Ani Ricks
Chicago
Summary
Passionate student teacher with experience in 1st grade, Pre-K, Kindergarten, 3rd, 4th, and 6th grade classrooms. Skilled in lesson planning, classroom management, and supporting diverse student needs. Volunteer at a daycare, gaining additional experience in early childhood education. Dedicated to creating engaging and inclusive learning environments.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
Work History
First Grade Student Teacher -(April 2025)
Chicago Public Schools, Alice Barnard Elementary
08.2024 - Current
- Developed lesson plans that incorporated mandated topics and included immersive activities for student engagement.
- Worked with classroom teacher to learn about current standards and best practices.
- Monitored classrooms for safety and good behavior, offering students positive reinforcement to maintain discipline.
- Cultivated positive relationships with administration, teaching staff, and students.
- Facilitated small group activities and one-on-one instruction to meet individual student needs.
- Promoted positive and productive learning environment to increase engagement and rapport with students and teachers.
- Assisted with management of classroom rules, procedures and expectations to instill discipline and observance of conduct code.
- Helped students develop self-esteem and life skills by fostering healthy conflict-resolution, critical thinking, and communication.
- Taught lessons encompassing skill-building activities in speaking, writing, reading and listening.
- Attended students' concerts, sporting events and performances to offer support and encourage extracurricular activities.
Childcare Volunteer
Irene's Quality Daycare
06.2018 - Current
- Served as a positive role model, promoting healthy interpersonal behaviors.
- Assisted in potty training and toilet hygiene.
- Dispensed snacks and meals to children in accordance with nutritional guidelines.
- Instructed children in crafts and other activities to promote gross and fine motor skills.
- Worked closely with fellow staff members in developing and implementing educational and recreational activities.
- Complied with strict safety and organizational regulations, policies, and procedures.
- Helped children with homework assignments.
- Supervised children of various ages on playground and field trips.
Interactive Field Experience-6th Grade Social Sci
Chicago Public Schools, Robert Healy Elementary
01.2024 - 03.2024
- Observed and assisted in the delivery of engaging social studies lessons on topics such as ancient civilizations, geography, and U.S. history.
- Supported the teacher in planning and preparing instructional materials, such as maps, primary source documents, and multimedia resources to enhance student learning.
- Assisted in the differentiation of lessons for diverse learners by observing and helping implement strategies for various learning styles and academic needs.
- Observed how the teacher built connections between social studies content and real-world applications, making lessons relevant to students’ lives.
Interactive Field Experience-3rd Grade
Berwyn North School District, Jefferson Elementary
11.2023 - 11.2023
- Observed and assisted in a dynamic dual-language classroom where instruction was delivered in both English and Spanish, supporting language learners at various stages of proficiency.
- Supported small group and one-on-one instruction, helping students reinforce their understanding of key concepts in English while also observing language acquisition in Spanish.
- Took notes on bilingual teaching strategies, including code-switching, scaffolding, and differentiated instruction for diverse language learners.
Interactive Field Experience-Pre-K
Chicago Public Schools, Brighton Park Elementary
10.2023 - 10.2023
- Observed and assisted with classroom management techniques in a pre-k classroom.
- Shadowed the lead teacher during lesson planning, preparation, and delivery of core subjects including literacy, math, science, and social studies.
- Took notes on effective teaching strategies and classroom routines, noting methods of student engagement and behavior management.
Interactive Field Experience-Kindergarten
Chicago Public Schools, Ida B. Wells Prep
09.2023 - 09.2023
- Observed and assisted with classroom management techniques in a kindergarten classroom.
- Shadowed the lead teacher during lesson planning, preparation, and delivery of core subjects including literacy, math, science, and social studies.
- Took notes on effective teaching strategies and classroom routines, noting methods of student engagement and behavior management.
Interactive Field Experience- 4th Grade
Chicago Public Schools, Eli Whitney Elementary
08.2023 - 09.2023
- Observed and assisted with classroom management techniques in a 4th-grade classroom.
- Shadowed the lead teacher during lesson planning, preparation, and delivery of core subjects including literacy, math, science, and social studies.
- Took notes on effective teaching strategies and classroom routines, noting methods of student engagement and behavior management.
Tutor
University YMCA
12.2021 - 05.2022
- Motivated students towards learning and studying to build self-confidence and reduce fear of failure.
- Tutored diverse groups of students to strengthen subject comprehension, boost confidence, and build important learning skills.
- Worked closely with students on specific class struggles, closely reviewing materials and assignments to offer targeted help.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education
University of Illinois At Urbana-Champaign
Champaign, ILBachelor of Arts - Urban Education
University of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL05-2025
Skills
- Classroom management
- Differentiated instruction
- Lesson plan development
- Positive reinforcement
- Social-emotional learning
- Assessment tools
Timeline
First Grade Student Teacher -(April 2025)
Chicago Public Schools, Alice Barnard Elementary
08.2024 - Current
Interactive Field Experience-6th Grade Social Sci
Chicago Public Schools, Robert Healy Elementary
01.2024 - 03.2024
Interactive Field Experience-3rd Grade
Berwyn North School District, Jefferson Elementary
11.2023 - 11.2023
Interactive Field Experience-Pre-K
Chicago Public Schools, Brighton Park Elementary
10.2023 - 10.2023
Interactive Field Experience-Kindergarten
Chicago Public Schools, Ida B. Wells Prep
09.2023 - 09.2023
Interactive Field Experience- 4th Grade
Chicago Public Schools, Eli Whitney Elementary
08.2023 - 09.2023
Tutor
University YMCA
12.2021 - 05.2022
Childcare Volunteer
Irene's Quality Daycare
06.2018 - Current
Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education
University of Illinois At Urbana-Champaign
Bachelor of Arts - Urban Education
University of Illinois At Chicago
Similar Profiles
Trish ThomasTrish Thomas
Miscellaneous at Chicago Public Schools Langston Hughes ElementaryMiscellaneous at Chicago Public Schools Langston Hughes Elementary
VIOLET D. TORRESVIOLET D. TORRES
First - Fifth Grade Teacher at Chicago Public Schools: Webster Elementary SchoolFirst - Fifth Grade Teacher at Chicago Public Schools: Webster Elementary School
Carlos C. HerediaCarlos C. Heredia
School Counselor Intern at Chicago Public Schools, Edwards ElementarySchool Counselor Intern at Chicago Public Schools, Edwards Elementary