This letter is being submitted to express my interest for the position of the a special education teacher in grades K-12.

I have completed my master’s degree program for a special education endorsement atWestern Michigan University. I have obtained endorsements in history and social studies in thesecondary level and have obtained a special education endorsement. Currently I am a special education teacher for high school and middle school at Lighthouse Academy in Grand Rapids, MI.

During my time there, I managed cases for students who are at-risk with learning disabilities and cognitive impairments in a strict discipline academy and residential setting. I have written transition IEPs on the TIENET online system, including the PLAFF, goals, and objectives. I also reevaluated students for eligibility based on previous data (by parent permission). I conducted and arranged meetings for studentswith disabilities and wrote behavior plans for students as needed. In addition to my case management experiences, I also taught learning strategies to high school and middle school students, teaching them reading comprehension skills, writing skills, sentence structure, time management, goal setting, and learning styles. I also taught middle school social studies by reading with audio, taking notes, hands-on activities, and use of visual aids as well as high school Economics and English. I also facilitated an online credit recovery class. In addition to secondary teaching, proctored MEAP testing for students in the residential setting and ordered testing materials for students with learning disabilities as the MME Accommodations Coordinator. To improve my teaching, I attended professional development trainings for IEP guidelines and TIENET training. Finally, I did Medicaid billing on a monthly basis and kept accommodations log for students on my caseload.

I also implemented accommodations and alternative assignments for the special education studentswho were included in my classes during my student teaching at Maple Street Magnet School forthe Arts. Additionally, I was able to create adaptations for students who were mainstreamed atAllendale-Fairfax High School. Working with special needs students to accommodateimpairments improved my planning and presentation. I collaborated with their resource teachersto implement adjustments for their disabilities. I found that they were successful after I assessedthem using modified tests, assignments, posters, and scrapbooks. I developed a rapport with thestudents by establishing relationships and making their lessons relevant. I also had many specialeducation opportunities through substitute teaching for Kalamazoo Public Schools. Theseclassrooms ranged from self-contained to full inclusion models at the elementary and secondarylevels. I frequently instructed small groups of learning impaired students on subjects includingreading, spelling, math, science, and social studies. I have also worked with cognitive andemotionally impaired students by supervising them in job placement and volunteer programs.I also gained much experience shadowing a first grade student at Comstock Green MeadowElementary School. I assisted in integrating this child back into the general education classroomusing behavioral and social supports. I achieved this by providing the student with extra help inbehavioral as well as academic needs and by stressing positive reinforcements and providingconsequences for both positive and negative behaviors.

Finally, I gained much experience working as an intern teacher at Starr Elementary in Plainwell,MI. I taught reading and math to first and second grade students in Tier 3 through movement,direct instruction (Reading Mastery), use of manipulatives (Touch Math), and reteaching asneeded. I also progressed monitored students on reading on a weekly basis with the DIBELs onOral Reading Fluency and Retell Fluency. I did much coteaching with general education teachersthrough complementary teaching, parallel teaching, and alternative teaching, depending on theneeds of the students and the lessons being taught. I also collaborated with other professionals inplanning lessons and setting up and implementing behavior plans. I wrote an IndividualizedEducation Plan (IEP) stating student's current level of progress and goals in the areas of reading

and social behavior. I also taught social skills through Second Step and Room 114 to second,third, and fourth graders.

It is my desire to obtain a career as a special education teacher so that children with special needscan get the attention they need. Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward todiscussing my candidacy at greater length in a personal interview.

Sincerely,Joy PorterEnclosure