Monday, June 16, 2014

Letter of Interest




To whom it may concern,

My name is Chelsea Knetzer, and I have recently graduated from The University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg with a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education and a Minor in Psychology. I am searching for a full time position as an Early Childhood Educator in grades Preschool through Four.

I completed my student teaching experience at South Park Elementary Center, with Mrs. Amy Bozick. As a student teacher, I was provided a plethora of opportunities to grow professionally. I began the 2013-2014 school year with a pre-student teaching placement with a fourth grade class. I followed this with my student teaching placement with the same group of students during my final semester of my undergraduate degree. I took over full classroom instruction during my third week of student teaching, and during the fifth week of student teaching, I began writing district-uniformed curriculum.

While student teaching, my cooperating teacher had two family members pass away within one month. During this time, I was singularly responsible for all classroom management, instruction, and parent contact, with only day-to-day substitute teachers in the room with me. Administrators and other teachers within the building commended me on my performance in her absence.

During my student teaching placement I gained many experiences with students, parents, staff members, and administration. I built connections through extra-curricular activities and participating in staff meetings. I also was given the opportunity to work with the Elementary Student Assistance Program, where I was involved with a team including the school principal, counselor, teachers, parents, and the child in concern to develop a program to solve the child’s behavior/academic issues.

I believe that my many varied experiences have left me qualified for a job within your program. I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss with you any open positions, and I look forward to the possibility of talking to you soon!



Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,


 Chelsea Knetzer
CLKnetzer@comcast.net

Resume (UPDATED 6.16.14)



5635 Sixth Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15236
Cell Phone 412-805-1919
CLKnetzer@comcast.net

Chelsea Knetzer

Objective


I am a dedicated child advocate seeking a permanent position as a Grade Pre-K to 4 educator.

Education and Certification


Bachelor of Science, Early Childhood Education               
GPA in major: 3.95
Minor in Psychology                                                                  
Overall GPA: 3.723
University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg                               
Graduation: April 2014

Related Experience



STUDENT TEACHER

SOUTH PARK ELEMENTARY CENTER, SOUTH PARK, PENNSYLVANIA

2013-2014

·         Entrusted with full classroom leadership during the third week of a 15-week student teaching placement in a fourth grade classroom.
·         Assisted in the administration of PSSA tests.
·         Developed and implemented district curriculum and lesson plans for Mathematics, Language Arts, and Social Studies.
·         Conferred with parents and the Elementary Student Assistance Program (ESAP) team regarding student achievement and behavioral issues.
·         Participated in In-Service and Act 80 teacher development days.
·         Led substitute teacher and students in implementation of necessary lockdown procedures during school-wide lockdown.
·         Taught mini-lessons during a “Pre-Student Teaching” experience for 75 hours in a fourth grade classroom.


PEDAGOGY LAB PARTICIPANT

NICELY ELEMENTARY, GREENSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA

2013

·         Completed 15 hours in a fourth grade math class.
·         Completed 23 hours and 40 minutes in a fourth grade language arts class.
·         Taught lessons in both language arts and mathematics.
·         Experienced “Daily Five” small group instruction rotations.
·         Observed master teachers of first grade, third grade, and fourth grade classrooms.
·         Assisted with general classroom routines.

Early Childhood Field Experience

Westmoreland Community College Daycare, Youngwood, Pennsylvania

2013

·         Completed 15.5 hours in a 4-year-old preschool room.
·         Developed and implemented lesson plans for students.
·         Assisted with general classroom routine and management.

TOTS AND TIKES CHILDCARE CENTER, YOUNGWOOD, PENNSYLVANIA

2013

·         Completed 15 hours in the infant room (Ages 8 weeks to 1 year) of the daycare.
·         Monitored children and assisted with daily routine.
·         Changed diapers and fed children according to their individual schedules.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Westmoreland County

2011-2013

·         Met with a student through her first and second grade years while involved in the Lunch Buddies Program.
·         Mentored selected children through the Lunch Buddies program.
·         Met with students once a week to guide them through their day-to-day lives.

EARLY FIELD EXPERIENCE 2012

MENDON ELEMENTARY (YOUGH SCHOOL DISTRICT), HERMINIE, PENNSYLVANIA

·         Completed 15 hours in a kindergarten classroom.
·         Assisted with general classroom routine.
·         Developed and implemented language arts lesson.

WEST POINT ELEMENTARY (Hempfield school district), GREENSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA

·         Completed 17 hours in a fourth grade classroom.
·         Assisted with general classroom routine.
·         Developed and implemented language arts lesson

READ FOR LIFELONG LEARNING (AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM)

HUTCHINSON ELEMENTARY, GREENSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA

2012

·         Completed 15 hours with five, third grade students.
·         Created lesson plans to mentor a novel to enrich student learning.
·         Created a management plan and routine for classroom behavior.


