Vita

Dedicated to providing innovative and enriching learning experiences to students with diverse learning needs.

QUALIFICATIONS

                Experienced professional PreK teacher and teacher leader in the areas of emergent literacy and authentic   Reading/Writing Workshop approach, portfolio assessment, and reading readiness.

EDUCATION

1999-2001    M.Ed. Early Childhood Teaching, ETSU  (GPA 3.78)

1994-1999    B.A. English (Creative Writing) and Philosophy, Magna Cum Laude ETSU  (GPA 3.786)

PROFESSIONAL PRESENTATIONS

                Aug 2008        “Playing With Literacy.”  Paid independent consultant for South Central Human 

                           Resource Agency Head Start, Fayetteville TN.

         Apr. 2008        Dialogue with Governor Phil Bredesen in the Sarah Moore Greene PreK classroom                                                    regarding pre-schooler development and best learning practices.

                Nov. 2007       “In the Footsteps of Oprah:  Young Children Get their own Book Club” NAEYC                                                      Conference, Chicago.

                Nov. 2007       “Literacy Workshop.”  Lead teacher training for Knox county pre-k teachers.

                Oct. 2007        “Creative Literacy experience.”  ETEA Conference Featured teacher.

                July 2007        “In the Footsteps of Oprah:  Young Children Get their own Book Club” ETSU Early                                                  Childhood Education Conference

                July 2007        “It’s Not Kindergarten Twice” ETSU Early Childhood Education Conference

                Aug 2007        “Literacy Training.”  Paid independent consultant for South Central Human Resource                                                     Agency Head Start, Fayetteville TN.

                May 2007        “It’s Not Kindergarten Twice” TN Early Childhood Summit, Nashville

                Mar. 2007        “Perfect Portfolios.”  Knox county pre-k training for in-service.

                Oct. 2006         “Busy Bee Book Club: An Authentic Reading and Writing Workshop Approach in 

                           PreK” Greeneville City Schools/Greene County Schools Teacher In-service Training

                July 2006        “Busy Bee Book Club: An Authentic Reading and Writing Workshop Approach in

                           PreK”

                                         ETSU Early Childhood Education Conference

                May 2006        “It May Seem Like Developmentally Appropriate Practice, but...“ TN Department of                                             Education PreK Summit

EMPLOYMENT

2005-2008    PreK teacher, Sarah Moore Greene Elementary

Successfully teaching a diverse population of learners in an inner city magnet technology school.  Mentor to 5 preservice teachers and teacher leader/mentor to new PreK teachers in a growing system.  Lead workshops on curriculum, developmentally appropriate practice, assessment, and classroom management for Knox County PreK teachers as needed. 

2003-2005    PreK Teacher, Palmer Center

Successfully taught a diverse population of learners in a grant funded Pre-K, non-tenure track position.

2001-2003    Instructional Assistant, Andrew Johnson Elementary

Assisted with all elementary grades in classroom, lunchroom, reading lab (grades 1-3) and related arts.