Rachel J. Gustafson

**** ******** *****

Chaska, MN 55318

Phone: 612-***-****

Email:ad4aue@r.postjobfree.com

EDUCATION

Hamline University

Reading licensure k-12 and Masters in Literacy St. Paul, MN May 2011-present

• Participating in Master’s level reading courses to gain knowledge and prepare for a k-12 reading licensure through the state of Minnesota.

• Engaging in collaborative discussions, activities, lessons, and presentations based on best practices in reading and literacy.

• Applying the knowledge gained regarding reading and literacy within my own classroom to enhance literacy for my students.

• Analyzing best practices in literacy to develop goal-oriented lesson plans to help students attain a higher level of thinking within the classroom.

• Developing knowledge regarding best practices in assessment, leadership and 21st century literacy. MCTE/NCTE Developing Leadership Award 2012 Las Vegas, NV Nov. 2012 English Professional Learning Community Lead Orono, MN August 2011-present

• Created a professional learning community environment which focused on our district goal of literacy.

• Prepared bimonthly agendas to focus on objectives within our English professional learning community to address our annual Smartgoal.

• Facilitated group discussions centering upon the four essential questions of a professional learning community to establish goals to enrich our students’ learning.

• Maintained a positive environment where educators could collaborate collectively.

• Collected documentation of mandated hours for each meeting needed for state approval. Solution Tree PLC Training Conference Minneapolis, MN July 2011 PLC accredited lead training conference

• Established a base knowledge of cooperative professional learning communities.

• Collaborated with similar professionals through discussion to determine the most effective components needed within a working PLC.

• Implemented key components to create a cooperative professional learning community as PLC lead. National Character Conference Washington D.C., October 2010 Character conference focusing on implementing

character education within schools

• Participated in a three day conference which focused on character implementation in connection with education.

• Developed ways to incorporate character into my English curriculum in to benefit students.

• Focused on character development through analyzing young adult literature.

• Created lesson plans geared toward addressing character within young adult literature and writing. St. Catherine’s University St. Paul, MN May 2010

Accredited Course on Differentiated Education

• Gained knowledge on differentiation within the classroom

• Created differentiated activities within preexisting units of study to best meet the needs of my students.

• Collaborated within small and whole group discussions to analyze best practices in differentiation.

• Learned to triangulate data in order to best approach differentiated instruction. Six Traits of Writing Workshop Minneapolis, MN June 2006

• Understood the purpose of the six traits of writing.

• Learned how to implement the six traits of writing within a classroom setting based on clearly established learning goals.

• Developed writing lessons based on the six traits to enhance student writing at the middle level.

• Created rubrics focused on the six traits of writing to assess student work.

• Engaged in group discussions focused on the six traits of writing. University of St. Thomas St. Paul, MN May 2006 graduate Degree in Education and English

Minor in Communication and Language Arts

• University of St. Thomas Academic Award

• Study Abroad Program- England, Ireland

• Volunteer-Tutor Mentor

EXPERIENCE

Siedow Teacher Education Andover, MN May 2022-Present Curriculum/Course Design and Course Grader

• Engage in collaborating with company members to choose relevant and rigorous course material for graduate continuing education courses for educators

• Creating graduate continuing education course materials involving multi layered and higher level questions

• Examining and analyzing educator coursework based on strategic syllabi to enact a grade for their continuing education graduate work.

Orono Middle School Orono, MN Aug. 2007-2015

6th grade Language Arts Teacher

• Engage in collaborative teamwork with other English teachers to develop standards based curriculum and lesson plans.

• Creating critical learning opportunities for sixth grade and enriched sixth grade English courses.

• Analyze student data to determine best practices in the classroom to help student goal achievement.

• Utilize differentiation to enhance the learning experience for each student in order to assist them in learning a skill.

• Apply formative and summative assessment practices to coordinate the goals in my classroom on a daily basis.

• Communicate effectively with students, parents and staff to best serve each student’s needs in sixth grade.

• Facilitate parent conferences to communicate feedback regarding each student throughout the year.

• Manage classroom behaviors using cooperative classroom and theory based research to create a positive learning environment.

• Implement the character counts philosophy to help build a character conscious environment.

• Utilize current technology to allow students access to twenty first century literacy practices and techniques in English.

Orono Middle School Orono, MN Aug. 2007-Oct. 2010

8th Grade Girls Volleyball Coach

• Facilitated practices during each week along with matches.

• Organized practices based on skill based drills and activities.

• Communicated effectively to players, parents and other coaches to help develop a fun, safe and positive learning environment where each player felt confident in their abilities.

• Created a rigorous setting in practice and games to help players prepare for high school level volleyball.

• Managed and created practices for 7th grade and 6th grade coaches sporadically to assist them in skills based practices.

• Judged tryouts for middle school volleyball players to determine placement on teams.

• Attended coaching clinics in the district to improve my personal coaching skills. Groveland Elementary School Minnetonka, MN Apr.-June 2007 Third Grade Reserve Teacher

• Organized detailed curriculum plans to benefit individual students’ abilities

• Implemented higher level thinking, by incorporating advanced technological strategies

• Communicated to create a positive environment among students, staff and community

• Focused on utilizing the high standards of excellence established by the Minnetonka School District, in order to create a successful learning community Diamond Path Elementary School Apple Valley, MN Aug-Dec 2006. Fourth Grade Student Teacher

• Composed intricate instructional plans based on core curriculum

• Collaborated with staff, students and parents to build professional development

• Maintained a positive classroom environment, revolving around responsive classroom techniques

• Incorporated various forms of assessment in order to establish student growth St. Paul/Minneapolis School Districts St. Paul/Minneapolis, MN Field Experience Sept. 2003-May. 2006

• Assisted educator in utilizing lesson plans, activities and curriculum

• Worked with students to give them an individualized learning experience

• Observed valuable methods of teaching for non-traditional students

• Established knowledge on how to manage and maintain a positive classroom atmosphere Anoka Hennepin School District Coon Rapids, MN

Special Education Para Professional Summer of 2002&2003

• Created individualized lesson plans and curriculum

• Assisted special needs students with academic material

• Built relationships with staff, parents, and students

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