Melissa Selva
Ann Arbor
Summary
Dedicated and enthusiastic Elementary Teacher devoted to promoting student learning and enhancing individual potential. Skillful in directing classroom environments and enhancing student behavior through positive and forward-thinking approaches. Caring relationship-builder with analytical mindset and good decision-making skills. Driven to continue to learn and grow professionally. Understands and implements new technologies and teaching strategies as they become available. Excellent at working with different learning styles. Provides students with safe and nurturing learning environment. Possesses excellent communication, interpersonal and problem-solving skills.
Overview
5
5
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Elementary Teacher, Grades 1-3
Ann Arbor Public Schools
10.2023 - Current
- Assisted in creating a safe and nurturing classroom environment that promoted emotional well-being and academic growth for all students.
- Maintained accurate records of student performance, using data-driven decision-making to inform instructional planning and intervention efforts.
- Adapted lessons to differentiate instruction and meet students' diverse learning needs and abilities.
- Collaborated with teachers and therapists to develop individualized educational plans for each student, ensuring optimal progress.
- Established clear expectations for behavior, fostering a respectful and inclusive classroom culture.
- Promoted a love of learning by creating engaging, hands-on activities that encouraged exploration and discovery.
- Integrated technology and multimedia tools into lessons to enhance student learning.
- Established open communication and positive relationships with students, parents, peers, and administrative staff.
- Participated in professional development opportunities to stay current with best practices in education, applying new strategies to benefit students' overall growth.
Afternoon Teacher
Gretchen's House, Inc.
01.2021 - 12.2022
- Established positive communication with parents in daily conversations in order to address behavioral and learning issues
- Implemented age-appropriate curricula, using the HighScope program, to meet needs of young learners.
- Developed weekly lesson plans and activities to engage children and promote learning.
- Organized activities to teach preschool children foundational learning concepts such as shapes, letters and numbers.
- Used COR Advantage to record progress notes and track children’s physical, cognitive, and social-emotional development.
- Organized and supervised games and play-based activities to promote physical, mental and social development in children.
- Maintained well-controlled classrooms by clearly outlining standards and reinforcing positive behaviors.
- Gave one-on-one attention to children while maintaining overall focus on entire group.
- Observed children to identify individuals in need of additional support and developed strategies to improve assistance.
Camp Programs Manager
Leslie Science & Nature Center
12.2019 - 09.2020
- Spearheaded the transition from in-person summer camp programming to virtual programming due to the COVID-19 pandemic and created a multi-media summer education program that exceeded all attendance and financial projections, serving over 450 children between the ages of 4 and 11.
- Promoted virtual camp programming across Southeast Michigan and the country, skillfully coordinating social media, print ads and website content.
- Managed and supervised administrative and daily program operations, complying with LARA policies and regulations.
- Developed and modified program curricula to align with customer needs, education program rubrics, and the organization’s strategic plan
- Created and implemented staff hiring protocols, participated in interviews for incoming staff, and updated staff training and mentoring with an emphasis on cultivating an inclusive and growth oriented environment
- Offered campers compassionate support for personal and social issues, helping each develop positive skills for dealing with interpersonal conflicts.
Assistant Camp Director
Leslie Science & Nature Center
05.2019 - 09.2019
- Coordinated and executed all administrative aspects of camp, including: managing rosters, filing paperwork, and processing camper health profiles; communicating with camp families in-person, by phone, and by email; maintaining and procuring supplies and materials; scheduling staff, field trips, and visitors
- Monitored camper behavior during activities, effectively handling discipline situations and encouraging positive behavior.
- Managed camp operations for a day camp facility serving between 70-90 campers each day.
- Hired and managed 20 camp staff members, as well as performed staff evaluations and addressed areas for improvement.
- Maintained fun, learning-focused atmosphere by smoothly handling conflicts and developing culture centered around collaboration and personal responsibility.
- Supervised camper and team safety by issuing clear directives for ideal behaviors and required monitoring strategies.
- Trained staff in proper implementation of program systems, familiarizing with camp traditions and verifying basic knowledge of activities.
- Managed training, evaluation, and day-to-day oversight of 40 teenage volunteers in the high-school-age camp volunteer program
Education
Master of Education - Elementary Education
Grand Canyon University
Phoenix, AZ05.2023
Master of Science - Conservation Ecology
University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI04.2018
Bachelor of Science - Environmental Biology
Westmont College
Santa Barbara, CA05.2014
Skills
- Group and Individual Instruction
- Student Behavior and Progress Reporting
- Classroom Management
- Lesson Planning
- Interactive Activities
- Literacy Development
- Peer Collaboration
- Differentiated Instruction
- Parent-Teacher Communication
- Adaptability and Flexibility
Certification
CPR and First Aid Certified - Emergency Care and Safety Institute (October 2021-October 2023)
Timeline
Elementary Teacher, Grades 1-3
Ann Arbor Public Schools
10.2023 - Current
Afternoon Teacher
Gretchen's House, Inc.
01.2021 - 12.2022
Camp Programs Manager
Leslie Science & Nature Center
12.2019 - 09.2020
Assistant Camp Director
Leslie Science & Nature Center
05.2019 - 09.2019
Master of Education - Elementary Education
Grand Canyon University
Master of Science - Conservation Ecology
University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Bachelor of Science - Environmental Biology
Westmont College