I am a passionate person who loves building relationships and working with people to make our world a better place. I can only hope to inspire my students to do the same.
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Some Common Questions...
What do I have to offer? What are my strengths?
First, I have educational experience. I have taught at the elementary level for the last 7 years earning highly effective marks at Gaines and Glencairn Elementary. Secondly, through those years I have gained flexibility and adaptability from teaching first grade in the first two years and then fourth grade for two years of my career. Afterwards, I moved to 5th grade in the diverse district of East Lansing Public Schools. During all of those years I have developed outstanding leadership skills through a variety of programs. I was the safety patrol adviser and coordinator for Gaines Elementary. I also successfully implemented an after school enrichment program, known as GASP while at Gaines, and then STAR while at Glencairn, in which students were able to challenge themselves in specific areas such as knitting, kickboxing, sports, and gardening. In addition, I have been an ELA leader and representative for both districts. I am responsible for discussing, planning, and implementing literacy standards at the state level through the ISD and reporting back to the district on our accomplishments and next steps. Finally, I was a part of both districts' technology innovation programs where I gained insight on educational technologies and relayed best practices to other staff members to help them further develop their own integrated instructional skills.
Ultimately, my greatest strength is my commitment to the community. I have demonstrated this through multiple community programs such as the after school program that I have already mentioned, a charity basketball game that benefits the Children’s Miracle Network in coordination with the student council, and Twitter marketing in which I was the building spokesperson of our school events and successes at Gaines Elementary.
I have developed a sense of leadership and a passion for education and student growth. This is evident through the Blue Ribbon awards at Gaines Elementary and Glencairn Elementary during my tenure. It is also evident through both buildings' state standardized test scores and scores on district assessments.
What is my experience level outside of my classroom instruction? What are some of my additional professional qualifications?
Some additional professional qualifications I possess are my familiarity with the demands of the teaching profession. I also possess experience in a variety of leadership roles among school staff, students, and the community. Some were already mentioned, but the roles include, but are not limited to, safety patrol coordinator, student council adviser, implementing the charity basketball game and after school program, Twitter marketing, ELA representative, technology liaison, operating Family Fun Night, involvement with the PTO, Building Leadership Team, and PBIS Committee. I also have completed my masters in administration in an effort to improve my leadership skills inside and outside of the classroom. In addition, I strive to form everlasting relationships with my students outside of the classroom. I attend many baseball, hockey, soccer, basketball, and football games along with dance recitals, cheer-leading competitions, and other local community events. I have also had the chance to get a feel for the middle school level as I am a participant in the career fair and visit quite frequently in East Lansing as a form of vertical collaboration.
I have had other opportunities through the years to gain further experience in coaching, mentoring, and tutoring. Opportunities such as spending two summers working at the University of Michigan-Flint’s basketball camp teaching children the fundamentals of the game and life. I have also coached boys and girls basketball at the upper elementary level. I spent a few years working for Fenton’s World of Wonder program. There I gained the experience necessary to understand the importance of a district’s early childhood program. I also spent a good amount of time substitute teaching at multiple grade levels prior to receiving my teaching degree.
What skills or attributes do outstanding teachers have?
There are many good skills and attributes to have as a teacher and not one teacher has all of the same qualities. That is what makes us human. We are all different. However, every outstanding teacher does have their own set of skills or attributes that help them build and maintain sustainable communities around them.
An outstanding teacher will understand the importance of not only their individual instruction, content knowledge, passion, and classroom management, but forming everlasting relationships with their students, the staff, parents and community members. One must also be willing to devote themselves to being a lifelong learner outside of their own classroom through professional development and college courses. It is also essential to take on leadership roles that help promote the building’s and district’s success. Programs such as Student Council, Safety Patrol, and after school programs can all be essential components to a successful organization. These programs take teacher leadership from outstanding teachers. In addition, they are responsible for maintaining and encouraging constant positive communication among colleagues within the building.
