Valedictorian Commencement Speech

I was honored to be chosen as the WCU December 2015 Commencement Speaker.  I addressed my peers from the colleges of Education, Business, and Health Sciences.
View the video from 46:50

Student Teacher
Fern Hill Elementary

As a Student Teacher at Fern Hill Elementary I have been able to learn, create, lead, and experience teaching hands on.  I have created classroom resources for several classrooms including 1st and 4th grade.  In taking on the science curriculum, I have created comprehensive units for 5 senses and insects.  I enjoy taking holidays such as Constitution Day, Columbus Day, and Rosh Hashanah and bringing them down to the first grade level.  I conduct guided reading groups and teach the major subjects every other day.
I still look forward to my 2 full weeks of teaching in November.  I will be co-teaching a unit in 4th grade, as well, in the coming weeks.

Lead Academic Coach
New Directions After School Program

As the Lead Academic Coach for the New Directions After School Program, I helped to sign up, train, monitor, and communicated with over 100 Academic Coaches (tutors).  I acted as a mentor tutor for high school and college age tutors and helped to run the after school program.  Along with these duties, I created a Respect Program to help these students learn and practice Respect.  The program included several lessons relating to concepts and activities they already partake in at the center.  I created lesson plans and small programs like this in years past at the center to help redirect inappropriate behaviors and create a positive learning environment.
respect_lesson_agreement_2-25-15.docx
File Size: 16 kb
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respect_lesson_plan_roleplay_2-23-15_nn.docx
File Size: 741 kb
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Professional Development

Lifelong Learning

Professional Development is a core belief of mine as an educator.  I make a concerned effort to participate and promote research-based practice, lifelong learning, political action, and recognition of excellence within my own life and fellow educators.
My Professional Development Experience includes:
  • Student PSEA State Conference 2014 & 2015
  • Student PSEA Regional Conferences 2014 & 2015
  • Children's Literature Conference 2015
  • KSRA State Conference 2015
  • Professional Panels at WCU including LGBTQ Parents, Student Teacher & Alumni, and Education Professionals
I have also led Professional Development workshops.  Some of the materials are included below.
language_systems.docx
File Size: 103 kb
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multiplication_tables.docx
File Size: 27 kb
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qar_basics.docx
File Size: 21 kb
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wrah_documents.docx
File Size: 295 kb
File Type: docx
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