Knowledge Base

Celebrate Literacy Conference Attendee: Oct 2016

Listened to the wonderful Dr. Steven Layne discuss how to create reading
arsonists. Attended a session by Dr. Gary Schmit about his books and his
inspirations. Had lunch with Lori Taylor, Michigan Author, and discussed the
importance of science education and getting students outside. Purchased her
entire Holly Wild series.
Creating A Classroom For the 21st Century Learner Roundtable Attendee: Sep 2016
Attended roundtable discussions on the struggle of a first year teacher, the
importance of a website and communication with parents and how to support
your LGBTQ students.
GVSU Teacher Assistant: Aug 2016 - Dec 2016
Assistant at Buchanan Elementary in Grand Rapids Public School to Nada
Jordan-Turley in her second grade room for one semester. Classroom consisted
of mostly ELL students. Taught small group reading and various whole group
lessons. Wrote and taught Standard Based Lesson Plans for ELA and science
content. I also attended and facilitated parent-teacher conferences.
Blandford Nature Center Education Staff: May 2016- Aug 2016
Lead Educator for the Nature Discovery Programs. Then also worked with the
nature centers summer camps as an Educator, Camp-Aide Coordinator, and
facilitated all operations. In my role as an educator I lesson planned specifically
to my age level and content theme for the week. As the Camp Aide Coordinator, I
managed the Camp Aides (teen volunteers ranging from 14-18) to give them a
job-like experience and prepare them for future professional endeavors. I also
tended to all operations by doing camp check in every morning, facilitating lunch
and lunch games, and going to buy materials when needed.
Excellence- In- A- Discipline Award Integrated Science: Apr 2016
I received this award from the recognition of my Integrated Science professors.
This award exemplifies my hard work and active participation within the
Integrated Science Major at Grand Valley State University.
National Science Teachers Association National Conference: Mar 2016
Attended in Nashville, Tennessee. Attended sessions on various STEM activities
and curriculum. Explored exhibit hall full of curriculum, materials, and future
career opportunities.
Observed 21st Century Teacher for Fraser Public Schools: Mar 2016
I observed Jarod McGuffey for a day in his classroom. In this school district every
student third grade and above has an I-Pad. In his class, they were taught what
new apps to download and how to use them. He also taught valuable life lessons
and introduced me to the Class Dojo videos. It was great experience to see how
he differentiated technology for each grade level and for students who saw the
technology as a distractor. Also, he has introduced me to a lot of Carol Dweck's

research on Mindset. He is always sharing new research with me and is currently

attending Oakland University for his PhD in Education.
Observed Middle School Math Teacher in Fraser Public Schools: Mar 2016
I observed Stephanie McGuffey in her sixth grade math classroom. She taught
two blocks of regular level math and three blocks of remedial math for sixth and
eighth grade levels. I learned a lot about differentiating math instruction and how
to motivate students who find math very challenging. A lot of their instruction and
assignments were individualized on their I-Pads. I also enjoyed observing how
her classroom management changed with the different classes that came
through the door.
Achieve Tutoring Center Tutor: Feb 2016- Aug 2016
Tutored students one on one ranging from third grade to eleventh grade.
Subjects taught ranged from biology, reading, writing, chemistry, all middle
school content, proper planning and test anxiety. Learned how to take running
records and use data to plan for individual instruction. Brought a student from D+
to an A in Biology within one semester.
Blandford Nature Center Education Intern: Feb 2016- May 2016
Facilitated Sugar Bush and other school programs to the center. Taught in
groups of 15 students for hour and a half programs. Programs ranged from
pre-school to middle school levels. Enhanced my knowledge of science content,
classroom management, and creating curriculum.
Fall Science Update Presenter: Nov 2015
Presented with Stephen Mattox on Great Childrens Earth Science Tradebooks.
We reviewed 30 of the best Geology, Weather, and Astronomy trade books to
use in the classroom. We also discussed what to look for when choosing trade
books. I also attended sessions on integrating STEM into curriculum and the
importance of modeling in science.
PBS Kids Learning Seminar: Oct 2015
Mike Fillman, WGVU Public Media Education Coordinator, presented on how to
use PBS Kids effectively. This includes resources for teachers but also activities
for students such as dashboards. Free membership for GVSU students.
Clinton Township Parks and Recreation Day Camp Instructor: May 2015 - Aug 2015
Manage a day camp site and oversee all assistants, teen volunteers, and
campers. Lesson plan and facilitate for each half hour of the day changing
between active and passive activities. Distribute fieldtrip slips and collect with
money and prepare campers for weekly field trips.
Science Olympiad Facilitator and Grader: March 2015
Facilitated the Rock and Mineral Science Olympiad Test with Stephen Mattox.
Graded tests for competition then ranked participants. Facilitated Aerodynamic
Rockets by recording official flight times.
National Science Teachers Association National Conference Mar 2015:
Attended in Chicago, Illinois. Explored exhibit hall to enhance my knowledge on
materials and curriculum in STEM.

