1415 Mayfield Ct.

NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49525
sandesam@mail.gvsu.edu
Samantha L. Sanders
(616) 570-8598

I endeavor to teach at the secondary level (6_12) and share my appreciation of reading and writing
with students. I would like to teach students how to make the English language work to their advantage in
order to harness the skills of communication and critical thinking.
Education:
Bachelor of Arts | Secondary Education Anticipated Graduation, April 2017
Grand Valley State University | Allendale, MI
Overall GPA: 3.7/4.0
Education GPA: 4.0/4.0
Certified Major Area: English 6-12
Certified Minor Area: earth and space sciences 6-12

Student Teaching:
English 10-12 Jan. 2017- April 2017
Jenison High School, Jenison, MI
Lead a variety of different classes on a daily basis including: multicultural literature,
modern literature, and writing 1
Facilitated engaging classroom discussion on current cultural events
Conducted student led research on code-switching, vernacular, and dialect within the
school and community
Incorporated digital story technology as assessment of learning in the classroom
Refined and adapted classroom management techniques in each classroom depending
on the varying components of the classroom makeup
Created new and inventive lesson plans which expand students knowledge of writing
technique (i.e. sensory details, dialogue, action verbs, etc.)

Teacher Assisting:
English 9 Sept. 2016- Dec. 2016
Wyoming Junior High School, Wyoming, MI
Facilitated classroom discussion on works of literature including short stories and
Homers epic The Odyssey
Created lesson plans for the English classroom which incorporated literacy strategies
such as the KWL and Nancie Atwells philosophy of choice reading
Structured classroom material to the needs of students learning pace
Created a safe and understanding classroom environment for students to learn and
question within
Employment:
Substitute Teacher January 2017- Present
EDU Staff LLC, Grand Rapids, MI
Facilitate classroom discussion and group work
Lead instruction in a respectful and engaging manner
Manage classroom activities such as workshop time
Adapt well to last minute changes
Improvise when no plan is in place
 Samantha Sanders page 2

Lead Lifeguard May 2014- Present

Michigans Adventure Wild Water Adventure Park, Whitehall, MI
Proctor training scenarios during lifeguard in-service
Managed up to twenty lifeguard crew members on a daily basis (ages fifteen through
mid-twenties)
In charge of keeping to a time constrictive schedule as a rotation guard and break
guard
React effectively and calmly in emergency situations
Ellis Associates lifeguard certified (AED, CPR, first aid)

Maintained on campus employment at Grand Valley State University during the academic
year August 2012- April 2015.
Volunteer:
Individual tutor
Learning Center September 2015 April 2016
Wyoming Junior High School, Wyoming, MI
Offer scaffolding to individual students in the special education classroom
during English lessons in both reading and writing activities (grades seventh
eighth)
Coach student in reading to make gains on reading level using read 180 texts
Tutor
Tagg Tutoring January 2015 December 2015

Hudsonville High School, Hudsonville, MI

Worked with students after school to understand class material and/or
homework support in the subject areas of English and earth science
(freshmen grade level)
Supported English Language Learner with her homework on a weekly basis

Summer Intern July 20th 24th 2015

Lake Michigan Writing Project
Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapids, MI
Guided and oversaw students writing abilities, which focused on creative
writing for the purpose of enjoyment and encouragement
(Writing camp included grades third through fifth)
Lead small groups in discussion about students writing
Discussed one on one with students struggling with challenges in their
writing
Honors and Awards:
Deans list
Eight semesters on the Deans list at Grand Valley State University. This is a special honor
awarded to students with a semester GPA of over a 3.5/4.0
Member of the International English Honor Society Sigma Tau Delta
Given to English majors that are at least in the highest thirty-five percent of his/her class, and
have completed at least three semesters or five quarters of college course work
Double Exceeds Merits in Lifeguarding
 Samantha Sanders page 3

Given to lifeguards audited by Ellis and Associates. Meaning that lifeguard is in constant
alertness of their guarding zone and meets all qualities of being rescue ready for emergency
situations

Memberships:
MCTE- Michigan Council of Teachers of English
An organization for K-16 English language arts teachers and English educators in Michigan.
MCTE provides professional development for English language arts teachers and English
education professors throughout the state.
NESTA- National Earth Sciences Teachers Association
An association that advances excellence in the content areas of earth and space science
education. Their objective is to serve a diverse population of learners in formal and informal
settings in Earth and Space Science education.
References:
Rich Vander Klok Dr. Rachel Anderson
Language Arts Instructor, Professor of English,
Jenison High School Grand Valley State University
2140 Bauer Rd Department of English
Jenison, MI 49428 212 Lake Huron Hall
(616) 457-3400 (616) 331-8536
rvanderklok@jpsonline.com anderach@gvsu.edu

Roy Black Jacob Wilks

Language Arts Instructor, Aquatics Manager,
Wyoming Junior High School Michigans Adventure
Adjunct Professor of English Education, 1198 W Riley-Thompson Rd
Grand Valley State University Muskegon, MI 49445
Cell: (616) 813-7486 jacob.wilks@miadventure.com
blackr@wyomingps.org
blackro@gvsu.edu

Dr. Robert Rozema

Professor of English,
Grand Valley State University
Department of English
231 Lake Huron Hall
(616) 331-8573
rozemar@gvsu.edu

Cheryl Spencer
University Field Coordinator
388C Richard M. DeVos Center
401 Fulton St. W
Grand Rapids MI 49504-6431
Cell: (616) 446-7448
spencche@gvsu.edu

Dr. Steve Mattox

Professor,
 Samantha Sanders page 4

Grand Valley State University

Geology Department
133 The Seymour K. & Esther R. Padnos Hall of Science
(616) 331-3734
mattoxs@gvsu.edu