MICHELLE L. STAS
Latrobe,PA
Summary
Enthusiastic and motivated educator dedicated to inspiring a passion for science through engaging, student-centered lessons that ignite curiosity and foster a lifelong love of learning. Committed to cultivating a dynamic learning community where students are challenged, supported, and held to high expectations, ensuring an environment conducive to social, emotional, and intellectual growth. Proven ability to adapt teaching strategies to meet diverse learning needs while promoting critical thinking and collaboration. Passionate about empowering the next generation of learners to reach full potential in a nurturing and stimulating atmosphere.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
9-12 CHEMISTRY TEACHER
McKeesport Area School District
08.2025 - Current
- Instruct four sections of Chemistry, and one section of Applied Chemistry.
- Assess student performance through regular quizzes, tests, and hands-on evaluations to ensure comprehension.
- Analyze assessment data to identify areas for improvement in instruction and adapt teaching methods accordingly.
- Provide consistent feedback on assignments, empowering students to take ownership of their learning process and make improvements as necessary.
- Evaluate student progress through formative assessments, adjusting teaching strategies as needed for optimal results.
- Develop engaging, state standard aligned lesson plans for diverse learners, resulting in improved comprehension and achievement.
9-12 CHEMISTRY TEACHER
Greater Latrobe School District
08.2016 - 10.2024
- Instructed a variety of courses including General Chemistry, Earth and the Environment, and Fundamentals of Chemistry and Physics.
- Developed the course curriculum and materials for the Fundamentals of Chemistry and Physics class.
- Fostered positive rapports with students by maintaining a respectful, challenging and supportive learning environment.
- Ensured delivery of effectively differentiated instruction in coteach classes sections by collaborating regularly with special education co-teacher to adapt/modify teaching methods and instructional materials.
- Utilized formative assessment daily to monitor student progress, as well as to adjust my own instruction.
- Incorporated engaging hands-on activities to spark curiosity for scientific content, enhance students’ abilities to think critically and problem solve, and enrich comprehension of concepts.
- Established positive relationships with parents/guardians by communicating regularly regarding student progress, social development, and academic growth.
- Worked together with departmental staff members to adjust curriculum objectives, share expertise, enhance teaching practices and improve student outcomes.
LONG-TERM SUBSTITUTE TEACHER, 8TH GRADE SCIENCE
Greater Latrobe School District
01.2016 - 06.2016
- Planned, prepared and delivered lessons to students that adhered to state standards and curriculum guidelines.
- Maintained accurate records of student attendance, grades and behavior, and provided feedback on student performance to administrators and parents as needed.
- Created an environment conducive to learning by setting clear expectations for student behavior.
TEACHING ASSISTANT
Greater Latrobe School District
08.2013 - 01.2016
- Used data driven instruction to remediate students who were unsuccessful in achieving proficiency on the biology Keystone exams.
- Provided individual tutoring and small group instruction to struggling students in both academic and advanced placement chemistry and biology.
LONG-TERM SUBSTITUTE TEACHER, BIOLOGY
Somerset Area School District
11.2012 - 05.2013
- Planned, prepared and delivered student-centered lessons to students in accordance with approved curricula.
- Worked with members of the science department to devise new curriculum maps.
- Documented summary of work completed to update regular classroom teacher.
LONG-TERM SUBSTITUTE TEACHER, 8TH GRADE SCIENCE
Ligonier Valley School District
08.2012 - 11.2012
- Attended weekly team planning meetings to coordinate grade level programs, activities, and interdisciplinary units.
- Utilized approved instructional material and equipment or technology for educational purposes.
- Documented summary of work completed to update regular classroom teacher.
LONG-TERM SUBSTITUTE TEACHER, 7TH & 8TH GRADE
Somerset Area School District
04.2012 - 06.2012
- Instructed 7th grade Life Science and 8th grade Honors Earth Science.
- Followed existing lesson plans to provide consistent instruction to assigned students.
- Augmented student learning by designing lab activities, review games, and an end-of-the-year group project.
ADJUNCT PROFESSOR OF CHEMISTRY
University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg
12.2010 - 05.2011
- Instructed two sections of general chemistry laboratory.
