Microsoft Office
Susanne G. Bentley
Teacher
Auburn,Alabama
Summary
Upbeat professional devoted to promoting student learning and enhancing individual potential, seeking to obtain Academic Advising position at Auburn University, fully utilizing training and skills, while providing opportunities to expand professional growth, as well as contributing to the growth and learning of students and the success of the program.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
6
6
years of post-secondary education
9
9
Certificates
Work History
3rd and 4th Grade Teacher
Opelika City Schools - Northside Intermediate
Opelika, Alabama
07.2014 - 07.2020
- 3rd grade teacher (4 years) 4th grade teacher (2 years)
- Led projects and analyzed data to identify opportunities for improvement.
- Maintained energy and enthusiasm in fast-paced environment.
- Used critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions and make decisions.
- Used Microsoft Word and other software tools to create documents and other communications.
- Worked to maintain outstanding attendance record
- Drove student learning by establishing clear classroom plans and group objectives, as well as actionable strategies to achieve each goal.
- Planned lessons according to district standards to cover requirements and prepare for standardized tests.
- Instructed students in Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies, Technology, and Leadership
- Designed lessons that provided opportunities for problem-solving, creativity and communication skills.
- Promoted exploration of building blocks of learning by leading diverse, hands-on activities.
- Managed Leadership clubs, collaborating with fellow teachers to implement lessons and activities according to students’ interests: Makers Club, Drama Club
- Established and maintained standards for behavior that fostered student self-discipline and positive relationships among students.
- Built positive relationships with parents to involve families in educational process.
- Helped students develop self-esteem and life skills by fostering healthy conflict-resolution, critical thinking and communication.
- Sourced supplies to fill gaps in student activities.
- Boosted individual perseverance and resilience by setting challenging goals and providing realistic support.
- Implemented classroom management improvements to enhance class morale and engagement.
- Assessed student progress by administering tests and evaluating results.
- Stayed abreast of new trends in education by attending professional development courses and in-service trainings.
- Organized classroom supplies and decorated walls to create fun, nurturing settings and meet learning needs.
- Collaborated with administrators on classroom policies, management strategies and discipline.
Pre-Kindergarten Preschool Teacher
Sonshine Too! Preschool - First United Methodist Church
Opelika, Alabama
08.2009 - 05.2012
- Fostered reasoning and problem solving through active exploration games and activities.
- Developed, planned, and taught variety of interdisciplinary units including Fire Safety, Winter Holidays, Dental Health and Hygiene, and Body Health and Exercise.
- Educated students in foundational concepts such as shapes, numbers and letters.
- Worked with teaching staff to evaluate individual progress and recommend appropriate learning plans.
- Trained other instructors in instruction of Zoo Phonics education program addressing auditory, visual, and kinesthetic learning, as well as incorporating program in my classroom daily
- Provided daily opportunities for exploration, discovery and learning through cooperative play indoors and out, as well as in small group instruction
- Planned learning activities for cognitive, social-emotional, gross and fine motor, and language learning and growth.
- Monitored 15-18 students' academic, social and emotional progress and recorded in individual files.
- Demonstrated and encouraged compassion and communication in teaching problem solving.
- Established positive communication with parents in daily conversation and formal conferences.
- 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.
Transitional Kindergarten Teacher
Geist Christian Weekdays Ministries
Fishers, Indiana
08.2007 - 06.2008
- Developed, planned, and taught variety of developmentally appropriate interdisciplinary units to 16 students including: Apples and farms, Space, Health and Hygiene, Theater, Ocean, and Zoo Animals
- Delivered lesson plans, implemented school curriculum and used data to create, monitor and establish personalized learning plan for each student.
- Provided daily opportunities for exploration, discovery, and learning through cooperative play indoors and out, as well as small group instruction
- Planned learning activities for cognitive, social-emotional, gross and fine motor, and language learning and growth
- Created child-centered learning environment characterized by consistent application of sound mental health and educational psychology practices.
- Demonstrated and encouraged compassion and in teaching problem solving
- Played games with students to increase understanding of subjects.