In the classroom, responsibilities and skills include planning, evaluating student growth, classroom management, communicating professional development experiences with colleagues, and continuing communication among parents and community members. Ideally, outstanding teachers focus on the whole child, rather than just the content, or the direct instruction. Learning is active, not always passive. Therefore, students test ideas through active experimentation. Students should be encouraged to problem solve and critically think by making meaning through his or her individual experiences. Students need to learn by “doing”. It is the teacher’s duty to provide them with the classroom experiences that encourage critical thinking and problem solving. Lessons would be based on student interests and questions to encourage student learning and growth. Students will have ownership within the curriculum. This means teaching would be student-centered, not teacher-centered. By emphasizing student-centered learning, you will better maximize all of the students’ learning potential.
Successful teachers will not only teach students the basic academics, but teach them how to be leaders and respected citizens of our future. Teachers will promote this through shared decision making, planning with students, as well as teaching student-selected topics through ideas like Genius Hour, Leader in Me, and other best practices. By emphasizing the idea of leadership, the teacher will be leading their students to becoming responsible, productive and participating members of society.
A highly effective educator will do anything possible to help students meet their fullest potential by providing an environment that is safe, supports risk-taking, and invites sharing of ideas. They will strive to build strong relationships by getting to know each of their students and their families personally. They will do this while allowing their students to do the same with each other. Children have greater respect for their teachers, their peers, and the lessons presented when they feel safe and sure of what is expected of them.
They will also figure out what type of learners their students are so their teaching can be tailored towards their students’ needs. They will then demonstrate reflective practice and be sure to tweak their instruction to fit around their students’ interests and emphasize topics that are relevant to their own life. Their students will not dread coming to class, but instead will look forward to what they may experience. They will always work to inspire and motivate their students through means of active learning. Active learning will keep their students involved in the learning process, helping them to feel a part of the classroom experience.
An outstanding teacher will be the guide to student learning by providing access to means of information and not simply acting as the primary source. This will promote the idea of discovery. Through discovery, students learn to find answers to their own questions. This will help students construct knowledge by learning within authentic situations. Providing students access to hands-on activities and allowing adequate time and space to use materials that reinforce the lesson being studied, creates an opportunity for individual discovery and construction of knowledge to occur.
One would also take part as an active leader, both within the classroom and the community. By doing so, they would display the willingness to take initiative and solve problems when they encounter them. They would not shy away from any situation, but rather address the situation with good judgment. They will seek to find an answer, even when there doesn’t seem to be any through the means of active collaboration. Collaboration will take place within the classroom, the building, the community, and the district. Essentially, it is important to realize that there is never a situation too big or too small to take care of at any level.
Overall, an outstanding teacher would want their students to leave their class in better shape than what they entered. They would want to share their passion for continued learning and personal growth and instill a love of learning within their students. They would do anything in order to help their students succeed as citizens of tomorrow. Finally, they would remain a compassionate and dedicated individual who is excited to work with children each and every day. They will always be sensitive to their students’ needs and strive to be the best educator that they can be moving forward.
How can you address all learning styles present in the classroom?
To be highly effective, one must learn to address the needs of all of the different learning styles present in the classroom. It is crucial to identify each child’s strengths and weaknesses so that we can adapt our own instruction and style. We can get to know our students through analyzing previous records, conferring with them at the beginning of the year, and discussing their strengths and weaknesses with their former teachers. We must then use that knowledge and modify our lessons to best serve the needs of our individual students. I would address a wide range of skills and abilities in my classroom by differentiating my core instruction in order to meet the needs of all my students. I would then utilize an MTSS system or parent volunteers to further help those who are identified as at risk in reading or math. However, there are several ways in which I could differentiate instruction in my own classroom.
First, one must understand that different students learn in different ways. With this in mind, each lesson would be targeted to meet the various learning styles. For example, students who learn kinesthetically would benefit from various manipulatives in a math lesson, such as place value cubes. Others who are deemed visual learners would be reached through drawings, videos, sketches, and writing on the board. Visual learners could specifically benefit from educational posters in the classroom, graphic organizers, and means of shared reading and writing. No matter what type of learners you have, all of them are important and it is the teacher’s duty to reach all of them to the best of their ability. This will take careful lesson planning and an abundance of reflective thought as you will constantly be improving your own instruction to better reach your struggling students.
