Experience Summary
Teaching Experience
• Warren-Walker School 4th Grade 2000-2006
Designed integrated lesson plans with an experiential approach across math and science curriculum; coordinated school-wide science fair; Achieved model-class status in Accelerated Reading program through a variety of reading instruction methods.
• Henderson International School 4th Grade 2006-2008
Integrated core subject content across curriculum; coordinated school-wide science curriculum to reflect an inquiry-based approach; Redesigned reading and writing curriculum to implement the use of graphic novels to improve performance in reluctant readers; Chaired school-wide curriculum committee with purpose of aligning curriculum vertically and horizontally; Taught curriculum mapping to faculty.
• Henderson International School 5th Grade 2008- 2009
Lead teacher and coordinator for Touch Points, a technology-based collaborative curriculum initiative with partner schools Arizona, California, Florida, and Texas, as well as Mexico and Switzerland (grades 2-8) with weekly focus on in-class implementation of web-based wiki-pages and video conferencing on global topic of poverty with partner class in Monterrey, Mexico; Designed current reading and social studies curriculum for 5th grade to reflect an integrated approach with goal of aligning our curriculum with International Baccalaureate standards; Designed lessons and assessments with focus on theme of emerging American identity as it relates to oppressed populations; Organized field trips around local connections to historic periods such as the Great Depression and the Atomic Age, as well as to science curriculum.
• Roosevelt Elementary 5th and 6th Grade Full-time Gifted and Talented 2009-2011
Taught fifth and sixth grade gifted and talented students during the final two years of the school’s full-time Gifted and Talented program. During my time at Roosevelt I have been a member of the School Improvement Planning team and the Look 2 Learning team, and I have been actively involved in the professional learning community comprised of full-time GATE teachers in the Boise school district.
Other Work Experience
• Science Club after-school program director (K-4)
Conducted hands-on experiments and investigations three times weekly with groups of students across grades K-4, 2000-2007
• Curriculum mapping mentor
Taught faculty to use curriculum maps in the process of lesson planning, with goal of using maps to inform and adapt curricular goals, 2006-2007
• Project Wild! And Aquatic Wild! certified teacher for Nevada Department of Wildlife
Conducted professional development lessons for continuing education for the Nevada Department of Wildlife, 2006-2008
• Member, National Science Teachers Association 1998-2006
• Member, National Reading Conference 1999-2006
References
• Janet Smith, Director Emeritus Warren-Walker School
• Christiane Schau, Middle School head Henderson International School
• Bill Kiefer, 4th grade teacher Henderson International School
Reference letters with contact information are available upon request.
Teaching Style
Most Influential Theorists
• John Dewey (education for critical democracy)
• Jean Piaget (constructivism)
• Louise Rosenblatt (reader-response theory)
I believe that success best comes through a combination of experiential inquiry and classic instruction. If you would like to know more, please contact me and we can discuss a strategy for study based on your individual needs.
My Hobbies
I am a huge outdoor enthusiast. Fly fishing, rock climbing, hiking, biking and kayaking. I am also an avid photographer.