Like the many other candidates who will apply for this position, I have recently taught eighth grade US History and English at a renew school within Newark Public Schools. During my tenure student SRI scores increased two-fold, as well as, breaking par with district ANet testing. Despite challenging circumstances which included differentiating instruction for Behavioral Disorder and RCO students within a general educational setting, my students outscored every grade level in Literacy Arts, with a focus on close reading techniques that included sourcing, contextualization, and corroboration of primary sources, while maintaining perfect attendance.
In-addition, I’m a graduate of Rider University’s graduate program in social studies secondary education. I have a degree in history and legal studies, also from the same university. What I believe distinguishes me from other candidates is my ability to communicate with colleagues, administration, parents, and most importantly, students. I feel this is an educator’s most important attribute, for every other skill is futile if an educator is unable to communicate his philosophy and expectations to a wide audience, as well as accept critique and integrate productive changes suggested by stakeholders.