Samantha Pies

121 Lisa Court Tea, South Dakota, 57064

(605) 777-9275
Samantha.m.pies@k12.sd.us
_____________________________________________________________________________________
November 19, 2021
Liberty Elementary
Harrisburg School District
200 E Willow Street
Harrisburg South Dakota 57032
605-743-0111

To Whom it May Concern:

My name is Samantha Pies, and I am writing to apply for the ELL Instructor position in the Harrisburg
School District. I am an Elementary Education/Special Education major with minors in PreK-12 reading,
computer technology, and English as a new language from Dakota State University in Madison, South
Dakota. Growing up, I have moved a lot so I am very familiar with the fact that not every student learns
the same day or in the same way, but we can all reach success. Due to my experiences in and out of the
classroom, I am passionate about helping every student succeed to the best of their ability.
Experiences I have had include volunteer hours, summer teaching jobs, practicum hours, as well as
student teaching. I have volunteered in a Spanish classroom as well as LifeScape for eight months in
each. I have worked as a summer teacher in multiple programs leading morning meetings and lessons in
social-emotional behavior as well as academics. I have been able to be in three different EL classrooms in
two practicum experiences learning how to best apply the EL practices I have learned. The most recent
practicum was the first two weeks of November 2021 where I spent a week with Ms. Sale and a week
with Mrs. Rehurek respectively. Currently, I am student teaching in a kindergarten classroom at Horizon
Elementary.
My strengths include being a strong communicator, being a lifelong learner as I have a passion to learn to
become my best self, and having an optimistic attitude! I have been fortunate enough to learn Spanish and
be able to use how I was taught/learned as a way to create differentiated lesson plans based off of both SD
State Standards as well as WIDA Standards for the students I have taught. This year especially I have
shown my strength of being flexible by subbing for a variety of teachers at a moment’s notice.
I am excited to submit my application as I would love to continue to learn and grow in the Harrisburg
School District. If you have any questions or concerns, I would love to answer them at your earliest
convenience!
Thank you for your time,
Samantha Pies