Wisconsin DPI code 72-777 (Elementary Education)
Wisconsin DPI code 72-300 (English)
Wisconsin DPI code 1316 (Reading license)
Wisconsin DPI code 5017 (Reading specialist)
Education
Masters of Science in Literacy (M.Ed), Concordia University, Waukesha, Wisconsin (Dec. of 2018)
Thesis: Boys’ Typical Underachievement in Reading
Bachelor of Science, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (May of 2009)
Major: Elementary/Middle Level Education
Minor: English
Teaching Experiences
8th Grade ELA Teacher, Forest Park Middle School, Franklin, Wisconsin (Aug. 2025-current)
Facilitate a learning environment that maximizes the social and academic potential of all students while fostering an space that promotes positivity
Plan and deliver data-driven instruction that is relevant and meets the needs of the 21st Century student by possessing a clear and effective pedagogy
Foster a classroom community for adolescence to feel safe and at-ease to share their perspectives
Sparked excitement and curiosity of reading, writing, speaking, and listening via real-life experiences, authentic discussions, as well as student voice and choice
Clear focus on developing students’ language proficiency (reading, writing, speaking, and listening) and critical thinking skills through analysis and interpretation of various ELA mediums (speeches, poems, plays, short stories, infographics, etc.)
5th-8th Grade Reading Specialist and Interventionist, Karcher Middle School, Burlington, Wisconsin (Aug. 2022-June 2025)
Meet the needs of each student while making certain lessons are appropriate to the maturity level and interests of all students with the overarching goal of growing reading proficiency
Administer and track student learning via progress monitoring, formative and summative assessments, benchmarks, and anecdotal records to make timely adjustments to instruction
Recognizes the relationship between social-emotional learning and academic performance; teaching to the whole child
Active leader/participant in meetings with stakeholders to discuss research-based reading remediation options and instructional methods, student data and placement, trends, intervention effectiveness, etc.
Identify students’ areas of strength and areas in need of support to provide engaging instruction utilizing programs that meet the needs of each learner: Lexia (PowerUp, Core5, and English), STARI (Strategic Adolescent Reading Intervention), Haggerty, SIPPS (Systematic Instruction in Phonological Awareness, Phonics, and Sight Words), Read Naturally, and REWARDS (Reading Excellence, Word Attack, and Rate Development Strategies)
7th Grade Literacy Teacher, Lake Denoon Middle School, Muskego, Wisconsin (Aug. 2013-June 2022)
Built strong, authentic relationships with students to create a positive learning environment
Develop engaging, student-centered, differentiated, standards aligned, thought-provoking lessons
Collaborated in PLCs to analyze data, create common assessments, as well as discuss and implement instructional methods to provide students with high quality day-to-day lessons
Implement project-based activities for students to think critically, inquisitively, and creatively
Possess deep understanding of literacy content, including classic and contemporary texts, written and verbal expression, grammar, vocabulary acquisition, literary devices, etc. with the keen ability to enthusiastically teach adolescence those skills while scaffolding learning in the process
6th Grade Language Arts Teacher, Westridge Middle School, Grand Island, Nebraska (Aug. 2009-May 2013)
Met each student at their social-emotional, interest, and instructional level
Eager to build strong relationships with all students and families to create a sense of belonging
Brought creativity, humor, and a passion for excellence
Support and reinforce individual student learning styles/profiles to achieve consistently high expectations
Collaborate with team around best practices (think-alouds, selection of rigorous texts, mini-lessons, cooperative group work, feedback, the use of higher order thinking questions, effective use of technology, etc.) while developing learning opportunities for students of varying ability levels
Professional Duties
Student Nutrition and Wellness Committee Member, Muskego-Norway Schools, Muskego, Wisconsin (Sept. 2019-June 2022)
Creating school and district-wide goals to support sustainable, healthy school environments and programs for all students and staff. We also study:
How food is being used as a reward or incentive.
How much time is an adequate amount of time for students to eat lunch?
The availability of physical activity breaks in the classroom.
How we are engaging parents in student nutrition and wellness.
