William Laufer

1. William Laufer Portfolio Background

2. EducationGeneral Attended Drexel University Majored in Mechanical Engineering 1987 to 1993 Attended Holy Family University Majored in Elementary Education 2000 to 2003

3. EducationBackground I graduated from Holy Family University earning a degree in Elementary Education with a 3.7 GPA in February, 2003. Prior to deciding to obtain my teaching certificate, I attended Drexel University majoring in Mechanical Engineering. I was active in many programs on Drexel's campus. I was active in Drexel's Town Watch Program, which was awarded a "Point of Light Award" from President George Bush, Sr. I was an officer in my fraternity, captain of Drexel University Cheerleading, played intramural sports, and actively volunteered in many extra curricular activities.

4. EducationBackground While at Drexel, I was offered a position for a engineering and manufacturing firm. It was an opportunity to work in the field in a position that was exactly suited to my goals while continuing my education as a part-time student. After some time in the position, I found it lacked any personal satisfaction and offered minimal human interaction. I decided to leave the position and the field altogether.

5. EducationBackground Facilitating my decision to leave engineering was an opportunity to work as a cheerleading instructor, traveling all summer running cheerleading summer camps and clinics, judging competitions, and working as a consultant preparing squads for competition. I loved this position, but it was not a career. My enthusiasm for working with children and the learning process flourished at this point. I started taking education courses knowing that I wanted to obtain a teaching certificate.

6. Teaching General Pennsylvania Teaching Certificates Elementary Education K-12 Middle School Science 6-9 Middle School Math 6-9 Industrial Arts K-12

7. Teaching Experience Courses I Have Taught (past 3 years) at Pennfield Middle School North Penn School District Physical Science (9th grade) Honors Physical Science (9th grade) Exploring Industrial Arts Technology (8th grade) Technical Drawing (9th grade)

8. Teaching Experience Courses I Will Teach This Year Physical Science (9th grade) Honors Physical Science (9th grade)

9. Teaching Experience My School: Pennfield Middle School 856 Students Grade 7-9 North Penn School District Facts and Figures Click on link for more information

10. Teaching Philosophy Teaching Goals To motivate and encourage life long learners and readers by providing exciting and engaging instruction. To further develop the skills necessary to move away from a teacher centered management style towards a student autonomous philosophy.

11. Teaching Philosophy To me learning is highly personal. Students learn and strive for knowledge in their individualized manner and student’s motivation to learn is the result of personal experiences and influence. The best teachers address this personalize nature of learning by structuring lessons to meet the needs of the students. The best way to make lessons personalized is to allow student input to the direction of instruction. This is not to say the student decide what the course is but to allow them options in the approach to the course.