- Collaborated with faculty members to develop course materials and syllabi.
- Conducted lab experiments that aligned with, and extended upon, concepts covered in general chemistry lecture.
- Designed supplemental materials to reinforce conceptual knowledge being applied in lab experiments.
TRANSFUSION SERVICE TECHNICAL ASSISTANT
Institute for Transfusion Medicine, Central Transfusion Services
02.2004 - 04.2008
- Serviced medical facilities in the Pittsburgh area by providing blood components specific to patient needs.
- Modified blood components utilizing various techniques such as filtration, irradiation and cellular washing.
- Distributed blood products into the inventory of various medical facilities.
- Entered patient information and ordered required tests per physicians’ order.
- Followed FDA guidelines as well as SOP and cGMP to ensure that every product taken into inventory and prepared is consistent in that it is safe, pure and potent.
- Ensured compliance with applicable laws such as OSHA and HIPAA regulations.
Education
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) - Secondary Education, Biology
University of Pittsburgh Johnstown
Johnstown, PA12.2011
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) - Biology
University of Pittsburgh Johnstown
Johnstown, PA05-2003
Skills
- Google Suite
- Microsoft Office
- Differentiated Instruction
- Student Engagement
- Growth Mindset Development
- Student-Centered Lessons
- Student mentoring
- Relationship building
- Forming Positive Relationships
- Communication and Organization
- Teamwork and cooperation
- Adaptability to diverse learners
SPORTS LEADERSHIP
HEAD COACH, GIRLS’ & BOYS’ TENNIS
7/2013 - 6/2018 Greater Latrobe School District Latrobe, PA
- Mentored student athletes, facilitated team-bonding activities to build trust between players, and maintained high expectations, ultimately promoting unity and collaboration.
- Created a strong team culture in which respect, perseverance, moral behavior, sportsmanship, and community pride were valued and expected.
- Analyzed opponents' strategies and developed countermeasures accordingly during matches and maintained accurate records of game results and statistics. Provided feedback on individual performances as well as overall team dynamics for improvement purposes, and devised practice plans based on this feedback to maximize individual and team strengths.
- Collaborated with coaches at the collegiate level for assistance with developing and implementing new drills to increase team performance.
- Assessed the skill level of players through round robin style match play, and performance during practices, to determine strength ladder in accordance with WPIAL guidelines and assigned team positions.
ASSISTANT COACH, GIRLS’ & BOYS’ TENNIS
7/2012 -7/2013 Greater Latrobe School District Latrobe, PA
- Assisted with building skills, proper technique, positioning, and form of junior varsity athletes through various drills. Motivated players to achieve their maximum potential. Collaborated with head coach to ensure continuity in training and expectations across teams.
Certification
- Instructional II, Biology 7-12, May 2022
- Instructional II, Chemistry 7-12, May 2022
Timeline
9-12 CHEMISTRY TEACHER
McKeesport Area School District
08.2025 - Current
9-12 CHEMISTRY TEACHER
Greater Latrobe School District
08.2016 - 10.2024
LONG-TERM SUBSTITUTE TEACHER, 8TH GRADE SCIENCE
Greater Latrobe School District
01.2016 - 06.2016
TEACHING ASSISTANT
Greater Latrobe School District
08.2013 - 01.2016
LONG-TERM SUBSTITUTE TEACHER, BIOLOGY
Somerset Area School District
11.2012 - 05.2013
LONG-TERM SUBSTITUTE TEACHER, 8TH GRADE SCIENCE
Ligonier Valley School District
08.2012 - 11.2012
LONG-TERM SUBSTITUTE TEACHER, 7TH & 8TH GRADE
Somerset Area School District
04.2012 - 06.2012
ADJUNCT PROFESSOR OF CHEMISTRY
University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg
12.2010 - 05.2011
TRANSFUSION SERVICE TECHNICAL ASSISTANT
Institute for Transfusion Medicine, Central Transfusion Services
02.2004 - 04.2008
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) - Secondary Education, Biology
University of Pittsburgh Johnstown
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) - Biology
University of Pittsburgh Johnstown
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