Wisconsin State Personnel Development Grant (SPDG) Team Member, Lake Denoon Middle School, Muskego, Wisconsin (Oct. 2014-May 2018)
Worked collaboratively with SPDG team to incorporate strategies to increase student learning
Supported PLC school-wide implementation
Made decisions related to common formative and summative assessments for students with special needs and regular education students
RtI (Response to Intervention) Chair, Westridge Middle School, Grand Island, Nebraska (Aug. 2010-May 2013)
Facilitated RtI meetings and coordinated times and dates for specialized staff to observe and test students in the RtI process
Analyzed and updated files to better find ways to target students’ needs
Disaggregated data to plan differentiated interventions to target the needs of students
Awards & Grants Earned
Awarded Grant to purchase classroom novels, Jan. 2018 & Jan. 2019
Grants titled: Award Winning Middle Schoolers Need Award Winning Books and Eager Middle Schoolers Need Books to Devour
These projects were funded via Donors Choose
2012 Middle School Teacher of the Year, Aug. 2012 (photo)
Nominated by students, parents / guardians, community members, and school staff
Selected from approximately 300 middle school teachers within the school district
Document Camera Grant Award Recipient, Aug. 2010
Wrote a grant and received a document camera for the classroom
Modeled student work, thus increasing student learning, participation, and engagement
Additional Experiences
Literacy Tutor, Lake Denoon Middle School (Feb. 2014-June 2022)
Worked one-on-one and in small groups with students after school to increase student learning related to literacy
Homework Club Coordinator, Westridge Middle School (Oct. 2009-May 2013)
Organized and started an after school homework club to assist struggling learners
Soccer and Badminton Club Coach, Westridge Middle School (March 2010-May 2013)
Created, developed, and ran after school programs to provide students with other extracurricular activities for 6th-8th graders
Workshops & Conferences Attended
The Science of Reading training - Jan. 2023 - current in Burlington, Wisconsin
Discovering ways to better help students learn to read
Extensive work related to the two main fluency frameworks: The Simple View of Reading and Scarborough's Rope
WSRA (Wisconsin State Reading Association) Conference - Feb. 2023 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Attended workshops on how to increase student ELA achievement, form reciprocal relationships, monitor student progress, strategies to be more responsive, and academic questioning
CESA 6 Structured Literacy Interventions Academy (2023 academic year) in Oshkosh, Wisconsin
Identify and apply the characteristics of a comprehensive MLSS literacy process to benefit students; review high-quality interventions as well as instructional routines and data-based decision-making
Collaborative & Proactive Solutions (CPS) Training - Hosted by Dr. Ross Greene. Online Workshop, Summer 2021
Learned evidenced based, trauma-responsive approaches to working with students that have social, emotional and behavioral challenges. Focusing on solving problems, not modifying behaviors; problem solving is collaborative, not unilateral; and problem solving is proactive, not reactive
Book Clubs in Middle School and High School - Hosted by The Reading & Writing Project - Teachers College of Columbia University (Critical Reading Across Fiction and Nonfiction) Online Workshop, Winter 2021
Explored the benefits of writing about reading, from annotation to reading/writing notebooks, in order to further develop analytical skills. Further discovered advantages of book clubs, research, and social bonds around reading
Reset Mind-Body Mindfulness Training, Fall 2019-Spring 2020 in Muskego, Wisconsin
Learned techniques to develop self-awareness, emotional regulation, impulse control, and responsible decision-making in students
Google Summit, Winter 2018 in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
Participated in workshops on how to fully integrate the Google Suite in to classroom practice
Student Motivation Online Workshop, Spring 2018
A online workshop centered around the following - belonging: building a social and academic community; effort: showing that student can get better / smarter / more knowledgeable through their efforts; efficacy: student can succeed at anything; and value: teaching students that class and its material matters
Kelly Gallagher and Penny Kittle Reading and Writing Conference, Aug. 2017 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin
Crafting literacy experiences for all middle school learners
Google Summit, Jan. 2017 in Chicago, Illinois
Attended various workshops on how to incorporate Google into the classroom in a seamless manner to increase student learning and engagement
Achievement Via Individual Determination (AVID) Training, Dec. 2016 in Muskego, Wisconsin
Modeling successful writing, inquiry, collaboration, organizational methods, and reading to learn strategies for diverse adolescent learners
Co-Teaching Consulting with Margaret “Peggy” Black, Sept. 2017-June 2019 in Muskego, Wisconsin
Attend various consulting meetings related to co-teaching and co-planning to increase student achievement
