoons or newspapers, and
interactive lecture.
To
promote active learning, I teach history as a process of research, analytical
reflection, and debate. This involves
not only developing a general knowledge of historical events, but also an
understanding of the significance of those events. I facilitate this through Socratic guided
questioning. This method helps students
to form their own historical conclusions and reflect on their own values. I also encourage students to read
critically and deepen their understanding of texts through modeling and reciprocal
teaching.
Relationships
I
always maintain high expectations for my students. I believe it is essential to take an interest
in each student as an individual. I
strive to familiarize myself with their talents and proficiencies so I am able
to differentiate instruction based upon each student’s needs. My experiences have taught me to appreciate
diversity and I demonstrate its value to students through collaborative
projects and activities. Finally, I am
sure to convey to my students that I genuinely care about them. This helps me build a positive and respectful
rapport with my students.
I believe a sense of community must be
incorporated into the classroom. I currently
volunteer with Chicago HOPES as a tutor for students living in homeless
shelters. I have also organized various
school fundraisers and donation drives. Since
local communities have historically supported public education, I strive to
teach students to act as active citizens within their community. I also encourage students to appreciate and take
advantage of the resources their community has to offer. I plan lessons that educate students about
local history, and ways they can contribute to their community so they can
develop a better sense of civic responsibility.
Management
To
manage my classroom, I establish clear routines and expectations. I am sure to keep accurate records, and
provide frequent feedback to students and parents. When dealing with behavioral issues, I do my
best to be non-confrontational. I have
found humor is a useful tool to help defuse potential behavior problems. I always address minor issues immediately at
the classroom level to prevent them from escalating.
Goals
Teaching
is more than presenting students with vital information; it is also about
encouraging students to develop a vast array of useful skills. The active learning opportunities I design,
encourage higher level thinking, and promote
the development of strong communication skills. When possible, I integrate technology into many
of my lessons to motivate students and ensure they acquire the essential
computer skills they will need in the future.
I have developed webquests, Facebook research projects, Prezi
presentations, SMART Board activities, and a classroom wiki. I also update a course website on a weekly
basis. Last, I design lessons that align
with the common core standards and reinforce literacy skills by requiring
students to read informational social studies texts.
Since
it has been my experience that students are more motivated in classes which
they believe are important, I strive to convey the significance of the social
studies to students as well. I connect lessons to current events and
issues whenever possible to demonstrate the importance of content. To pique student interest, I also often
relate class activities to the popular culture.
Not only do my students study historical events and figures, they also
question and discuss how the social studies are relevant today.
I
believe my most important responsibility as an educator is to encourage
students to become independently motivated life-long, learners. I set an example for my students by strengthen
my content knowledge with each lesson I plan.
I have continued to study history at a graduate level, and I strive to
expand my teaching repertoire. My
enthusiasm and positive attitude, demonstrate to students my sincere interest
in the social studies, and motivate them to develop an independent interest in learning.
