Meghan Brandon
Ames,Iowa
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Elementary Reading and Language Arts Teacher
AlRazi Academy
West Des Moines, IA
09.2021 - Current
- Produced engaging lesson plans and activities to help students master reading and writing.
- Implemented student centered activities systematically and explicitly based on the science of reading.
- Guided instruction through formal and informal assessments.
- Increased student motivation by incorporating creative projects that allowed students to demonstrate content mastery in various formats.
- Provided one-on-one support for students with learning disabilities, enabling them to excel in their coursework.
- Collaborated with students, teachers and families of diverse cultures and beliefs.
Building Substitute
Gilbert CSD
08.2021 - 01.2021
- Half year contract in house substitute for Gilbert Middle School
- Assumed teacher responsibilities when out sick
- Coordinated with teachers and staff to provide extra support to accommodate increased workload due to the pandemic.
Substitute Teacher
West Des Moines CSD, Gilbert CSD
09.2020 - 03.2020
- Substitute Teacher for Pre-K through High School.
Community Academy Assistant Teacher
The Community Academy
06.2019 - 07.2019
- Assisted in leading a group of first grade students in place based instruction at Brookside Park and Food at First.
- Facilitated a multi-aged, student-lead, trail clearing and native planting project on a preexisting trail at Brookside Park.
- Led nature discovery time at Brookside Park, Ledges State Park, and Moore Memorial Park.
Long Term Substitute Teacher
Sawyer Elementary
03.2019 - 05.2019
- Finished the remainder of the school year as a fourth grade teacher
- Implemented required curriculum in engaging and creative ways
- Worked with students, parents, and administration to create a safe learning environment and resolve conflict.
Student Teaching
Edmunds Elementary School
08.2018 - 12.2018
- Taught reading, writing, and science to a group of 25 fifth grade students
- Co-taught science with cooperating teacher and Ph.D
- Engineering student through Iowa State's Trinect program
- Attended STEM workshops at Iowa State University through Trinect to improve science and engineering teaching practices
- Wrote STEM curriculum for elementary students specified to our fifth grade class
- Worked collaboratively with another fifth grade teacher to departmentalize science, writing, and math.
Practicum Experience
Western Hills Elementary
06.2018 - 07.2018
- Taught reading, writing, and math to third grade summer school students
- Attended weekly field trips to local educational establishments
- Implemented technology in lessons such as Osmo math and reading games and Dash and Dot robotics to practice math skills.
Practicum Experience
Central Elementary School
03.2018 - 04.2018
- Taught reading, writing, and math to kindergarten students
- Implemented a writing project based on a live Eagle cam.
Center for Technology in Learning and Teaching
Iowa State University
09.2016 - 09.2017
- Student Assistant for educational technology lab.
Ames High School Educational Assistant
Ames Community School District
08.2015 - 05.2016
- Educational Assistant in Level 3 special education classroom.
Busan International School Lead Teacher
08.2010 - 01.2011
- Taught conversational English at a South Korean private elementary school
- Planned and taught preschool through middle school classes
- Participated in after school winter performance involving song and dance
- Worked with parents across cultural borders to facilitate an optimal learning environment.
Behavior Analyst
Holdsambeck and Associates
08.2007 - 09.2008
- Created in-home individual behavior plans for children with autism to help families with daily routines.
Education
Bachelor of Science: Elementary Education -
Iowa State University
Ames, Iowa12.2018
Bachelor of Arts: Studio Art -
California State University Channel Islands
Camarillo, California12.2008
Skills
- Lesson Planning
- Individualized support
- Science of Reading Trained
- Student Progress Monitoring
- Classroom Management
- Differentiated Instruction
References
- Kate Engelkes, English Teacher, Ames High School, Kate.Engelkes@ames.k12.ia.us, (515) 971-8748
- Ihsan Yaseen, Principal, AlRazi Academy, ihsan@mynewhorizonacademy.com, (515) 255-0220
- Katelin Trautmann, Instructional Coach, Ames Community School District, katelin.trautmann@gmail.com, (319) 504-0383
- Heather Briggs, Instructional Coach, Sawyer Elementary School, heather.briggs@ames.k12.ia.us, (515) 291-9719
Timeline
Elementary Reading and Language Arts Teacher
AlRazi Academy
09.2021 - Current
Building Substitute
Gilbert CSD
08.2021 - 01.2021
Substitute Teacher
West Des Moines CSD, Gilbert CSD
09.2020 - 03.2020
Community Academy Assistant Teacher
The Community Academy
06.2019 - 07.2019
Long Term Substitute Teacher
Sawyer Elementary
03.2019 - 05.2019
Student Teaching
Edmunds Elementary School
08.2018 - 12.2018
Practicum Experience
Western Hills Elementary
06.2018 - 07.2018
Practicum Experience
Central Elementary School
03.2018 - 04.2018
Center for Technology in Learning and Teaching
Iowa State University
09.2016 - 09.2017
Ames High School Educational Assistant
Ames Community School District
08.2015 - 05.2016
Busan International School Lead Teacher
08.2010 - 01.2011
Behavior Analyst
Holdsambeck and Associates
08.2007 - 09.2008
Bachelor of Science: Elementary Education -
Iowa State University
Bachelor of Arts: Studio Art -
California State University Channel Islands