43 Bush Road
Greenville, PA 16125
724-866-xxxx
March 3, 2007
Mr. Random Principal Person
Some Random School District
3002 Perry Highway
Hadley, PA 16130
Dear Mr. Random,
Attached are my resume and other required materials to apply for the advertised Secondary English Education opening at your school. I feel that the qualities that you will find described therein are those that are most valued in education today. There is no doubt whatsoever in my mind that I would more than adequately fill your vacancy.
The past four years that I have spent at Clarion University have empowered me with all of the tools necessary to fulfill and exceed the needs of whatever district that I may find myself in. In particular, my current student teaching placement at DuBois Middle School has been extraordinarily beneficial to my development as an educator. Already, I have had extensive experience with standardized testing. I have administered, assessed, compiled results from, and then altered my instruction using PSSA preparatory Foresight Reading, Math, and Writing tests. I have also attended staff orientations on PSSA’s and then administered the tests myself. I understand the district accountability brought about by standardized testing. I am an ideal educator in this time, when the curriculum that is most important changes regularly to meet the needs of government testing. While I do have a firm understanding and ardor for literature and traditional “English class curriculum,” my greatest skill as an educator lies not with an inexhaustible knowledge of canonical literature, but with my flexibility in that I can communicate ideas and material to students on virtually any topic in a fun and easily followed manner.
I have developed a highly effective system of classroom management which ensures that each and every moment in my classroom is used to its fullest potential. As a direct result of the respect I demand and the palpable importance that I place on learning, students remain involved. I gained and maintain such an environment by employing teaching strategies that students can immerse themselves in and enjoy. My students laugh. They ask higher level questions. They assess their peers as well as themselves; they furrow their brows in thought. My speaking abilities, enthusiasm, and animation keep student minds exactly where I want them to be, wrapped around and penetrating into the ideas and material I offer.
I am passionate not only about the content mater of my discipline but, perhaps more importantly, I am passionate about my students’ mental and emotional well being. I actively seek out and seize teachable moments creating a classroom that changes direction in a moment to address whatever issues are most important and immediate in the students’ lives.
Sincerely,
Dan Williams
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Daniel J. Williams
724-866-xxxx
College Address (until May 12, 2007)Permanent Address
131 Grand Avenue Apt. B43 Bush Road
Clarion, PA 16214Greenville PA, 16125
EDUCATION
Clarion University of Pennsylvania, Clarion, PA
Bachelor of Science in Education, May 2007
Major:Secondary English Education
Minor: Philosophy
Overall QPA:3.35/4.0
Secondary English Ed. QPA: 3.35/4.0
Philosophy QPA: 3.3/4.0
TEACHING EXPERIENCES
Student Teaching
Eighth Grade, DuBois Middle School
- Named a “School to Watch” in 2007
DuBois Area School District, Dubois Pa
January to May 2007
In the classroom:
- Prepared students for PSSA testing
- Attended PSSA staff orientation
- Administered PSSA tests
- Developed and implemented thematic unit on S.E. Hinton’s The Outsiders
- Developed and implemented “I-research” unit
- Planning and anticipating a thematic poetry unit
Additional involvement:
- Developed and carrying out an Action Research Project dealing with homogeneous vs. heterogeneous classroom arrangements
- Chaperoned school dances
- Involved in and scheduled to judge Middle School Science Fair
- Attended out-of-school activities (plays, sporting events)
- Attended celebratory “Schools to Watch” open house and luncheon
Field Experience
Eighth Grade, DuBois Middle School
DuBois Area School District, Dubois Pa
Fall 2006
- Taught lessons throughout a three-week period (five days per week)
- Created Legend of Sleepy Hollow bulletin board
- Assigned and selected entries for “Courier Express Holiday Essay Contest”
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Daniel J. Williams
724-866-xxxx
HONORS
Sigma Tau Delta (National English Honors Society), Spring 2005
Board of Governors Scholarship, 2003-2007
PROFESSIONAL, CAMPUS, & COMMUNITEE ACTIVITIES
Professional Development
International Sigma Tau Delta Convention, March 2007
- Presenter, “Teaching Literature and Literacy in the Secondary Classroom: Shortcomings and Solutions”
Clarion County Literacy Council, Fall 2006
- Planned on-campus literacy training session for tutor certification
Attended in-service presentation: “Effective Tools to Enhance Instruction”
Memberships
Student Pennsylvania State Education Association, 2006-present
Sigma Tau Delta, 2005-present
- President, 2006-present
English Club, 2004-present
- Vice President, 2005-2006
Eagle Scout, Boy Scouts of America
Campus Activities
“Hall Wars” intramural sports activities, Spring Semesters 2004, 2005
“Clarion Idol” winner, Spring 2004
Volunteer Experiences
“The President’s Reception for High Achieving Students”, Spring 2007
“Reading for the Cure”, Fall 2005, 2006, 2007
Judging local school essay contests, 2005-2006
ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE WITH YOUTH
Farm Safety Quiz Team coach, Mercer County Cooperative Extension, Mercer, PA
Summer 2006
- Assembled Mercer County’s first competing team
- Compiled/organized study materials
- Practiced material with members
- Competed at state “Ag Progress Days,” earning 5th place
4-H assistant leader, Mercer County, PA
2004-present
- Worked with youth ages 8-18
- Helped members with raising, handling, fitting, judging, and exhibiting livestock
- Helped arrange presenters and organize members for monthly meetings
- Helped with/oversaw work days and livestock weigh-ins
Farm Safety Day, Mercer County Cooperative Extension, Mercer, PA
1999, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2006
- Educated youth on safety issues around the farm/home
- Demonstrated appropriate/inappropriate uses/handling/operation of farm equipment and livestock
Daniel J. Williams
724-866-xxxx
College Address (until May 12, 2007)Permanent Address
131 Grand Avenue Apt. B43 Bush Road
Clarion, PA 16214Greenville PA, 16125
References
Gary W. Micsky*
Interim County Extension Director
Mercer County Cooperative Extension
PO Box 530
463 North Perry Highway
Mercer, PA 16137-0530
724-662-5555
Dawna Vanderpool*
Secondary Educator/Cooperating Teacher
DuBois Area Middle School
404 Liberty Blvd.
DuBois, PA 15801
814-375-5555
Janet L. McDougall*
Penn State Extension Educator
Mercer County Cooperative Extension
PO Box 530
463 North Perry Highway
Mercer, PA 16137-0530
724-662-5555
Dan Hawkins**
DuBois Area Middle School Principal
DuBois Area Middle School
404 Liberty Blvd.
DuBois, PA 15801
814-375-5555
Dr. Richard D. Lane**
Student Teaching Advisor/Professor
Clarion University of Pennsylvania
202 Davis Hall
Clarion, PA 16214
814-393-5555
Dr. Kevin M. Stemmler**
Sigma Tau Delta/English Club Advisor
Clarion University of Pennsylvania
202 Davis Hall
Clarion, PA 16214
814-393-5555
* Letters of recommendation included
**Letters of recommendation available or to be written upon request