Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Published Works
Volunteering
Extracurriculars
Additional Experience
Timeline
Generic

Kaitlyn Okrusch

Thetford Center,VT

Summary

I am a highly-motivated and creative educator with a strong work ethic and exceptional interpersonal skills. My ethos is rooted in authentically connecting with people through active listening and curiosity. Experienced in environmental and life sciences, I value novel and integrated curriculums that open and connect students to their environments. I am committed to creating motivational and collaborative learning experiences that foster social and emotional growth.

Overview

10
10
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

7th and 8th Grade Science Teacher

Rivendell Interstate School District
Orford, NH
08.2023 - 06.2024
  • Created lesson plans with innovative approaches to science education.
  • Conducted laboratory experiments to demonstrate scientific principles and concepts.
  • Encouraged critical thinking skills by posing questions that challenge traditional perspectives on science topics.
  • Established positive relationships with students, parents, administrators, and other faculty members.
  • Adapted teaching methods and materials to meet students' varying needs and interests.
  • Encouraged a culture of respect, curiosity, and enthusiasm for learning within the classroom.

Student Teacher

Fall Mountain Regional School District
Langdon, NH
01.2023 - 05.2023
  • Observed educators teaching, interacting with students, and managing classrooms to gain insight and understanding of duties and responsibilities.
  • Created lesson plans to incorporate mandated topics and include immersive activities for student engagement.
  • Observed teachers in classrooms to improve skills and communication.
  • Introduced and encouraged a debate-style classroom setting to increase student active participation and critical thinking.
  • Implemented question and discussion techniques to encourage student participation and knowledge acquisition.

Graduate Student Teacher & Research Assistant

Antioch University New England (AUNE)
Keene, NH
08.2021 - 05.2023

Science Teaching Methods, Teaching Assistant with Professor Gopal Krishnamurthy, Ph.D.

  • Delivered personalized guidance and support to students through one-on-one sessions and facilitated discussions in group settings.
  • Worked closely with teacher to strategize and accomplish instructional goals and objectives.
  • Tailored teaching methods and resources to accommodate the unique needs and interests of each student.
  • Collaborated on designing the course syllabus to include relevant readings, establish organization, and facilitate flexibility.
  • Achieved efficiency by organizing and distributing weekly emails pertaining to preparation, questions, etc.

Ornithology Teaching Assistant with Professor Mike Akresh, Ph.D.

  • Offered personalized and group guidance sessions to address student inquiries related to assignments, grant proposals, and general concerns.
  • Collaborated with teacher to strategize and accomplish instructional goals.
  • Enhanced teaching strategies to promote student learning and assumed increased responsibility.
  • Facilitated interactive birding outings emphasizing personal engagement, song recognition, and strengthening bonds with fellow participants.

Ornithology Research Assistant with Professor Mike Akresh, Ph.D.

  • Played a key role in collecting and organizing data for a groundbreaking pilot study on the Whistling Warbler in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
  • Cultivated relationships with individuals in St. Vincent to promote knowledge-sharing and engagement in the Whistling Warbler initiative.
  • Qualified and quantified anthropogenic materials used by avian species through dissection of bird nests.
  • Led informative sessions on dissecting and bird-banding techniques, promoting awareness within the AUNE community regarding the presence of plastics in avian habitats.
  • Proficiently managed extensive data collections through utilization of both Excel and Google Spreadsheets.

Educator/Curriculum Designer/Bird Biologist

Big Sky Watershed Corps (AmeriCorps)
Missoula, MT
01.2020 - 06.2021
  • Worked in a dual position for the Missoula chapter of the Clark Fork Watershed Education Program (CFWEP) and the University of Montana Bird Ecology Lab (UMBEL).
  • Developed 7th grade intensive, interactive science curricula following NGSS guidelines for MCPS utilizing Osprey as the main model in studying bioindicators, evolution and ecosystems through a place-based learning approach.
  • Engaged with visiting students and the general public, educating them on the research being conducted at UMBEL's MAPS Bird Banding Program field sites.

Educator/Naturalist

Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory
Duluth, MN
08.2018 - 11.2019
  • Provided education to both school groups and the general public on topics such as passerines, raptors, and fall migration through course instruction; contributed to the development of enhanced curriculum materials; facilitated bird demonstrations highlighting various raptor species.
  • Crafted instructional materials for at-risk youth residing in the inner city of Duluth.
  • Practiced bird handling techniques, conducted banding observations, and proficiently identified various types of birds.

Teaching Assistant/Curriculum Designer

CFWEP
Missoula, MT
02.2018 - 04.2019
  • Supported CFWEP Missoula Director in the development and update of content; contributed to teaching a college level course at University of Montana for the Spring semester.
  • Assessed the effects of Superfund cleanup on bird populations at various stages of remedy and restoration by conducting fieldwork, including banding passerines and searching for nests along the Clark Fork River.
  • Succeeded in developing strong expertise in various aspects of bird research including data management, mist nets, and bird handling.
  • Developed and shared educational content for K-12 learners.
  • Developed and presented a comprehensive 4-week unit (Winter Wings) to educate 3rd graders on migration, winter birds, and biodiversity at Lewis & Clark Elementary.

NIH-SEPA Neuroscience Module Leader

National Institutes of Health (NIH) Bioscience
Bozeman, MT
03.2015 - 03.2017
  • Planned, designed and executed neuroscience curricula for children and adults from rural Montana towns in collaboration with local 4-H programs.
  • Delivered approximately 15 science education sessions and fostered continuous student interaction utilizing remote learning approaches.
  • Supported students in the planning and presentation of their science projects.
  • Presented at the NIH-SEPA conference in Washington, DC in May 2015.

