Clair F.

Durkes
Education

4450 Blakely Ave NE, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110 Phone: (847) 702-0541 E-Mail: clairfdurkes@yahoo.com

University of Washington/IslandWood IslandWood Environment, Education and Community Certificate, June 2012 Washington State Professional Teaching Certificate, K-8 Pending, applied for March 2012 University of Chicago SESAME Program Middle School Math Endorsement, June 2010 National Board Certification in Literacy: Ages 3-12 Master Elementary Teaching Certificate, January 2009 National-Louis University, Chicago, IL M.Ed. Curriculum and Instruction, June 2005 Northwestern University, Evanston, IL B.A. Political Science, June 2003

Teaching Experience

IslandWood Outdoor Educator, Bainbridge Island, WA August 2011 present Plan multiple four-day inquiry-based units for Seattle-area 4th-6th graders to connect students to nature Lead a new group of students every other week in outdoor exploration-based scientific investigations Take classes in science methods, environmental education, and child development to inform my teaching 1st Grade Teacher, Smyth Elementary School, Chicago, IL August 2010 June 2011 Taught 30 students all core subjects in a school day using Common Core standards to plan lessons Wrote and implemented a balanced literacy program to teach comprehension and learning to read skills 2nd Grade Teacher, Roque de Duprey Elementary School, Chicago, IL August 2007 June 2010 Wrote a science curriculum to teach the inquiry process, key ecological concepts, and human impact Used hands-on resources and field study to guide students through investigation of the natural world Served as a model classroom to help other teachers improve literacy, writing, and math instruction 2nd Grade Teacher, Parker Community Academy, Chicago, IL December 2006 - June 2007 Created an after school program to provide extra instruction for students achieving below grade level Helped students improve oral reading fluency through guided, shared, and independent reading lessons Enrichment Teacher, Center for Talent Development, Evanston, IL JanuaryApril 2006 Designed and delivered science curricula for gifted students during the Saturday Enrichment Program Taught K-1st students about the systems in the human body and 3rd-4th graders about resource depletion Kindergarten Teacher, Galapagos Charter School, Chicago, IL July 2005 - June 2006 Collaborated with colleagues to create developmentally appropriate lessons for at-risk students Planned for and taught an accelerated kindergarten program, introducing 1st grade material in January Kindergarten and 2nd Grade Teacher, Madison School, Chicago, IL October 2003 - June 2005 Developed effective literacy interventions to teach struggling kindergarten and 2nd grade readers

Coaching and Instructional Leadership

Professional Development Leader, Chicago, IL June 2008 June 2010 Created and taught classes to train teachers city wide how to effectively use classroom FOSS science kits Planned and led sessions for colleagues on literacy best practices, goal setting, and curriculum mapping Teacher Consultant, Chicago Area Writing Project, Chicago, IL June 2008 June 2011 Created and led sessions on implementing Writers Workshop in a K-3 classroom Developed and taught a three-day conference in best practices in literacy instruction for K-2 teachers

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Fellow Advisor and Mentor, Chicago Teaching Fellows, Chicago, IL Summers of 2007 & 2009 Observed new teachers during the summer, providing feedback to help them implement best practices Taught new teachers how to become effective educators in high needs public schools

Professional Development

MetLife Teachers Network Leadership Institute Fellow, Chicago, IL September 2009 June 2010 Designed an action research project on how to help struggling readers improve reading comprehension Collected qualitative and quantitative data on a daily basis in my classroom to support my project 2008 Fund for Teachers Grant Recipient, Chicago, IL April 2008 Created and received a fellowship to study sustainable living and nature conservation in Costa Rica Wrote a year-long science curriculum for my classroom focusing on environmental topics and issues Classroom Grant Recipient, Chicago, IL April 2005April 2011 Wrote and received 15 grants for classroom materials through Donors Choose Boundless Readers grant recipient for two years acquiring classroom library books Chicago Area Writing Project, Chicago, IL Summer Institute 2008 Attended month-long graduate course through CAWP and UIC to learn writing theory and instruction Developed a course to present to fellow teachers on helping students develop as strong writers

Skills

Blogger August 2011 present Report on current events through written posts on the IslandWood EEC blog, shared publically Create and write a personal blog to share my Washington adventures with family and friends Technology Proficient in Microsoft Office Experience integrating technology into outdoor field instruction (iPods, web research) Current Wilderness First Aid and CPR Certification Hobbies Running 5Ks, 10Ks, and half marathons Regular yoga practitioner Quilting and sewing August 2011