Microsoft Office
Tiffany Degenstein
Certificated Biomedical Science Teacher
Lakewood,WA
Summary
Highly qualified Science Teacher with 8 years of experience teaching high school science in several different content areas. Has expertise in classroom oversight, course planning and behavior management. Successful at collaborating with teachers, administrative leaders and support specialists to meet individual student needs.
Seeking an opportunity to step out of the classroom and implement past experience and knowledge in a different role in education. Focused on building and enhancing relationships, meeting service needs and maintaining smooth administration of all department operations. Desire growth-oriented position in dynamic, fast-paced environment.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
7
7
years of post-secondary education
4
4
Certifications
Work History
Teacher-Biomedical Science CTE
Bethel School District
Spanaway, WA
09.2019 - Current
- Incorporated multiple types of teaching strategies into classroom.
- Graded and evaluated student assignments, papers, and course work.
- Worked cooperatively with other teachers, administrators, and parents to help students reach learning objectives.
- Supported student physical, mental, and social development using classroom games and activities.
- Taught students with intellectual or emotional disabilities.
- Assisted struggling students to maintain progress levels by designing individualized lesson plans focused on areas for improvement.
- Modified general education curriculum for special-needs students using various instructional techniques and technologies.
- Redirected students using Positive Behavior Support (PBS).
- Incorporated exciting and engaging activities to achieve student participation and hands-on learning.
- Advised and counseled students to help them develop skills and knowledge required to succeed.
- Supported student teachers by mentoring on classroom management, lesson planning, and activity organization.
- Created and developed lesson plans to meet students' academic needs.
- Participated in department meetings to provide input to colleagues about student achievement and improvement.
- Scheduled conferences with parents to discuss students' progress and classroom behavior.
- Created lessons and online testing materials to facilitate remote learning.
- Improved students' analytical skills by introducing state-of-the-art computer program technologies.
- Shifted between formal and informal methods of teaching to keep students engaged.
Teacher-Summer, Biology
Bethel School District
Spanaway, WA
06.2021 - 08.2023
- Reinforced concepts of basic and upper-level biology courses by searching for gaps in learning.
- Constructed laboratory experiments to actively engage students.
- Incorporated hands-on activities and various strategies to instill passion and love for biology in students.
- Integrated various forms of technology to improve students' comprehension of different concepts.
- Developed and executed daily lesson plans to engage and challenge student understanding and involvement.
- Provided at-risk students with study strategies and test-taking strategies in preparation for exams.
- Built relationships with parents by communicating student academic and personal growth.
- Created skill-based assessments to test student mastery of required skills of focus.
- Planned engaging activities and field trips to bring material to life.
- Requested and restocked supplies for classroom and outdoor plans.
- Responded to email and telephone requests to provide students with specific information.
- Maintained records of student assessments, tutoring activities and results.
- Shifted between formal and informal methods of teaching to keep students engaged.
- Mentored and coached students with focus on developing independence and self-confidence.
Teacher-Science (Chemistry, Physics, Biology)
Bethel School District
Spanaway, WA
08.2016 - 08.2019
- Communicated with students and parents regarding academic progress, assignments, and behavior.
- Coordinated and collaborated with other faculty members during lesson plan development.
- Planned, prepared, and taught lesson plans, giving students individual support.
- Established positive and encouraging relationship with students and helped to foster appreciation for biology and science.
- Prepared individualized lesson plans and educational materials to structure biology curriculum to needs of each student.
- Encouraged student interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and participation in middle and high school national science competitions.
- Demonstrated positive and effective classroom management skills.
- Collaborated with other teachers to integrate science into other curricula.
- Supported student comprehension of scientific principles through individualized instruction.
- Assessed student comprehension through regular quizzes, tests, and assignments.
- Taught subject matter based on information compiled from textbooks, online sites, and other educational materials.
- Used exams and standardized assessment tools to measure student progress.
- Provided individualized feedback to support student learning and development.
- Sat in on classes of fellow teaching professionals to learn innovative methods for dispensing information to students.