- Identified characteristics, needs, abilities and problems of each child through personal interaction and progress reports to optimize learning.
- Incorporated local service projects to foster roots of community and caring for others.
- Facilitated monthly field trips to local community businesses and attractions including local orchard, pumpkin patch, nursing home, post office, Peewinkle’s Puppet Theater, Sundae’s local ice cream shop, Conner Prairie interactive history park, Indianapolis Zoo, and Children’s Museum of Indianapolis.
Gymnastics Instructor
Fishers YMCA
Fishers, Indiana
09.2005 - 08.2007
- Instructed children ages 3-12 on floor exercise/tumbling and various apparatus, including beam, bars, and vault, providing a safe environment and caring connection, while encouraging their physical and social-emotional growth
- Demonstrated and encouraged children to embody the YMCA’s core values of Caring, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility.
- Arranged and maintained gym equipment, setting aside unserviceable gym equipment for repair.
- Maintained fun-filled atmosphere with class participants while remaining professional and focused on achievement.
- Coordinated with other instructors and coaches to determine student advancement and progress.
- Promoted good sportsmanship among gymnasts
- Developed and gave presentations to families to promote program.
- Promoted stretching, mobility work and proper form to help athletes safely build strength.
Secondary Language Arts Teacher
Sumter County Middle School
Americus, Georgia
08.1994 - 06.1998
- Instructed 6 classes daily of 6th to 8th grade students
- Responsible for all areas of instruction including lesson planning, relationships, student evaluations, classroom management, data entry and analysis, fostering communication with parents, colleagues, and administrators
- Instructed middle school students through lectures, discussions, group activities and demonstrations.
- Fostered positive connections with students, lasting till this day
- Facilitated creation of and served as sponsor/moderator of school newspaper club, producing monthly issues of The SCMS Times
- Evaluated academic skills of each student through verbal assessments, graded assignments and standardized tests.
- Completed in-service and additional training to maintain professional growth.
- Led interesting and diverse group activities to engage students in course material.
- Encouraged independent thought, good judgment and expression of original ideas.
- Helped students develop academic, social and emotional skills for long-term success.
- Carried out day-to-day duties accurately and efficiently
Education
Master’s degree - Early Childhood and Elementary Education
Auburn University
09.2011 - 05.2014
Bachelor’s degree - Secondary Education / English
Holy Family University
09.1989 - 05.1993
Timeline
4Th Grade Math Leadership 4/2019
08-2019
OCS Technology Expo Training
04-2019
Poverty Simulation Leadership Training
04-2018
Leader in Me Symposium Birmingham
02-2018
AMSTI 3rd Grade Training - Year 2 Science
11-2016
Dyslexia Training
04-2016
3rd and 4th Grade Teacher
Opelika City Schools - Northside Intermediate
07.2014 - 07.2020
Teacher Class A Early Childhood Grades P-3, State of Alabama
05-2014
Certified - Teacher Class A Elementary Grades K-6
05-2014
Master’s degree - Early Childhood and Elementary Education
Auburn University
09.2011 - 05.2014
Pre-Kindergarten Preschool Teacher
Sonshine Too! Preschool - First United Methodist Church
08.2009 - 05.2012
Transitional Kindergarten Teacher
Geist Christian Weekdays Ministries
08.2007 - 06.2008
Gymnastics Instructor
Fishers YMCA
09.2005 - 08.2007
Secondary Language Arts Teacher
Sumter County Middle School
08.1994 - 06.1998
Bachelor’s degree - Secondary Education / English
Holy Family University
09.1989 - 05.1993
Skills
Organizational skills
Accomplishments
- Certified by State of Alabama as Class A, Highly Qualified Teacher Grades P-6 through 2024.
- Mentored and supported 1st year teachers and staff.
- Reached out to community to gather donations of books, materials, and supplies for students.
- Nominated by my peers for Northside Intermediate School's Teacher of the Year in 2017 and 2018.
- Presented a workshop with team of instructors and administrators at the 2017 Annual Leader In Me Symposium in Birmingham, Alabama
Software
Certification
Teacher Class A Early Childhood Grades P-3, State of Alabama