Nia Y.

Chen
1507 Lake Dr. SE Grand Rapids, MI 49506 734.355.9770 chennia@msu.edu niachen.weebly.com

Education
Michigan State University Graduated May 2016
Bachelor of Arts, Elementary Education with a Specialty in the Language Arts
Member of the Global Educators Cohort
Deans List: May 2013, May 2015, December 2015

Certifications
Michigan Test for Teacher Certification: K-5 All Subject Areas, 6-8 Language Arts
American Heart Association Certified: First Aid, CPR/AED for Adult, Child, and Infants
EDUStaff: Substitute Teacher

Field Experience
Collins Elementary School September, 2016 Present
Full Year Internship 4th grade Grand Rapids, Michigan
Designed subject lessons, daily activities, and projects that developed both creative and academic skills
Accommodated 23 diverse students in learning, language, and socio-economic status to ensure a successful
environment
Independently planned and taught all content areas aligned with Common Core State Standards, Michigan Grade
Level Content Expectations, and Next Generation Science Standards
Regularly integrated technology through the use of laptops, Elmo, and a Smartboard, as well as continually using
applications such as: Google products, Padlet, and Symbaloo to enhance student learning
Analyzed individual student assessment data and utilized the information to differentiate instruction, including
developing an adjusted curriculum for students with autism spectrum disorder, learning disorder, and visually
impaired
Collaborated in a professional learning community with the 4th grade team and school staff on math and reading
essentials
Led discussions and maintained open communication with parents/guardians regarding student progress
Principal used the Morzano teacher evaluation to effectively align my teaching practices with student performance

Schavey Road Elementary School October, 2015 April, 2016

Pre-Internship Placement 2nd grade Dewitt, Michigan
Planned and taught hands-on lessons and activities in Science, Social Studies, Language Arts, Math
Observed classroom activities and assisted in student work to gain experience in the Daily 5 literacy framework
Acquired experience in balanced literacy using reading workshop, writing workshop, and spelling instruction

Hiawatha Elementary School January, 2015 May, 2015

Child Study Placement 1st grade Okemos, Michigan
Worked one-on-one with a student below grade level in areas of literacy to improve reading comprehension
 Conducted Qualitative Reading Assessments to analyze and diagnose specific literacy components where the
student needed instruction
Relevant Professional Experience
One Heart Source University Program July 2016 August 2016
Academic Mentor for the G.I.F.T.E.D community Cape Town, South Africa
Volunteered with a NGO organization mentoring 4th graders in an elementary school located in the township of
Imizamo Yethu
Learned about the history and culture of South Africa and used that knowledge to create a research project for
students

Spartan Child Development Center June 2014 May 2016

Professional Staff Substitute East Lansing, Michigan
Lead teacher for a classroom of 16 students between the ages of 1-4
Responsible for managing classroom activities planned in the daily lesson curriculum
Responsible for communicating with parents during the drop off and pick up of children to debrief about their day
Implemented daily routines and activities that highlighted fine motor skills, music, and movement

Willow Elementary School/Capital Area Literacy Coalition September 2015 April 2016
Tutor Lansing, Michigan
Volunteered for the Read to Succeed program that works in schools located in high-risk communities
Instructed a 2nd grader one-on-one to improve in areas of literacy
Routinely created lessons for the student to acquire new vocabulary, build reading fluency, and acquire strategies
for writing

University of Michigan Institute for Social Research Summer 2012, 2013

Research Assistant Ann Arbor, Michigan
Collaborated with the University of Michigan College of Education in creating the Measures of Extensive
Teaching project that provided educators with a collaboration of videos highlighting teaching in areas of math
and language arts
Participated in testing the project by examining teaching methods highlighted by the Common Core State
Standards for Math and Language Arts

Professional Development/Course Instruction

Conscious Discipline January, 2016
High Scope for Children with Special Needs September, 2015
Its Mine!...Responding to Problems of Conflict September, 2015
Transitions, Attention Getters, and other Tricks of the Trade June, 2014

Other Interests/Skills
Active board member of the Hammocking Club of Michigan State University
 I have been trained in the dance styles: Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Modern, and Pointe
I am partially fluent in Chinese