Michael Curtis Email & Phone Number

Yorkville, Illinois, United States

Assessing the needs of our community and developing a plan to provide books, materials, programs, and classes that meet the needs of a growing and diverse district. Creating and facilitating social programs and groups (i.e. gaming clubs, book discussion groups, movie presentations, and a variety of social programs centered on special interests and hobbies). Networking within the community to find instructors and presenters on a variety of topics of interest to the community for educational programs (i.e. an English Language Learners program, health and wellness talks, gardening programs, and skill-based classes like painting, creative writing, and computer basics). Understanding the demographics of the community and their needs while monitoring trends in publishing and in the habits and preferences of patrons to ensure we use our resources to purchase books and materials that will meet the needs of the taxpayers we serve. Teaching various classes when the need arises, and no instructor is available. Marketing programs, classes, and library amenities and offerings to the broader community to increase awareness and attendance. Maintaining the library’s website, calendar, and meeting/study room schedule. Managing the staff of the department and training them to assist patrons with our catalog, the technology we offer, and our programming. Collaborating with other city departments and entities (the school district, the senior center, parks and recreation...) to ensure we, as a city, work together to best serve Yorkville.

Yorkville, Illinois, United States

Working as a team in a small private school environment to instruct a group of multi-age/multi-grade students in a variety of academic disciplines. Following the philosophies of Dr. Maria Montessori to incorporate academic lessons into practical life endeavors working in a small farm environment.Designing and implementing curriculum with the academic and social/emotional needs of adolescent students in mind. Lessons used Literature, Language Arts, History, Humanities, and Physical Education to guide students to a better understanding of mindfulness, self-awareness, empathy, emotional literacy, conflict resolution, communication, critical thinking, creative thinking, problem solving, and decision making. Social/emotional lessons, as well as academic skills, were taught in conjunction with student run small businesses related to food service and farming. Lessons in these micro-economies included market analysis, book keeping, profit/loss analysis, customer service, and advertising and marketing.

Yorkville, Illinois, United States

Working with students in a classroom, through online classes, and real world setting to prepare them academically, logistically, and socially for experiential learning trips to Europe, South America, Asia, and Africa. Helping students understand financial considerations of these adventures, coordinating fund raising opportunities, and guiding students through money management and understanding of foreign currencies.Preparing students to write their own educational guide book that will serve as a resource and journal while overseas. Work with students on formatting, graphic design, and publication of their book.Design a new curriculum each year to fit the group's new destination. Curriculum includes study of history, art, architecture, music, food, geography, and culture. Coordinate with other teachers and experts to incorporate other areas of study dependent on that year's destination. Past destinations include Germany, Greece, Italy, Ireland, Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Japan, England, South Africa, Poland, France, Peru, China, the Dominican Republic, Panama, Croatia, and Hungary.

Denver, Colorado, United States

Run professional development seminars both at home and abroad to prepare teachers to give their students international educational experiences. Write curriculum, prepare presentations, run workshops, and act as a resource to other educators.

Oswego, Il

High school English teacher, instructing students using district aligned curriculum for students in 9th and 10th grades. Developed curriculum in coordination with a team of teachers to teach Contemporary American Literature, a senior elective course.

Minooka, Illinois, United States

Taught middle school English as part of an academic team. Coached baseball, basketball, and track. Ran 5th and 6th grade drama club, writing school plays in collaboration with a group of students, later staging them with 5th and 6th grade actors, crew, set designers, and technicians. Worked as a mentor to new hire teachers for a number of years, guiding first year teachers, collaborating with them in lesson planning, and coaching them to be more effective in their classrooms.

Bachelor Of Arts - Ba, English/Language Arts Teacher Education

Activities and Societies: English major who participated in school's literary magazine and newspaper. Theatre major actively engaged.

Master'S Degree, Reading Teacher Education