Colleen Clifford

9137 S. St. Louis Avenue

Evergreen Park IL, 60805
crclifford@noctrl.edu
(708) 218-0916
Education:
North Central College, Naperville Illinois
Anticipated
June 2016
Bachelor of Arts: Elementary Education
Minor: English Language Learning
Endorsement: English as a Second Language
GPA: 3.8/4.0
Objective:
Obtain a position as an elementary teacher to influence students to never lose their sense of
wonder and allow them to explore within their learning through trial and error, being
recognized not only for their successes, but also their attempts at learning. Students should
anticipate the learning each day and be excited to enter my classroom where opportunities
for exploration in thinking will be created.
Professional Development:
o District 203 Science Committee- Participated in two district-wide meetings on Next
Generation Science Standards and where science is heading in the future
o District 203 RTI Committee- Partook in three district-wide seminars on support
systems for students and new monitoring techniques (TieNet)
o District 203 Math Committee- Engaged in two district-wide seminars on Common
Core and implementation of problem solving integrated tasks
Illinois State Board of Education Licensure:
o Professional Educator License (K-8)
June 2016
o Endorsement: English as a Second Language (K-8)

Anticipated

Field Experience:
Meadow Glens Elementary School, Naperville IL
AugustDecember 2015
o Student teaching in a 3rd Grade classroom
o Set up the classroom in early August to prepare
o Took a more student-lead approach to my teaching in which there was less lecture
and more student collaboration and involvement, coming to conclusions on their own
with the content that was taught. Therefore, students were in control of their
learning.
o Differentiated math curriculum lessons to engage students with various learning
approaches through manipulatives. For instance, math lessons on the unit of
measurement included the use of scales and objects of various weight measurements
for students to experiment with in order to better understand the weights being
taught.
o Incorporated social skills into most lessons to always be practicing that vital tool. For
example, a social studies lesson on economy included a bartering activity in which
students had to work with a partner to exchange wants and needs to fulfill a
requirement and in doing so had to use appropriate speaking skills on how to ask
other groups and how to respond when a group did not want to trade.

Integrated many discussion opportunities for students to enhance their learning as a

community. Reading lessons sometimes were set up as a "Fishbowl" in which the
whole class gathered in a circle and students would play out scenarios from the text
and have open discussions on a particular book being looked at with my role serving
as the facilitator.
o Made it a priority for students to get excited about what they were about to learn and
showing my excitement towards the lesson. For example, in the science unit focusing
on shadows, I had students walk outside and trace the outline of the basketball hoop
on the playground at different times throughout the day to allow students to actually
see the changes and where the sun was located at those time to cause the various
shadow placements. Allowing that relevant and hands-on experience made students
more engaged and involved in their learning.
o Completed edTPA for licensure with a 3-day Literacy segment focusing on the
comprehension strategy of questioning
White Eagle Elementary School, Naperville IL
April-June
2015
o 25 field experience hours in a 1st grade classroom focusing on math
o Focused on small group work to help struggling learners
o

Elizabeth Eichelberger Elementary School, Plainfield IL

2015
o 50 field experience hours focusing on Literacy
o Worked alongside teacher in a fifth grade classroom
o Practice edTPA

January-March

Naper Elementary School, Naperville IL

March-June

2014

o
o
o
o
o

Involved in a Kindergarten classroom

Performed 25 field experience hours in Social Studies and Literacy
Taught lessons pertaining to community aspect and social skills, meeting social
emotional standards
Integrated technology into lessons to facilitate learning
Implemented classroom management strategies

Queen of Martyrs Elementary School, Evergreen Park IL

August 2011-

May 2012

o
o
o
o

Over 350 hours worth of classroom experience with a Kindergarten class

Gained classroom management skills while assisting teacher with class work and
organization
Interacted with students every day for a full year allowing strong relationships to
build with each student
Worked one-on-one work with students in Reading and Math

Related Experience:
Coached grades 6- 8th in Girls Volleyball, Most Holy Redeemer, Evergreen Park IL
Winter 2010-2012
o Taught skills of responsibility, time management, and teamwork
o Demonstrated management and leadership skills

Involvement:
North Central College Teach First Scholarship Program
2016

First Generation students pursuing Education degree

2012-

Kappa Delta Pi (Education Honors Society)

2014-

2016

Membership Chair- Recruiting students to join and organizing functions

Professional Development:
o Technologies in Education Conference

April

2014/January 2015

ACI (Associated Colleges of Illinois) Induction Conference

Winter

2014/Winter 2015

o Maria Walther Literacy Presentation

o Smart Board Training
Volunteer:
o Feed My Starving Children

2013, 2014
PADS
2015

Winter 2013
Fall 2012
Winter 2012,
May 2014/October