Michelle Matyja
11926 LissFannon Court Orland Park, IL 60467 (708) 822-1146
mmatyj8@gmail.com http://michellesteachingportfolio.weebly.com/
EDUCATION
University of St. Francis
ESL Certificate
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education
Concentration: Mathematics
Certification: Professional Educator License, Type 03, K-9
Deans List (all semesters)
Spring 2014
GPA: 4.00/4.00
Graduation Date: May 2012
GPA: 3.80/4.00
CLASSROOM EXPERIENCE
Kindergarten Teacher - Mark DeLay Elementary School, Darien, IL
2014-2015 school year
Collaborate with kindergarten team, reading specialists, ELL teacher, and special education
teacher to develop weekly lesson plans that align with the Common Core State Standards
Administer Rigby reading assessment, MAP Test, and AIMSWeb to determine flexible grouping
for guided reading and RTI groups
Implement close reading strategies using a variety of texts to deepen student comprehension
Attended Smekens professional development to incorporate 6 Traits of Writing into instruction
Integrate technology into instruction to promote student engagement and understanding
Incorporate think-pair-share strategy to create a low-risk environment for student learning and
encourage student collaboration, engagement, and accountability
Member of the science committee and working to align the K-2 science curriculum with NGSS
Participated in KIDS professional development, an observation-based assessment tool to assist
teachers in documenting childrens growth and development, based off of Californias DRDP-SR
Kindergarten Teacher - Irene King Elementary School, Romeoville, IL
2013-2014 school year
Collaborated with kindergarten team and reading specialists to implement flexible grouping, in
which students rotated classrooms for differentiated instruction in writing
Participated in several mathematics trainings led by Angela Andrews, which focused on building
foundational math skills and instruction through projects, student discovery, and problem
solving
Implemented PALS reading intervention program to support Tier 2 and Tier 3 students
Developed a narrative writing unit based on an imaginary friend, which involved studentteacher conferences and an author sharing day to which parents were invited
Promoted college and career readiness at a Title 1 school by adopting a university, planning an
interdisciplinary unit, and then attending a field trip to Joliet Junior College
Analyzed data from both formal (MAP, Fountas & Pinnell, CBM) and informal assessments to
make informed instructional decisions about flexible grouping, RTI, and guided reading
Fourth Grade Teacher- Oak View Elementary School, Bolingbrook, IL
2012-2013 school year
Participated in Gretchen Courtney literacy training and incorporated comprehension strategies into
daily instruction
Facilitated literature circles, in which students collaborated with peers during mini book clubs to
investigate various literary elements, provided evidence from the text
Collaborated with the special education teacher and teachers aide to provide accommodations for
students with an IEP
Utilized the SIOP Model and collaborated with the ESL teacher to plan and deliver comprehensible
instruction for English language learners (a large portion of the student population)
Created interactive lesson plans using Smart Board technology to promote student engagement and
understanding
Student Teacher - Eagle Pointe Elementary School, Plainfield, IL
Spring 2012
Collaborated with occupational therapist to develop an interdisciplinary unit focused on improving
students fine motor skills through instruction on American holidays
Used instructional scaffolding to introduce a poetry unit and incorporated Elmo document camera to
provide struggling readers with visual support
Implemented Good Habits, Great Readers writers workshop to help build students interest and
confidence in writing and develop phonics skills
Administered DRA assessment and used results to inform reading instruction
Administered Primary Spelling Inventory and used data to determine students spelling stage for RTI
Student Educator - Introduction to Child Movement, course at the University of Illinois
Spring 2010
Taught physical education to a group of minority, third and fourth grade students
Collaborated with a team of student educators to develop a series of lesson plans that would
encourage students to lead active and healthy lifestyles
RELATED WORK EXPERIENCE
Lincoln Park Zoo- Chicago, IL
Summer 2012
Summer Camp Instructor
Implemented the 5E Instructional Model to help nine and ten year old campers make connections
between past and present learning experiences
Facilitated an inquiry-based approach towards science education in which campers investigated and
collected data in order to construct meaning
Provided campers with opportunities to actively explore their environment in order to gain a deeper
understanding of conservation and foster a love for the natural world
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum- Chicago, IL
Summer 2011
Summer Camp Intern
Developed a curriculum around sustainable living and eco-friendly practices for the museums nine
and ten year old camp in an urban setting
Integrated unstructured play into curriculum to promote childrens intellectual and cognitive growth
(problem solving abilities), emotional intelligence, and benefit social interactions
Created a hands-on, edible activity for campers to learn about landfills
Centennial Park Aquatic Center- Orland Park, IL
Summers 2006-2008
Swim Instructor
Educated small groups of three and four year olds about water safety, the harmful effects of the
sun, and basic swimming strokes
Monitored and evaluated student progress in order to determine the students next level of
instruction and created a progress report with this information for parents
OTHER WORK EXPERIENCE
Centennial Park Aquatic Center- Orland Park, IL
Summer 2006-2008
Lifeguard
Trained to administer first aid, CPR, artificial respiration and the rescue of persons in distress
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
Phi Sigma Pi- Honors Fraternity at the University of Illinois
January 2010- May 2012
Social Chair
Planned and organized all social events
Planned and organized Spring Formal, which involved creating a theme, reserving event space,
transportation and entertainment, managing a budget and planning an agenda for participants
Student Education Association- professional organization at the University of Illinois August 2009- present
Attended professional workshops and seminars to learn about educational equality in school
