Lawrence J. DillonSSN: 485-84-0054

KSA #1: Knowledge of education requirements

As a high school teacher, Adult English as a second language teacher, and as college geography teacher I am aware of the education that is required for my students to graduate high school, become an American Citizen and to graduate from an accredited community college.

As a high school teacher from 1998 through august 2010 I have been well aware of the education requirements for students in order to graduate with a high school diploma. I have conducted student advisory classes where I would monitor student progress towards their graduation requirements. During this time I would have a one on one discussion with the student about their education and post secondary plans. I would work with and assist student in creating an educational portfolio where they would demonstrate their knowledge and skills.

During my tenure as a high school special education teacher I have also trained special education students to live and work independently. This would consist of arranging job shadows, practicing interview skills, writing resumes, performing follow-ups with employers, and training students in basic job skills. I would also educate the students in the way of community functioning. Helping them make a shopping list, finding the best buy, counting money, making change, reading a menu and using public transportation.

As an adult English as a second language teacher for Des Moines Area Community college I would instruct foreign born students in the proper use and pronunciation of the English language. Students would progress through different levels of the classes that I would teach. The different levels would use more advanced and complex forms of the English language and would also study the situations to use the context. If a student would choose to progress through the eight different levels of English language classes they would enter the American citizenship classes. Here I would prepare the students to take the American citizenship naturalization test. We would discuss American history as well as the function and role of the United States Government.

As a Geography teacher for Des Moines Area Community College during the fall semester of 2002, I taught college students abound reading different types of maps and atlases. We discussed topographical regions, political environments, as well as how to read road maps and use a compass and the art of pioneering or using a map and compass along with geographical features to find your way.

Lawrence J. DillonSSN: 485-84-0054

KSA #2: Knowledge of computers to resolve recurring and non-recurring problems.

As a computer technican for Staples Inc. and as a technology cadre member at Norwalk High school I have used computers to resolve dilemmas that have been recurring and non-recurring.

As a computer technician it has been my job to discuss with custonmers what problems thay have been having with their computers and software. Based on these discussions I would meet the customers needs by repairing their malfunctioning machine. I would often haveto perform a system restore or a virus removal. If the task was a virus removal this could be a recurring problem. When a person uses their computer on the internet and the world wide web they are often putting their computer at risk of coming in contact with a computer virus. It is then my job to find out how the virus has infected their computer and software and get rid of the problem. One such case was when a loyal staples cutomer bought a laptop computer. They failed to install an quality antivirus program and came back in for assistance a couple of months later. This virus was causing new screens to “Popup” when they were on the internet. This problem became so destructive that use of the internet and computer became next to impossible. I was able to use my technician computer and software to get rid of the problem and let the customer return to running their online sales business.

As the lead member of the technology cadre for Norwalk high school from 2005 through the 2010 academic years I would often have to resolve several problems that were often created through the use of technology by students and teachers. If a computer would malfunction I was often the person that was first called on the scene to fix the problem. I would often have educators who are not very computer efficient and need retraining on a certain piece of software of new hardware for their classroom. I would often have to reset passwords for the learning management systems that I helped to maintain. This would often be setting up new accounts, deleting old accounts and keeping track and maintaining the material on the LMS systems. I would create a LMS system from scratch using either Moodle or WebCT systems. This would often include producing and adding videos, presentations and examinations. When the servers would become overloaded or fall in disrepair I would need to get in touch with the technology director and have the server reset or repaired. When the system came back online I would need to reset the classes so that the practitioners would be penalized and could maintain their present rate of performance.

KSA #3: Knowledge and skill using computer software such as Microsoft word, PowerPoint, and Excel.

Lawrence J. DillonSSN: 485-84-0054

Throughout my twelve years of teaching, computer technician, being a continuing student of college level courses, and as the chairman of the education committee for my Masonic Lodge I have used various types of computer software that include Microsoft word, PowerPoint, Excel and various learning management systems.

I first began using the Microsoft office programs of word, PowerPoint, and excel when I was a freshmen in college to write term papers for my college level classes. I also began using PowerPoint to make presentations to show that knew the information. This was a new concept at the time because the Microsoft products were first released my freshmen year of college.

I continued to use the Microsoft products through out my college career and into my profession as a teacher. I used Microsoft word to communicate with my students, and their parents. I would write letters, address envelopes, write newsletters and produce assignments. I became an expert at using PowerPoint by creating presentations that would use graphics, sound and video to convey the information I was presenting. This eventually lead to my PowerPoint presentations being put on various teaching websites to share with other educators so that they could use them in their classrooms.

I first began using excel when I was assigned to be a dietician assistant while I was receiving treatment for my service connected disability. I created a database that would keep track of the food consumption of patients. This program would keep track of the number of servings, amount of protein, fat, and calories consumed on a daily basis. Drop down menus were created for the dietician to use to keep track of the data. This program was used to put patients on restricted diets to help improve their health and welfare.

