Gregory Ross Durant

7542 Brown Avenue, Apt 2 (217) 714-5934

Forest Park, IL grdurant@gmail.com

EDUCATION:
Masters in Elementary Education plus Certification (08/2011 – 05/2013)
 University of Illinois, Champaign, IL, (GPA: 3.82 on a 4.0 scale)
 Illinois Initial Elementary Certificate (Type 03) (08/2013 – Present)
Middle School Endorsement in General and Physical Science

Bachelor of Science in Geology (08/2004 – 08/2008)

● University of Illinois, Champaign, IL (Major GPA: 3.0 on a 4.0 scale)

EXPERIENCE:
Fourth Grade Teacher, Lincoln Elementary, Brookfield, IL (08/2017 – Present)
● Collaborates in professional learning communities to differentiate instruction, observe and
discuss classroom practices, modify formative assessments, and curate resources.
● Plans lessons that incorporate Common Core State Standards based on backwards design, student
inquiry and exploration, interactive modeling, application of technology and gradual release of
responsibility.
● Instructs students in all subject areas using student-centered approaches where students are
actively engaged in the learning process, reflection, and direction of learning in the classroom.
● Utilizes techniques and ideas based on the Responsive Classroom approach to promote a positive
classroom culture and student-led classroom expectations.

Third Grade Teacher, Fierke Education Center, Oak Forest, IL (08/2016 – 06/2017)
● Provided tutoring support for ELL students outside of school hours.
● Designed a reading portfolio program that allowed students to document their own reading
process over the year.
● Implemented a center-based math program for students with low proficiency scores.

Third and Fourth Grade Teacher, Anne M. Jeans Elementary, Willowbrook, IL (08/2014 – 05/2016)
● Provided before school supplementary math review and afterschool math interventions
● Developed a Reader’s Theater program for third and fourth grade students.
● Utilized SMART Boards and iPads in a 1:1 classroom to deliver interactive instruction to
students, record and track classroom participation, and assist students in performance-based tasks.

Student Teacher, Urbana Middle School, Urbana, IL (01/2013 – 05/2013)

● Maintained a weekly online blog in science and social studies that allowed absent students and
guardians to view what occurred in class on any day.
● Carried out in-class experiments where students observed and made predictions about the
relationship between axial tilt and seasons, the phases of the moon and Newton’s laws of motion.
● Assisted in redesigning the “Understanding by Design” frameworks for astronomy and physics.

Academic Hourly, Illinois State Geological Survey, Urbana, IL (02/2010 – 12/2012)

● Created stratigraphic columns based on core descriptions as well as digitized hand-drawn maps.
● Described drilling cores and collected samples from both cores and outcroppings.
● Prepared samples for x-ray diffraction analysis, operated XRD machinery and identified present
minerals and mineral percent composition of samples.
RELATED ACTIVITIES AND PUBLICATIONS
● Lasemi, Z., S. Butler, W. Roy, S. Ansari, S. Maddix, and G. Durant. 2012. Feasibility of Lime-
Water Softening Slurry as a Sorbent for Wet Flue Gas Desulfurization Systems. In 37th
International Technical Conference on Coal Coal & Fuel Systems Proceedings, Clearwater, FL, P
665.
● Acting and volunteering work for the Champaign-Urbana Theatre Company, the Illini Union
Board and ArtCo in Tuscola.
● Co-fundraising chair and performer in Cutting Edge show choir.