SAMANTHA VAZNIS

396 Ocean Avenue, Portland ME. 04013| (C) (207) 651-3822 | samantha.vaznis@maine.edu
My Teaching Website: http://vaznisportfolio.weebly.com
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Enthusiastic and self-motivated individual, committed to a proactive and hands-on approach in a

teaching environment. Possesses natural leadership and team-building skills. Highly dependable have
exceptional classroom management skills and creates innovative ways to deliver the curriculum. Many
years of experience working with children with many different behavioral and emotional needs.

Core competencies include:

• K-8 Certified
• PBLS & common core knowledge
• Responsive classroom teaching style
• Worked closely with ELL students
• Current member of the leadership team
• Integrates the use of current technology daily

CERTIFICATION

Maine State Department of Education (020) June 2017

Endorsement: K-8 General Education

EDUCATION

Masters of Education in Teaching and Learning December 2016

University of Southern Maine Portland, ME
• Extended Teacher Education Program (ETEP)- Accelerated Thirteen Month Masters of Education
program
• GPA 4.0 and Member of Golden Key National Honor Society
• Lead taught in third and fourth-grade classrooms

Bachelor of Arts of Psychology May 2014

University of Southern Maine Portland, ME
• Held a teaching apprenticeship for two years
• Held study sessions for students before each of their exams
 • Provided students with multiple means of communication for learning via email, skype, online
tutorials, and course websites

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Classroom Teacher, Portland Public Schools August 2017 -
Present
Ocean Avenue Elementary School
● Third grade teacher
● Implemented alpha pilot IM math program
● Taught remotely and up to date on latest technology

Long Term Substitute Teacher, Portland Public Schools Feb. 2017 – June
2017
Ocean Avenue Elementary School
● Held a position as a third grade teacher
● Team taught with neighboring third grade teacher multiple subjects per day
● An International Baccalaureate World School – Implemented the learning model of rigorous
student inquiry

Student Intern, Portland Public Schools Sept. 2015 - Dec. 2016

Hall Elementary School
• Lead taught in both third and fourth grade classrooms for consecutive weeks
• Team taught with a fourth grade teacher and held literacy circles and guided reading
groups
• Implemented positive behavior intervention strategies in a very diverse class of students
• Worked closely with parents to discuss and plan for student’s learning
• Supervised student led conferences and shared student’s growth with family
• Differentiated instruction for a diverse population of ELL students, students with special
needs and gifted and talented students
Connections for Kids Jan.2013- Jan. 2017
Behavioral Health Professional (BHP) Portland, ME
• Works with students with behavioral and emotional needs in a school setting, implements
behavioral plans and provides supports in day to day tasks
• Helps students develop and sustain life skills in order for them to become mature independent
individuals
• Maintains and documents daily case notes for each student on their individual goals and
provides additional comments for growth
• Employs knowledge of treatment/support strategies and developmental disabilities
• Works collaboratively as a team member to provide the best support for each individual student
and their specific needs
• Works closely with classroom teacher, attends annual IEP meetings and parent teacher
conferences

Seal Rock Healthcare Saco, ME April 2011 - Jan. 2013

Receptionist
• Monitored client census by recording admissions, discharges, doctor appointments and site visit
data
• Computed bills, collected payments and made accounts for guests
• Facilitated a smooth discharge by encouraging and reassuring new and current residents

Massabesic High School September 2004-June 2008

Waterboro, ME
• Volunteered with special needs children in the resource rooms, twice a week for both my junior
and senior year
• A member of the Massabesic Area Substance Abuse Team (MASAT), went around to local school
districts and talked about the impacts of substance abuse on teenage life