School Administration,

Why should I teach in your elementary school? I will guide students with integrated, interactive lessons as they learn about themselves and their environment. Children are natural learners, who watch and learn from those around them whether passively or actively. In the classroom, children should be active, problem-solving learners, seeking answers to questions and learning from one another as well as from their instructor. Children should feel welcome and invited to learn in a safe, positive environment, respecting others and being treated with respect. I believe every child has the right to learn and yet every child does not learn in the same way at the same time.

May 2002, I graduated Cum Laude from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville (SIUE) with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. At SIUE I became a member of Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society for Educators. In the last two years, I observed, learned and worked at Lalumier Accelerated School in Cahokia, Illinois. The first year I worked with mentor teachers on Tuesdays and Thursdays in Kindergarten and Fourth grade classrooms. The second year I taught five days a week with a First grade mentor and a Second grade mentor for one semester each. The opportunity to work with these four mentors has afforded me with many opportunities to learn and explore the learning environment in different ways.

Since graduating, I have been a substitute teacher in the Granite City School District and Triad School District. Substituting has allowed me to spend time with my preschoolers while still benefiting from additional classroom experience and observing a variety of school environments.

Prior to full time educational pursuits, I was employed through Central Bank for eleven years. During that time, I held positions as Loan Clerk/Processor for four years and then Administrative Assistant for seven years. As Administrative Assistant I hosted several internal instructional employee training sessions, correspond with all levels of management and personnel, managed and consolidated departmental functions, lead an internal focus group for employee improvement, prepared monthly reports, balanced and maintained accounts for seven affiliate banks, and provided customer services.

I earned an Associate of Applied Science in Banking and Finance in 1997 and an Associate of Arts in 1999. Both degrees were earned through Belleville Area College where I became a member of Phi Theta Kappa National Honor Society.

Currently, I teach an interactive toddler Sunday school class at Copper Creek Christian Church in Maryville, Illinois. As a member of Pontoon Beach Christian Church, I filled the Treasurer and Vacation Bible School Director positions. As VBS Director I enjoyed creating an enjoyable learning environment for children.