VICTORIA SMILNAK

586.248.2350 victoria.smilnak98@gmail.com Digital Portfolio

EDUCATION TEACHING PHILOSOPHY

Oakland University Rochester Hills, MI "We need to teach empathy as we do
Bachelor of Arts April 2023
literacy."
Secondary Education
Major: English -Bill Drayton
Minor: English as a Second Language My goal as a teacher is to make sure every
student that walks into my room knows that
Sigma Tau Delta, English Honors Society, OU
as long as they know me, there is at least one
Chapter, Vice President, Treasurer, Member
person in their life that wholeheartedly
Aspiring Educators of Michigan, OU Chapter, believes in them. My wish is not to be their
Member hero but to teach them to be their own hero.

Relevant Coursework: Classes taken at

Chicago College of Performing Arts 2016-1018 FIELD EXPERIENCE
2022-2023
TEACHING SKILLS Armada High School
Mastery of 4 Core-Teaching Practices: Student Teacher Mentor Teacher: Aric Foster
Explaining and Modeling Content Promoted a positive and productive learning
Eliciting and Interpreting Student environment to increase engagement and
Thinking rapport with students and teachers.

Formative Assessment Modified lessons and curriculum to

accommodate diverse learners by using
Leading Group Discussion
strategies such as peer-assisted learning,
Standards-Based Grading
group work, and accommodating IEPs and 504
Parent and Student Communication
plans.
Differentiation Developed and implemented classroom
routines to address varying student needs.
PROFESSIONAL SKILLS
Communicated frequently with parents,
Familiar with PowerSchool, Schoology,
students, and faculty to provide feedback and
IXL, and Google Classroom discuss instructional strategies.
Proficient in computer skills Worked with the classroom teacher to learn
Organization about current standards and best practices.
Time-Management Assisted theater director with facilitating
auditions and ensured performance success
for a musical and a straight play.
 FIELD EXPERIENCE EXTRACURRICULARS
May 2022-July 2022 Acting Major
Avondale School District Chicago College of Performing Arts
Practicum: English as a Second Language 2016-2018
Summer School Teacher
Theater Skills
Developed teaching materials to supplement
Acting
the standard curriculum, enhancing learning
concepts and promoting student Directing

engagement for diverse Spanish-speaking Singing

students. Sight- Reading
Built relationships with students to
Screen-Writing
understand obstacles to learning such as
difficult home situations, illness, or social Choreography

hurdles. Tech Theater Proficiency

WORK EXPERIENCE
Assisted Lia Difonzo (director)
March 2022 - Present Lucky Stiff
Sylvan Learning Center, Macomb Tracks
Tutor, Reading and Math The Complete Works of William
Shakespeare (Revised, Abridged, Revised
Tutored diverse groups of students to
again)
strengthen subject comprehension,
boost confidence, and build important Armada High School
learning skills.

REFERENCES
Aric Foster Alice Gryspeerd
Mentor Teacher, Armada High School University Field Supervisor, Oakland University
afoster@armadaschools.org gryspeerd@oakland.edu

Lia DiFonzo Amanda Stearns-Pfeiffer

Theater and English Teacher, Armada Secondary Education Professor,
High School Oakland University
ldifonzo@armadaschools.org stearnspfeiffer@oakland.edu