Rachael Dicken
Mesa,AZ
Summary
I have taught basically every grade from Kindergarten through college either as their teacher or as a long-term sub. Over the approximately 10 years that I have taught, I had many unique experiences that have made me a much stronger teacher. I taught many gang members and troubled youth in Phoenix. As a new eighth grade science teacher, I rose to the occasion when my principal told me that I would be making up my own elective class covering 6th and 7th grade science standards less than a week before school started. That same principle informed me that I would be coming up with S.T.E.A.M. lessons. Many teachers left the school over the change to S.T.E.A.M., but I stayed and put the work in for my students benefit. I am very dedicated to my students education and do whatever it takes to help them learn.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Substitute Teacher, K-12
Mesa Public Schools
Mesa, AZ
03.2023 - Current
- Monitored classrooms, ensuring that all students were safe and adhering to school rules.
- Provided feedback to teachers on student behavior and performance in the classroom.
- Provided classroom instruction, following lesson plans and providing additional support to students.
- Established positive relationships with administrators, teachers and parents.
- Collaborated with other staff members to ensure a positive learning environment for students.
- Provided guidance to struggling learners by offering alternative methods of instruction.
- Requested as substitute teacher based on excellent referrals and trusted performance.
Head of Cutting Department
Premiere Patio Furniture
Gilbert, AZ
03.2022 - 04.2023
- Ran the steal cutting department.
- Innovated ways to run the department effectively.
- Completed day-to-day duties accurately and efficiently.
- Understood and followed oral and written directions.
- Worked successfully with diverse group of coworkers to accomplish goals and address issues related to our products and services.
Permanent Substitute Teacher
Isaac School District No. 5
Phoenix, AZ
08.2014 - 03.2019
- Permanent sub at Alta E. Butler Elementary School.
- Collaborated with teachers, administrators, and other staff members to ensure quality instruction.
- Answered student questions about course concepts.
- Followed established lesson plans in any subject to continue learning trajectory.
- Assisted struggling students with classroom assignments with one-on-one tutoring.
- Left notes for head teacher about notable students, events and problems.
- Explained assignments and relayed information from lead teacher.
- Took attendance and maintained attendance records during period as substitute.
- Supervised students during recess, break times and dismissal periods to prevent injuries and fights.
- Maintained classroom order and enforced school and class rules.
- Requested as substitute teacher based on excellent referrals and trusted performance.
- Engaged students in discussions to promote interest and drive learning.
- Created a safe learning environment for all students to be successful.
- Established positive relationships with students, parents, colleagues, and community members.
Eighth Grade Science Teacher
Isaac School District No. 5
Phoenix, AZ
08.2013 - 05.2014
- Developed and implemented engaging, standards based, 8th grade science lessons at Morris K. Udall middle school.
- Developed and implemented engaging standards based 6th and 7th grade elective class based on my 10 years experience in the veterinary field.
- Collaborated with a team on curriculum development and implementation, especially with S.T.E.A.M units.
- Developed my own S.T.E.A.M unit.
- Part of a team in charge of developing schoolwide rules and procedures.
- Maintained accurate records of student grades and attendance.
- Integrated technology into lessons by utilizing computers, software programs, and multimedia tools.
- Provided individualized instruction to struggling students with diverse needs.
- Met with parents and guardians to discuss student progress and areas for improvement.
- Set up demonstrations, assisting and supervising students while conducting experiments.
- Conferred with specialists to support needs of students with individualized educational plans.
- Attended variety of professional development workshops centered on learning goals, classroom management, student motivation and engaging learning activities.
- Observed fellow teaching professionals, gathering valuable techniques to use in classroom.
- Promoted safe and clean classroom environment.
- Employed assessment tools and strategies to assess students' comprehension of curriculum and to improve instruction methods.
Science Teacher 7th-12th
Learning Institute Center
Phoenix, AZ
08.2012 - 05.2013
- Science teacher for all students 7th-12th grade.
- Ran and maintained computer lab.
- Taught, encouraged, and guided students from challenging backgrounds.
- Monitored student performance, offering constructive feedback and additional aid to struggling students.
- Assessed student progress with course material through routine quizzes, final examinations, and standardized assessments.
- Integrated technology into lesson plans to engage students in the material being taught.
- Managed consistent, learning-focused classroom environments by establishing and communicating clear objectives for students.
- Set up demonstrations, assisting and supervising students while conducting experiments.
