Future Elementary School Teacher
About
As a second career educator, I took a curved path to this profession. In 2013, I graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History of Public Policy and a minor in Education. I then received a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law in 2016. After working as an associate attorney for a brief time, I realized quickly the day to day tasks of an attorney did not suit me. For roughly two years I worked as an independent contractor and seriously contemplated a profession as a teacher. In 2018, I married my best friend and began my application to Pepperdine University's Master of Arts in Teaching program. I ecstatically await my Master of Arts in Teaching and Multiple Subject Preliminary Teaching Credential in July 2020. I hope to have my own elementary school classroom in the Fall of 2020. I am excited to begin helping my students pursue knowledge and sparking joy in their lives.
Experience
Student Teacher, Edison Elementary School
January 2020 - June 2020
• Facilitate whole group instruction in English Language Arts, Math and Social Studies in a First and Second grade classroom
• Conduct small group reading instruction for 6 students in leveled groups and one-on-one instruction for struggling students in CGI Math
• Analyze student writing assessments and math worksheets for grading
• Attend staff meetings, parent-teacher conferences, IEP meetings, and Fountas & Pinnell reading assessments
Student Teacher, Smith Elementary School
September 2019 - December 2019
Facilitated whole group instruction in several content areas including ELA, Math and Science.
Conducted small group instruction in leveled groups and one-on-one instruction for struggling students.
Attended initial IEP meeting to create individual education plan with parents, teacher, and staff.
Attended staff and professional development meetings.
Teacher's Assistant, Adams Elementary School
Septemer 2012 - December 2012
• Observed whole-group instruction in a Third grade classroom
• Analyzed student work for grading and assisted with small group instruction for 4-6 students
Contract Attorney
January 2018 - September 2019
Gathered, analyzed and redacted thousands of documents for multiple clients in preparation for litigation using several online software programs
Interested in learning more about my professional background and skills? Please contact me here.
Education
September 2019 - July 2020
Pepperdine University, Graduate School of Education and Psychology
Masters of Arts in Teaching, Expected July 2020
Multiple Subject Teaching Preliminary Credential, Expected July 2020
• Attended California Association for Bilingual Education (CABE) of Pepperdine Educators Workshop, October 2019
• Relevant Coursework: Instructional Design, Literacy Theory and Methods, Equity and Justice, Teaching English Learners, Human Development, Clinical Experience
August 2013 - May 2016
University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law
J.D. with a Concentration in Environmental Law, May 2016
August 2009 - March 2013
University of California, Santa Barbara
Received a Bachelor of Arts in History of Public Policy with a minor in Education, March 2013
Global Warming Solutions Campaign Coordinator in an environmental advocacy group called CALPIRG.
Teaching Philosophy
Every student deserves a smile every day. As an elementary school teacher I will start each day by saying "hello" and asking "how are you?" to each of my students individually. Each student deserves love and care every day. My teaching philosophy stems from this by creating a safe, inclusive, creative and structured space for learning. Each student should be challenged to do more. It is ok to make mistakes so we learn from them. It is ok to not understand at first so we ask for help. It is ok to not have the answer so then we listen to learn.
Classroom Management Plan
My classroom management plan revolves around positive reinforcement and getting to the root of a problem. I will compliment a child who is on task and exhibiting good behavior before approaching a student exhibiting incorrect behavior. When positive reinforcement on other students does not correct the behavior of an off-task student, I will have a one-on-one conversation with that student. I find every child wants to be a good student until something gets in the way. I will work with the student to try to improve their learning and limit disruptions for other students in the classroom. I will keep parents informed and collaborate with them on improvement strategies.
In general, I maintain a caring, positive and structured classroom. Students help create and uphold the basic classroom rules surrounding respect for yourself and others.
Community Building
Community is integral to successful learning. Students must feel safe, welcome and respected in order to achieve a high level of learning. A positive, communal environment at school will translate to hopefully a positive outlook at home and in extracurricular activities.
In the classroom, I will build a community among the students. We will start the year with "get to know you" and team building activities. Throughout the year we will maintain a welcoming community among peers.
My classroom will also be a community where all parents and guardians are informed and welcome to ask questions. I will send a weekly or bi-weekly email and newsletter informing parents of what we are doing in class and how we are doing as a whole. An informed parent is more helpful than an uninformed parent. I will encourage parents and guardians at back to school night to participate and ask any questions they have throughout the school year. I will also let them know we are all part of the same team and have the same goal, success for their children.
Sample Lesson Plans
Sample lesson plans from 2019-2020 school year in a Kindergarten and a combination First and Second grade classroom.
March 2020
English Language Arts lesson introducing the concept of an opinion to a combination first and second grade classroom
February 2020
CGI Math lesson for subtraction in a combination First and Second grade classroom
November 2019
English Language Arts lesson plan to recognize the relationship between illustrations and a story in Kindergarten
November 2019
A follow up lesson to "Sample Lesson 1" revolving around the relationship between illustrations and a story in Kindergarten
