Resume'...

A resume and autobiographical sketch / cover letter is required for all teacher candidates pursuing a practicum assignment.These are offered to building and district administrators so they can get a feel for who you are and, if necessary, invite you in for a brief interview. Be sure to email or drop a copy off to the office at the time you complete the practicum application on Tk20.

Writing a resume as a college student can be a difficult task, especially if you have limited experiences in the job market, or have yet to earn any college degrees. Your first resume may be brief, but it should include come relevant information about you. The most important thing to remember about a resume is that it is an advertisement of YOU! In other words, you use a resume to sell yourself. There are no exact rules on how to write one, however there are guidelines  that should be remembered.

1. Along with your cover letter, the resume is your first impression. Make sure that it has a nice look to it. Are you impressed when you look at your final product? Ask someone else to look at it and give you feedback.
2. Check for spelling and grammar errors. Cooperating teachers, principals, or the school personnel office will rarely consider anyone for a position who presents a resume with errors. Errors, which do happen, may be interpreted as not paying attention to details.
3. Include your name in BOLD at the top of your resume. In other words, your name should jump out at the person reading it.
4. Pertinent information should also be included at the top of the resume, such as local address, phone number, and WSU email address where you can be reached.
5. Write a short objective about what you want to archive at your practicum experience.
6. Your educational experiences should be listed in reverse chronological order (most recent first). Include dates. Include the school sites you have observed and/or participated in throughout your program here at WSU.
7. Include jobs / positions that you have had, especially those involving children. these should also be listed in reverse chronological order (most recent first).
8. Use power words to show that you are results orientated and take initiative (examples: accomplished, ensured, managed, planned, directed, supervised, motivated, evaluated, etc.)
9. Include activities or any honors that you have received, such as Dean's List, National Honor's Society, or Who's Who listings.
10. Include your computer skills, such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
11. At the end of your resume, put the references that you would like to include. They can be former teachers, professors, principals, etc.
12. A one-page resume is usually sufficient for a college student. Be complete in the details, but don't overkill.

     

Rowdy Raider Present Address                                                                             Permanent Address 1967 University Blvd.                                                                        1 W. Brilliant Lane Wright State University                                                                     Tinkerbell Estates Dayton, OH  45435                                                                           Never Never Land, Oz (937)775-0000                                                                                  (937)000-0000 Objective: To obtain a middle childhood teaching license. Education: Wright State University                   Bachelor of Science,                             Anticipated completion June 2099                   Major: Science & Mathematics                   GPA: 4.0 / 4.0 Job Experience:                   Lab Assistant                                                                  Aug. to Nov. 2005                   Math Department, WSU                    - Reviewed department textbooks                    - Graded student papers for professor                    - Administered exams for professor                    - Assisted in calculus classroom as aide Teacher Candidate Classroom Experiences:                   Preschool                                                                       June to Aug. 2004                    Daytona Beach Summer Resort & Spa, Daytona Beach, FL                    - Assisted teacher with daily activities                    - Supervised playground games                    - Performed paperwork for teacher                    - Taught swim lessons to kindergarten students Honors & Activities:                    Dean's List                    National Honor's Society                    Who's Who in American Colleges                    WSU Varsity Football Quarterback Software: Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, IWork, IPublisher References: Available upon request.

Autobiographical Cover Letter: You will be assigned to a clinical faculty member in one of our partner or placement schools. Just as you are anxious to learn about your Cooperating Teacher, he or she is equally interested in knowing something about you  prior to your arrival. This letter of introduction is the opportunity for you to introduce yourself and to make a positive first impression. Include such things as hobbies, talents or skills which may be an asset in student teaching, extracurricular activities in high school and/or college, travel, reasons for choosing teaching as a profession, experiences with children, etc. The letter will be sent directly to the school district or site. Superintendents, Principals, and Cooperating Teachers will be reading your letter (and resume) and will notice any mistakes in grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Your letter should be typed in a standard letter format.

Here is a sample:

• Your Name Local Address Phone Number WSU Email Address Dear "Prospective Cooperating Teacher" Begin the letter with an introduction that shows your enthusiasm for your practicum experience. You might also include a few words about why you decided to become a teacher or who influenced you toward the profession. Describe previous work experiences with children (Sunday school class, daycare center work, aide in a classroom, babysitting, etc.), keeping your descriptions brief. Avoid "I," "me," or "my" messages. Explain few goals that you want to accomplish during the practicum experience. (To learn about co-teaching, differentiated, instruction, classroom management techniques, lesson planning, etc.) Include information about your hobbies, interests, or activities to make yourself memorable to readers. Finish the letter with appreciation for the opportunity to begin this phase of your teacher preparation program in this school and with this cooperating teacher. Sincerely,

Keep your letter positive, avoiding any prior negative experiences at other sites or jobs. It is VERY important that you proofread your letter. Have a friends or professor give you feedback on what you have written to be sure that you are sending your best work. Be aware of the Writing Center located on campus. They are a wonderful resource for you to take advantage of when you need assistance with writing.

Feel free to include both the auto-biographical cover letter and resume on the same word document, though separate pages. Your resume and auto-biographical cover letter should be consistent in format, free of errors, informative and concise. This information will be sent directly to the school district/site. Remember that these will be read by educational professionals who will notice any mistakes in grammar, spelling, content and punctuation. Please check them over carefully before you turn them in.

Samples of resumes and auto-biographical sketches are available in the Educational Resource Center, first floor of Allyn Hall, on reserve under Dr. Donna Cole.

** If we have not received your resume and biographical sketch, we will assume you are not going to complete this Student Teaching practicum assignment.