Experience Summary
Professional Objective-
To create a positive and inspiring learning environment for each student along with serving the class and co-workers with great respect, careful guidance, and appreciative listening. I also hope to bring cultural diversity, fun, and innovative ideas into the classroom so as to widen the student's perspectives for better learning purposes.
Education
Hope College May 2013, Holland, MI
Bachelor of Arts in Music Composition
GPA: 3.8/4.0
Honors & Awards
Dean’s list (7 of 8 semesters)
Hendrik and Mary Meyer Scholarship Fund August 2011, August 2012
Sherwood L. Hazelton Memorial Music Scholarship August 2009- August 2012
Skills & Qualifications
Honest, dependable, timely, dedicated, disciplined, organized, quick-learner, motivated, personable, as well as a creative individual and team player with strong interpersonal, organizational, and analytical skills. Focused on productivity and is an enthusiastic worker. Proficient in Microsoft Office tools (Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Excel), web browsing, Sibelius, Garageband, Protools, and Finale. Trilingual (English, Greek, and Japanese).
Student Teaching
Greek Orthodox St. Demetrious Church Saginaw, MI August 2008- May 2009
Elementary Greek School Teacher
-Strengthened student's reading, writing, and pronunciation skills through homework assignments, tests, in-class participation, and games. This introduced an element of fun and challenge, while helping with vocabulary.
-Motivated students and encouraged interaction by playing games related to the lesson. Tutored and mentored students after hours (when needed) and worked closely with parents on the management of their child's homework assignments.
-Created clear, and comprehensive rubrics for students to use as guides for all work completed to best assess student work.
Other Work Experience
Self- Ranya Betts Midland, MI August 2008- April 2009
Violin Teacher
-Provided one-on-one private violin lessons for a middle school student just beginning the violin. Practice assignments were given as homework as well as a practice sheet for the student to fill-out for each time they practiced.
-One hour lessons were given once a week at the student's house.
-Motivated and encouraged student to keep progressing when practicing difficult sections of a piece.
Self- Ranya Betts Holland, MI September 2012- December 2012
Private Tutor- Japanese 201
-Provide one-on-one tutoring for a senior in college studying the Japanese language and planning on attaining a Japanese language minor. Assist with homework and test preparation. Homework assignments are given aside from class assignments to help further the student's knowledge in the subject.
-One hour lessons given once a week.
-For assistance outside of tutoring, provide my email if the student needs to ask questions concerning class assignments.
-Motivate and encourage student to do their best and keep progressing during challenging assignments.
Teaching Style
I specialize in allowing some freedom for the student to find their own musical expression through their chosen instrument, however, I do encourage and incorporate in my lessons a selective lesson plan that is to improve upon the student's ability to learn their instrument/ music composition. I also incorporate ways in which will teach the student how to teach and help themselves outside of their lessons so that they may further improve over time. For music composition, I specialize in writing Classical music, Indie music, and contemporary music. For violin, I specialize in Classical and Romantic music. For piano, I specialize Classical, Romantic, and Impressionist music.
As a teacher, I like to support my students by giving as much encouragement as necessary for the student to progress to a new level as well as constructive criticism on what needs to be addressed in order to know what they can improve. If the student would like to learn a piece aside from the course material that I suggest, I am happily willing to teach them a piece they would like to play. I believe that the student's lessons should be fun, engaging, and a growing experience in their musicianship.
My biggest strength would be my optimism in the student's ability to achieve what they reach for as well as my patience and encouragement when teaching lessons. My past students would also say that I was a very kind teacher, that I listened to their needs, and that I was able to correctly address any difficulties that the student had. My students would say that my biggest weakness was that I like to give my students a good amount of homework.
My Hobbies
Photography, going to beaches, traveling, watching Japanese movies, learning the Japanese language, singing, playing guitar, playing in gigs, orchestra
Other Comments
I am very passionate about teaching and I take my job seriously and professionally. I think that teaching is an honor and a privilege and that respect must always be given to students. It's not easy learning and so I like to make it as fun and as understandable as possible. I have great belief in the student's growth and I believe that I can teach them how to teach themselves.