Abbygail Souder

8820 Winterpock Road Chesterfield VA, 23832 | (804)922-3944 | Abbygail.souder@live.longwood.edu

December 7, 2018

Dr. W. C. Peabody,

Director of Instruction in Fairfax County Schools

8115 Gatehouse Road

Falls Church, VA  22042

 

Dear Dr. Peabody,  

            I am a recent graduate from Longwood University where received my bachelor’s in liberal studies with a concentration in Elementary and Middle School English and minor in Children’s Literature. Teaching has always been a passion of mine and finally getting licensed to teach as been one of my greatest accomplishments. To me, teachers are highly important because they not only education the future but are role models for their students. My classroom would be a positive environment for my students to get inspired and get excited about learning new things, reaching their full potential. I am a huge believer on more hands-on, out of seat activities and want my students to have a choice in what we do because I know for them that was the easiest way to learn. I have attached three sample documents that will express my love for teaching and for writing as well which I believe needs to focused on more, especially in middle school. English as always been my favorite subject in school, but when I reached middle school and it became more about the format, I would often get discouraged. Writing is a time for students to express themselves when they can’t in other subjects, like math or science, and should more about the quality and experience than the product. When I am in the classroom I will allow students to have a choice in the topics we discuss, the different writing styles we can do, and incorporate different types of media to allow all learners a chance to get inspired. A child needs to feel like their work is important to better foster their self-esteem, which will make them go far in their dreams of the future. Thank you again for taking the time to review my application and hope you have a lovely day!

 

Sincerely,

Abbygail Souder  

 

Abbygail Souder

8820 Winterpock Road, Chesterfield Virginia, 23832 · (804)922-3944

Abbygail.souder@live.longwood.edu

Experience

January 15th– March 20TH, 2020 (semester long)

Student teaching, Swift Creek middle school

Worked with cooperating teacher in a 6th grade English class. Taught two to three lessons each week and observed the classroom throughout the day.

September 8th – November 15th (semester long)

Partnership, Swift creek elementary school

Went to the school five times a week and helped with lesson plans, conferences with students struggling, taught multiple lessons during class time and observed the classroom setting.

 

February 1st – March 10th (60 hours)

Practicum II, Winterpock elementary school

Observed the classroom three days a week and helped with grading, working one on one with the students, and assisting with lessons.

 

September 7th – November 12th (30 hours)

Practicum I, Spring Run elementary school

Lead a center group in the morning, tutored kids in falling behind or missing homework, helped with grading assignments, read to the class on several occasions.

 

 Education

2016-2020

BACHELOR’S IN LIBERAL STUDIES with children’s literature minor, Longwood University

License- Collegiate Professional License in Middle Education 6-8 with an English Concentration

Made Deans List six out of eight semesters at Longwood and was a Junior Marshall for the Office of the President.

 

Skills

·         Flexible

·         Good communication skills

·         Compassionate

 ·         Creative problem solving

·         Self-motivated and energetic

·         Good with multi-tasking

 

Other qualifications

  • CPR, First Aid, and  certified
  • Assistant teacher at Redeemer Lutheran Daycare center for four years
  • President of Habitat for Humanity Campus Chapter- Fall 2018
  • Assistant Director for the Big Event- 2017-2018 school year
  • Volunteer/ Room monitor for Virginia’s Children’s Book Festival for three years
  • Member/Officer of Kappa Delta Pi a Teaching Honor Society for three years
  • Volunteered as a teacher aid at Winter pock Elementary for two years

Sample work:

  • Download [3.71 MB]

    • features a slideshow about my teaching philosophy and how I feel the classroom should be run.

  • Download [30.00 KB]

    • this is a lesson a plan I have created on teaching revision of writing with a focus on elaboration and tone.

  • Download [28.06 KB]

    • an essay I wrote on key grammatical concepts that should be focused on more in school and why I would teach them to my future students,plus how I would teach them.