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For the past 13 years, I have constructed and
refined my teaching practice in all subject areas
working with students from first grade to college.
In my work as a teacher, mentor, staff developer,
and curriculum specialist, I have been motivated
to send students on a quest to question, explore,
and celebrate authentic learning through personal
expression. After receiving a Staff Development
Leadership award in 1998, I created an extended
mentoring program involving a cohort group in book
study, peer observations, and reflection, as well
as a time for teachers to connect with one another
to grow personally and professionally. Over the
years, I have been awarded several grants: “Each
One Teach One,” fostering parent and child reading
partnerships; “Hands-On to the Write Way,” a
science and writing incentive grant; “Family Math
Extravaganza,” a building-wide celebration of
authentic math learning; and “Children in the
Marketplace,” a building-wide economics program.
In 1996, I was blessed with a daughter who
deepened my awareness as an educator. After
becoming a parent, I realized that each day I
entrust my child to fellow educators just as other
parents entrust me to bring the gift of learning
to their children in an environment that nurtures
their natural love of learning while challenging
them to discover the best of who they are and what
they can be.
My Philosophy
My primary goal as a teacher is to help students
connect their learning to real life situations. To
accomplish this goal, I teach with compassion
grounded in the understanding that every child
comes to school with a different set of beliefs
about his or her capabilities. To foster authentic
learning and help students build a sense of
ownership, I give them appropriate choices. I also
work hard to develop their intrinsic motivation in
ways that help them overcome personal challenges,
improve their ability to express themselves, and
inspire them to live their dreams.
My Resume
Teaching Experience
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4th Grade, Liberty School District, 2000-Present
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7th Grade, Communication Arts & Soc. Studies,
Liberty School District,1999-2000
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2nd Grade, North Kansas City School District,
1996-1999
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1st Grade, North Kansas City School District,
1994-1996
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Adjunct Professor, Math Methods, William Jewell
College, 1995-1996
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2nd Grade, Missouri City School District,
1992-1993
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1st & 2nd Grade Team Teacher, Missouri City
School District, 1990-1992
Facilitation Experience
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Facilitated a Book Club for 2nd year teachers
and others, after proposing a pilot program for
the 2nd year mentor program
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Elected to lead colleagues district-wide as Vice
Chairperson of Staff Development in NKC
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Facilitated staff as Math Building
Representative, Learning Exchange Building
Representative, Communication Arts Building
Representative, MSTA Building Representative and
Co Chairperson of Outdoor Classroom Curriculum
and Nature Trail at Briarcliff in NKC
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Facilitated staff members as Critical Friends
Group Coach in NKC through group processes such
as “Tuning Protocol,” and “Sticky Issues” in
which teachers reflected on instruction and
classroom management
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Led staff members as Site Council Facilitator in
NKC through group processes such as “Developing
Group Process Standards” and “Nominal Dot
Decision Making” when prioritizing items for the
School Improvement Plan
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Facilitated staff members through Missouri
School Improvement Program and Accelerated
Schools’ Philosophy in MO City involving “Taking
Stock” with community members as educational
partners
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Led staff as Technology Cadre representative on
“Culminating Research and Projects with
HyperStudio and Power Point Presentations” in
NKC
Grant Writing
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Received Dan Kahler Innovative Teaching Grant
for developing building wide “Family Math
Extravaganza.”
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Received a district grant for writing curriculum
for a school-wide Economics theme entitled
“Children in the Marketplace” in NKC
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Designed and awarded “Hands-On to the Write Way”
science and writing incentive grant. Awarded
Southwestern Bell Grant for developing “Book and
Bake Buddy” program in MO City
District Involvement
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Served on PDC for 3 years
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Supervised a student teacher
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Mentored new teachers (assisted 25 teachers at
SC in 3 years)
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Coordinated new teacher building level meetings
at SC
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Coordinated building wide Spelling Bee at SC
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Served on SC Instructional team for 3 years and
assisted with building level in-service
activities for the staff
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MSTA building representative, Social Studies
Curriculum team, Technology team, Family Math
Night subcommittee
Education and Training
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M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction, University
of Missouri, 1995
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B.S. in Elementary Education, William Jewell
College, 1990
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Participated in Cyberwriter online study of 6
Traits of Writing on Middle School Level
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Received job-embedded training of “Integrated
Learning” through William Jewell College and MO
City facilitated by British Primary
Instructor/Learning Exchange Consultant, Peter
Frost which involved building wide daily
reflection, journaling, classroom observation
and feedback
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Participated in 8 weeks of “Early Literacy”
training and classroom feedback by Literacy
Coaches in NKC
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Worked with educational Consultant, Deb Smith (Rockhurst
College) on implementing Writer’s and Reader’s
Workshop
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Received training on “Essential Elements of
Instruction” by Larry Deignan to increase
student retention, monitor student progress, and
conduct effective workshops for teachers within
buildings
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