Personal Summary:
An energetic, dedicated professional, constantly seeking new challenges to grow professionally. A collaborative teacher who shares ideas and strongly believes “two heads are better than one.” Knowledgeable about Common Core State Standards and their benefits for challenging children to higher levels. Strives to bring out students' strengths through implementing activities that challenge them linguistically, mathematically, kinesthetically, musically and inter- and intra-personally.
Professional Experience
River Forest Public Schools - District 90, River Forest, Illinois
Kindergarten Teacher 2014 - present
• Created and implemented Common Core-aligned curriculum
• Incorporated multi-sensory literacy instructional design
• Developed theme-based, hand-on units
• Differentiated instruction to meet the needs of diverse learners
• Communicated with families through weekly newsletter and website
Fourh Grade Teacher 2009-2012
• Served as Willard Team Leader
• Collaborated to create differentiated math lessons/units
• Integrated social studies, reading and writing lessons
• Communicated with families through weekly newsletter and website
Fifth Grade Middle School Teacher 2006-2008 & 1999 - 2004
• Collaborated on three and six-person teams to develop Language Arts, Science and Math curriculums
• Planned, implemented and assessed interdisciplinary learning units
• Developed scoring guides, rubrics and study guides to communicate expected outcomes
• Managed Concordia and Dominican University student aides and student teacher
Students Taking Academic Responsibility (STAR) Teacher 2004 - 2006
• Facilitated instruction for struggling non-IEP students
• Adapted curriculum to meet the needs of all learners in full-inclusion setting
• Collaborated with grade level teachers, support staff and parents to create individualized learning opportunities for STAR students
• Established systems to promote organization and comprehension of material
• Provided after school skills reinforcement for at-risk students
Sixth Grade Language Arts Teacher 1996 - 1997
• Modeled writing formats using graphic organizers
• Implemented Microsoft Works, Hyperstudio and PageMaker in classroom projects
• Promoted parental involvement in technology through student showcase
American School Foundation of Monterrey, Monterrey Mexico
Fifth Grade Elementary Teacher 1997 - 1999
• Designed integrated units for predominately ESL student population
• Fostered integration among international students by celebrating both similarities and differences
• Created performance assessment tasks and rubrics, utilizing complex thinking skills
• Incorporated Dimensions of Learning strategies into daily lessons
Glenview Public Schools – District 34, Glenview, Illinois
Fifth Grade Elementary Teacher, Hoffman School 1994 - 1996
• Taught weekly goal setting/monitoring for student self-reflection using Dimensions of Learning and Multiple Intelligences framework
• Utilized NCTM, manipulative-based math; hand-on science, and whole language, novel-based approach to reading
DePaul/Glenview Clinical Model Teacher Preparation Program 1993 – 1996
• Observed and co-taught in 1st, 2nd, 5th, and 7th/8th grade classrooms
Curriculum Development
Writing Committee
• Collaborated to create district writing outcomes• Imlemented Lucy Calkins’ Units of Study writing curriculum and rubrics and helped kindergarten team implement it with fidelity
Reading/Language Arts Committee/Specialist
• Elected school representative for district decisions and planning Reading/Language Arts
• Created 5th grade SIP assessment aligned with state goals
• Conducted inter-rater reliability training at the district level to assure scoring consistency among teachers
• Assessed and amended scope and sequence for district planner
Certified Structured Language Training (SLANT) Instructor
• Incorporated multisensory approach to structured reading instruction including phonemic awareness activities
Science Committee
• Determined fifth grade science curriculum for alignment with K-4 and 6-8 curriculums and integrated additional hand-on learning experiences through work with Illinois Math and Science Academy; enhanced units through participation in Adler Planetarium training over three years
New Teacher Committee
• Designed information packets for prospective teachers on curriculum and community
• Organized activities to ease cultural transition for incoming international teachers
Leadership & Service
National Board Certified Teacher in Literacy: Reading/Language Arts, Early and Middle Childhood
Mentor - Mentored teachers using the Tools for Training framework to strengthen new teacher preparation, decrease management and behavior issues and increase students’ time on task; communicated regularly to plan, assess, and provide feedback on teaching for increased student achievement and enjoyment
Apple Technology Training - Selected as district teacher trainer for iMovie, iPod, iTunes and Microsoft programs; Incorporated applications into teaching and presentations
Team Leader - Facilitated K-5 grade level meetings and new teacher orientation; reviewed and purchased grade level materials
Service Club Coordinator - Arranged philanthropic and fund raising events within the school and community; provided meals to 60 homeless; annually raised over $15,000 for national and international organizations
National-Louis University - Developed four hour introductory training on Multiple Intelligences; delivered session to graduate level students
Math Club - Coordinated 4th/5th grade optional lunchtime math program
Education
DePaul University - Master of Arts in Teaching and Learning - with distinction June 1996
Type 03 Certification, K-9, Endorsements in Language Arts and Social Science
Loyola University Chicago – Bachelor of Arts and Sciences December 1991
An energetic, dedicated professional, constantly seeking new challenges to grow professionally. A collaborative teacher who shares ideas and strongly believes “two heads are better than one.” Knowledgeable about Common Core State Standards and their benefits for challenging children to higher levels. Strives to bring out students' strengths through implementing activities that challenge them linguistically, mathematically, kinesthetically, musically and inter- and intra-personally.
