I am currently teaching fourth grade Reading, Language Arts and Social Studies. I am certified to teach all subjects from K-9. I am considered highly qualified under NCLB to teach algebra, art, biological sciences, drama/theatre arts, self-contained elementary, English as a Second language, general science, geography, history, instrumental music, language arts, physical science, political science/civics, reading, Title I Remedial Math, Title I Remedial Reading and vocal music. I also have experience teaching at the college level.

My teaching practice is reflective, research-driven and grounded in best practices. The instructional practices I implement in my classroom take into consideration the strengths, deficits, learning styles, learning profiles, multiple intelligences, socio-cultural characteristics and interests of my students. Every aspect of the learning experience for my students--content, product, process, assessment and learning environment--is differentiated to address their unique, individual needs. I use a combination of varied resources, engaging content and stimulating activities to invest my students in the learning process and provide them with rich, authentic learning experiences. I encourage my students to explore, experiment and engage in inquiry. I empower my students to share, question, debate, challenge, extend and expand upon the ideas we discuss in class. My objective is to facilitate the development of my students into critical, independent thinkers and passionate lifelong learners.

I have received a number of honors and awards including fellowships from Cornell University and the National Endowment for Humanities, an Illinois Future Teachers Corps scholarship and a Jordan Fundamentals Grant. My proudest accomplishments as a teacher are: 1. Helping a student with special needs nearly triple his reading fluency rate in a matter of weeks as a result of an experimental teaching strategy I implemented with him. 2. Helping a student who had been a struggling reader achieve a reading score on the ISAT that exceeded state standards.

B.S. in Political Science and Sociology; M.P.S.A.A.A./M.A. in African-American Literature and Culture; M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction

Evidence of learning and achievement by my students is the yardstick by which I measure my efficacy as an educator. I am proud to announce that all but two of my students achieved percentile rankings that exceeded state standards on the Illinois Standards Achievement Test (ISAT). In addition, all of my students have demonstrated substantial academic and intellectual growth from their starting points.