Rachel E.

Pool
11 Wilson Drive [email protected]
Pittsburgh, PA 15202 (412) 735-0592
Online Teaching Portfolio: http://rachelpoolteachingportfolio.weebly.com

CAREER OBJECTIVE
Obtain an early childhood or elementary school teaching position in grades PreK-6.

EDUCATION
MIAMI UNIVERSITY, Oxford, Ohio
Bachelor of Science in Education, magna cum laude, May 2013
Major: Early Childhood Education Overall GPA: 3.85/4.00 GPA in Major: 3.85/4.00
EDINBORO UNIVERSITY, Edinboro, PA
Master of Education in Reading, Beginning August 2017

HONORS
Presidents list, three semesters, Deans list, two semesters, Kappa Delta Pi, Education Honor Society, Senior Service
Leadership Award

TEACHING LICENSES
Pennsylvania Licensure: Elementary K-6, Reading Specialist K-12 in progress
North Carolina Licensure: Elementary PK-6
Ohio Licensure: Early Childhood PreK-3; Early Childhood Generalist 4-5

TEACHING EXPERIENCE
FULL TIME TEACHER, Grade 1, August 2014 June 2017
Altamahaw-Ossipee Elementary School, Alamance-Burlington School System, Elon, North Carolina
Teaching all subjects to a class of 21 students. Effectively implementing differentiated instruction to guide students
learning, success, and growth. Small group instruction for reading and math is planned and incorporated into daily
curriculum in order to meet students needs for learning and practicing applicable real-life skills. Incorporating
appropriate technology (laptops, ipads, and SMART Board) for presentation of lessons and learning centers. Selected to
be a part of the Tech Apprentice program where classroom is given opportunity to experience the blended
learning teaching style through use of Google Chromebooks (1-1). Conducting regular analysis of reading and math
progress. Results and data are used to identify students for placement into the RTI (Response to Intervention) process and
to drive instruction. Trained to utilize CIBL (Center for Inquiry-Based Learning) Science Kits to enhance science
instruction. Kagan Cooperative Learning Strategies are incorporated into lessons to enhance student engagement, learning,
and accountability. Designed and instituted effective behavior plans for a foster child student struggling to integrate into
the classroom culture, a student with a history of disruptive classroom behavior, and a mildly autistic student. All have
shown documented behavioral improvement. Actively engaged in grade level planning with the first grade team.
Represent the first grade team on the PBIS (Positive Behavior Instruction and Support) committee. Researched reading
programs and incentives as member of Dr. Seuss reading committee. Planned events and gatherings for staff
camaraderie as member of social committee. Coordinate and manage all special activities such as community worker
day where parents discuss their jobs and community involvement with students, field trips and holiday activities.

FULL TIME TEACHER, Grade 3, August 2013 - June 2014

Altamahaw-Ossipee Elementary School, Alamance-Burlington School System, Elon, North Carolina
Taught all subjects for a class of 18 students. Collaborated with third grade teaching and support team in planning and
teaching curriculum as well as decision making in regards to identifying and meeting needs of all students. Observed,
assessed, and implemented fellow teachers classroom management strategies and styles into my teaching methodology to
ensure student success. Conducted all parent-teacher conferences. Successfully executed the North Carolina Read to
Achieve portfolio for third grade students. 17 of 18 students achieved desired reading level status. Incorporated Kagan
Cooperative Learning Strategies for student engagement and learning. Developed, implemented, and successfully
executed a behavioral plan for 1 ADHD student. Became familiar with Knowmia; a teaching tool used for incorporating
technology into the classroom and used for Flipped Classrooms. Actively engaged in planning and execution of staff-
student activities such as talent shows, field days, and field trips. Assisted with the Girls Running Club. Received
proficient ratings from principal on 4 of 5 standards addressed in North Carolinas teacher evaluation system.
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STUDENT TEACHER, Grade 3, Fall 2012

Bogan Elementary School, Talawanda School District, Oxford, Ohio
Taught all subjects for a class of 20 students. Worked with 2 students on IEPs. Taught a week-long learning segment
about the prefixes, un- and re-, and the suffixes, -ly and ful. Created an end of unit science assessment in which students
had to create their own Animal Book. Developed several hands-on activities and incorporated SMART Board technology
in order to engage the students and to meet the needs of their learning styles. Provided differentiations to students during
lessons and activities according to their learning level, learning styles, and interests. Read and assisted students in small
groups during Intervention Time. Participated in Meet the Teacher Day, Open House, parent-teacher conferences, and
all teacher and service meetings.

FIELD EXPERIENCES, Grade 1, Spring 2012

Mayfield Elementary School, Middletown City Schools, Middletown, Ohio
Planned and implemented an inquiry-based science lesson where students discovered and confirmed objects and materials
that sink or float. Created a math learning center where students practiced their addition skills using dice and buttons.
Taught a social studies lesson to help students understand the connections between the past, present, and future by creating
a timeline about their own lives.

