• Strong academic background in the liberal arts with a major in psychology.
• Commitment to the rights and responsibilities of teachers as professionals.
• Experienced in creating a positive, inclusive, safe, and productive learning envrionment characterized by high expectations for all students.

EDUCATION:
Bachelor of Arts,  Muhlenberg College, Allentown PA
Psychology Major                                                                                                                                                               May 2007
Candidate for New Jersey Elementary Education K-8 Certification                          Anticipated Certification May 2007
Relevant Coursework: Education Psychology, Foundations of Education, Literacy in the Primary Grades, Literacy and Social Studies in the Middle Grades, Science Curriculum, Math Curriculum, Exceptional Learner, Assessment and Evaluation, Issues in Professional Education, Child Psychology, Learning and Behavior, Abnormal Psychology

TEACHING EXPERIENCE:
Student Teacher, 3rd Grade                                                                                                                                March-May 2007
Shoemaker Elementary School, Macungie, PA
Class was located in a subruban setting in PA. The clas was comprised of 25 students.

• Modified curriculum, instruction, and assessment to meet the needs of diverse learners.
• Integrated technology with daily instruction including: interactive white board, Kidspiration, United Streaming, and Microsoft Office.
• Collaborated with a team of teachers to develop an instruction plan for the third grade classes.
• Enriched students with visual displays, games, and role-playing.
• Developed and taught units that incorporated role-playing, guided instruction, games and both cooperative and independent work.
• Incorporated formative and summative assessments into lesson plans and units.

Student Teacher, 5th Grade                                                                                                                        January- March 2007
Trexler Middle School, ALlentown, PA
Class was located in an urban setting in PA. The class was comprised of 36 students (6 learning support, 3 ESL)

• Worked with diverse learners ranging in grade level ability.
• Implemented a behavior modification plan to maximize learning and minimize misbehavior.
• Developed an incentive program through gaining support from local businesses.
• Created and delivered lesson plans to instill a high level of student involvement.
• Incorporated district, state, and national standards into curriculum.
• Consturcted materials to meet the independent needs of learning support and ESL students.
• Designed and implemented multi-disciplinary units including descriptive writing, elements of a story, geometry, spelling, grammar, and a novel unit for Because of Winn Dixie by Kate diCamillio.

FIELDWORK EXPERIENCE:
Completed 175 hours of fieldwork experience in urban, suburban, and rural school districts in preschool through 6th grades. 30 hours of fieldwork in a 3rd and 4th grade learning support classroom.

• Differentiated instruction and assessments for diverse learners.
• Organized a winter clothes drive for students.
• Implemented lessons plans to promote creativity.
• Directed specialized assessment and instruction strategies for learning support students.
• Facilitated literature circle discussions.

RELEVANT EXPERIENCE:
Assistant Director, Summer Reading Program                           Summer 2006 and Summer 2007
South Plainfield Public Library, South Plainfield, NJ

• Recruited 300+ student participants. Increased enrollment 125% from previous year.
• Coordinated and directed events and an extensive story hour program with special guests.
• Selected age appropraite and engaging text for patrons ranging in age from preschool to high school.

Promoting and Supporting Early Literacy through the Arts     October 2006-January 2007
Head Start Preschools, Bethlehem, PA

• Conducted research to determine the effectiveness of an arts-based intervention program.
• Administered literacy assessments including the Tera 3, Peabody, and Pearson Early Learning Assessment.
• Organized and analyzed data.

America Reads Tutor                                                                                     September 2004- May 2006
Allentown Public School District, PA

• Tutored at risk students weekly in 1st and 5th grades in inner-city elementary schools.
• Designed and taught individualized lesson plans for students in math and reading.

Healthy Kids Club                                                                                    September 2004- January 2005
6th Street Shelter, Allentown, PA

• Established an after school program for disadvantaged youth to promote healthy eating and exercise.
• Organized extracurricular activities including community walks and team sports.
• Collaborated with other members to foster a caring and safe environment for participants.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT:
English Language Learner Professional Training Workshop                                                                             March 2007
Intensive training workshop that highlighted strategies for teaching English Language Learners.

Integrating Technology into the Classroom: Professional Training Workshop                                               March 2007
Intensive training workshop that demonstrated the importance of integerating technology in the classroom.

Project WILD Professional Training Workshop                                                                                                   October 2006
Standards-based professional development seminar in environment education.

Learning Disability Professional Training Workshop                                                                                             April 2005
Interactive workshop that focused on strategies and techniques for learning disabilities including: Attention Deficit Disorder, occupational, visual, and hearing handicaps, and autism.