Tabitha Plotke Email & Phone Number

I work with a student population that is rapidly shifting, and strive to reflect my students' backgrounds and cultures in my lessons. I build applicable lessons in 9th and 11th grade, providing opportunities to my students to find connections between their lives, our current world climate, and both modern and canonical literature. As a member of the 9th grade district frameworks team, I assist in designing and implementing common assessments and lessons that are aligned to the Common Core State Standards. I collaborate with colleagues both in the ELA department, as well as those who teach different disciplines, in order to provide my students with structure, support, and consistency.As Co-Chair of the Department, I work closely with colleagues throughout the district in identifying district-wide trends, facilitate department and content meetings, assist in the management of resources, and develop approaches for implementing district frameworks within our building to best meet our students’ needs.

Work with students to recognize metacognitive strategies that are commonly used throughout their reading and writing processes in order to become stronger readers and writers; provide and strengthen methods of student advocacy; introduce the relationship between language and power. Design and implement curriculum aligned with district frameworks, the Common Core Standards, and the College Board/AP Standards. Assess students formatively and summatively, and use data to inform further instruction. Collaborate with colleagues for both horizontal and vertical alignment. Build positive relationships with students and their communities, including their families, and important community members such as counselors, other educators, and mentors, so they are supported holistically throughout their educational careers. Experience teaching 9th, 10th, and 11th grade Literature & Composition; Spanish 1; Intermediate ELL Support; Creative Writing; Film Analysis; and AP Literature & Composition.

Designed and implemented curriculum for two sections of 9th grade English/Language Arts, and three sections of 9th grade Honors English/Language Arts. Units of study included short stories, instruction on the Washington State HSPE, and texts including "Romeo and Juliet," "The Lord of the Flies," and short stories such as "The Cask of Amontillado" and "The Most Dangerous Game." Implemented classroom management, motivation, and discipline strategies, and connected with colleagues, students, and families in the Kent School District.

Master In Teaching, Secondary Education: English/Language Arts

Activities and Societies: Assistant to the Director of the Northwest Center for Holocaust Genocide and Ethnocide Education, Center.

B.A., English (Emphasis In Writing)

Activities and Societies: Residence Hall Council Secretary, Arete Liberal Arts Honors Society, academic scholar, Dean's List.Spanish minor.

Education record