Grade 2, Fall 2011

Cheviot Elementary School, Cincinnati Public Schools, Cincinnati, Ohio
Designed a tic-tac-toe board of activities for students to choose and to complete about consonant digraphs. Engaged
students in a Direct Thinking/Listening Activity using the book, Kiss the Cow! by Phyllis Root. Promoted the writing
process by having students make a web (prewriting) and make a list (drafting) pertaining to the writing topic, My
Favorite Place. Taught a literacy lesson about birds using pre-reading, during reading, and post-reading activities.
Administered a spelling inventory to a student in order to determine his stage of spelling development. Observed teacher
and student behaviors and actions and how they contributed to the classroom environment.

Grades K, 2, 3, and 5, Spring 2011

Avonworth Elementary School, Avonworth School District, Pittsburgh, PA
Self-initiated field experience; spent one week observing and interacting with students in grades K, 2, 3, and 5. Assisted
the teachers when needed.

Grade PK, Fall 2010

Lebanon Early Learning Center, Warren County Community Services, Lebanon, Ohio
Assessed 3 different students on their current knowledge and skills with language and literacy by focusing on the
following concepts: alphabet knowledge, letter sounds, listening comprehension, phonological awareness, print awareness,
and vocabulary. Observed and interacted with a struggling student believed to have some ADHD characteristics and
created a developmentally appropriate ZPD art activity. Created a developmentally appropriate matching game with
letters, pictures, and words for the students. Observed the movement and free play activities in which students
participated. Led the students in a song about three of their five senses to the tune, Wheels on the Bus. Incorporated
paper visual aids and hand motions in order to foster learning.

JAMAICA CAPSTONE FIELD EXPERIENCE, Spring Break 2012

Taught a literacy lesson to students emphasizing the character education trait, generosity at the Race Course Primary
School in Clarendon Parish, Jamaica. Observed a second grade teacher and compared teaching methods to those preferred
in U.S. schools. Presented summary of findings and experience of teaching a literacy lesson through an interactive
poster/presentation session at the annual Undergraduate Research Forum at Miami University and to an EDT 346E
Language and Literacy class. Title of Presentation: Applying Instructional Teaching Practices and Literacy Strategies
in a Jamaican Classroom with a Focus on Character Education.
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LITERACY TUTOR, Grade 3, Fall 2011

Bogan Elementary School, Talawanda School District, Oxford, Ohio
Tutored a third grade student who was struggling in reading and writing for 16 forty-five minute sessions. Used activities
from Words Their Way and 50 Literacy Strategies such as, open-mind portraits, story boards, word sorts, and partner
reading, in order to address the three areas of reading difficulty: word identification, fluency, and comprehension.
Followed the five steps of the writing process and referred to Ruth E. Shagourys Raising Writers for planning writing
lessons.

ADOPT A SCHOOL, Spring 2010

Marshall Elementary School, Talawanda School District, Oxford, Ohio
Assisted a first grade teacher during reading and math lessons. Gained experience in working one-on-one with students
who need reinforcement of a particular concept.

MIAMI UNIVERSITY CAMPUS ACTIVITIES AND ORGANIZATIONS

MIAMI ENTERTAINMENT/AFTERDARK, Fall 2009-Spring 2013
Organized, scheduled, and provided safe, fun, alternative activities to alcohol on weekends. Elected Assistant Director of
Programming of Miami AfterDark and Miami Entertainment Co-Chair for 2011-2012 by staff members. Responsible for
selecting and signing acts to contracts. Coordinated April 2010 magician event, January 2011 Blacklight Night event, laser
tag, indoor roller skating, dancing, and weekly feature movies. Average attendance for coordinated events was 200.

ALPHA PHI OMEGA, CO-ED SERVICE FRATERNITY, Spring 2010-Spring 2013

Assisted campus, community, philanthropy, fundraising, and scouting organizations throughout Southwest Ohio.
Provided childcare services to Butler County Children Services. Led Boy Scouts on a tour of Miami. Assisted with art
class for inner city children in Cincinnati, OH. Coordinated childrens activities at Cincinnati Zoo and YMCA Pumpkin
Festival. Volunteered 20+ hours per semester.

KAPPA DELTA PI, EDUCATION HONOR SOCIETY, Fall 2010-Spring 2013

Participated in the Sandy Hormell Project: led discussion of summer reading book with middle school students in
Talawanda School District. Donated over 50 baskets containing nonperishable food items, clothing, and toiletries for
students of Rothenberg Academy in Cincinnati, Ohio and their families in need for the Christmas holiday.

COMMUNITY COUNCIL, COLLINS HALL, 2009-2010

Elected Vice President of Records and Communication by dormitory peers, freshman year.

INTRAMURAL PARTICIPANT - BROOMBALL AND SOFTBALL, 2009-2013

INTERESTS _____________
Acting/Singing/Theatre, Irish dancing, physical fitness, cooking

Letters of recommendation available upon request.