Ashley VanValkenburgh
2282 Lakeshore Rd. (989) 917–0278
Applegate, MI 49017 Portfolio: teach.albion.edu/ashleyvanvalkenburgh
Objective: To obtain a position as a secondary level ELA teacher.
Education: Albion College, May 2012
English Major, Psychology Minor
Secondary Education Concentration
GPA: 3.76, Magna Cum Laude
Teaching/Field Experience:
Battle Creek Central High School, Battle Creek, MI
English, 9th and Psychology, 11th-12th
Spring 2012 (Internship)
Fully designed and taught a history-infused unit on George Orwell’s Animal Farm which developed the creative writing and analytical skills of 55 Honors ELA students
Integrated technology in the form of a class blog and created an online learning community to facilitate class discussion and collaboration among 105 students
Albion High School, Albion, MI
Academic Support, 10th-11th
May 2011 (Pre-internship)
Designed and taught ELA lessons as part of a unit on “Arts and the Environment” which helped students improve writing, textual analysis, and vocabulary skills
Planned and led a field trip toa local pottery studio as well as the Albion College Whitehouse Nature Center, thus creating opportunities for students to connect to the natural environment and exercise creativity in making original pieces of artwork such as pottery, drawings, poetry, and short stories
Concord Middle School, Concord, MI
English, 8th
Spring 2011
Designed and taught a unique lesson on the epic hero cycle and its connections to contemporary films which successfully laid a foundation for 26 students to begin reading Homer’s The Odyssey
Designed and taught a lesson on societal and parental expectations in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, helping students better connect to characters and comprehend the text
Battle Creek Central High School, Battle Creek, MI
Psychology, 11th-12th
Fall 2010
Designed and taught an interactive lesson on Obsessive Compulsive Disorderwhich helped students gain an understanding as well as a respect for individuals with psychological disorders
Designed and taught a lesson on Freudian Dream Theory that challenged students to interpret events and experiences from their own lives, thus increasing their interest and understanding of theorist Sigmund Freud
Relevant Work Experience:
Long-Term Substitute Teacher at Battle Creek Central High School, May-June 2012
Homebound Tutor at Battle Creek Public Schools, April-June 2012
AVID Tutor at Albion High School, Fall 2010
Lifeguard/Swimming Instructor at Deckerville High School, Summer 2008
Librarian’s Assistant at Deckerville High School, Summer 2008
Leadership Experience &Community Involvement:
Volunteer Tutor (Health & Algebra) at Deckerville High School, Summer 2009 & 2011
Academic Honors:
Albion College Presidential Scholarship Recipient (2008-2012)
Who’s Who Among American College and University StudentsRecognition (2012)
Lucille Robinson Memorial Scholarship Recipient (2011-2012)
George R. Reed Endowed Prize in Education (2012)
Joseph E. Irwin Society Member(2012)