KANDRA SCHMITZ
Saint Joseph
Summary
Motivated Elementary School Teacher with experience guiding students with proven teaching methods and positive interactions. Enthusiastic about helping students understand subject materials and educating on social and general learning skills. Kind and caring attitude when communicating with children. Creating an engaging learning environment by finding ways to incorporate movement throughout the school day.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
Work History
Birthday Party Manager
Chuck E Cheese
Saint Cloud, MN
08.2019 - Current
- Within the last six and a half years of working at Chuck E. Cheese, I have hosted birthday parties most of the time.
- When I host birthday parties, I interact with children and parents during their experience.
- I interact with the children when I lead the birthday song and dance, which is included with having a reserved birthday party. I also show some of the kids how to play many of the games.
- As a birthday manager, I train others to be party hosts, and I get one-on-one interaction with parents before the day of the party to ensure everything runs smoothly when they arrive.
- Throughout each party, I communicate with every parent, who books the parties, and I make sure they are satisfied with their party.
Long Call Sub-Media Specialist
Westwood Elementary School
Saint Cloud, MN
01.2026 - 04.2026
- Managed digital and non-digital library resources to enhance student learning experiences.
- Chose books to read to kids based off messages, themes, or interests. Some books had to do with the SEL curriculum (Character Strong) word of the month.
- Helped teachers gather resources/ media for supporting their students based on different reading levels.
- Stocked bookshelves with returned books and resources-allowed me to see what resources and materials were available for me to use as a future educator some day.
Long Call Sub- Kindergarten
Discovery Community School
Waite Park, MN
09.2025 - 11.2026
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
- Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations.
- Passionate about learning and committed to continual improvement.
- Organized and detail-oriented with a strong work ethic.
- Developed engaging lesson plans to enhance student comprehension and participation.
- Implemented innovative teaching strategies to accommodate diverse learning styles.
- Fostered a positive classroom environment promoting student collaboration and respect.
- Assessed student progress through regular evaluations, adapting instruction as needed.
Elementary School Teacher
Mary of Lourdes Catholic Elementary School
Little Falls, MN
08.2024 - 05.2025
- Tutored individual students after school hours as needed.
- Facilitated small group activities to support individualized instruction.
- Provided guidance for students in developing problem-solving skills.
- Engaged parents in meaningful dialogue about their child's academic performance.
- Created classroom environment that was conducive to learning, including establishing rules and procedures.
- Assessed students' progress through formal and informal tests, quizzes, assignments, and observations.
Long-Term Substitute Teacher
St. Mary Help of Christians Catholic Church
St. Augusta, MN
01.2024 - 05.2024
- Encouraged positive behavior among students by setting clear expectations and implementing appropriate disciplinary actions when necessary.
- Incorporated technology into lessons whenever possible to increase engagement.
- Participated in professional development opportunities related to content knowledge and pedagogy.
- Adapted instruction based on individual needs while keeping within established curricular guidelines.
- Established positive relationships with parents and guardians in order to promote student success.
Field Experience Student
Cold Spring Elementary School
Cold Spring
01.2023 - 03.2023
- During this experience, I helped out in a third-grade classroom that consisted of 26 students.
- Planned, prepped, and taught two math lessons.
- Provided guidance and support to students especially those with a lack of motivation.
- Assisted teachers with classroom activities such as reading, writing, and math lessons.
- Created visual aids to help explain difficult concepts.
Field Experience Student
Albany Elementary School
Albany
08.2022 - 11.2022
- Working with Ms. Abraham was the best field experience I have ever had. This experience took place at the beginning of my junior year of college.
- During my time at Albany, I had the privilege of working with kindergarteners. Working with Kindergarteners was fun, and I learned a lot about classroom management, especially with young students.
- My field experience partner and I planned and co-taught a total of four lessons. Two of the lessons were related to Social Studies, and the other two lessons were related to their literacy skills.