- Evaluated students' academic and social growth, kept appropriate records, and prepared progress reports to gauge performance.
- Created interactive activities to engage student interest and curiosity in scientific concepts.
- Delivered interactive lessons to help students comprehend complex concepts.
- Developed materials for laboratory activities, homework assignments and handouts to facilitate learning.
- Used Skyward and Canvas to upload student grades and absence data into district computer systems.
- Scheduled appointments with parents to discuss student progress and classroom behavior.
- Cultivated positive relationships with students, parents and staff to optimize instruction and support learning outcomes.
- Taught students across multiple classifications and degrees of special needs.
- Modified general education curriculum for special-needs students using various instructional techniques and technologies.
- Delivered effective and differentiated classroom instruction to range of neurodiverse students.
Tutor-Math/Science HS and College Level
WyzAnt Tutoring
Lakewood, WA
01.2014 - 08.2016
- Supported students with helpful study habits and exam strategies.
- Used positive reinforcement, repetition, and review to help students master challenging material.
- Tutored 5-10 students per week in private sessions using detailed lesson plans.
- Monitored student progress and provided timely feedback on performance reports to assist with goal-setting.
- Developed and implemented creative activities to engage students and enhance comprehension and focus.
- Utilized diverse teaching strategies and resources to help students better understand math and science concepts.
- Administered and evaluated math assessments to identify areas of strengths and weaknesses.
- Explained math and science concepts in caring and encouraging environment to help kids thrive and learn.
- Tutored math and science students of different abilities, from high school to college level.
- Fostered and maintained strong and trusting rapport with students to promote positive learning experiences.
- Developed and implemented individualized lesson plans for each student, tailored to their individual needs.
- Motivated students with accurate feedback and positive reinforcement.
- Conducted review sessions to help students prepare for tests.
- Mentored and coached students with focus on developing independence and self-confidence.
- Responded to email and telephone requests to provide students with specific information.
Retail-(Sales Associate to Assistant Manager)
Various Companies
Tacoma, WA
04.1998 - 06.2012
- Maintained stock at optimal levels.
- Completed case records for each incoming call detailing caller information, issue description and other pertinent points.
- Assumed ownership of call from inception to resolution regardless of elapsed time to solution.
- Delivered best-in-class service to internal employees and external client callers.
- Asked investigative questions to identify root issue.
- Applied core knowledge to effectively communicate sensitive or technical information while adhering to regulatory guidelines.
- Engaged with customers to build business relationships.
- Proactively engaged customer in various departments in order to provide in-depth product knowledge in non-commissioned environment
- Researched, analyzed, and projected market data for potential markets.
- Reviewed invoices, payment requests, advance requests, expense reimbursements, and proper coding, prior to approval.
- Educated staff on organizational mission and goals to help employees achieve success.
- Optimized customer experience by delivering superior services and effectively troubleshooting issues.
- Developed and updated tracking spreadsheets for process monitoring and reporting.
- Created and managed project plans, timelines and budgets.
- Cultivated positive relationships with vendors to deliver timely and cost-effective supply of services and materials.
- Developed effective improvement plans in alignment with goals and specifications.
- Generated reports detailing findings and recommendations.
- Devised and implemented processes and procedures to streamline operations.
- Evaluated customer needs and feedback to drive product and service improvements.
- Maintained overall safe work environment with employee training programs and enforcement of safety procedures.
- Gathered, organized and input information into digital database.
- Helped meet changing demands by recommending improvements to business systems or procedures.
- Maintained professional, organized, and safe environment for employees and patrons.
- Accomplished multiple tasks within established timeframes.
- Monitored and analyzed business performance to identify areas of improvement and make necessary adjustments.
- Communicated clearly with employees, suppliers and stakeholders to keep everyone on same page and working toward established business goals.
- Managed and motivated employees to be productive and engaged in work.
- Cultivated positive rapport with fellow employees to boost company morale and promote employee retention.
