Dakota Halma

1969 Church Avenue | Scotch Plains, NJ 07076

(551) 404 - 3864 | dakotahalma@gmail.com
https://dakotahalma.weebly.com
DH
CERTIFICATION
Michigan Standard Teaching Certificate May 2021 (Expected)
K-5 All Subjects
K-12 Special Education; Learning Disabilities

EDUCATION
Michigan State University | Fifth-Year Teacher Intern Program | East Lansing, MI 2020-2021
• College of Education - GPA 4.0/4.0
• Completed 12 graduate credits towards master’s degree in special education
Michigan State University | Bachelor of Arts in Special Education | East Lansing, MI May 2020
• College of Education - GPA 3.97/4.0

TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Internship - Special Education | Hiawatha and Bennett Woods Elementary Schools | 2021
Grade: K-4 Resource Room | Okemos, MI
• Individualized and delivered instruction to students with disabilities within a resource room setting for 12
students at the kindergarten through third grade level.
• Revised student IEPs and conducted annual meetings with the assistance of mentor teacher.
• Modified research-based interventions to be engaging for students during online learning.
• Progress monitored students’ performance in the resource room and general education settings weekly.
• Collaborated with school professionals on the behavior team to create effective behavior plans for students.
Internship - General Education | Hiawatha Elementary School | Grade: 4 | Okemos, MI 2020
• Participated in co-planning and co-teaching with mentor teacher to create developmentally appropriate
lesson plans in all subject areas.
• Collaborated with 4th grade team to create and modify lesson plans to be suitable for virtual learning model.
• Assumed all classroom responsibilities including lesson planning, classroom management and data
management for 23 students for approximately eight weeks.
• Conducted virtual parent teacher conferences with the assistance of mentor teacher.
• Analyzed formal and informal data to create differentiated lesson plans for homogenous student groups.
• Created thoughtful community building activities to build classroom community in a virtual environment.
Senior Placement | Averill Elementary School | Grade: 1 | Lansing, MI 2019 - 2020
• Created and taught lessons in accordance with CCSS in language arts, mathematics, science and social studies.
• Facilitated whole group, small group, and one-on-one instruction weekly in all subject areas.
• Observed mentor teacher to gain thoughtful teaching experience relevant to students with special needs in
the general education setting.
Junior Placement | Post Oak Academy | Grade: 2 | Lansing, MI 2019
• Worked one-on-one with a student identified as having academic needs related to literacy.
• Administered literacy assessments to gain insight on student’s literacy development skills.
• Created a ten-week instruction plan which addressed student’s needs and monitored weekly progress.
Junior Placement | Okemos High School | Grade: 9-12 Resource Room | Okemos, MI 2018
• Analyzed data, specifically IEPs and CA60s, to gain insight on special education with regards to the law.
• Established relationships with students and worked towards helping them build social skills for conversation.
• Assisted in facilitating the LINKS peer-to-peer program between students with and without disabilities.
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
Read-To-Succeed Volunteer | Pinecrest Elementary School | East Lansing, MI 2019
• Tutored a student one-on-one with learning disabilities in literacy for ten weeks using different forms of
assessment to analyze student’s strengths and areas of need.
• Introduced research-based intervention tactics to assist the student in improving their comprehension,
fluency and accuracy skills in reading.
Volunteer | Early Learning Institute | East Lansing, MI 2018
• Facilitated safe forms of play and other activities for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
• Observed Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapists work with children to modify undesirable behaviors.
Instructional Paraprofessional Aide | The Newmark School | Scotch Plains, NJ 2017 - 2019
• Helped new and returning students transition from the traditional school year to extended school year (ESY).
• Oversaw and maintained the safety of groups of students while on weekly field trips.
• Developed close relationships with students that continued to blossom upon return to ESY each summer.
Refugee Development Center Tutor | Gardner International Magnet School | Lansing, MI 2016
• Assisted in an English language-learning program which provided one-on-one tutoring and group center
discussions for high school and middle school students.
• Overcame cultural and language barriers with 15+ students by remaining open and encouraging.
• Coached students weekly in reading, writing, homework, study tools and cultural practices.

OTHER WORK EXPERIENCE

Front Desk Receptionist | University Activities Board | East Lansing, MI 2018-2020
• Welcomed prospective students and families as they reported to campus for tours.
• Promoted positive guest relations by providing service-oriented and friendly care to MSU Union patrons.
• Responded to office calls and emails, assisting patrons with conflicts, questions and concerns.
Soccer Camp Assistant Coach | Scotch Plains-Fanwood Soccer Association | Scotch Plains, NJ 2014-2017
• Responsible for coordinating activities for diverse group of children, including those with disabilities.
• Interacted with children, families, and coaches in a professional manner.
• Developed skills for working with young children, including quick thinking and problem solving.

LEADERSHIP AND EXTRACURRICULUAR ACTIVITIES

Panhellenic Council - Vice President of Recruitment Guides 2019
Alpha Xi Delta, Beta Theta Chapter - Active Member 2016-2020
• Vice President of Philanthropy (2017-2018)
Kappa Delta Pi Educational Honor Society - Active Member 2016-2020

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Adult and Child First Aid and CPR Training Mar. 2021
Formative Assessment & Feedback in a Virtual Environment (Elementary Focus) Dec. 2020
• Michigan State University presenters discussed alternative forms of assessment in a virtual environment.
Foundations of Successful Online Teaching & Learning Aug. 2020
• A three-part professional development series with presenters from Michigan State University. Presenters
taught educators the most effective virtual teaching practices amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

ADDITIONAL SKILLS
• Proficient in technology including: Microsoft office, Google Applications, iPad, Weebly, and more.
• Experienced in using evidence-based intervention programs for building foundational literacy skills including
SPIRE, Edmark, and Explode the Code.