- It was exciting to see what the students' skills were like, especially for those starting school for the first time.
Field Experience Student
Discovery Elementary School
Saint Cloud
09.2021 - 11.2021
- In the beginning of my sophomore year of college, I had the opportunity to spend time at Discovery Elementary, where I became exposed to a different grade level, from second grade. During this field experience, I had the chance to work with fourth graders. When I became interested in teaching elementary school students, my ideal grade range was K-2. However, by working with Mrs. Kunz and her fourth graders, it made me realize that I would be content working with any grade level.
- Throughout my time working in the fourth-grade classroom, I planned and co-taught a two-day art lesson (with my field experience partner), which had a read-aloud lesson incorporated into it. I also planned and co-taught a read-aloud lesson, aside from that.
- These were my first lessons that I planned and taught, so there was plenty of room for learning and improvement.
Teacher Shadow Experience
All Saints Academy
Saint Cloud
04.2021 - 05.2021
- At All Saints Academy, I spent two weeks full-time in a second-grade classroom after I finished my first year of college.
- Mrs. Decker was my second-grade teacher when I was in elementary school, so I was able to connect how I was taught about some of the concepts to how they are being taught currently.
- During this experience, I helped students with their schoolwork, and I assisted the teacher when she taught lessons on Social Studies and Religion.
- I also gave a spelling test, where I was able to see the different levels of each student.
Elementary Aid
Westwood Elementary School
Saint Cloud
09.2019 - 02.2020
- During my senior year of high school before COVID, I had the opportunity to be an elementary aide to Mrs. Johnson, who taught second grade at Westwood Elementary School in Saint Cloud.
- During this experience, I received high school credit by assisting an elementary school teacher and their students.
- Throughout my time helping in the classroom, I developed a sense of what a classroom of young students looks like, and what they do.
- This was my first time being in an elementary school classroom since I was in elementary school, and it was when I realized how much I belong in a classroom setting.
- Unfortunately, this opportunity was cut short due to COVID, but I have obtained quite a bit of knowledge from the teacher and students.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Elementary Education
College of Saint Benedict
Saint Joseph, MN12-2023
High School Diploma -
Apollo High School
Saint Cloud, MN05-2020
Skills
- Leadership Skills
- Training Team Members
- Critical Thinking
- Team Collaboration
- Complex Problem-Solving
- Positive Interactions
- Arts Integration
- Learning Strategies
- Family Involvement
- Speaking
- Lesson planning
- Technology integration
- Team collaboration
- Group and individual instruction
- Cultural awareness
- Mathematics instruction
- Creativity in teaching
- Positive reinforcement
Accomplishments
- Received High Honors in High School
- National Honors Society
- Received Magna Cum Laude in College
- Received many honor roll certificates in High School
- Deans List a few times during College
Affiliations
- ACT Club in High School (Social Justice Group).
- Choir and Art all four years of High School.
Languages
Spanish
Limited
Timeline
Long Call Sub-Media Specialist
Westwood Elementary School
01.2026 - 04.2026
Long Call Sub- Kindergarten
Discovery Community School
09.2025 - 11.2026
Elementary School Teacher
Mary of Lourdes Catholic Elementary School
08.2024 - 05.2025
Long-Term Substitute Teacher
St. Mary Help of Christians Catholic Church
01.2024 - 05.2024
Field Experience Student
Cold Spring Elementary School
01.2023 - 03.2023
Field Experience Student
Albany Elementary School
08.2022 - 11.2022
Field Experience Student
Discovery Elementary School
09.2021 - 11.2021
Teacher Shadow Experience
All Saints Academy
04.2021 - 05.2021
Elementary Aid
Westwood Elementary School
09.2019 - 02.2020
Birthday Party Manager
Chuck E Cheese
08.2019 - Current
High School Diploma -
Apollo High School
Bachelor of Arts - Elementary Education
College of Saint Benedict