HHMI Undergraduate Biology Researcher

Howard Hughes Medical Institute, HHMI
Bozeman, MT
06.2014 - 05.2015
  • Recipient of HHMI year-long grant for research and education in Dr. Seth Walk's Microbiology & Immunology Lab.
  • Developed research projects examining the link between Inflammatory Bowel Disease and the Hygiene Hypothesis through helminth experimentation.
  • Created and distributed month-long microbiology science curriculum to underserved, rural middle school students in Gardiner, MT.
  • Contributed as a presenter to WCBSURC in San Diego, CA.
  • Participated in the Montana State Undergrad Research Conference, presenting both a poster and a presentation.

Education

Master of Science - Environmental Studies & Science Teaching License

ANTIOCH UNIVERSITY NEW ENGLAND
Keene, NH
05.2023

Bachelor of Science - Nutritional Science & Biochemistry

MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY
Bozeman, MT
05.2015

Skills

  • Teaching and Training
  • Interpersonal Skills/Relations
  • Verbal and Written Communication
  • Curriculum Development
  • Problem-Solving
  • Environmental Science
  • Life Science
  • Tutoring and Coaching
  • Faculty Collaboration and Support
  • Computer Skills [Microsoft Office, Research]

Certification

  • NH Teaching License: Life Sciences Grades 7-12.
  • Project WET (Water Education for Teachers) Certified.
  • Professional Development Certificate: 21st Century Teaching and Learning: Data Science, Stanford Graduate School of Education

Published Works

  • Author of Waiting for Iris in Wisdom River, Durville Publishing and University of Toronto Press.
  • Co-Author of From Ashes to Opportunity: Volcano Sparks Efforts to Understand and Conserve the Endangered Whistling Warbler.
  • Co-Author of Neuroscience: Getting to Know You - Neuroscience unit of SEPA BIOSCIENCE at Montana State University (MSU Extension Office).

Volunteering

  • Organize New Hampshire Phone Banking Volunteer (2022)
  • Raptor Surveyor for Owl Research Institute in Montana (2020-2021)
  • Missoula Food Bank COVID-19 relief; delivering food/household goods (2020)
  • Northern Pygmy Owl nest searcher for Owl Research Institute for breeding habitat/behavior (2018-2019)
  • TRACS/Lifesavers Animal Shelter volunteer (2017-2019)
  • Elephant Nature Park Ethical Elephant Sanctuary volunteer(2017)
  • Thrive/Child Advancement Project Mentor to one student (2012-2016)
  • Breaks Away Homeless Shelter volunteer (2013)
  • AmeriCorps Vista Homeless Connect Dental Clinic helper (2011)

Extracurriculars

  • Teaching & Learning, 3 Credit Professional Development Graduate Course through AUNE (Jan 2024 - Apr 2024).
  • The Upper Valley Teaching Place Collaborative conference (October 10, 2023)
  • Transformative Education, Conference Presenter, Ojai, CA (2/19/23)
  • Critical Explorers, 40 hours of Professional Development Workshop (2022)
  • Peaks & Potentials science instructor (2014)
  • Co-Founder of the Montana State Chapter Southwest Montana Crohn's & Colitis Campus Group (2013-2015)

Additional Experience

Sylvan Tutor: Math, Science, and Writing (Apr 2019 - Apr 2020)

  • One-on-one tutoring sessions with various ages.
  • SAT/ACT Preparation Programs.
  • Provided prompts, editing, and creative brainstorming.

Birds Eye View Education Program Banding & Education Intern (May 2019 – Aug 2019)

  • Song bird banding and handling skills; vegetation surveys for breeding bird habitat.
  • Educated school and summer groups about avian ecology, the Upper Clark Fork River Watershed, and the importance of bird banding as a tool to assess Superfund cleanup.
  • MAPS Banding Station protocols.

Owl Research Institute Short-eared Owl Surveyor - Project WAfLS (Mar 2019 - Apr 2019)

  • Completed 20 Short-eared Owl surveys across Eastern and Central Montana.
  • Detailed observations recorded regarding vegetation, landscape, and owl behaviors.

Clark Fork Watershed Education Program (CFWEP) Intern (Dec 2018 - Apr 2019)

  • Educated 5th grade MCPS children about the past, present, and future of our local watershed.
  • Complex problem solving and laboratory experiences with students.
  • Collaboration, time management, organization, and data literacy with the other CFWEP interns.

Timeline

7th and 8th Grade Science Teacher

Rivendell Interstate School District
08.2023 - 06.2024

Student Teacher

Fall Mountain Regional School District
01.2023 - 05.2023

Graduate Student Teacher & Research Assistant

Antioch University New England (AUNE)
08.2021 - 05.2023

Educator/Curriculum Designer/Bird Biologist

Big Sky Watershed Corps (AmeriCorps)
01.2020 - 06.2021

Educator/Naturalist

Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory
08.2018 - 11.2019

Teaching Assistant/Curriculum Designer

CFWEP
02.2018 - 04.2019

NIH-SEPA Neuroscience Module Leader

National Institutes of Health (NIH) Bioscience
03.2015 - 03.2017

HHMI Undergraduate Biology Researcher

Howard Hughes Medical Institute, HHMI
06.2014 - 05.2015

Master of Science - Environmental Studies & Science Teaching License

ANTIOCH UNIVERSITY NEW ENGLAND

Bachelor of Science - Nutritional Science & Biochemistry

MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY
  • NH Teaching License: Life Sciences Grades 7-12.
  • Project WET (Water Education for Teachers) Certified.
  • Professional Development Certificate: 21st Century Teaching and Learning: Data Science, Stanford Graduate School of Education
Kaitlyn Okrusch
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