UW-Milwaukee Writing Project Conference, Feb. 2016 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Attended various workshops on all things writing: engagement, revising, editing, collaborating amongst student’s peers, enhancing one-to-one technology within the classroom, and building confidence in adolescent writers
Donalyn Miller Nonfiction Reading Workshop, Dec. 2015 in New Berlin, Wisconsin
Engaging adolescent readers in nonfiction via book talks, read alouds, mentor texts, pairing nonfiction with lessons, and providing students with current nonfiction texts
Kelly Gallagher Reading and Writing Conference, Aug. 2015 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin
Building reading lives that last and teaching adolescent writers was the focus; along with: modeling reading and writing as well as using mentor texts in the practice of instruction
Readers’ Workshop Conference, Feb. 2015 in Waukesha, Wisconsin
A conference on integrating readers’ workshop in literacy (conferring, mini-lessons, checks for understanding, the architecture of readers’ workshop, book clubs, and read aloud)
Google Summit, Nov. 2014 in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
Attended various workshops on how to incorporate Google into the classroom in a seamless manner
AMLE Conf. (Association for Middle Level Educators), Nov. 2012 in Portland, Oregon
Attended various workshops on how to increase student achievement, form positive relationships with students and staff, and how to check for understanding throughout lessons
RtI for Gifted Students Workshop, June 2012 in Grand Island, Nebraska
A conference on making sure the RtI process runs smoothly and effectively to improve student learning for higher level achieving students
NETA Conf. (Nebraska Technology Association), April 2012 in Omaha, Nebraska
Attended a conference on incorporating technology in the classroom for student and teacher use, thus increasing engagement, involvement, learning, and retention
Google Summit, Fall 2010 in Omaha, Nebraska
Attended various workshops on how to incorporate Google into the classroom
Boys Town Discipline Training, Aug. 2009 in Grand Island, Nebraska
A training on being proactive and reactive with discipline issues within the classroom
Professional Memberships
AMLE (Association for Middle Level Educators), September 2016-present
ILA (International Literacy Association), August 2016-present
Student Teaching Experiences
3rd/4th Grade Student Teacher, Jefferson Elementary School for the Arts, Stevens Point, Wisconsin (April 2009-June 2009)
Gifted and talented classroom (three or more years above their grade level)
Provided reinforcements and extensions for high ability learners
8th Grade Communications/Language Arts Student Teacher, Mosinee Middle School, Mosinee, Wisconsin (Jan. 2009-April 2009).
Differentiated lessons to satisfy individual learners as well as groups of students
Asked higher order thinking questions for students to think on a higher level
Teaching Related Work Experiences
Lifeguard & Swim Instructor, YMCA of Stevens Point, WI (Dec. 2008-June 2009)
Actively observe patrons to ensure safety and perform emergency procedures; help swimmers develop proper skills and techniques, provide positive reinforcement, and inform parent(s)/guardian(s) of progress
Great Escape Site Supervisor, YMCA of Stevens Point, WI (Jan. 2008-Nov. 2009)
Responsible for supervision of both students and staff, maintain program compliance, order and stock supplies, and implement policies and procedures of the YMCA as well as state licensing regulations
Great Escape Instructor, YMCA of Stevens Point, WI (Aug. 2006-Dec. 2009)
Facilitate daily enrichment activities for students ages 5 to 12; ensure that the individual interests, needs, and safety of all children are met
Ropes & Lifeguard Staff, Camp Skylemar of Naples, Maine (June 2008-Aug. 2008)
Quickly and calmly notified swimmers of issues related to safety, and maintain active surveillance of the public lake area; teach campers the basics of climbing, lead team-building activities, belay participants on various ropes courses, and inspect equipment before and after each climb session to ensure camper safety
Ropes & Environmental Staff, Camp Skylemar of Naples, Maine (June 2007-Aug. 2007)
Teach campers the basics of climbing, lead team-building activities, belay participants on various ropes courses, and inspect equipment before and after each climb session to ensure camper safety; design and lead hands-on outdoor activities that take into account camper ages, interests, and abilities (e.g., building a fire, making a shelter, tracking animals) all while reinforcing the importance and beauty of nature
Technology & Educational Director, The Boys & Girls Club of Wisconsin Rapids, WI (Dec. 2005-Sept. 2006)
Lead club members in innovative, student-centered, educational activities (remediation and enrichment) to spark a love for learning; plan and engage club members in educational activities on the computer; taught members typing techniques, computer programs, and technology skills
Learning Assistance Program Tutor, The Wisconsin Rapids Public School District of Wisconsin Rapids, WI (Dec. 2005-June 2006)
Help students with their home/school work by using creativity and enthusiasm to increase retention
Additional Work Experiences
Produce Associate, Sendik's Grocery Store, New Berlin, WI (June 2014-August 2017)
Omelette Chef, Gaylord Catering Company, Madison, WI (June 1999-July 2003)
Professional Cleaner, MIR Cleaning Services, Madison, WI (June 1998-Aug. 2009)