Wacousta ElementaryCurrently I am a Reading Specialist at Wacousta Elementary in Grand Ledge, MI. At Wacousta, I work with second and third grade students in small groups to increase their accuracy and fluency in reading. I have implemented Reader's Theater, monitored student progress using Dibels and 6-Minute Solutions, scored comprehension using Running Records, and utilized the "Auto Skills" program to strengthen core reading skills. I also work with struggling fifth grade readers by implementing the "Rewards" program during whole-group reading instruction. Along with reading skills, I also do small group instruction with mathematic skills as well. We do homework help and basic math skills practice to create that foundation for students to increase their math knowledge.
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Washington Woods Middle SchoolI completed my teaching internship at Washington Woods Middle School in Holt, MI. At Washington Woods, I taught Sixth Grade Social Studies and Mathematics. My classes consisted of two math classes with 28 students each and two social studies classes with 28 students each. Along with planning these two core classes, I also created and implemented a mathematics enrichment program for 29 students who excelled in mathematics. I collaborated with the 6th grade math teachers throughout the Holt Public School District to make sure math instruction was thorough in every classroom. I created and implemented exciting lesson plans that kept students engaged and excited to learn. I tutored students after school with homework help or added instruction from earlier that day. I also volunteered at multiple after school activities which showed students I was interested in their lives outside of school as well.
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Camp Central | STEAM CampAt Central Michigan University, I was a Summer Camp Counselor of the STEAM camp, "Camp Central". Here we focused on students growth in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics. This camp was two, one-week programs that hosted students from the Detroit area and Flint areas. During the week, students engaged on hands-on activities that motivated students to learn more about engineering, how sciences and the arts are tied together, and opened their eyes to higher education.
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Mary Mcguire ElementaryI completed my pre-student teaching in 2013 at Mary McGuire Elementary in Mount Pleasant, MI. At Mary McGuire, I taught Fifth Grade Mathematics and Social Studies. During my time in this classroom, I created and implemented creative lesson plans that kept students engaged and focused on what we were learning.
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AMLEFor the past three years, I have attended the Association of Middle Level Educators (AMLE) conference. This professional development experience has taken me to Minneapolis, MN., Nashville, TN., and Columbus, OH. At these conferences, I have met with mentor middle level educators who have gone on to write inspirational books on classroom management, assessment techniques, remaining optimistic, and so much more. Jack Berckemeyer and Rick Wormeli have become personal mentors after hearing their stories and talking to one on one about their experiences.
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MAMSEAlong with nation-wide conferences, I have also been able to attend the Michigan Association for Middle School Education conference for the past three years as well. Attending this conference is a fantastic opportunity to network with teachers and administration in the heart of Michigan. It is really rewarding hearing teachers' stories about teaching specifically in Michigan and collaborating with them to grow as an educator. I have also presented at MAMSE on the importance of incorporating "brain breaks" in the classroom and why that is crucial to student engagement and learning.
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