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W I S N E R S T R E E T, J A C K S O N , M I , 4 9 2 0 3
8 1 0 . 8 8 7 . 1 2 9 0  H E AT H E R . L L E R E N A @ J A C K S O N P E C . O R G

H E AT H E R A . L L E R E N A
OBJECTIVE
To gain a position as a Social Studies Teacher at the middle school level.
To gain a position as a curriculum director or leader within a middle school.

EDUCATION
August 2019-August 2022 Michigan State University Online Program
 Master of Arts in Teaching and Curriculum
o Concentration in Educational Psychology
o Earned Michigan Professional Reading Specialist Endorsement
o Graduated Summa cum Laude (3.94)
August 2009-May 2014 Central Michigan University Mt. Pleasant, MI
 Bachelor of Science in Education with Elementary Provisional Certification
o Social Studies Major (RX)
o Language Arts (BX) Minor
o Middle Level Education (ZL) Minor and Endorsement
Graduated Summa cum Laude (3.95 GPA) and from CMU Honors Program
August 2005-June 2009 Port Huron High School Port Huron, MI
 Graduated Salutatorian (3.99 GPA)

EMPLOYMENT

August 2014-present August 2014-Present June 2016-January 2019

Jackson Preparatory and Early College, Volleyball and Tennis Coach Sandhill Crane Vineyard, Jackson, MI
Jackson, MI 6-13 Charter school Middle School and High School Part-time Tasting Room Employee

TEACHING EXPERIENCES
Jackson Preparatory and Early College (2014-Present) Jackson,
MI
-6th – 8th Grade English Teacher: August 2021-present
 Planned all lessons, assessments, and grading. Designed the overall curriculum. Curriculum has emphasis on close
reading strategies, citing textual evidence, writing with proper grammar, argumentative writing, speaking skills, and
building perspective and empathy through diverse books and readings.
-6th- 8th Grade Social Studies Teacher: August 2014-July 2015, and August 2018 – July 2021
 Taught 6th grade Western Hemisphere Geography, 7th grade Eastern Hemisphere Geography, and 8th grade U.S. History
Revolutionary War – Civil War. Planned all lessons, assessments, and grading. Assisted in designing the overall
curriculum. Major focus on diversity and building empathy by examining different cultures and exploring history from
multiple perspectives.
-9th Grade U.S. History Teacher: August 2015 – July 2016, and August 2020-July 2021
 Taught United States History (1865-Present) to 9th grade students. Planned all lessons, assessments, and grading.
Assisted in designing the overall curriculum. Major focus on diversity by examining history from multiple perspectives.
-6th Grade All Subjects Team Teaching: August 2016 – July 2018
 Team-teaching style with two-three total teachers on the team.
 Taught Composition, Literature, Math, Science, and World/Western Hemisphere Geography.
 Co-planned lessons and assessments with team teachers. Individually graded for each class, and assisted in designing
the overall curriculum

Student Teaching
-Student Teaching Experience: March 2014-April 2014 Immokalee, FL
 Taught three classes of 8th grade U.S. History, and three classes of 7th grade Civics at Immokalee Middle School.
Experience working with students labeled “limited English proficient”.
-Student Teaching Experience: January 2014-February 2014 Mt. Pleasant, MI
  Taught 6th grade reading and writing at Fancher Elementary School.
- Pre-Student Teaching: June 2012 Oaxaca,
Mexico
 I helped teach English to bilingual fifth grade students at Colegio La Salle in Mexico for three weeks.

COACHING AND EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVIES

- Jackson Preparatory and Early College Varsity Volleyball Coach: August 2015-Present Jackson, MI
 Players range from 9 -12 grade students, ranging in ability from beginner to intermediate. Oversee the entire volleyball
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program – middle school, JV, and varsity teams.

 Created team expectations, assisted in creating the schedule, and designed drills and plays to advance the ability of players.
Completed in the Mid-Michigan South Conference as a Class D School.
-Jackson Preparatory and Early College Club Tennis Coach: April 2015-Present Jackson, MI
 Lead 6th-12th grade students, ranging in ability from beginner to advance. Created team expectations, created the schedule,
designed drills to advance the ability of players. Did not complete competitively.
-Jackson Preparatory and Early College Drama Club: Spring 2015-Summer 2018 Jackson, MI
 Co-directed three different straight shows, with student actors ranging from 6 -12 grade. For each show, assisted in stage
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direction, set and costume design, music, stage management, and the overall details of the show.
-Planned 8th Grade Trip to Washington D.C.: 2014-2016, 2018-present Jackson, MI
 Planned and organized four 8 grade trips to Washington D.C., each with 30-40 students/chaperones. For each trip, I
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worked directly with the traveling company to organize hotel, itineraries, and transportation. In addition, I lead
student/parent meetings, fundraising, rooming assignments, and created student/chaperone expectations.
-Planned 6th Grade Overnight Camp Experience: 2018-present Jackson, MI
 Planned, organized, and led the 6th grade week-long overnight camp experience to YMCA Storer Camp. I worked directly
with the camp to organize payments, paperwork, transportation, cabin rooming lists, and the daily itinerary.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
- Social Studies Department Chair: 2018-Present Jackson,
MI
- English Department Chair: 2021-Present
 Oversee teachers and programing for 6-12 grade Social Studies and English at Jackson Preparatory and Early College. Serve
on the school’s Academic Council to give input and make decisions around the school’s academic progress and assessments.
-  Michigan Association of Middle School Educators Conference: 2012-Present Location Varies
-  Association for Middle Level Education Conference: 2013 Minneapolis, MN
-  Presenter at MAMSE Conference: 2014 and 2016 Location
Varies
 2014- I presented my Honors Senior Research Project on Team Teaching in the state of Michigan.
 2016 – I presented information about how to integrate the overarching theme of Freedom and Equality into a U.S. History
class. I presented information about how to design the curriculum and assessments.

HONORS
- Earned teacher ranking of Highly Effective: 2017-2018 school year - present
- Earned teacher ranking of Effective: 2014-2017
-Nominated for Charter School Teacher of the Year: 2015
-Member of the Honors Program at Central Michigan University: 2009-2014
-Central Michigan University National Scholarship Nominee: Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship, 2013
-Recipient of the Honors Program Directors Award: 2011
-President’s List (4.0 GPA semester): 3 semesters
-Dean’s List (3.5 GPA or above): all other semesters

REFERENCES

Dr. Norma Bailey Johnathan Schaeffer Debra Holton

Central Michigan University George Wagner Middle School Teacher Jackson Preparatory and Early College
Middle Level Education Advisor Georgetown, TX College Prep Principal
Pre-Student Teaching Coordinator Former Social Studies Department Chair (517) 768-7093
(989) 560-3952 and Co-Teacher Debra.holton@jacksonpec.org
baile1nj@cmich.edu (586) 321-8598 l
johndavidschaeffer@gmail.com