5123 1/2 Long Branch Ave.

San Diego, CA 92107

11 May 2015
To Whom This May Concern,
I am pleased to present my resume to you for consideration as an English teacher within your school.
I graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara with a BA in Communications and minors
in English and Sport Management. Naturally, I often develop my curriculum with a focus on the depths
and development of human perspective and communication, allowing students to more fully explore,
analyze, and apply the power and variety of literature and writing. I obtained my California Teaching
Credential and M.Ed with an emphasis in curriculum and instruction after completing the University of
San Diegos rigorous two year program. While I have not yet accumulated years of experience, I have
had the opportunity to spend a year full time student teaching with High Tech High International, and
held both short and long term substitute positions in the San Diego Unified School District across all
secondary grade levels.
As my resume will further demonstrate, my teaching experiences have been geared toward the
empowerment of high school students by working with them to provide authentic education. I strongly
believe that there is a need for students to recognize their four years of high school as important and
meaningful, instead of perceiving it simply as the hoop they must jump through to experience college or
career life. My M.Ed research specifically focused on how to cultivate and sustain student commitment
within an inclusive and interdisciplinary project based learning mission to better provide engaging and
enduring learning. I was able to plan and implement multiple units during my study and learned that the
foundation of successful education must include teacher dedication to taking student perspective, a
balance of structure and freedom to encourage student ownership, and an avenue for student work to
have authentic effects outside the classroom as well as strong personal learning objectives. Continuos
opportunity for building relationships and engaging in validating constructive feedback was also key in
establishing successful learning for a variety of students. These elements contribute to student
commitment by developing growth mindsets, providing the space to celebrate diversity while achieving
a community mission, and establishing the skills, knowledge and motivation to be lifelong learners.
Additionally, my experiences and action research have provided me with critical opportunities to
develop necessary skills for 21st C. teachers. I am confident in my strengths as an educator who can
scaffold units and guide learning so that students are uncovering and expanding knowledge through
consistent opportunities for critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and communication. I embody an
awareness for tailoring and differentiating learning for students of varied strengths, struggles, interests,
and backgrounds, as well as remain mindful of connecting with all students to cultivate a safe and
effective classroom culture. Through these strengths, I have been able to motivate a variety of unique
students by helping them to see their education for the sake of growing, understanding, and interacting
with their world instead of as solely for a grade.
I have promised myself that in my career I will constantly reflect, question my teaching, and reach out
to better who I am as an educator. Professional development and being able to promote compelling
and enduring knowledge is of upmost importance to lifting our education, each of our students, and our
future to new heights. I appreciate your time and look forward to discussing how I can best meet the
goals of your school and students.
Sincerely,
Abigale Upham
[Enclosure: Resume and Letters of Recommendation]