- Trained personnel in equipment maintenance and enforced participation in exercises focused on developing key skills.
Education
Associate of Applied Science - Liberal Arts And Sciences
Tacoma Community College
Tacoma, WA 09.2008 - 06.2011
Bachelor of Science - Environmental Science (Geology Focus)
University of Washington, Tacoma
Tacoma, WA 09.2011 - 03.2014
Master of Science - Secondary Science Education
Western Governors University
Salt Lake City, UT 12.2014 - 06.2016
Career And Technical Education Certification - Biomedical Sciences
Central Washington University
Ellensburg, WA 06.2020 - 08.2020
Skills
Standardized Testing
Test Proctoring
Group and individual instruction
Field trips
Field trip planning
Learning assessments
Organizational ability
School district guidelines comprehension
Quality education
IEP familiarity
Response-to-intervention understanding
Project Management
Contract Management
Mathematical calculations
Coaching and mentoring
Business planning
Verbal and written communication
Financial Management
Improvement initiatives
Budgeting
Negotiation
Key Performance Indicators
Sales and marketing
Special education
Post-secondary education
Experiential learning
Social-Emotional Learning training
Secondary education
Lesson Planning
Inquiry-based learning
Testing and grading
Student engagement
Curriculum Development
Student records management
Software
Apple Software
Zoom
Accomplishments
Education
- Interactive Learning - Introduced and implemented a project-based classroom setting to increase student active participation and critical thinking.
- Data Organization - Organized scores of over 100 students into online database for parents' immediate access.
- Student Progress Conferences - Conducted conferences with parents, administrators, testing specialists and social workers to discuss educational plans designed to promote students' educational/social development.
- Curriculum Development - Tailored educational curriculum to students with range of learning styles, disabilities, strengths and weaknesses. Developed innovative semester lesson plans and practical application exercises for classroom.
- Curriculum Development - Created a new pathway for science teachers across the district, which allowed students an option to have choice in how they wanted to complete their credits for graduation. Both frameworks were approved through OSPI and have been successfully implemented by the district, which grew the number of students enrolled in the pathway by over 70 percent in just 2 years.
- Curriculum Development - Wrote, organized and implemented several courses for an online platform that were successfully used by all teachers in the district in the subject area during remote learning.
- Technology Integration - Participated in technology training courses and trained colleagues in new technology concepts and practices applicable for the classroom.
- Collaborated with team of 6 in the selection and implementation of new curriculum for general science.
- Collaborated with a team of 4 teaches around the district to create and approve priority standards to be approved by the state and used for Standards Based Grading.
- Achieved an increase in sales through effectively helping with teamwork.
Additional Information
PUBLICATIONS
2nd Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium, University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, WA
Published abstract of the Indian Creek Shear Zone
1st Annual Puyallup River Film Festival, Puyallup River Outreach Project, Tacoma, WA
Film can be found at: http://puyallupriver.org/be-a-proper/film-festival/
Certification
Training - CPR/First Aid
Timeline
Training - CPR/First Aid
06-2023
CTE Certificate (Biology)
01-2023
Teacher-Summer, Biology
Bethel School District
06.2021 - 08.2023
Career And Technical Education Certification - Biomedical Sciences
Central Washington University
06.2020 - 08.2020
Teacher-Biomedical Science CTE
Bethel School District
09.2019 - Current
Teacher-Science (Chemistry, Physics, Biology)
Bethel School District
08.2016 - 08.2019
General Science Endorsement
06-2016
Biology Endorsement
05-2016
Master of Science - Secondary Science Education
Western Governors University
12.2014 - 06.2016
Tutor-Math/Science HS and College Level
WyzAnt Tutoring
01.2014 - 08.2016
Bachelor of Science - Environmental Science (Geology Focus)
University of Washington, Tacoma
09.2011 - 03.2014
Associate of Applied Science - Liberal Arts And Sciences
Tacoma Community College
09.2008 - 06.2011
Retail-(Sales Associate to Assistant Manager)
Various Companies
04.1998 - 06.2012