Observe Grandville Science Specialist: Oct 2014

For a GVSU class I had to observe the phenomenal Tom Kelly. He teaches
science as a special in two elementary schools. His lessons are hands-on STEM
lesson plans. It was great experience because he allowed me and another GVSU
student to do the teaching while he handled the classroom management. For that
lesson we passed out mealworms to each student and talked to them about their
life cycle. With the older students we put together bird feeders from recyclable
materials and gave each bird feeder the same amount of seed. Then students
were going to record data in future classes to see which of their birdfeeders
attracted more birds. He also does super scientist of the day. For this he picks a
student from each class that was working above and beyond that day. He then
calls their parents and either talks to them or leaves them a voice mail saying that
their child is the super scientist of the day and explaining why. I loved this
because it allows him to connect with parents and give them positive feedback
about their child.
GVSU PALS Mentoring Program: Oct 2014- Apr 2015
Mentored an eight year old boy from Kentwood. Took him to various PALS
events along with our own adventures to various places such as the Grand
Rapids Children's Museum, ice skating, and the library.
Thornapple River Annual Cleanup: Sep 2014
Disposed of debris all throughout the river. Learned the importance of
conservation and gave me ideas of activities to do with students on how to
preserve the earth and be an active member to restore our environment.
GVSU Integrated Science Field Trips: Aug 2014- May 2016
Various GVSU professors taking us out into various places around Allendale to
model the importance of taking students outside and how to properly do so. This
ranged from a park down the street, Rosy Mound, Canada, and Mammoth
Caves. These field trips taught all sorts of different ways to get students learning
outside on a budget, with minimal equipment, and engaging lessons.
Camp OMalley Camp Counselor: Jun 2014 - Aug 2014
Ensure the safety and camp experience for eight campers for a week whom were
from the Grand Rapids Area. That summer 90% of our campers fell below the
poverty line. This experience helped me with my classroom management of
difficult students and how to properly handle tough situations that students can
be in in their personal lives.
GVSU National Science Teachers Association Student Chapter President: Jan 2014Apr 2015
Facilitated meetings for members. Meetings varied from speakers to examining
STEM curriculum. Speakers: Jill Wilson (Allendale Elementary School Principal),
Julie Nahs (Morley Standwood teacher), Jim Nicolette (Van Andel Education
Institute Associate Director), Janet Vigna (GVSU Professor), Karen Meyers
(GVSU Science Program Coordinator), Linda Dehn (Allegan Technology

Specialist), Stephen Mattox (GVSU Professor), Tom Kelly (Grandville Science

Specialist)
GVSU Science Nights Facilitator: Oct 2013- Oct 2015
Attended various schools in the Grand Rapids area and facilitated STEM lessons
for elementary level students. Many of these schools were comprised of mostly
ELL students. This was great experience to adapt lessons to various abilities
since families came with students of all ages and when a student would walk up
to your activity you had to first assess their knowledge base then explain the
activity at a level that is right for them.
Kids in Motion Member: Aug 2013- May 2014
Attended the Visser Family YMCA once a week to play sports and get active with
Grand Rapids youth in an afterschool program. This enhanced my learning of
games to get students active and classroom management during movement
activities and recess.
Lake Superior Environmental Science Camp Attendee: Jul 2013
This camp allowed me to explore what it meant to be an environmental scientist.
We worked with many different professors from the university and took water
samples from all over the U.P. then tested them various ways in a lab. We also
visited Tahquamenon Falls. This experience showed me many outdoor activities
to use with students and the importance of bringing in experts from the field to
teach students and give them a different information than a teacher can.
Chippewa Valley Schools Teacher Cadet: Aug 2012 - Jun 2013
This is one of the most influential experience I have ever had of my teaching
career. I was a cadet to Audrey Brundirks whom taught a second/third split at
Huron Elementary in Chippewa Valley Schools. I attended her classroom for two
hours every day after lunch. During these two hours I was able to observe and
teach daily five and math. I was able to see how she differentiated with students
in the two grades and utilize them working together as a team. I have also
observed many hours of Audreys teaching and had her as my second grade
teacher. I use many lessons and activities I did in her class many years ago in
my teaching today. She is greatest mentor and supporter.