Professional Portfolio

EDUCATION

SPECIAL SKILLS/HONORS

• Middle School Faculty Excellence Award, 2008
• Technology Integration
• Web Page Design
• Teaching Computer Skills to students and faculty
• Guitarist
• Vocalist
• Songwriter
• Leadership Scholarship, National University

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Fifth Grade Teacher, Laguna Blanca School, Santa Barbara, CA 9/04-present

• Design and maintain the Fifth Grade Moodle Site
• Integrate technology in the classroom (Smart Board, web page design, basic word processing, research using the Internet, PowerPoint, Word, graphic importing from the web, virtual tours of field trips, etc.)
• Developed and conducted technology workshops for faculty inservice
• Poetry/Songwriting course

Fourth Grade Teacher, Laguna Blanca School, Santa Barbara, CA. 9/96-6/02

• Designed and maintained the Fourth Grade Web Page
• Integrated technology in the classroom (web page, basic word processing, research using the Internet, digital chalkboard, PowerPoint, Word, graphic importing from the web, virtual tours of field trips, etc.)
• Presenter at the CAIS Regional Conference (PowerPoint Possibilities)
• Variety of field trips which enriched the study of California History, including a trip to Santa Cruz Island
• Guided student songwriting during gold rush simulation

Fifth Grade Teacher, Laguna Blanca School, Santa Barbara, CA. 9/88-6/90

• Also taught sixth grade math

Summer School Principal/Teacher, Montecito Union School, Santa Barbara, CA. 6/88-8/88

• Created and implemented a summer school enrichment program entitled "Creative Communication"
• Participated in the hiring of additional faculty and staff
• Incorporated field trips to radio and TV stations, recording studio, and Santa Barbara Courthouse

Sixth Grade Teacher, Palm Desert Middle School, Desert Sands Unified School District, Palm Desert, CA. 9/86-6/87

• Created and implemented an Outdoor Education Program for 200 students, coordinating teachers and supporting curriculum development
• Organized a week-long trip to outdoor camp, managing the collection and distribution of over $12,000 to appropriate agencies
• Taught public speaking for grades 6-8
• Organized speech contest sponsored by Rotary
• Taught aerobics for grades 6-8
• Coached girls' volleyball
• Received training and taught Drug & Alcohol Awareness Education

First Grade Teacher, Valley View Elementary School, Coachella Valley Unified School District, Coachella, CA. 9/85-6/86

COMMITTEES

• Technology Task Force
• Head Advisory Committee
• WASC (Lower School Program)
• K-6 Report Card Revision
• K-6 Math Facilitator
• Task Force (searching for location of new school site for Laguna Blanca School)
• Development of long-range plan for Laguna Blanca School
• WASC (curriculum & technology)
• Technology (helped write the Technology Plan)
• Involved in teacher selection process
• Transition Committee (a subcommittee of the Board of Trustees at Laguna Blanca School during acquisition of new school site)

COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES

• Winter concert for Santa Barbara Juvenile Hall
• Transition House volunteer
• Volunteer at Sarah House

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES & HOBBIES

• Spinning Instructor
• Performing as a singer/songwriter/guitarist
• Collaborating with other songwriters
• Record recording
• Cycling, swimming, running
• Camping
• Fishing
• Hiking
• Multimedia technology
• Traveling with my family

REFERENCES

Durward Brandis, Head of Middle School, Laguna Blanca School

(805) 687-2461

 

Paul Slocombe, Headmaster, Laguna Blanca School

(805) 687-2461

 

CONTACT INFORMATION

donna@donnaoconnor.com