Deanna Gotschall Gorsegner
Hinckley,MN
Summary
I look forward to the rewards of a new, stimulating career where I can transfer and utilize my skills and abilities in a new role. I desire a position located within or near the community I live, and for a company whose culture aligns with my work and family goals. I am a self-motivated worker, with the ability to learn and adapt to new systems, and strong foundational skills in customer service, technology, communication, and team collaboration.
Overview
33
33
years of professional experience
Work History
Music Educator & Literacy Specialist
Forest Lake Area School District
08.2005 - 06.2025
- Developed and delivered engaging, diversified elementary instruction to foster student participation and understanding through exploring music with their voices, movement, and a variety of instruments.
- Implemented educational tools and technologies to enhance learning and make lessons more accessible to all students.
- Facilitated positive learning environment, establishing clear expectations and supportive and inclusive classroom culture.
- Coached Juniors and Seniors who pushed themselves past their comfort zones to audition for honor’s choirs, contest, musicals, college department entrance, and college scholarships.
- Collaborated with colleagues to share best teaching practices, and to develop and revise curriculum to cover state standards, while enhancing students learning experience.
- Engaged in ongoing professional development to stay current with educational research and pedagogical strategies, and to reflect on and improve teaching skills and outcomes for students.
- Worked as an interventionist with struggling readers in grades K-3. Collected, organized and analyzed data to identify students in need of intervention. Designed lessons to maximize student learning of pre-reading and reading skills and complementary writing skills in the areas of Phonemic Awareness, Concepts of Print, Oral Language, Reading and Writing Vocabularies, Phonics, Fluency, and Comprehension of Informational and Narrative texts.
7-12 Choral Director & General Music Teacher
Onamia Schools & Mille Lacs Academy
08.2003 - 06.2005
- Directed Junior High Choir 7-8, Concert Choir 9-12, and Show Choir 10-12 , fostering vocal skills and ensemble cohesion.
- Coordinated, cast, co-directed and co-choreographed the annual Musical production.
- Coached students for solo and ensemble contests.
- Taught General Music to ages 11-18, in mixed age and ability groupings.
Piano & Vocal Music Instructor
Self Employed
08.1992 - 05.2002
- Execute all aspects of running a private studio, including advertising, scheduling and financial aspects.
- Mentored students in piano or vocal techniques, fostering engagement, personal growth and musical expression.
- Provided growth experiences for students through contest, studio recital and community recital opportunities.
- Collaborated with other local music educators for professional development and to provide additional opportunities for our students.
Hospitality Worker
Most Recent Employer: Tobies Restaurant
06.2005 - 08.2010
- Delivered excellent customer service to support company reputation and patron satisfaction.
- Processed payments with focus on accuracy and correct cash-handling procedures.
- Handled guest complaints professionally, resolving issues quickly to promote positive experiences.
- Collaborated with team members to consistently deliver high-quality service in a fast-paced environment, including mentoring junior staff.
Production Assistant
The Sportsman's Guide: Creative Services Department
06.1996 - 07.2000
- Assisted the Creative Director with administration of the department, including sensitive materials related to personnel, legal and vendor relationship matters.
- Assisted with an image management project.
- Assisted with editing, making corrections on electronic page files using the Quark application.
- Assisted with proofing corrections to ensure accuracy and quality.
- Assisted with trafficking catalog pages between the different areas of the creative departments and merchandising.
Education
Reading Recovery Certification -
University of South Dakota
Vermillion, SDReading License, K-12 -
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, MNMusic Education
Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, MNBachelor of Arts - Musical Theater & Vocal Pedagogy
Viterbo University
La Crosse, WISkills
- Effective verbal and written communication
- Customer service and satisfaction
- Adaptability and flexibility
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Attention to details
- Problem-solving and creative thinking
- Technology: Microsoft Word, Email, Internet Browsers, Google Suite: Docs, Slides, Forms, Sheets, and Classroom, Synergy: Attendance and Grading, Canvas, SeeSaw, Media Players, SmartBoards
- Concert planning, layout and setup, including sound systems
- Curriculum development, lesson planning and instruction
Timeline
Music Educator & Literacy Specialist
Forest Lake Area School District
08.2005 - 06.2025
Hospitality Worker
Most Recent Employer: Tobies Restaurant
06.2005 - 08.2010
7-12 Choral Director & General Music Teacher
Onamia Schools & Mille Lacs Academy
08.2003 - 06.2005
Production Assistant
The Sportsman's Guide: Creative Services Department
06.1996 - 07.2000
Piano & Vocal Music Instructor
Self Employed
08.1992 - 05.2002
Reading Recovery Certification -
University of South Dakota
Reading License, K-12 -
University of Minnesota
Music Education
Saint Cloud State University
Bachelor of Arts - Musical Theater & Vocal Pedagogy
Viterbo University