Brenna Corby

1220 Plymouth Ave NE

Grand Rapids, MI 49505
Email: corbybre@gmail.com
Cell Phone: (616) 648-1981
“Kids don’t remember what you try to teach them. They remember what you are.”
Jim Henson
Objective
I want to obtain a full-time Spanish teaching position at a secondary level. I am very
passionate about teaching Spanish and love the language and culture and want to
share my passion with my future students.
Education
Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
Graduated August 2019
Masters in Teaching and Curriculum with a Literacy specialization
Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
Graduated August 2013
Spanish Education Major
English Minor
Study Abroad Program at Universidad San Francisco De Quito, Quito, Ecuador,
Summer 2011 & Spring 2012
Current and Previous Teaching Experience
Grand Ledge High School (Grand Ledge, MI), September 2015-Present
-I have taught Spanish 1A, 1B, 2A and 2B classes
-Plan, prepare, create and grade all lessons, notes and activities
-Use technology in the classroom including a projector, PowerSchool, PowerTeacher,
Macbook laptop, Google Drive, Docs, Slides, Calendar, etc. ELMO, and cell phones for
activities including Quizlet and Kahoot. Also I use the application Remind to get in
contact with students and parents to remind them of assignments and assessments
-Tutored after-school at least twice a week and during lunch
-Volunteered at after-school activities including the homecoming parade, multiple
dances and Spanish club
-Proctored various tests including PSAT, SAT and M-COMP
-Attended many days of professional development particularly related to Classroom
Management
-Planned and worked with the World Language Department at least once a month and
also researched Spanish textbooks in order to decide on a new textbook
-Taught many special education students, so I had to modify/accommodate many
lessons and assessments
-Nearly 80% or above of my students passed my classes with at least an 80% or above
-All lessons that I create are based on the Michigan World Language Standards and
everyday students get practice speaking, writing, reading and listening in Spanish
-Students get involved with the hispanic culture by getting a chance to listen to the
music, making and eating the food and watching authentic videos, etcetera
-Improved my classroom management skills by incorporating a class participation points
system and I can explain that more if asked
-Contact parents on a bi-weekly or weekly basis to make sure they are aware of
upcoming important assessments. Also contact parents of failing or near failing students
multiple times throughout the trimester to make them aware.
-Took part in choosing a new textbook for the Spanish department and created the new
curriculum with my co-workers.

Hudsonville High School (Hudsonville, MI), March 2015-June 2015 (Third trimester)
- I was a long-term substitute for a Spanish II (B) class and also a Cultures class
-Implemented and taught the plans that I was given by the Spanish department and
adding my own ideas and activities to the plans for the three Spanish II classes I teach
-For the Hispanic cultures class, I taught about the cultures of many of the Spanish
speaking countries and shared my experiences that I had in some of the countries
-Used technology in the classroom including the projector, PowerSchool,
PowerTeacher, Apple TV, Ipads/Macbook laptops, Google Docs, ELMO, etcetera
-Taught an Advisory class once a week to a class of Junior students -Helped students
before and after school with any problems that they have in Spanish -Attended staff
meetings and any staff events at Hudsonville High School

Canton Preparatory High School (Canton, MI), September 2014-Present

-Planned and taught 5 classes of Spanish (4 of Spanish I and 1 of Spanish II)
-Also taught an Advisory class to Freshmen and Sophomore students
-Used Standards Based Grading -Created all of the Spanish I and II curriculum
including Standards Based assessments, homework assignments, activities, etcetera
-Used technology in the classroom including the projector, smart board, Moodle, Infinite
Campus and Google Docs
-Attended professional development days
-Tutored after-school every Tuesday and Thursday
-Taught yearbook as an after-school elective
-Lead the after-school running club
-Worked morning traffic duty and lunch duty

City High Middle School (Grand Rapids, MI), September 2013-May 2014
-Planned and taught different levels of Spanish (I taught 4 out of the 6 class periods a
day, including one Spanish 2 level and three Spanish 1 levels.)
-Learned to teach using TPR
-Learned to teach at an International Baccalaureate school
-Strengthened my classroom management skills
-Created seating charts for each class
-Long term substituted for my mentor teacher
-Created games, activities, quizzes and International Baccalaureate exams
-Used technology in the classroom including the ELMO and projector
-Implemented a behavior form policy in the classroom
-Attended professional development days for my school
-Graded many homework assignments, quizzes, tests and projects
-Developed special plans for Spanish native and heritage students
-Led conferences (some in Spanish)
-Decorated the Spanish bulletin board and classroom
-Planned and went with my students on a field trip
-Proctored MEAP

Holt Junior High School (Holt, MI), September 2012-May 2013

-Planned and taught Spanish lessons
-Helped out the teacher with classroom activities, attendance, grades, etcetera

