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Mrs. Mandy Ellis
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Wilder-Waite Elementary School
Hometown:
Dunlap
Class Information:
Room Number: 8
Students per Class: 13
Class Description:
I serve 3-5th grade students that receive special education and intervention services. My classroom is a brightly colored environment that focuses on prescriptive and individualized instruction that is differentiated to meet the needs of each student.
Position:
Intervention Specialist/SpecialServices Teacher
Needs:
My students are in need to engaging reading software and materials that will motivate them to become better readers and assist me in delivering the intense and individualized instruction they deserve. I need to develop a menu of multiple programs that I can pull from to individualize instruction.
My Philosophy:
There are many components that encompass education, learners, and learning, and therefore, there are many components that should be included to create a strong educational philosophy. I believe in a three-fold educational philosophy in which all students can learn, education is social and interactive, and students are involved in the acquisition of their own knowledge though involvement in a democratic based classroom. First of all, I believe that all students can learn. Furthermore, I believe that all students learn differently and it is the responsibility of the teacher to accommodate those special needs. For example, learning should include visual, auditory, and kinesthetic activities to enrich the learning of those students who learn best one way or another. Teachers should also be responsible for creating a nurturing environment to foster well-developed individuals. I believe learning centers are vital to enrich a curriculum and are more beneficial than lecture and textbook forms of instruction. Next, it is vital that learning be social and interactive. I believe that children learn better through interaction with their peers and hands-on experimentation. Students that need extra assistance can gain that from their peers, and students who excel can enrich that knowledge by teaching it to others. Moreover, students need to interact with the environment in order to fully comprehend a concept. For example, the teacher should provide manipulative bulletin boards, develop experiments, and encourage creativity of students. Finally, I believe education and the acquisition of knowledge should be a democratic process that includes both the educator and the learners. I passionately believe that involving students in developing classroom rules gives them ownership of those rules and will assist in discipline. Also, I believe students should have a say in what and how they learn. Educators will be the main facilitator of knowledge, but I believe that the concepts taught should apply and relate to the students.
Personal Information:
College and Degrees:
Bradley University Bachelor's in Elementary and Special Education BradleyUniversity Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction
Activities:
Junior High Cheerleading Coach (2004-2007) IllinoisElementary Sports Association Cheerleading Advisory Committee (2006-2007) Supervisedan ETE 225 Student during her 25 clock hour field experience (Fall 2005) Supervised a Bradley University Novice Teacher (Summer/Fall 2004) Supervised2 ISU Novice Teachers (Fall 2006) Superviseda Eureka College Practicum Student (Spring 2008) Appointed and serves as Case Manager for Student Success Team (2007-Present) ConductedIn service Training for Intervention Software to colleagues (Spring 2008) Received Reading Grant (Spring 2008) Mandy was one of 100 teachers in the state of Illinois to write and receive a grant for products to enhance reading instruction in the classroom. Elected as Wilder Waite Building Representative to the Dunlap Education Association (2008-2010) Superviseda Bradley University Student Teacher (Fall 2008) College Instructor for ETE 330 at Bradley University (Summer 2008) Mandy has also volunteered and served on numerous committees Internal Review Committee (Spring 2005) Spirit Wear Committee (2005-2006) ReadingCommittee (2005-2007) Mandy spearheaded a "Read Across America" day for middle school children that allowed top readers the chance to share their love of reading with elementary school children. Coaches Committee (2004-2007) BradleyUniversity Young Alumni Committee (2006-2007) CentralIllinois Bradley Alumni Chapter Board Member (2006-2007) Heartof Illinois Special Education Association Autism Teacher (Summer 2005) Mandy coordinated highschool and college aged workers to teach 15 students on the autism spectrum. She organized individualized curriculum and group lessons for the camp. Peoria Association for Community Events Volunteer (2006-Present) JuniorLeague of Peoria (Summer 2007-Present) Mandy has logged over 125 hours of volunteer service to the Junior League of Peoria this year, alone. Junior League of Peoria Association of Children’s Museum Conference Attendee (April 2008) Mandy was selected to attend the conference in Denver, Colorado to research museum practices in educational development and the human resources aspect of hiring an executive director. Junior League of Peoria Spring Tea Ad Hoc Committee (Spring 2008) Mandy volunteered to coordinate decorations, publicity, and favors to raise money for the Ballance-Hershellhistoric house. Peoria PlayHouse Committee (Fall 2007-Present) Mandy works on a variety of projects to bring the Peoria PlayHouse vision to life. She coordinated the restoration of the Peoria PlayHouse Jr. Pavilion at the Shoppes at Grand Prairie and received donations for supplies, play panels, and art services. She also was co-chair for a publicity event for the PlayHouse and coordinated donations, activities, and publicity. Peoria PlayHouse Facility Manager (Spring 2008-Present) YoungProfessionals Organization of Peoria Member (2007-Present) YoungProfessionals Organization Secretary (May 2008-Present) YoungProfessionals Organization Social Chair (January 2008-Present) Mandy coordinates monthly social opportunities for members of YPO to engage, infuse, and empower young professionals in the Peoria Area. Peoria Jaycee's (2007-2008) MissTeen of Illinois Pageant Judge (August 2008)
Why Do I Teach?:
To give students the tools they need to become the best readers and students possible. To leave an impact on future generations.