Another modification that can be used to help meet the needs of students at various skill levels would be to modify assignments based on student skills. Teachers must modify and individualize the work given to their students. One example would be when giving a DRA assessment; you could reduce the stress by scribing for your slower writers. Additionally, when providing homework; you could eliminate some of the problems for certain students or provide additional complex problems for others. Another example would be when giving a reading assignment; you could use a highlighter to focus the student’s attention on important pieces of information needed to answer questions. Ultimately, a teacher could have more than one assignment prepared for their students. Each student would tackle the assignment that is closest to their level. All of these are excellent ways to modify student assignments in order to promote academic success through differentiated instruction.
Finally, another way to address a wide range of skills in the classroom would be to design and present high interest activities and assignments. The important thing to remember is that what interests one person might not interest the next. We should not expect our students to complete tasks that have a lack of interest sparked among them. If you want your students to be enthusiastic about learning, we must take the time to develop lessons that our students will be excited about and that will hold their attention for the duration of the lesson. Students can become more easily frustrated by less engaging assignments and lessons. As a teacher, if you design activities that more students find interesting, they will be more likely to focus and work to their utmost ability. One of the best ways to spark the necessary interest is to curve the assignment to something they can relate to. For example, I had a little boy who struggled to complete any work in the classroom when it came to reading because of a lack of motivation. So, it was my duty to continue to try and find what would motivate this student. Finally, it was discovered that he had a passion for airplanes and Amelia Earhart. Thus, I found him a wide range of texts on airplanes and Amelia Earhart. A spark was ignited and he had begun to read more than he had ever done all year.
Differentiation can be a complex and sometimes difficult process. However, it is imperative to remember the impact it can have on our students in regards to inspiring them to becoming lifelong learners. For that, all means of differentiation should always be explored.
First, I have educational experience. I have taught at the elementary level for the last 7 years earning highly effective marks at Gaines and Glencairn Elementary. Secondly, through those years I have gained flexibility and adaptability from teaching first grade in the first two years and then fourth grade for two years of my career. Afterwards, I moved to 5th grade in the diverse district of East Lansing Public Schools. During all of those years I have developed outstanding leadership skills through a variety of programs. I was the safety patrol adviser and coordinator for Gaines Elementary. I also successfully implemented an after school enrichment program, known as GASP while at Gaines, and then STAR while at Glencairn, in which students were able to challenge themselves in specific areas such as knitting, kickboxing, sports, and gardening. In addition, I have been an ELA leader and representative for both districts. I am responsible for discussing, planning, and implementing literacy standards at the state level through the ISD and reporting back to the district on our accomplishments and next steps. Finally, I was a part of both districts' technology innovation programs where I gained insight on educational technologies and relayed best practices to other staff members to help them further develop their own integrated instructional skills.
Ultimately, my greatest strength is my commitment to the community. I have demonstrated this through multiple community programs such as the after school program that I have already mentioned, a charity basketball game that benefits the Children’s Miracle Network in coordination with the student council, and Twitter marketing in which I was the building spokesperson of our school events and successes at Gaines Elementary.
I have developed a sense of leadership and a passion for education and student growth. This is evident through the Blue Ribbon awards at Gaines Elementary and Glencairn Elementary during my tenure. It is also evident through both buildings' state standardized test scores and scores on district assessments.
What is my experience level outside of my classroom instruction? What are some of my additional professional qualifications?
