Samuel Merrill

Phone: 316-803-4447 samuelcmerrill@gmail.com 1173 W 900 N, Provo, UT

30 January 2018

Chris Brockman
Beatty High School
1 Hornet Ave,
Beatty, NV 89003

Dear Chris Brockman,

Recently, I attended a career fair on campus here at Brigham Young University and I had the
pleasure of meeting Kyle Lindberg. Seeing that I am a Spanish major, he informed me that the
Nye School District happened to be in need of a Spanish teacher. I was drawn to how friendly
and sincere he was.

Beatty High School students have performed above average on recent proficiency tests. I would
love to be a part of the faculty that works in such a friendly and progressive environment. I have
extensive knowledge of Spanish, Spanish literature, and Spanish-speaking cultures which I could
teach and share with students so as to broaden their knowledge and understanding. I taught in
Spanish in Bolivia and I can speak in Spanish the entire class to help them be more immersed in
the language. Beatty High School also shows a high enrollment of minorities. I am a minority
myself and as a teacher, I could be a positive role-model and influence in the lives of all the
students.

My resume shows relevant coursework that I have taken as an undergraduate and the experience
I have speaking Spanish in a Spanish-speaking country for two years. I would love to answer
any questions you may have about me or my background in an interview, even if it be a video
conference call. I will reach out to you by email on February 2nd to see about scheduling for an
interview.

Sincerely,

Samuel Merrill
 Samuel Merrill
Phone: 316-803-4447 samuelcmerrill@gmail.com 1173 W 900 N, Provo, UT

Javier came in through the back door so he could avoid us and his wife, Paola. Another

volunteer and I had been teaching Javier and Paola about Latter-day Saint teachings for about a

week. We had taught Javier that vices to alcohol or drugs are against our beliefs and Javier was

doing his best to change, but it was very hard for him. It was after a couple months that Javier

had learned that change was possible and that he could live a different life. With this change in

Javier’s life, his family had more money for food and he was sober so as to spend quality time

with his wife and baby daughter. Moments like that are what motivated me to want to be a

teacher the rest of my life.

My teaching philosophy will focus on the ability of students to read, write, listen, and

speak in the Spanish language. To help foster a learning environment, it is important for students

to feel safe and comfortable in the classroom. Building students up with encouragement and

positivity will allow them to try their best without fear of criticism or failure.

At Beatty High School, in addition to teaching students about Spanish, Spanish literature,

and Spanish-speaking cultures, I will teach students that they can do hard things. I will teach

them in the classroom, as well as by my example, that graduating high school is worth it and that

college awaits them with boundless opportunities. My success as a teacher will rest upon the

drive of the students in my classroom to excel in all their classes and their desire to leave Beatty

high school with a diploma.

 Samuel Merrill
Phone: 316-803-4447 samuelcmerrill@gmail.com 1173 W 900 N, Provo, UT
Education
Brigham Young University Aug 2011-Present
Undergraduate in Spanish Provo, UT
-Coursework: Intro to Spanish Teaching
Hispano-American Literature and Civilization
Spanish Literature and Civilization

Volunteer Work and Community Involvement

Volunteer Missionary Sep 2012-Oct 2014
-Supervised and motivated over a dozen volunteers with biweekly Bolivia
phone call follow-ups and weekly training meetings
-Planned and taught religious lessons daily in Spanish
-Taught and organized English classes for Spanish speakers
-Adapted to frequent changes in work location and co-volunteers
-Counseled individuals and families experiencing life tragedies
Volunteer Youth Mentor, Utah County 4H Sep 2015-Present
-One on one mentoring with an at-risk youth each week Provo, UT
-Weekly planning of edifying and socially promoting activities
-Cooperation with other mentors in mentor trainings and councils
Senior Rugby Player, Brigham Young University Sep 2015-Present
-Self-composure in confrontational and stressful situations Provo, UT
-Regular practice and conditioning to improve skills and fitness
-Lead and direct new teammates in drills at practice and in games

Work Experience
Moving Department, Brigham Young University May 2017-Present
-Transport large quantities of equipment with work truck Provo, UT
-Set up and take down equipment for large events on campus

Restaurant Busser, Alpine Country Club May 2016-December 2017

-Worked with servers to bus and wait tables Alpine, UT
-Assisted guests with their food and drink orders

Farm Assistant, Trails West Farms Aug 2007-2011, Fall 2014, Summer 2015
-Maintained orchard- mowing, tree trimming and brush removal Eudora, KS
-Assisted customers with selecting and purchasing fruit at fruit stand
-Cared for livestock