University at Albany, S.U.N.Y., Albany, NY
B.A., Major: Theater, Minor: English Literature, May 1992

New York State Teachers Certification, Literacy
Grades Birth-6, Sepetember 2006 (Initiall)

Fall 2005

Donor's Choose - iPods for Struggling Readers Part 2

Donor's Choose - iPods for Struggling Readers Part 1

Instructed 4th grade, teaching five subjects daily as well as an extended day small-group tutoring program (mathematics and literacy through robotics). Secondary responsibilities included obtaining a grant and coaching the PS 261 LEGO Robotics team (using MINDSTORMS NXT), teaching a LEGO Robotics Enrichment cluster, and acting as the 4th grade Social Studies representative, providing curriculum guidance and support to grade level colleagues. *Use SMARTBOARD and LAPTOPS in classroom*

Curriculums used at PS261:
* Teacher's College Reading and Writing Project Literacy Program
* Everyday Math and TERC (combining best practices from each as well as pulling supplemental material from Marilyn Burns and Math in the City to create customized units)
* 4th grade Social Studies Representative - Designed units on American History from Native Americans of New York to the Industrial Revolution using the "Backwards Design" model
* Month by Month Phonics and Words Their Way

o Taught read alouds, shared reading, guided reading, and assisted with reading and writing conferences.
o Modified and instructed math lessons
o Guided shared singing with ASL signs
o Designed and implemented an inquiry based LEGO Robotics curriculum that addressed math, science, technology and literacy standards, integrates computer lab and classroom instruction. I also requested and obtaining funding from the PTA
o Pulled out small groups of at-risk readers from kindergarten through 5th grade for reading remediation
o Taught a Drama Enrichment Cluster to 3rd grade students

* Instructed 1st - 5th grade students on how to build robotic creations using LEGO Mindstorms system bricks and LEGO Robolab programming. Students work in collaborative groups to design robots and learn about the basics of robotic history, construction, and programming.

* Taught multi-aged group classes using the LEGO Mindstorms system and LEGO Robolab programming. Students extend robotic projects and incorporate multi-media materials to create kinetic works of art. By exploring their own natural curiosity, children acquire a basic familiarity with principles of engineering, computer logic, and technological design skills.

* Assisted at-risk students during reading, writing, and math workshop.

* English language conversation instructor for students ranging in age from six to sixty-five. Taught in Arc Academy's language institute, in elementary schools, in banking schools, and in homes.

Websites: www.MINDSTORMS.com, www.LEGOFACTORY.com, www.LEGOCLUB.com, www.CLIKITS.com, www.LEGO.com/parents

* Created web activities and games for Cartoon Network fans. Managed a team of associate producers, designers, illustrators, animators and web developers in an exciting and fast paced production environment. During my time at Funny Garbage, our web team brought Catoonnetwork.com to be one of the top three websites for children in the US.

Smart Board Educator's Training - PS 261, Brooklyn, NY

Region 8 - Differentiating Instruction Course - Brooklyn, NY