Some additional professional qualifications I possess are my familiarity with the demands of the teaching profession. I also possess experience in a variety of leadership roles among school staff, students, and the community. Some were already mentioned, but the roles include, but are not limited to, safety patrol coordinator, student council adviser, implementing the charity basketball game and after school program, Twitter marketing, ELA representative, technology liaison, operating Family Fun Night, involvement with the PTO, Building Leadership Team, and PBIS Committee. I also have completed my masters in administration in an effort to improve my leadership skills inside and outside of the classroom. In addition, I strive to form everlasting relationships with my students outside of the classroom. I attend many baseball, hockey, soccer, basketball, and football games along with dance recitals, cheer-leading competitions, and other local community events. I have also had the chance to get a feel for the middle school level as I am a participant in the career fair and visit quite frequently in East Lansing as a form of vertical collaboration.
I have had other opportunities through the years to gain further experience in coaching, mentoring, and tutoring. Opportunities such as spending two summers working at the University of Michigan-Flint’s basketball camp teaching children the fundamentals of the game and life. I have also coached boys and girls basketball at the upper elementary level. I spent a few years working for Fenton’s World of Wonder program. There I gained the experience necessary to understand the importance of a district’s early childhood program. I also spent a good amount of time substitute teaching at multiple grade levels prior to receiving my teaching degree.
What skills or attributes do outstanding teachers have?
There are many good skills and attributes to have as a teacher and not one teacher has all of the same qualities. That is what makes us human. We are all different. However, every outstanding teacher does have their own set of skills or attributes that help them build and maintain sustainable communities around them.
An outstanding teacher will understand the importance of not only their individual instruction, content knowledge, passion, and classroom management, but forming everlasting relationships with their students, the staff, parents and community members. One must also be willing to devote themselves to being a lifelong learner outside of their own classroom through professional development and college courses. It is also essential to take on leadership roles that help promote the building’s and district’s success. Programs such as Student Council, Safety Patrol, and after school programs can all be essential components to a successful organization. These programs take teacher leadership from outstanding teachers. In addition, they are responsible for maintaining and encouraging constant positive communication among colleagues within the building.
In the classroom, responsibilities and skills include planning, evaluating student growth, classroom management, communicating professional development experiences with colleagues, and continuing communication among parents and community members. Ideally, outstanding teachers focus on the whole child, rather than just the content, or the direct instruction. Learning is active, not always passive. Therefore, students test ideas through active experimentation. Students should be encouraged to problem solve and critically think by making meaning through his or her individual experiences. Students need to learn by “doing”. It is the teacher’s duty to provide them with the classroom experiences that encourage critical thinking and problem solving. Lessons would be based on student interests and questions to encourage student learning and growth. Students will have ownership within the curriculum. This means teaching would be student-centered, not teacher-centered. By emphasizing student-centered learning, you will better maximize all of the students’ learning potential.
Successful teachers will not only teach students the basic academics, but teach them how to be leaders and respected citizens of our future. Teachers will promote this through shared decision making, planning with students, as well as teaching student-selected topics through ideas like Genius Hour, Leader in Me, and other best practices. By emphasizing the idea of leadership, the teacher will be leading their students to becoming responsible, productive and participating members of society.
A highly effective educator will do anything possible to help students meet their fullest potential by providing an environment that is safe, supports risk-taking, and invites sharing of ideas. They will strive to build strong relationships by getting to know each of their students and their families personally. They will do this while allowing their students to do the same with each other. Children have greater respect for their teachers, their peers, and the lessons presented when they feel safe and sure of what is expected of them.
They will also figure out what type of learners their students are so their teaching can be tailored towards their students’ needs. They will then demonstrate reflective practice and be sure to tweak their instruction to fit around their students’ interests and emphasize topics that are relevant to their own life. Their students will not dread coming to class, but instead will look forward to what they may experience. They will always work to inspire and motivate their students through means of active learning. Active learning will keep their students involved in the learning process, helping them to feel a part of the classroom experience.
An outstanding teacher will be the guide to student learning by providing access to means of information and not simply acting as the primary source. This will promote the idea of discovery. Through discovery, students learn to find answers to their own questions. This will help students construct knowledge by learning within authentic situations. Providing students access to hands-on activities and allowing adequate time and space to use materials that reinforce the lesson being studied, creates an opportunity for individual discovery and construction of knowledge to occur.
