MARY STRAUSS

marystrauss@gmail.com (720) 552-7597

3265 Billington Drive, Erie, CO 80516
http://marymstrauss.weebly.com/

CERTIFICATION
Early Childhood Birth 3rd Grade, Colorado Initial Teaching License (Application Submitted)
Praxis II Elementary Education Content Knowledge: Score of 182 in March 2015

EDUCATION
University of Colorado at Denver, Denver, CO
M.A. in Education and Human Development, GPA 4.0
Degree Concentration: Early Literacy
Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL
B.A. in Geography and Environmental Studies, GPA 3.4

August 2015

May 2003

CLASSROOM EXPERIENCE
Boulder Journey School, Boulder, CO
August 2014-August 2015
Pre-Kindergarten Intern Teacher (UC Denver Practicum Placement)
Design emergent, project-based curriculum appropriate to students' learning abilities, while also meeting
Colorado Pre-K standards.
Perform formative assessments to monitor student development.
Conference with cooperating teacher about special needs of students, attend parent-teacher
conferences, faculty meetings, and team meetings.
Produce on-going documentation including weekly blog updates and individual student portfolios.
Odyssey Middle School, Boca Raton, FL
August 2003-June 2004
th
th
Social Studies Teacher, 6 & 7 Grade, English Language Learner (ELL)-Only Classes
Developed teaching materials, exams and assignments to meet the needs of ELL students.
Received periodic training on working with ELL students.
Created a trusting atmosphere through sensitivity to students' strengths, weaknesses, and personal
learning styles.
Built rapport with students and families from a wide range of cultural backgrounds.

OTHER WORK EXPERIENCE

City of Bryan, Bryan, TX
June 2008-June 2010
Sustainability Programs Coordinator
Maintained city sustainability programs and authored related grants and reports
Regularly presented to city employees, residents and business owners on sustainability-related topics.
Planned community events ranging in size from 30-3,000 participants.
City of Bryan, Bryan, TX
Environmental Compliance Officer
Enforced city's environmental ordinances.

June 2006-June 2008

Created and maintained educational outreach program; collaborated with public school curriculum
coordinators to introduce program to 15 local elementary schools.

CERTIFICATIONS/MEMBERSHIPS

Received graduate certificate in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) from Florida Atlantic University
Member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children
Member of the North American Reggio Emilia Alliance
Member of the North American Association for Environmental Educators (NAAEE)
Certified Master Naturalist

NOTABLE ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Project-based curriculum activities from practicum published and highlighted at the Boulder Journey
School Summer Conference
Spearheaded the creation of a city-wide sustainability program and completed the citys first
Sustainability Assessment, Sustainability Action Plan and Greenhouse Gas Emissions inventory.
Developed a municipal environmental education program which was successfully used and distributed
within the local school district.
Wrote and produced a 12 minute long award winning childrens video highlighting city services.
Applied for and received over 1 million dollars in grant funding for the City of Bryan.

AWARDS
2010
2010
2009
2008
2008
2008
2007

Keep Brazos Beautiful Community Steward of the Year award recipient

Texas Public Works John Teipel Award for Environmental Excellence award recipient
Brazos Valley Council of Governments (BVCOG) Regional Solid Waste Planning award recipient
Keep Texas Beautiful Ed Davis Litter Law Enforcement award recipient
Keep Brazos Beautiful Keepers of the Kingdom award recipient
Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) National Conservation award and medal
Bryan Independent School District (BISD) Service Learning Appreciation award recipient

VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE
Founder of the Boulder Family Nature Club (over 400 members)
Kindergarten Parent Volunteer Crestview Elementary, Boulder Valley School District
Volunteer Environmental Educator, Ellerbe Creek Watershed Association, Durham, NC
Volunteer Educator, Brazos Valley Family Nature Explorer program
Education Coordinator, Texas Master Naturalist
Membership Coordinator, Brazos Progressives
Volunteer Educator, Gumbo Limbo Nature Center
Presenter, North American Association for Environmental Educators (NAAEE) annual conference

REFERENCES
Vicki Oleson
School Director
Boulder Journey School
vicki.oleson@boulderjourneyschool.com
(303) 443-8909
Eric Zaragoza
City of Bryan
Environmental Services Manager
ezaragoza@bryantx.gov
(979) 209-5931

Chris Dreps
Executive Director
Ellerbe Creek Watershed Association
chris@ellerbecreek.org
(919) 698-3680