Youth Director, Faunce Community Church

Location:

Plymouth, MA, 02360

Posted:

February 22, 2010

Contact this candidate

Resume:

Dustin Gervais

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

Plymouth, MA 02360

Tel: 518-***-****

********@*****.***

Februray 22ed, 2010

To whom this may concern:

Greetings from Plymouth Massachusetts. My name is Dustin Gervais, and I am writing in order to submit my application to become a substitute teacher within your school system at either the elementary level, or to substitute teach high school history as per my level of qualification. As a recent graduate and certified teacher, and after a review of your districts website, I feel your school offers me a tremendous opportunity for growth in my young career, and would like to be considered for the position. I would further like to present myself and my credentials in the hopes of receiving as chance to contribute to your school's community in whatever capacity I am asked to serve.

To state a bit about myself, I am an individual who has worked in both school districts and in church's throughout the North East in various capacities, including as an intern in a rural western Massachusetts district. While I have worked to attain a K-6 certification through New York state, I have also worked as a youth director in Stamford CT, as a teacher and administrator of the church youth group. Currently, I work in this capacity, as a church youth leader through Faunce Church in Plymouth, and with my certification now complete, it is my further intention to attain work a in a teaching. As my new place here in Massachusetts begins, I hope to gain new experiences, meet new people, and contribute towards the education of young individuals.

Before joining the staff at First Church, I pursued a variety of odd jobs both related and unrelated to teaching, as well as rigorously pursued both a BA and and MA in History and childhood education respectively. My undergraduate studies were completed at Houghton College, where I received a BA in History, as well as minors in Education and Political Science. Four years later, I completed graduate school, as well as spending a year active in a teaching internship, and six weeks in additional internship with the Ark Community Charter School, a high needs urban charter school where I learned the Responsive Classroom approach to teaching.

What I bring with me to this position is a strong heart and calling for education backed by an education of my own which has prepared me for a variety of teaching environments. I carry a strongly supported educational background in Education and History, and a desire to work hard to fulfill the roll I have been called to, as mentor, teacher and friend to the youth and families who I would interact with. I also bring extensive experience working in both education and working and administrating a youth group and Sunday School, a semester of student teaching, as well as six months of direct classroom experience with Americorps. I also enjoy downhill skiing, Ultimate Frisbee and researching current events as a hobby. Throughout my young career, I've extensively used the knowledge and relational skills of a certified teacher to contribute in every setting I've been in towards youth educational experiences and goals. As my journey continues, both humbled by the reality of an imperfect match with the church I was a part of, but steadfast in the belief that the journey does not end here, but has continued into this new direction. As a result, I am aggressively reviewing all options that become open to me, and pray that my application will be considered for review. Thank you for your time, and I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Sincerely,

Dustin Gervais

Dustin M. Gervais

176 Halfway Pond Road, Plymouth MA. 02360

518-***-****

********@*****.***

Profile

Elementary Education Teacher & Youth Minister with demonstrated success working with youth and families in of diverse settings, including First United Methodist Church of Stamford, Various school districts including Niskayuna Central, Troy Central, The Ark Charter, Various Camps, and Americorps Internship. Experience includes creating, adapting and teaching diverse curriculum, while creating caring environments for students to learn and thrive diverse settings. Classroom and non-classroom experience is complimented by a well rounded, solid liberal arts and specialized education at both the undergraduate and graduate level in History and Education. I have proven creativity, resourcefulness and adaptivity, but most importantly, a desire to follow and fulfill calling towards youth ministry, willing to be used as whatever vessel for him I can be in this field.

EDUCATION HISTORY:

Sage Graduate School. (January 2007 to May 2008)

(Masters of Science) Childhood Education- August 2008.

NYS Elementary Education (K-6) Provisional Certification.

Completed coursework in Emergent Language & Literacy, Social Justice through Children’s Literature, Teaching Mathematics and Humanities, Assessment Approaches, Building Learning Communities (Responsive Classroom), Student Teaching (1st and 5th Grade Placements), Teaching All Learners and Developmental Psychology.

