Katherine Suzanne McKinley

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Professional Goals

I strive to be an inspiring and passionate science teacher who motivates my students to excel both academically and personally. I hope to get students interested and excited about science through interactive scientific inquiry.

Education

MichiganStateUniversityGraduated May 2006

HonorsCollege, College of EducationMajor and Minor GPA: 4.0

Major: Biology Minor: ChemistryCumulative GPA: 3.99

Teaching Certification

Secondary certification in Biology (DA) and Chemistry (DC) May 2007

Teaching Experience and Leadership

Teaching internship,LansingEasternHigh School, Lansing, MI Sep 06 – May 07

  • Collaborating Teacher: Mrs. Jennifer Fuller
  • Taught three freshman Honors Biology classes and one AP - IB Environmental Science class for 9 weeks under the supervision of an experienced mentor teacher.
  • Independently taught one Honors Biology class for eight months while co-teaching three Biology classes with my mentor teacher during that time.
  • Assumed all responsibilities of the regular classroom teacher including lesson planning, assessing student understanding, communicating with parents and attending professional development and staff meetings.
  • Planned hands-on lessons and activities to engage students in scientific inquiry.
  • Planned units for cell transport, heredity, geologic time, evolution, diversity of life, and ecology that aligned with Michigan High School Content Expectations.
  • Junior Class co-advisor

Summer science camp teacher, Impression 5 Science Center June 06 – Oct 06

  • Co-taught week long science camps for kids in kindergarten through fifth grade.
  • Taught science workshops to science center visitors.
  • Planned, set-up and supervised Super Saturday Activities for visitors.

Field placement, DeWittHigh School, DeWitt, MI Oct 05 – May 07

  • Collaborating Teacher: Mr. Matt Shastal
  • Observed and actively participated in a tenth grade Biology class 4 hours/ week.
  • Planned, taught, and analyzedinquiry based science lessons.
  • Planned an inquiry based three day lesson sequence for mitosis.

Tutor,DeWitt, MI Jan 06 – May 06

  • Assisted eleventh grade algebra student in solving math problems
  • Aided student in organizational and study skills

Field placement,DwightRichMiddle School, Lansing, MI Jan 05 – May 05

  • Collaborating teacher: Mrs. Mary Villeagas
  • Observed seventh grade science class for 2 hours/ week.
  • Tutored individual students who were struggling

Tutor, LansingCapital Area Public Library Jan 03 – May 03

  • Provided individualized instruction for students in any subject after school once a week

Work Experience

ACT Test room supervisor, LansingEasternHigh School Dec 06 - present

  • Administered test booklets, gave test instructions and supervised students during testing

Relief Residential Technician, Community Mental Health June 05 - July 06

  • Took care of the developmentally disabled and assisted them in daily functions such as meal preparation, hygiene, taking medications on time, transportation and community outings.

Chiropractic Assistant, Okemos Family Chiropractic June 04 – Sept 04

  • Learned professionalism and responsibility in an office setting.
  • Assumed responsibility for several office duties including answering the phone, making appointments and taking payments.

Volunteer Work

Michigan Science Teachers Association Annual Conference March 2006

Volunteer equine veterinarian assistant June 03 – Aug 03

  • Observed on-site surgery, treatments and pregnancy tests

Volunteer small animal veterinarian assistant June 02 – Aug 02

  • Assisted and observed surgical procedures June 03 – Aug 03

Recognition

  • “Excellence and Outstanding Performance In Preparation for the Field of Education” award from the Network of Michigan Educators Annual Conference, December 2006. One of three honorary MSU intern teachers selected by the Dean of the College of Education to receive this award.
  • Graduated summa cum laude from MSU, May 2006
  • Awarded for having the highest GPA out of all the science teacher candidates graduating in 2006.
  • Dean’s List at Michigan State University, 2002-2006

Professional Development Activities and Affiliations

  • Network of Michigan Educators Conference December 2006
  • Michigan Science Teacher’s Association (MSTA) 2006 - present
  • Professional Development seminars at LansingEasternHigh School, 2006 – 2007 speaker Dr. Harry Wong
  • Michigan Science Teacher’s Association conference March 2006
  • Kappa Delta Pi member, International Honor Society in Education 2004 – present