I successfully completed a rigorous and challenging one-year M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction - Elementary Education program at UIC in May 2014 and have received my Illinois PEL Type 03 (K-9). I am SCGE endorsed. In the fall of 2013, I completed over 200 hours of observation in one of the SCGE 3rd grade classrooms at Prieto Math & Science Academy (a Chicago Public School) with many fortunate opportunities to learn extensively from top-notch, experienced educators and administration. Beginning in January of 2014, I completed 14 weeks of hands-on student teaching in a 2nd grade bilingual classroom (also at Prieto) where students had just transitioned to 100% English instruction which gave me invaluable experience working with ELL students, understanding how they learn and designing effective lessons to help them accelerate & thrive. Prior to becoming a teacher, I was a business professional with many years of experience in corporate banking operations with positions held in corporate security and credit. I gained two years experience in administrative functions for a non-profit, two years experience in advertising database analysis and sponsorship marketing and one year working at a mid-market insurance adjusting firm. Education & Teaching Specialties: Common Core State Standards; classroom management & student behavior; ELL students; collaboration with PLCs; curriculum development; lesson planning; differentiation; classroom management; The Daily Five; CAFE; Guided Reading; running records; Fountas & Pinnell; technology integration to enhance classroom learning; Everyday Math; FOSS science; ACCESS testing; NWEA MAP testing and preparation; inquiry based learning; ability to multi-task, prioritize, & manage time effectively; and student focused.Writing, editing, proofreading; research; analytical, creative thinking & problem solving skills; information gathering & dissemination; organizational, decision-making, team-building and project mgmt. skills.