Hudson Valley Community College. (September 2006 to December 2006)

- Pre-Requisite Semester (Keyboarding, Real World Mathematics)

Houghton College in Houghton, NY. (August 2001 to May 2005)

- (Bachelor of Arts) History (Minors: Political Science/Education)

Completed Coursework in US and European and Australian History, Introduction & History of Christianity, Biblical Literature, the Poetic Books, Knowledge/Reality & Ethics, Educational Psychology, Introduction and Intermediate Spanish.

CERTIFICATION:

NYS Elementary Education (K-6) Provisional Certification.

STUDENT TEACHING:

Rosendale Elementary School (5th Grade)

- Developed and interpreted 5th grade level social studies, reading, science, mathematics and writing curriculum from pre-existing and self created materials.

- Developed and implemented behavioral management strategies using elements of Responsive Classroom, and Understanding by Design.

- Collaborated with cooperating teachers and other faculty to develop 5th grade social studies, mathematics and writing curriculum.

Participated in Educational Training and staff development (Understanding by Design.)

Troy Elementary School 18 (1st Grade)

- Developed and interpreted 1st grade level science, reading, writing and mathematics curriculum from pre-existing and self created materials.

- Developed and implemented behavior management strategies using elements of Responsive classroom.

- Collaborated with cooperating teachers on the development of 1st grade reading, science and writing curriculum.

- Interpreted and Utilized Responsive Classroom and other social development tools.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

Faunce Church Youth Director/Associate Pastor (December 2009-Present)

-Coordinates weekend church youth activities and supports evening and Sunday morning church functions.

LMS Intellibound Corporation (October 2009-December 2009)

- Order selecting using voice T-5 Technology in dry grocery (primary), meat, dairy and produce.

- Loaded and unloaded grocery pallets onto distribution trucks as a regular part of operations.

-Trained new associates to use equipment, construct stable grocery pallets safely and efficiently.

- Trained new associates to use voice T-5 technology.

First United Methodist Church (February 2009-July 2009)

-Coordinated Sunday School (Pre-K-12th Grade)

-Taught Junior & Senior High (6th-12th Grade)

-Coordinated Children & Youth Sunday and Preached.

-Coordinated Church Vacation Bible School (Grades Pre-K-4th Grade)

-Co-Coordinated 3 Church Missions Projects.

-Co-Coordinated Church Missions Trip (Red Bird Mission) to Beverly Kentucky.

Starbucks Corporation (October 2007-January 2009)

The Ark Community Charter School Internship (August 2007-October 2007.)

- Assistant Teaching Internship (Grade 2).

- Implemented intrinsic behavior development plan with high needs students based on Second Step and responsive classroom.

- Collaborated with faculty to develop teaching strategy for diverse high needs learners.

- Interacted with parents of high needs students to promote challenged student learning in reading, writing and mathematics.

Hannaford Brothers Inc. in East Greenbush NY (January 2007-August 2007.)

Student Conservation Association: Mass. Parks Americorps (October 2005-August 2006)

- Developed third and fourth grade Social Studies and Environmental Science curriculum based on outdoor learning environments.

- Developed and Implemented educational service learning projects designed to promote awareness of environmental awareness in the town park.

- Consulted with and developed curriculum for classroom teachers from Pre-K to 6th Grade in reading, writing, social studies, and environmental science.

- Developed instructional materials and curriculum for outdoor instruction.

- Completed Certified in AERIE Backcountry Medicine: Wilderness First Responder (WFR.)

Hannaford Brothers Inc. in Schodack Landing NY (Fall 2008, Summers 2005, 2004 &2003)

- Full time order selecting at the company’s distribution center.

Camp Asbury in Silver Lake, NY (May 2002 to August 2002)

- Supervised groups of children in overnight Christian camp environments, and lead week long programs in bible study, outdoor recreation, music instruction, worship, etc.

- Developed outdoor religious studies curriculum and bible study curriculum for children of all ages.

- Worked closely with staff and coordinators to promote God's creation, and why it is to be both respected and cherished as a part of his world.

Camp Son Rise in Pottersville, NY (May 2001 to August 2001)

- Oversaw the maintenance of the camp grounds, and served as a support staff during evening activities.

- Assisted with overnight camp bible study and religious instruction curriculum development.

Assisted with the development and served as a leader in the camps Sunday morning worship service balloon

Help run various sports programs including soccer, canoing, hiking programs.

Dustin M. Gervais

176 Halfway Pond Road, Plymouth MA. 02360

518-***-****

********@*****.***

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