Professional Experience
River Forest Public Schools - District 90, River Forest, Illinois
Kindergarten Teacher 2014 - present
• Created and implemented Common Core-aligned curriculum
• Incorporated multi-sensory literacy instructional design
• Developed theme-based, hand-on units
• Differentiated instruction to meet the needs of diverse learners
• Communicated with families through weekly newsletter and website
Fourh Grade Teacher 2009-2012
• Served as Willard Team Leader
• Collaborated to create differentiated math lessons/units
• Integrated social studies, reading and writing lessons
• Communicated with families through weekly newsletter and website
Fifth Grade Middle School Teacher 2006-2008 & 1999 - 2004
• Collaborated on three and six-person teams to develop Language Arts, Science and Math curriculums
• Planned, implemented and assessed interdisciplinary learning units
• Developed scoring guides, rubrics and study guides to communicate expected outcomes
• Managed Concordia and Dominican University student aides and student teacher
Students Taking Academic Responsibility (STAR) Teacher 2004 - 2006
• Facilitated instruction for struggling non-IEP students
• Adapted curriculum to meet the needs of all learners in full-inclusion setting
• Collaborated with grade level teachers, support staff and parents to create individualized learning opportunities for STAR students
• Established systems to promote organization and comprehension of material
• Provided after school skills reinforcement for at-risk students
Sixth Grade Language Arts Teacher 1996 - 1997
• Modeled writing formats using graphic organizers
• Implemented Microsoft Works, Hyperstudio and PageMaker in classroom projects
• Promoted parental involvement in technology through student showcase
American School Foundation of Monterrey, Monterrey Mexico
Fifth Grade Elementary Teacher 1997 - 1999
• Designed integrated units for predominately ESL student population
• Fostered integration among international students by celebrating both similarities and differences
• Created performance assessment tasks and rubrics, utilizing complex thinking skills
• Incorporated Dimensions of Learning strategies into daily lessons
Glenview Public Schools – District 34, Glenview, Illinois
Fifth Grade Elementary Teacher, Hoffman School 1994 - 1996
• Taught weekly goal setting/monitoring for student self-reflection using Dimensions of Learning and Multiple Intelligences framework
• Utilized NCTM, manipulative-based math; hand-on science, and whole language, novel-based approach to reading
DePaul/Glenview Clinical Model Teacher Preparation Program 1993 – 1996
• Observed and co-taught in 1st, 2nd, 5th, and 7th/8th grade classrooms
Curriculum Development
Writing Committee
• Collaborated to create district writing outcomes• Imlemented Lucy Calkins’ Units of Study writing curriculum and rubrics and helped kindergarten team implement it with fidelity
Reading/Language Arts Committee/Specialist
• Elected school representative for district decisions and planning Reading/Language Arts
• Created 5th grade SIP assessment aligned with state goals
• Conducted inter-rater reliability training at the district level to assure scoring consistency among teachers
• Assessed and amended scope and sequence for district planner
Certified Structured Language Training (SLANT) Instructor
• Incorporated multisensory approach to structured reading instruction including phonemic awareness activities
Science Committee
• Determined fifth grade science curriculum for alignment with K-4 and 6-8 curriculums and integrated additional hand-on learning experiences through work with Illinois Math and Science Academy; enhanced units through participation in Adler Planetarium training over three years
New Teacher Committee
• Designed information packets for prospective teachers on curriculum and community
• Organized activities to ease cultural transition for incoming international teachers
Leadership & Service
National Board Certified Teacher in Literacy: Reading/Language Arts, Early and Middle Childhood
Mentor - Mentored teachers using the Tools for Training framework to strengthen new teacher preparation, decrease management and behavior issues and increase students’ time on task; communicated regularly to plan, assess, and provide feedback on teaching for increased student achievement and enjoyment
Apple Technology Training - Selected as district teacher trainer for iMovie, iPod, iTunes and Microsoft programs; Incorporated applications into teaching and presentations
Team Leader - Facilitated K-5 grade level meetings and new teacher orientation; reviewed and purchased grade level materials
Service Club Coordinator - Arranged philanthropic and fund raising events within the school and community; provided meals to 60 homeless; annually raised over $15,000 for national and international organizations
National-Louis University - Developed four hour introductory training on Multiple Intelligences; delivered session to graduate level students
Math Club - Coordinated 4th/5th grade optional lunchtime math program
Education
DePaul University - Master of Arts in Teaching and Learning - with distinction June 1996
Type 03 Certification, K-9, Endorsements in Language Arts and Social Science
Loyola University Chicago – Bachelor of Arts and Sciences December 1991