Jess' Teaching Experience
My teaching experience officially begain in 2006, with the start of my internship. In April 2007, I completed my teacher certificaiton program through Michigan State University and immediately began a long-term teaching 2nd Grade teaching position at Fuller Street Elementary in Nashville, Michigan. This position lasted from May - June 2007. I closed out the year in this classroom and got my first experience with filing and completing CA60's. In October of 2007, I was asked to be a long-term science teacher at Grand Ledge High School for a teacher who unexpectedly took a teaching position in another district. I taught in this position for the rest of the first semester which ended January 2008. I continued to do more subbing in Eaton County until March of 2008, when I was hired by Jeff Whipple at Windemere Park Charter Academy to become the 7th and 8th grade science teacher. My experience at Grand Ledge High School helped me get this job because Mr. Whipple personally knew Deb Traxinger, a teacher from Grand Ledge High School, who wrote me a letter of recommendation for a future teaching position. He knew if she was saying good things about me, I must be good!
I have been the middle school science teacher at WPCA since March 2008, of which I've also taken on some other positions such as Technology Committee Chairperson and 7th Grade Lead Teacher. In these positions I've had the opportunity to demonstrate leadership skills for the good of the school and coordinate several professional development opportunities for our teachers. I continue to grow in my knowledge and skills as a middle school teacher and apply the things I have learned in my master's in educational technology program to what I do in the classroom with my students and how I support the staff in my building in developing their technology skills.
I have been the middle school science teacher at WPCA since March 2008, of which I've also taken on some other positions such as Technology Committee Chairperson and 7th Grade Lead Teacher. In these positions I've had the opportunity to demonstrate leadership skills for the good of the school and coordinate several professional development opportunities for our teachers. I continue to grow in my knowledge and skills as a middle school teacher and apply the things I have learned in my master's in educational technology program to what I do in the classroom with my students and how I support the staff in my building in developing their technology skills.