Preschool in highschool teacher

BALDWIN HIGHSCHOOL, PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA

2010

·         Completed 7 months with 3-4 year old students.
·         Assisted with classroom management and routine.
·         Developed and implemented lessons for preschool students that were academically related to kindergarten curriculum.

Faith formation teacher

St. Elizabeth of Hungary parish, PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA

2008-2010

·         Taught first grade students according to a provided curriculum.
·         Developed and implemented lesson plans.
·         Managed classroom behavior and developed routine.
OTHER INTERACTIVE FIELD EXPERIENCES

NHS Autism school dance (2013: 2 hours) (2012: 2 hours)

·         Monitored and interacted with high school age autistic students in themed activities. 

College Day (2012: 5 hours) (2011: 4 hours) (2010: 4 hours)

·         Shared the routine of “college life” with a class of high school students from Clelian Heights School for Exceptional Students.

HALLOWBOO HALLOWEEN EVENT  (2012: 5 HOURS) (2011: 3.5 hours)

·         Monitored and orchestrated events for students in first to third grade.

KARAT School observation (2012: 5 hours)

·         Monitored and assisted with a classroom of ninth through twelfth grade ADD/ADHD students.

Jingle Jam multicultural holiday event (2012: 5 hours) (2011: 5.5 hours)

·         Monitored and orchestrated activities for groups of second to third grade students.

pressley ridge school observation (2012: 1.5 hours)

·         Observed the classroom routine of students with mental health/behavior issues, serious emotional disturbances, and teens with autism in grades Kindergarten through 12

Sopa hoops saturday; SPECIAL OLYMPICS EVENT (2011: 5.5 hours)

·         Interacted and monitored a group of high school age special needs students from Clelian Heights Special Needs School.

Read across america day (2010: 3 hours)

·         Conducted activities for Kindergarten through fourth grade students in the Clairview Special Needs School of the Westmoreland Intermediate Union.

Professional Development




Workshops:

First year teacher workshop (2014), Infusing Technology in the classroom (Spring 2014) What are Educators Looking For in a New Teacher Workshop (Fall 2013), Science: Mixtures and solutions workshop (Fall 2013), Science: Keeping the Hot Stuff Cool! Workshop (Fall 2013), PECT Lunch and Learn Series (Fall 2013), Court Mandated Reporting Seminar at South Park Elementary Center (Fall 2013), Politics and Education: Presented by PSEA President Mike Crossey (Fall 2012), Regional SPSEA Special Education Workshop (Fall 2012) Charter School Workshop (Fall 2012), Blind Association Workshop (Fall 2012), Sign Language Workshop (Fall 2012), Special Education Workshop: Guest speakers including a school psychologist, behavior therapist, and school nurse (Spring 2012), Bully Prevention Workshop (Spring 2012), Resume Building and Interview Workshop (Spring 2012), Charter School Workshop (Fall 2011), Politics and Education presented by Pennsylvania Representative Mike Reese (Spring  2011), New Teacher Workshop (Spring 2011), Learning Center Workshop (Spring 2011), PRAXIS One Workshop (Spring 2011), First Year Teacher Workshop (Spring 2011).

 

Confrences Attended:

Game On Technology Un-Conference (Fall 2013), SPSEA State Conference (2013), Child Bereavement Conference (Spring 2012), SPSEA State Conference (Spring 2012), SPSEA State Conference (Spring 2011)

 

Professional Memberships:

Student Pennsylvania State Education Association (2011-Present)
Pi Lambda Theta: Education Honor Society
Sigma Tau Delta: English Honor Society

 

Related certifications:

CPR Certified: Adult, Child, and Infant.
First Aid Certified.

 

Educational TECHONOLOGY SKILLS:

SMART Board, MimioTeach, Microsoft, PowerPoint, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Publisher, Microsoft Excel, Tech4Learning Pixie, Tech4Learning Share, Tech4Learning Frames, Inspiration, Kidspiration, Prezi, MobyMax, Geoboard, Remind 101 (App), Sushi Monsters (App), Spelling City, Toontastics (App), Educreations, Brainpop, SAMR model, Wordle, Edu. Glogster, ITunes University, M.Socrative.Com.

Leadership


University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg

Information Desk Student Leader (2012-2014)

·         Managed a staff of 10-12 college students.
·         Created schedule to work around college students’ schedules.
·         Designed duties and expectations of staff members.
·         Conducted monthly meetings with staff members.

References



Dr. Jeanne Moore

University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg
Director of Field Experience and Teacher Certification
(724) 836-7597

 

Mrs. Amy Bozick

South Park Elementary Center
Fourth Grade Teacher
(724) 561-5377

 

Dr. Wendy Hardy

University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg
Professor of Early Childhood Education
Student Teaching Supervisor
(724) 836-9922

 

Dr. L. Robert Furman

South Park Elementary Center
Principal
(412) 655-8510

 

Dr. Melissa Marks

University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg
Professor of Education
(724) 836-7073