SARA PARKS

232 Silver Creek Rd, Lot 23 | Marquette, MI 49855 | (906) 869-7441 | sarparks17@gmail.com

OBJECTIVE

K-12 Music Teacher

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Music Education (Expected Graduation: May 3rd, 2014)Northern Michigan University, Marquette, MI

Major: Music Education (Choral Concentration)

Courses: Vocal Performance, Diction, Conducting (choral & instrumental), Music Theory, Music History, Sight Singing/Ear Training, Educational Psychology, Diversity, Special Education, Educational Technology

STUDENT-TEACHING (GRADES K-12) Jan. 6 th –April 30th, 2014First Eight Weeks—Sandy Knoll Elementary, 401 6th St, Marquette, MI 49855

Supervising Teacher: Donna Koskiniemi

Subjects taught: K-4 General Music, Vocal & Instrumental

Responsibilities: Preparing lessons based on the Share the Music curriculum, managing student behaviors, collaborating with fellow teachers & paraprofessionals, attending monthly staff meetings

Second Eight Weeks—Gwinn High School, 50 West M-35, Gwinn, MI 49841

Supervising Teacher: David Dagenais

Subjects taught: Middle School & High School Concert Band, Jazz Band, & Choir

Responsibilities: Directing the MS/HS Concert Band, MS/HS Chorus, HS Jazz Band, & HS Chorale. Assisted in directing the high school musical production of Little Shop of Horrors

AWARDS Outstanding Graduating Senior, NMU Music Department, 2013-14

Recipient, Board of Trustee Music Scholarship & Marcella Beaumier Scholarship

Valedictorian, Superior Central HS, Class of 2003

SKILLS & ABILITIES

Personal Strengths Instinctive understanding of different musical styles and expressions

Committed to establishing rapport and engaging students of all ability levels

Willing to accept feedback and continue developing effective teaching strategies

Leadership Directed the NMU Vocal Jazz Ensemble for 2 years, a student-led group of advanced singers

Directed, rehearsed, and performed a piece with the NMU University Choir

Served as President of the student organization NMU Friends of Jazz for 2 years—responsible for organizing Jazz outreach workshops & planning the annual NMU Jazz Festival

Musical Performance Vocal Soloist with Marquette Choral Society, NMU University Choir, & Madrigal Singers

Featured vocalist with the NMU Jazz Band, Jazz Combo, & NMU Jazz Festival (2 years)

Played Despina, Pinocchio, & other major roles in NMU Opera Theatre Workshop performances

Played the role of Cosette in the Forest Roberts Theatre 2013 Production of Les Misérables

WORK EXPERIENCE

ReceptionistWNMU Public Radio 90 & TV 13

2012 to 2013

Answering phones, greeting guests, assisting with fundraising, responsible for filtering calls, writing radio announcements, data entry, bulk mailings

Music LibrarianNMU Music Department

2010 to 2012

Assisting professors with recording, sorting & filing music, responsible for database entry, organizing, copying, and repairing music.

Private Music TeacherSelf Employed (1 ½ years), Jim’s Music Store (6 months)

2008 to 2010

Teaching one-on-one voice, beginning piano, and violin lessons to students age 8 through 17. Preparing vocal students for Solo & Ensemble festival, building technique, style, and expression.

Family TeacherTeaching Family Homes of Upper Michigan

2005 to 2007

Serving as primary caregiver/live-in couple in a group home for troubled youth, teaching social skills & independent living skills, writing treatment plans, communicating with caseworkers, parents, & teachers

REFERENCESRobert EngelhartHead, NMU Music Department118 Thomas Fine Arts(906) 227-1038

David DagenaisBand & Choral Director, Gwinn High SchoolPO Box 691Gwinn, MI 49841(906) 869-1441

Donna KoskiniemiMusic Teacher, Sandy Knoll Elementary2613 Montgomery St.Marquette, MI, 49855(906) 236-3026

To Whom It May Concern,

I am writing in response to your job posting for a K-12 Music Teacher. I am very interested in this position and feel that I have a lot to offer your school and community.

One of the reasons I would be an excellent fit for this position is my vast wealth of musical knowledge and experience. I discovered my love for music at a very early age, beginning with violin lessons at age five, and continuing throughout my childhood with involvement in voice lessons, choral singing, and musical theatre. My knowledge of music as an art form has continued to grow throughout my time at NMU, with courses in band, orchestra, and percussion instruments, conducting, and music history, and countless performances in a wide variety of musical contexts.

In addition to my strong foundation of musical knowledge, I also have experience working with young people in a number of diverse settings. Before I became a parent to my two children, my husband and I worked in a group home, where we were parental role-models for several behaviorally-challenged adolescent boys. I was trained in the Boys Town Teaching Model, an individualized approach to teaching social skills such as accepting decisions and following instructions. My time in the group home, in addition to parenting my own children, has given me a deeply-rooted compassion for impacting the lives of children, as well as the patience and confidence to provide for the intellectual and social needs of each child that I am blessed to work with.

I believe these unique skills and experiences have molded me into a more effective teacher, and give me an edge over many other first-year candidates. Though my experience in a classroom setting does not extend beyond student teaching, I do have two years of experience teaching private music lessons to students of many different ages and ability levels. In conclusion, I am confident in my ability to communicate musical concepts and differentiate instruction to all types of learners. If hired, I will be committed to sharing my passion for music and creating meaningful learning opportunities for my students.

Thank you for taking the time to review my letter and consider me for this position.

Sincerely,

Sara Parks