One would also take part as an active leader, both within the classroom and the community. By doing so, they would display the willingness to take initiative and solve problems when they encounter them. They would not shy away from any situation, but rather address the situation with good judgment. They will seek to find an answer, even when there doesn’t seem to be any through the means of active collaboration. Collaboration will take place within the classroom, the building, the community, and the district. Essentially, it is important to realize that there is never a situation too big or too small to take care of at any level.
Overall, an outstanding teacher would want their students to leave their class in better shape than what they entered. They would want to share their passion for continued learning and personal growth and instill a love of learning within their students. They would do anything in order to help their students succeed as citizens of tomorrow. Finally, they would remain a compassionate and dedicated individual who is excited to work with children each and every day. They will always be sensitive to their students’ needs and strive to be the best educator that they can be moving forward.
How can you address all learning styles present in the classroom?
To be highly effective, one must learn to address the needs of all of the different learning styles present in the classroom. It is crucial to identify each child’s strengths and weaknesses so that we can adapt our own instruction and style. We can get to know our students through analyzing previous records, conferring with them at the beginning of the year, and discussing their strengths and weaknesses with their former teachers. We must then use that knowledge and modify our lessons to best serve the needs of our individual students. I would address a wide range of skills and abilities in my classroom by differentiating my core instruction in order to meet the needs of all my students. I would then utilize an MTSS system or parent volunteers to further help those who are identified as at risk in reading or math. However, there are several ways in which I could differentiate instruction in my own classroom.
First, one must understand that different students learn in different ways. With this in mind, each lesson would be targeted to meet the various learning styles. For example, students who learn kinesthetically would benefit from various manipulatives in a math lesson, such as place value cubes. Others who are deemed visual learners would be reached through drawings, videos, sketches, and writing on the board. Visual learners could specifically benefit from educational posters in the classroom, graphic organizers, and means of shared reading and writing. No matter what type of learners you have, all of them are important and it is the teacher’s duty to reach all of them to the best of their ability. This will take careful lesson planning and an abundance of reflective thought as you will constantly be improving your own instruction to better reach your struggling students.
Another modification that can be used to help meet the needs of students at various skill levels would be to modify assignments based on student skills. Teachers must modify and individualize the work given to their students. One example would be when giving a DRA assessment; you could reduce the stress by scribing for your slower writers. Additionally, when providing homework; you could eliminate some of the problems for certain students or provide additional complex problems for others. Another example would be when giving a reading assignment; you could use a highlighter to focus the student’s attention on important pieces of information needed to answer questions. Ultimately, a teacher could have more than one assignment prepared for their students. Each student would tackle the assignment that is closest to their level. All of these are excellent ways to modify student assignments in order to promote academic success through differentiated instruction.
Finally, another way to address a wide range of skills in the classroom would be to design and present high interest activities and assignments. The important thing to remember is that what interests one person might not interest the next. We should not expect our students to complete tasks that have a lack of interest sparked among them. If you want your students to be enthusiastic about learning, we must take the time to develop lessons that our students will be excited about and that will hold their attention for the duration of the lesson. Students can become more easily frustrated by less engaging assignments and lessons. As a teacher, if you design activities that more students find interesting, they will be more likely to focus and work to their utmost ability. One of the best ways to spark the necessary interest is to curve the assignment to something they can relate to. For example, I had a little boy who struggled to complete any work in the classroom when it came to reading because of a lack of motivation. So, it was my duty to continue to try and find what would motivate this student. Finally, it was discovered that he had a passion for airplanes and Amelia Earhart. Thus, I found him a wide range of texts on airplanes and Amelia Earhart. A spark was ignited and he had begun to read more than he had ever done all year.
Differentiation can be a complex and sometimes difficult process. However, it is imperative to remember the impact it can have on our students in regards to inspiring them to becoming lifelong learners. For that, all means of differentiation should always be explored.