Lansing Gardner Middle School (Lansing, MI), September 2011-December 2011

-Administered classroom activities
-Helped with classroom management
Eastern High School (Lansing, MI), September 2010-December 2010,
-Tutored students after school in a variety of subjects

Forest Hills Spanish Immersion School (Grand Rapids, MI) September 2008-June 2009
-6th grade classroom aide -Helped with classroom activities
-Led a HELP station in the classroom
Other Experience
Grand Rapids Public School Tutor​-Worked at City High Middle School’s after-school
program called Workzone, where I tutored students in Spanish

Nanny​-Babysat for Ham and Abood families 15+ hours a week before and after school

International Teaching Assistant Program​-Tutored international teaching assistants in

English at Michigan State University

Alpha Phi Omega Service Fraternity-​ Volunteered within the East Lansing community
and also was the chair to the Vice President of service, in which I planned and
organized multiple service events.

​ olunteered by presenting workshops on self-esteem, being

Face-It Girl Scout Program-V
confident, growing up and many other topics to girl-scouts within the Grand Rapids
area.

Personal Interests
I enjoy volunteering at any after-school events including dances, activity nights,
carnivals, clubs and sports games. I have always been an avid runner and was apart of
the cross country and track team in high school and would be interested in coaching
either of those teams. I was also apart of the swim team for 10 years and still enjoy
swimming when I get the chance and if a swim coach is needed, I would be available for
that position as well. I want to lead or create a Spanish and Culture Club in the school
that I get a job at and be able to get more students interested in Spanish and involved
within the Spanish community in their town. I was apart of the National Honors Society
when I was in high school and would love to be in charge of that, if needed. Besides
teaching, I want my students to have fun and also learn how to be good people. I want
to be someone they look up to and be an influence to them.
References
Susan Sowle
French Teacher/World Language Department Chair, Grand Ledge High School
Phone Number: (517) 927-8109
Email: ​sowles@glcomets.net

Kassandra Davis
Spanish and Special Education Teacher, Grand Ledge High School
Phone Number: (517) 410-1223
Email: ​davisk1@glcomets.net

Anna Bensel
Spanish Teacher, Hayes Middle School, Grand Ledge Public Schools
Phone Number: (517) 898-7077
Email: ​bensela@glcomets.net

Jennifer Bouck
Psychology and French Teacher, Grand Ledge High School
Phone Number: (517) 204-5711
Email: ​bouckj@glcomets.net

Kathy Porembiak
Spanish Teacher, Grand Ledge High School
Phone Number: (734) 552-9867
Email: kathyp@glcomets.net

Ken Wright
Assistant Principal, Grand Ledge High School
Phone Number: (517) 898-4954
Email: kenw@glcomets.net

Deb Williams
 ESL Teacher, Grand Ledge High School and Hayes Middle School
Phone Number: (616) 822-0120
Email: williamsd@glcomets.net
Anna Arendsen
Spanish Teacher/World Language Department Chair, Hudsonville High School
Phone Number: (616) 610-0944
Email: aarendse@hpseagles.net

Cynthia Lewis
Spanish Teacher, Taylor Preparatory High School
Phone Number: (847) 507-9320
Email: clewis@taylorprephs.com

Lindsy Avenall
Art Teacher, Arbor Preparatory High School
Phone Number: (810) 614-5526
Email: lavenall@arborprep.com

Patricia Osborn
Retired Spanish Teacher, City High Middle School,
Phone Number: (616) 901-6066

Carol Steele
Field Instructor, Michigan State University
Phone Number: (616) 742-1105
Email: csteele321@gmail.com
Connie VanBelois
Grand Rapids Area Teacher Preparation Program Coordinator, Michigan State
University
Phone Number: (616) 915-0777
Email: vanc@msu.edu

Allison Williamson
Past jobs: Instructional coach-wrote curriculum and evaluated teachers,
 Add.a.lingua and Spanish Immersion Teacher at Forest Hills Northern Trails
Phone Number: (616) 401-0700
Email: williamsonallison@gmail.com

Beth Page-Ham
Organizational Development Consultant, Right Management
Phone Number: (314) 479-8628
Email: beth.page@yahoo.com

Heather Abood
Psychologist, Own practice
Phone number: Cell: (517) 290-2177; Home: (517) 327-7400
Email: heather@heatherabood.com

Ron Reusch
Physicians Assistant (Dermatology), Jack A. Dekkinga Dermatology
Phone Number: Cell: (616) 340-1523; Work: (616) 257-3344
Email: ronreusch@hotmail.com

Al Bruchnak
Financial Advisor, Raymond James Financial Services Advisor, Inc
Phone Number: Work: (616) 988-2978
Email: Al.Bruchnak@RaymondJames.com