I have further expanded my knowledge of different software products and became a technology specialist through TIMP (technology integration mentorship program). In this course I became a specialist that would test and learn new educational software and in turn decide if the programs were worth while and then teach other educators how to use them in their classrooms. Over my twelve years as an educator I have learned, evaluated, and introduced such programs and equipment as curriculum mapping, AS400, smart boards, Elmos, and have constructed and maintained web based LMS (learning management systems) in Moodle, Webct, curriculum integration, A+ learning systems, and Odysseyware. I have also become fluent in the Staples LMS and VA LMS web based programs through web based trainings and tutorials. I have use the various LMS systems to teach web based curriculum at Norwalk high school from 2005 through the 2010 academic years. These classes ranged from Medical Terminology to American History to Forensics and Biology.

In the last several years I have also become a computer repair expert. Using various software to repair and maintain personal and business computers, mainframes, and networks. In my present position as a computer technician for Staples INC., I use software such as Norton Utilities, Malware bytes, and Ghost to

Lawrence J. DillonSSN: 485-84-0054

repair customer’s computer systems. This would often involve performing system restores, virus removal, and data recovery.

KSA #4: Knowledge and ability to use audiovisual equipment including public address systems, computers and video projectors.

Over the past twelve years as a technology cadre member, teacher, coach, and education committee chairman for a freemason lodge I have used audiovisual equipment, PA systems, computers, video projectors and digital editing equipment to perform a variety of responsibilities.

As a technology cadre member I would learn how to use various types of software and hardware that could be used in an education setting. This would range from IPods, to Elmos, to smart boards, to LCD projectors and numerous different software applications. I, along with other technology members would decide if the material could be used in an education setting. I would then prepare presentations, teaching materials, reference guides, and informational video clips for my fellow educators. During technology in-service training days I would conduct classes for the district teachers and administrators on how to properly use the new technology in their class rooms. I would present the information in a Learning Management system such as Moodle, WebCT or through the district Intranet system. For certain functions we would gather the entire district staff together and perform a district wide in-service. At this time we would set up and use a public address system, LCD projectors, PowerPoint presentations and any other audiovisual equipment needed.

As an athletic coach I would often video tape our games and practices for use as an educational tool to improve our athletic performance. When the video would be compiled I would edit the video using adobe premiere or other video editing software, and place it on DVDs for my athletes to watch and learn from. At the end of a football season I would place the videos and instructions on my football coaching website. This information would be shared with my fellow football coaches that would run the same type of offense. This would often lead to speaking engagements at football clinics through out Iowa and the Midwest region. During these presentations I would use my laptop computer, and an LCD projector to present my knowledge of football fundamentals and techniques. These videos and blog can be found at www.wing-tfooball.blogspot.com

More recently as the chairman of the education committee for a freemason lodge I have made presentations regarding the symbolism of freemasonry. I have also made presentations of the history of freemasons at the Alamo and Masonic presidents. The latest project that I have endeavored to create was an information video on the history of East Gate Lodge in Des Moines, Iowa. This video incorporated still images, audio clips and original 8MM film that had to be digitized and prepared as a movie. I then edited and made a DVD master and sold the videos as a fundraiser for the lodge.

Lawrence J. DillonSSN: 485-84-0054

KSA #5: Ability to use effective oral and written communication skills to provide instruction and resolve issues.

In my current position as an educator, I spend most of my time either engaging students in a social studies classroom or supervising meetings where a student’s education plan is developed and maintained. I often have contact with parents, guardians, educators, and support personal such as an education consultant or social worker. Communication is the norm in this field; I need to collect a student’s progress and relay that information on a weekly basis to their parents. I have to be able to show my familiarity with data, statistics, and issues in the education community as well as concerns pertaining to a student’s life. I need to be able to communicate successfully with administrators, counselors and parents alike. These communications must be thorough yet concise. Differences in meaning of ideas can occur between the educator and the parent, and I am the primary person to see these differences and clarify what the data might mean. I have contacted parents directly over the phone, or through e-mail, as well as in planning sessions with educators and administration.

I spend most of my time preparing classroom lesson and then teaching those lessons as a co-teacher in a social studies or science classroom. I often use different methods of communication for instructing high school students. These methods include:

Using PowerPoint presentations to explain concepts and ideas with visual aids and sound; designing online classes through the Moodle program where our students interact with each other and the teacher via e-mail, blogs and submitting written reports; maintaining good relationships with my students; and mailing newsletters to all parents/guardians of special education students several times a year. I have found throughout the years that some means of communication are particularly effective. I use a key communicator database of e-mail addresses to inform the education practitioners in my district about various events and developments pertaining to a student’s life. Practitioners can join my e-mail list of key communicators by clicking on an address posted on our schools intranet site, while at the same time information is kept confidential and secure. The number of contacts in this database continues to grow every day and the feedback from it has been wonderful.

I also have been working as a computer technician where I discuss with a customer what types of problems they have been having with their computers. Do they have a virus, do they need additional hardware etc. I will then take this information and input it into a database so that other technicians may use this information when repairing a client’s hardware. I also consider and interpret information from a client when they are purchasing a new computer. I will take that information and guide the client towards an ideal purchase for them.