Kindergarten Teacher
Posted on: 2010-06-30
Kalamazoo Public Schools, Kalamazoo MI
Kindergarten Teacher, June – August 2009 & 2010
Teaching summer school mathematics using the Scott Foresman–Addison Wesley Mathematics curriculum. Helping students enhance their knowledge of numbers and operations through hands-on center-based learning. Creating new centers and games that adhere to the Michigan Department of Education state standards for kindergarten. Implementing a consistent routine for my students to promote independence and structure. Differentiating instruction to meet the needs of every level of student.
North Elementary Preschool, Comstock MI
Preschool Teacher/Program Director, September 2009 – June 2010
Taught and directed a state funded preschool program for children ages 4-5. Planned weekly lessons that align with the Highscope and Houghton Mifflin thematic curriculum. Provided an academically consistent and structured environment in order to ensure students are prepared for a smooth transition into kindergarten. Introduced Dolch sight words. Assessed students through Highscope Child Observation Records and Houghton Mifflin\'s benchmark assessment guide. Participated in IEP meetings. Attended training opportunities and conferences to enhance my knowledge and understanding of early childhood. Program director responsibilities included enrolling students, managing staff, communicating with administration, and organizing events.
Milwood Elementary, Kalamazoo MI
Building Substitute Teacher/Paraprofessional, September 2008 – June 2009
Taught grades K – 6 primarily in physical education. Experienced motor development across grade levels and modified lesson plans to meet the needs of individual students. Assisted a 4th grade class and the upper elementary special education students with Read Naturally to improve reading fluency and comprehension. Implemented Corrective Reading with 4th and 5th graders to enhance decoding skills, oral reading fluency and text comprehension. Tutored several 4th and 6th grade students in mathematics to help gain confidence and ease with difficult concepts.
Spring Valley Center for Exploration, Kalamazoo MI
Building Substitute Teacher, January 2008 – June 2008
Instructed all subjects in grades preK – 6. Carried out daily lesson plans when teachers were absent. Assisted the literacy specialists when unassigned to a classroom. Formed positive relationships with the staff and students. Enhanced classroom management skills.
Spring Valley Center for Exploration, Kalamazoo MI
Intern Teacher, August 2007 – December 2007
Prepared lesson plans with the school-based curriculum for all content areas as well as creating new materials that follow the lessons. Supported students to enhance typing skills through online programs. Tutored an at-risk student weekly outside of school hours to improve recognition of high frequency words and increase reading fluency.
Child Development Center, Kalamazoo MI
Early Childhood Intern Teacher, April 2007 – June 2007
Created several thematic units in a 4-year-old classroom. Developed awareness of early childhood behavior through thorough observations and monitoring. Implemented hands-on experiences with student-centered learning to develop children\'s inquiry skills. Used assessment rubrics for all student work to measure progress.
Meyer Family, Otsego MI
Nanny, August 2006 – June 2008
Cared for three children ages 9 months, 4 and 5. Provided transportation to various places such as parks, museums and libraries to enhance social and academic experiences. Offered extra practice with numbers, letters, and sounds for the two older children to extend from their preschool education. Introduced the youngest child to multi-sensory objects to increase cognitive development and stimulate brain activity.
KL Child Development Center, Kalamazoo MI
Assistant Teacher, August 2004 – June 2007
Directed classroom lesson plans and established a daily routine to promote consistency and security. Supervised children between the ages of 2 weeks – 9 years. Attended IEP meetings. Provided instruction for extracurricular learning activities.
Sonoma Elementary, Battle Creek MI
Pre-intern Teacher, January 2007 – April 2007
Conducted various lessons in a kindergarten classroom involving language arts, math, science, writing, art and reading. Helped head teacher with daily preparation through grading papers and organizing classroom materials. Evaluated, observed and recorded the behavior and development of two students who possibly needed special education services.
Chime Elementary, Kalamazoo MI
Pre-intern Teacher, January 2006 – April 2006
Assisted the head teacher in a pre-K classroom to help develop children’s cognitive awareness of letters and sounds. Interacted with children to enhance social skills needed for future schooling. Worked with individual students and small groups to evaluate student’s literacy skills.
ADDITIONAL CERTIFICATIONS
Infant, Child and Adult CPR, December 2009
First Aid and Bloodborne Pathogens, December 2009
HONORS/ACTIVITIES
Early Childhood Rocks II Conference, May 2010
Volunteer for Early Childhood Fair, April 2010
Chairperson for Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Mini March, April 2010
Volunteer for Comstock Cultural Celebration, March 2010
Deans List (WMU), 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007
Fire Up! Conference, Grand Valley State University, 2007
Head Coordinator for HRI Family Shelter Donation, January 2006 – April 2006
HOBBIES/INTERESTS
Reading, painting, golf, camping, tennis, nature and of course being with children!