"Children are the world's most valuable resource and its best hope for the future." -

John F. Kennedy

CASSANDRA RUSIE

Through my numerous experiences in the classroom, I have developed a

philosophy incorporating education and experience. I believe that if

students enjoy being in the classroom, then their possibilities for success are endless. I also believe, as a teacher, I must be nurturing,

understanding, and motivational in the classroom to obtain optimum

results.

Please explore my portfolio and look at some of the wonderful experiences

I have had in the classroom. I am eager to discuss everything I have discovered about myself and my

teaching style.

Welcome to my portfoli

o!

About MeI am a Wayne State University graduate

I earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Education with grades 6-12 English and History Endorsements

I have had the privilege to teach in a variety of settings.Middle and high school levelsSchool year and summer schoolWayne, Macomb, and Oakland countiesCharter, public, and private schoolsEnglish, history, and yearbook classes

I am currently an Eastern Michigan University graduate studentI am expected to complete my Master of Arts degree in

K-12 Educational Leadership in August 2011.

EXPERIENCES

Teaching Experience

I have had three specific experiences so far in my career.University Preparatory Academy, Detroit, MICranbrook Kingswood Schools, Bloomfield

Hills, MIHorizons-Upward Bound program

East Detroit Public Schools, Eastpointe, MI

University Preparatory AcademyEnglish Language Arts Advisor, 2009-2010

Taught 9th grade Language Arts, History of Technology, and Advisory, a career and test taking skill course.

Selected as 9th grade English Language Arts lead teacher

Responsible for the academic, mental, and social development of 17 students Coordinated their education and communicated with their

parents regularly Initiated Student Study Team (SST) process for struggling

students Used Positive Behavior Support (PBS) to reinforce desired

conductArranged individualized, 10 week internships for each

student with a mentor from the Metro Detroit area.

University Preparatory AcademyServed as part of several district groups

Digital Academy technology team Culture CommitteeCurriculum team

Offered ELA and ACT tutoring before and after school

Proctored standardized testingParticipated in a Professional Learning

Community (PLC) with 7 other 9th grade educatorsThe group used benchmarking to determine needs

and develop a plan for developing college readinessLink to University Preparatory Academy website

University Prep - Dateline NBC

University Preparatory Academy was featured on the national news program, “Dateline NBC” as part of their “What Works” segment. The school was highlighted for its high achievement and student success rate. My students, my classroom, and my teaching are

featured prominently in the segment.

Please click image above to view segment.

University Prep – Community Outreach

One of the key components of University Prep’s “Big Picture” model is the Learning Through Internship (LTI) program.

Each teacher assists each student in securing a mentor from a job field he or she is interested in.

Every one of my 17 students had an internship, a rare feat at University Prep.

I planned and organized a large group outing to see how a city operates. See pictures from that LTI experience HERE.

University Prep – ELA Team LeadMy administrator selected me to serve as

team leadI was put in charge of coordinating those

on my team and compiling testing data.During the year, I facilitated meetings

relating to grade wide benchmark testing.Early planning meeting notes for benchmarki

ng testMeeting minutes from testing planning sessio

nResults of 9th

grade reading benchmarking testing

University Prep – Curriculum TeamAs part of University Prep’s Curriculum

Team, I evaluated the current 9th grade ELA curriculum, revised it to align with state standards, and created a collection of support documents and assessments for the future of the department.9th Grade ELA Units 1, 2, 3, 4 Sample syllabus To Kill A Mockingbird review PowerPointFinal exam

Invitation to join Curriculum Team

Horizons-Upward BoundStudent Teacher, 2008

Chosen as one of two English Language Arts interns for the summer of 2008

Planned curriculum for 10th grade African American Literature course

Taught gifted Detroit Public School studentsActed as mentor and counselor for 45 studentsConducted after hours tutoring twice per weekParticipated in the planning and execution of

several extracurricular events, including career night, talent show, college visits, and end of term award ceremony

Horizons-Upward BoundEnglish Instructor, 2008-2009

Hired as contract teacher after successful completion of internship.Only intern retained from summer session

Continued work with 45 10th grade students, mentoring them in academic and social issues.

