REBECCA MERCHANT rebecca.mae.merchant@gmail.

com
1058 Linden Drive - St. Joseph, MI 49085 (269)-470-5986

OBJECTIVE
Seeking an elementary or special education teaching position to provide a positive learning atmosphere where students may
acquire the academic and social skills needed to function as individuals and members of society.

EDUCATION
Hope College Holland, MI
Bachelor of Arts, Major: Learning Disabilities (May 2014)
Michigan Elementary Provisional Certificate with endorsements in all subjects K-5 (K-8 self-contained) and Learning
Disabilities (SM), grades K-12
Overall GPA: 3.85/4.00 Major GPA: 3.85/4.00

SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS
Certified in CPR & CPI

CLASSROOM EXPERIENCES
Woodside Elementary School Holland, MI (Spring 2014)
Kindergarten, Student Teacher
Completed a 16-week placement, full time teaching for four weeks.
Used MAISA writing curriculum & Math Expressions Common Core.
Attended staff meetings and worked cooperatively with the kindergarten team.

Quincy Elementary School Zeeland, MI (Fall 2013)
K-4 Resource Room, Student Teacher
Student taught for eleven weeks, teaching full-time for three weeks.
Worked with thirteen students with varying disabilities on caseload.
Attended child study meetings, staff meetings, trainings, and workshops.

Rosebud Elementary School Rosebud, SD (May 2013)
K-2 Resource Room, Teacher Assistant
Observed and taught in a lower elementary exceptional education classroom.
Studied on the Rosebud Indian Reservation while observing the culture of the Lakota Sioux Tribe.
Woodside Elementary School Holland, MI (Spring 2013)
3
rd
Grade, Teacher Assistant
Actively observed and assisted in a third grade classroom twice a week for a 12-week period.
Taught several lessons in varying content areas in preparation for student teaching.

Glerum Elementary School Holland, MI (Spring 2013)
K-2 Resource Room, Teacher Assistant
Actively observed and assisted in a lower elementary resource room twice a week for a 12-week period.
Taught several lessons, primarily in reading, to students with special needs and assisted with RTI groups in the
kindergarten and first grade classrooms.

Hudsonville High School Freshman Campus Holland, MI (Fall 2012)
9
th
Grade Resource Room, Teacher Assistant
Provided academic support to learning disabled students in a resource room.
Tutored students during the after school tutoring program.

Northway Primary Liverpool, England (June 2012)
Preschool, Teacher Assistant
Assisted in a reception (preschool) classroom for 22 hours over a period of three weeks.
Planned and taught a lesson during the last week.

Zeeland Early Childhood Center Zeeland, MI (Fall 2011)
Kindergarten, Teacher Assistant
Actively observed and assisted in a kindergarten classroom once a week for a 12-week period.
Recorded several running records with different students.

Ready For Life Program Holland, MI (May 2011)
Young Adult Special Education, Teacher Assistant
Provided academic, social, and emotional support to cognitively impaired young adults.
Chaperoned groups to community activities.

Eagle Crest Charter Academy Holland, MI (Spring 2011)
1
st
Grade, Teacher Assistant
Actively observed and assisted in a first grade classroom once a week for a 12-week period.
Informally assessed students in several subject areas to determine whether or not they have met content standards.

E.P. Clarke Elementary School St. Joseph, MI (Fall 2009 - Spring 2010)
5
th
Grade, Teacher Assistant
Assisted in a fifth grade classroom for two hours each school day.
Graded assignments and entered them in the grade book and designed a bulletin board.

WORK EXPERIENCE
YDC/PAL Summer Program Teacher Covert, MI (Summer 2014)
Currently teaching kindergarten students essential math and literacy skills for two hours, four days per week.

Tabor Hill Winery & Restaurant Buchanan, MI
Retail Salesperson (Summer 2014)
Guided customers through wine tasting and purchase selections.
Assisted with stocking of the store as well as opening and closing the store.
Busser (Summers 2008 - 2014)
Anticipated the needs of the manager and servers, cleared and set tables as well.
Provided assistance to customers to ensure they remain satisfied customers.
Tour Guide (Summers 2006 - 2008)
Guided large tour groups around the facility, educating guests regarding the winemaking process and responding
accurately to questions.

Tabor Hill Wine Port Saugatuck, MI (Summer 2013)
Retail Salesperson
Guided customers through wine tasting and purchase selections.
Assisted with stocking of the store as well as opening and closing the store.


COLLEGE HONORS
Hope College Alumni Honors Scholarship (2010 - 2014)
Deans List (8 semesters) (Fall 2010 - Spring 2014)
Magna Cum Laude Graduation Honor (Spring 2014)

COLLEGE & COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD) (Spring 2013 - present)

Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) (Fall 2012 - present)

Sigma Sigma Sorority (Spring 2011 Spring 2014)
Sisterhood Enrichment Chair (Spring 2011 Spring 2014)
Planned retreats to foster close and positive relationships between sorority members.
Treasurer (Fall 2012 - Spring 2013)
Developed a finance budget for each semester.
Managed all disbursements and monthly bank statement reconciliation.
Influenced future spending through detailed analyses of actual spending versus the budget.

Art Prize KidsFest Volunteer Grand Rapids, MI (September 2011 & 2012)
Managed a craft booth painting kids faces and creating pirate hats.

Hope College Orientation Assistant (Siblings Program) Holland, MI (August 2011 & 2012)
Facilitated the execution of a program for first year students siblings, ages 4-12.