Carlee Wika

carlee.sanders@wolves.northern.edu
August 19, 2017

Dear Cooperating Teacher:

I would like to personally thank you for accepting me as a teacher candidate this fall. As a senior elementary/special
education major from Northern State University, I have the privilege to participate in various classrooms to take my
experience further towards becoming an educator. I want to show my gratitude for allowing me to further my
experience in your classroom.

My desire to help children learn and grow has always been a goal of mine, whether it be in or out of the classroom.
My positive attitude, sense of humor, willingness to help and time management skills have allowed me to be an
active participant in my community. I have received the excellent opportunity of working at the South Dakota
School for the Blind and Visually Impaired as a Substitute Residential Childcare Staff. With this job I have learned
many skills such as documentation of events, guiding students through daily tasks, help students reach their IEP
goals and serve as a mentor for students in attendance. I have been fortunate to have participated in Northern State
Universitys reading clinic. This opportunity allows me to provide bi-weekly lesson plans, instruct one on one with a
student in their read / write practices, and serve as a mentor through reading and writing practices. Lastly, I had the
opportunity last summer of working at the Youth Development Center as an Assistant Teacher.

Professionally, I have completed a sophomore field experience in a fourth-grade classroom at Jefferson Elementary.
I have also completed two pre-student teaching experience. My first experience was in a third-grade classroom at
Simmons Elementary. While participating in the class, I was able to observe the multiple duties that are required of a
successful educator. I also retained multiple guidelines and actions for effective and positive classroom
management. My second experience was in a resource room at Lincoln Elementary where I did various tasks such as
teach a 5th- grade math lesson, a 4th-grade math lesson, 5th grade English lesson as well as instruct students
participating in a social skills group. During my sophomore field, I had the opportunity to teach a writing lesson
after confirming permission from my cooperating teacher. During my junior field, I was awarded the opportunity to
create and teach three math lessons to the class. Last fall I completed my first student teaching experience, to satisfy
my early childhood endorsement, at the St. Johns Lutheran Preschool. Lastly, in the spring I completed my
elementary education experience in a 2nd-grade classroom to satisfy my elementary education degree requirement.
Each of these experiences has been valuable towards my skill and desire of becoming a teacher.
Thank you greatly for accepting my placement. Please review my resume attached below. If you have any questions,
please contact me at the information provided above.
 CARLEE J. WIKA
carlee.sanders@wolves.northern.edu

OBJECTIVE: Obtain a position as a teacher where I can utilize my strong dedication to the developmental,
academic needs of children.

EDUCATION:
Bachelor of Science in Education, anticipated December 2017
Northern State University, Aberdeen SD
Elementary/Special Education Major
Early Childhood Education Endorsement
Reading Minor

TEACHING EXPERIENCE:
Special Education Student Teaching Experience, September 2017
Ipswich School District, Ipswich SD (Middle School/High School Resource Room)
Observed/interacted with students ranging from 6th-12th grade, assisted the teacher in various activities,
documented observations by completing a teacher work sample, provided the role of the full-time teacher,
implemented several lessons including lessons from all content areas, and attended/participated in several
IEP meetings
Elementary Student Teaching Experience, January 2017
Groton Elementary School, Groton SD
Observed/interacted with 2nd grade students, assisted the teacher in various activities, documented
observations by completing a teacher work sample, provided the role of the full-time teacher for two weeks
and implemented several lessons including content in math, grammar, reading and social studies.
Pre-Kindergarten Student Teaching Experience, September 2016
St. John Lutheran Preschool, Groton SD
Observed/interacted with pre-kindergarten students, assisted the teacher in various activities, documented
observation by completing a teacher work sample, provided the role of the full-time teacher for two weeks,
and implemented several lessons including contents in art and math.

Pre-Student Teaching Experience, September 2016

Lincoln Elementary School, Aberdeen SD
Observed/interacted with 4th and 5th-grade students, assisted the teacher in various activities, documented
observations by completing a teacher work sample, and implemented various lesson including 5th-grade
math, 4th-grade math, 5th grade English and 5th-grade social group.

Pre-Student Teaching Experience, November 2015

Simmons Elementary School, Aberdeen SD
Observed/interacted with 3rd-grade students, assisted the teacher in various activities, documented
observations by completing a teacher work sample, and implemented three math lessons while learning
how to manage a classroom effectively.

Early Childhood Observation, September-November 2015

Roncalli Sonshine Patch, Aberdeen SD
Observed/interacted with preschool students, assisted the teacher in various activities, documented
observations, and implemented two literacy lessons to the class.

Sophomore Field Experience, February 2015

Jefferson Elementary School, Pierre SD
Observed two full days in a 4th-grade classroom, interacting with students, assisting the teacher with
classrooms tasks, and implemented a writing lesson to the class.

EMPLOYMENT:
Full-Time Residential Childcare Staff, August 2014-December 2015
South Dakota School for the Blind & Visually Impaired, Aberdeen SD
Employed 40 hours a week assisting in documentation and observation of students
Assisted students in utilizing time management
Maintained a secure and comfortable environment
Attended Individual Education Program meetings to process individualized goals for students

Substitute Residential Childcare Staff, March 2013-July 2014: January 2016-current

South Dakota School for the Blind & Visually Impaired, Aberdeen SD
Assist full-time staff in documentation and observation of students
Assist students in utilizing time management
Maintain a secure and comfortable environment

Part Time Teacher Assistant, August 2016-December 2016

Youth Development Center, Aberdeen, SD
Assist full-time staff in caring and observing the children
Join in with the student during play time
Help the students and employees on various projects, outings, programs, etc.

HONORS AND MEMBERSHIPS:

Dean's List, Northern State University (2014-2016)
Council for Exceptional Children (February 2014-current)
South Dakota Education Association (August 2016-current)
South Dakota Education Association Officer (December 2016-current)

REFERENCES:
Dr. Andria Moon Dr. Gayle Bortnem
Assistant Professor of Elementary Education/Early Childhood Retired Associate Professor of Education
Northern State University Northern State University
Email: andria.moon@northern.edu Email. bortnemrg@nbc.net