Planned class field trip with mentor teacher’s class to the Museum of African American History

Participated in graduation ceremoniesConducted interviews with prospective students

for the program

Link to Horizons-Upward Bound website

HUB – Drama UnitI devoted two of the six weeks in the term

to a drama unit. Students acted out August Wilson’s The Piano Lesson.Unit PlanGuided Reading QuestionsAct Quiz

HUB – Theme PaperEach student in the program was responsible for

completing a project about the theme of the term.The theme this term was the HUB Code of Honor

that all students are expected to followProject rubricProject guidelinesExample of completed project

HUB – Teacher of the SummerAt the end of my first term with Horizons-Upward

Bound, I earned the “Teacher of the Summer” award, due to my hard work and dedication to my students.

East Detroit Public SchoolsStudent Teacher, 2007

Student taught under an 8th grade Language Arts teacher

Prepared and executed lessons on The OutsidersMentored students in writing essays for statewide

contest; one student became a finalistSubstitute Teacher, 2007-2009

Taught all grade levels in all subjects at all 9 district schools

Served as long term substitute in 8th grade US History class.

East Detroit Public SchoolsEnglish and Yearbook teacher, 2009

Took over from outgoing teacher mid-yearTaught 12th grade Applied Writing, 11th grade

Composition, 10th grade Literature, and 10th-12th grade Yearbook

Oversaw final production and sales and distribution of yearbook

Mentored seniors in preparation of career portfolio project, a requirement for graduation

Assisted in graduation ceremony

Link to East Detroit Public Schools website

PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION

Teaching and Learning StatementStudents need to learn and experience.

Experience and education need each other to thrive.Students take accountability for their education.

It is my role as teacher to guide students as they take an active role in their learning.

I will engage my students in discussion and encourage them to raise questions.

I believe that students will benefit from a variety of assessments.These include written, oral, presentation, and formal

testing, among others.

Link to Full Teaching and Learning statement

Beliefs into Action1.I will create an environment where students can question their

knowledge and be active participants in their education. A student-centered classroom fosters the development of high-level

intellectual skills.

2.I believe that learning should be fun. Students should enjoy their lessons and want to learn. Learning to love

to learn is the key to students’ success.

3.I am the moderator of interactive lessons where students can make choices about how to complete their assignments. This creates accountability and the life skill of analyzing actions and

consequences.

4.I encourage communication among students. Learning is not a solitary activity and the various talents, and

experiences of each student are the best educational tools a teacher can have.

5.I think that students learn best when they can relate their lives to the lesson.This includes creating cross-curricular connections between subjects to

create a sense of fluidity in their education. Our brains do not contain separate, divided portions, so education should not be either.

Beliefs into Action6. I set high standards for academic achievement and personal conduct.

If students have attainable goals to aspire to, then they will work hard to accomplish them. However, if standards are impossible, students will be discouraged and give up.

7. I continuously evolve my teaching methods in order to enhance the quality of education I provide my students.

A good teacher is a lifelong learner.

8. I incorporate technology in the classroom. It is vital for me to keep up with the resources my students use daily. Using

these tools will help to interest my students of the technology generation with conventional lessons.

9. I take an interest into my students’ personal lives. Life does not stop when they enter the classroom and the baggage they

bring with them is crucial to the success or failure of their academic performance.

10. Above all else, I believe in teaching children. No matter what subject matter or grade level, I believe that when children

are the focus, it is impossible to fail.Link to Beliefs into Action statements

Sample Lesson PlanThis lesson plan features one of my

favorite strategies for learning vocabulary, linking tables.

The lesson is centered around the text, “Cask of Amontillado,” by Edgar Allen Poe.Lesson PlanLinking tables explanationExample overheadStudent handout

CREDENTIALS

CredentialsResumeTeaching certificateLetters of recommendationReferences

Transcript from Wayne State UniversityTranscript from Eastern Michigan Univers

ity

If you have any questions, please contact me at:

586-945-8098 or CassandraRusie@aol.com

THANK YOU FOR VIEWING MY PORTFOLIO!