Emily Laatz
Zeeland
Summary
Qualified Literacy Coach with robust background in immersion language and literacy instruction. Guided engaging curriculum development and supported significant reading growth for elementary and middle school students. Demonstrated strong communication skills, collaboration and cultural sensitivity in diverse educational environments.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Spanish Immersion Teacher
New Groningen Elementary
08.2019 - Current
- Teach third grade Spanish immersion in a self-contained classroom currently.
- Taught first grade Spanish immersion for four years in self-contained classroom.
- Succeeded in helping students grow in their reading progress by 5 levels each year in first grade and 1-2 levels in third grade.
- Design lessons that integrate literacy skills in all disciplines.
- Analyze student reading data and create differentiated groups based on student goals.
- Collaborate with both immersion teachers and administration at monthly meetings to make decisions for how to grow the immersion program.
- Pilot new reading and writing curriculum through American Reading Company.
- Implement differentiated instruction lessons through the ARC curriculum.
- Serve as an instructional mentor for our current reading interventionists.
Spanish Teacher
West Ottawa Public Schools
08.2013 - 08.2019
- Taught Spanish levels 1 through 4 and Spanish immersion at the middle and high schools.
- Designed activities that promote cultural competency and sensitivity.
- Collaborated with world language teachers in professional learning communities on making instruction decisions based on assessment data.
- Differentiated instruction for students with IEPs and 504 plans.
- Analyzed student data from the AAPPL assessment for language credits and awarded students the Seal of Biliteracy.
- Provided cultural experiences for students as Co-Adviser of Spanish Club.
- Chaperoned and helped organize summer trip to Costa Rica with 34 students.
Cross Country and Track and Field Coach
West Ottawa Athletics
03.2015 - 05.2019
- Served as Assistant Coach for varsity track and field and cross country programs for 2 years.
- Served as Head Coach of middle school girls cross country for 2 years.
- Facilitated and led daily practices, including warm-up, endurance workouts, speed drills, stretching, injury prevention, and nutrition education.
- Supported athletes and team in developing goals for the season.
- Develop positive relationships with athletes to build confidence and accomplish goals.
- Helped varsity team in qualifying for the State Meet in 2016.
Language Arts Teacher
West Ottawa Public Schools Summer Migrant Program
06.2014 - 08.2017
- Instructed middle school migrant students in reading and writing strategies in an English language learner setting.
- Implemented scaffolded instruction for monolingual and bilingual students.
- Improved ninety percent of students’ reading scores from beginning to end of summer using DRA2 assessments to measure growth.
- Translated written documents and verbally to communicate with parents about student progress, behavioral concerns, and program events.
- Facilitated character building activities during school and on field trips.
- Organized a Celebration of Learning at the end of each summer.
Forest Hills Northern Trails 5/6 School
01.2012 - 04.2012
- Served as Teacher Assistant for one semester for 6th grade students.
- Assisted and collaborated with the teacher in leading Spanish immersion language arts.
- Enhanced student learning through a variety of technological presentations.
- Built strong and meaningful relationships with students.
- Identified individual needs of students with individualized plans.
- Guided students through the reading of a short novel in Spanish.
Education
Elementary Endorsement Program - K-5
Grand Valley State University
Allendale, MI08.2022
B.A. - Spanish, Concentration in Secondary Education, Minors: English and Applied Linguistics
Grand Valley State University
Allendale, MI12.2012
Spanish Language and Culture Program
Deusto University
Bilbao, Spain12.2008
Master of Arts - Education
American College of Education
Indianapolis, IN12-2025
Skills
- Creative problem-solving
- Collaborative learning
- Intervention and instructional strategies
- Cultural sensitivity
- Extensive Spanish vocabulary
Certification
- Standard Teaching Certificate, Secondary Spanish and English, Elementary K-5, 06/2018
- Michigan Department of Education
- Oral Proficiency Interview; Spanish, Advanced-Low Score, 03/2012
- American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages
Languages
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
English
Native or Bilingual
Professional Development and Continued Learning
- 01/2024- Current
- Currently serve on the board for West Michigan Alliance of Immersion Educators.
- 06/2023: Adaptive Schools Training
- Participated in the full training learning how to effectively communicate and lead in a professional education setting.
- 09/2018- Current WMAIE Fall and Spring Conferences
- Consistently attend and participate in workshops to improve immersion instruction.
- 04/2019: Mitten CI Conference
- Strategies for providing comprehensible input in the language classroom
- 06/2014, 06/2015: Summer Migrant Teacher Training
- Incorporating vocabulary instruction in reading, teaching K-8 writing and math
- 08/2014: PLC Conference
- How to establish professional learning communities in the school setting
Timeline
Spanish Immersion Teacher
New Groningen Elementary
08.2019 - Current
Cross Country and Track and Field Coach
West Ottawa Athletics
03.2015 - 05.2019
Language Arts Teacher
West Ottawa Public Schools Summer Migrant Program
06.2014 - 08.2017
Spanish Teacher
West Ottawa Public Schools
08.2013 - 08.2019
Forest Hills Northern Trails 5/6 School
01.2012 - 04.2012
B.A. - Spanish, Concentration in Secondary Education, Minors: English and Applied Linguistics
Grand Valley State University
Spanish Language and Culture Program
Deusto University
Elementary Endorsement Program - K-5
Grand Valley State University
Master of Arts - Education
American College of Education