Instructor of Veterinary Assistant Program
Carrington College
Mesa, AZ
08.2011 - 01.2012
- Conducted lectures, demonstrations, PowerPoints, fieldtrips and group activities in order to educate students on proper veterinary care and enhance their medical knowledge.
- Greatly improved instructional materials to meet the needs of diverse learners.
- Created aides to teach students how to safely restrain animals and place an IV catheter.
- Brought my dog into class for students to practice obtaining a temperature, respiration rate, pulse, and mucous membrane color.
- Incorporated current events into lessons in order to engage student interest in real world applications.
- Assessed student progress through tests and quizzes in order to evaluate understanding of course material.
- Organized field trips related to course topics in order to provide hands-on learning opportunities outside of the classroom.
Emergency Veterinary Technician
First Regional Animal Hospital
Chandler, AZ
06.2000 - 07.2010
- Triaged incoming patients determining the urgency of their ailment/injury.
- Preformed all emergency life saving tasks.
- Prepared specimens for laboratory testing according to established protocols.
- Assisted in surgical procedures, such as prepping the animal for surgery, administering medications and anesthesia, monitoring vitals during surgery, and sterilizing all equipment afterwards.
- Advised pet owners on proper nutrition, exercise routines and preventive health care measures for their pets.
- Administered fluids intravenously, intramuscularly or subcutaneously according to the veterinarian's orders.
- Communicated effectively with clients regarding treatment plans recommended by veterinarians.
- Kept inventory of supplies needed for emergency services, including drugs, bandages and laboratory equipment.
- Participated in continuing education courses related to emergency veterinary medicine practices.
- Educated staff members on new techniques used in emergency veterinary medicine.
- Monitored patient recovery progress and reported any changes to the veterinarian.
- Continuously ensured all areas were properly sanitized.
- Cleansed wounds using appropriate antiseptic solutions while monitoring healing
- Maintained accurate records of treatments administered, medications given, patient condition and other pertinent information.
- Restrained animals during examinations and treatments.
- Performed diagnostic tests such as radiographs, blood work, and urinalysis under the direction of a veterinarian.
- Conducted initial exams on pets, took vital signs and collected samples for lab.
- Followed precise feeding instructions and schedules for animals under care.
- Recorded observations and baseline measurements to maintain accurate medical records.
- Promoted high customer satisfaction by resolving problems with knowledgeable and friendly service.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Agribusiness (Pre-Veterinary Medicine)
Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ12-2003
Skills
- Experienced with students with an IEP and language barriers
- Experienced with very challenging students
- Experienced with STEAM development and implementation
- Multi-Subject Instruction
- Positive Reinforcement
- Adaptable
- Student Engagement
- Instructional Strategies
- Mathematics Instruction
- Creativity
- Compassion
- Teamwork
- Dedication
Certification
- AZ Substitute Teaching Certificate (K-12)
- AZ Subject Matter Expert Standard Teaching Certificate (Biology 6-12)
Timeline
Substitute Teacher, K-12
Mesa Public Schools
03.2023 - Current
Head of Cutting Department
Premiere Patio Furniture
03.2022 - 04.2023
Permanent Substitute Teacher
Isaac School District No. 5
08.2014 - 03.2019
Eighth Grade Science Teacher
Isaac School District No. 5
08.2013 - 05.2014
Science Teacher 7th-12th
Learning Institute Center
08.2012 - 05.2013
Instructor of Veterinary Assistant Program
Carrington College
08.2011 - 01.2012
Emergency Veterinary Technician
First Regional Animal Hospital
06.2000 - 07.2010
Bachelor of Science - Agribusiness (Pre-Veterinary Medicine)
Arizona State University
Similar Profiles
Jarrett ArdenteJarrett Ardente
Music Educator at Mesa Public Schools, Gilbert Public Schools, and FreelanceMusic Educator at Mesa Public Schools, Gilbert Public Schools, and Freelance
Terri HuishTerri Huish
4th Grade Teacher at Mesa Public Schools4th Grade Teacher at Mesa Public Schools
Melinda MullinsMelinda Mullins
Substitute Teacher at Mesa Public SchoolsSubstitute Teacher at Mesa Public Schools
Gregg VeitelGregg Veitel
Assistant High School Baseball Coach at Mesa Public SchoolsAssistant High School Baseball Coach at Mesa Public Schools
Lucas DagupanLucas Dagupan
Shophand and Painter at Earp Aviation RepairsShophand and Painter at Earp Aviation Repairs