Mary Crabtree AN “OFFBEAT” TEACHER

1. Mary CrabtreeAN “OFFBEAT” TEACHER Using syncopation to jazz up the learning environment in a classic profession

2. THE RHYTHM • Finding joy in creating an educational environment that encourages creativity, discovery, discourse, and lifelong learning. • Striving to improve the educational environment and meet all students’ needs • Providing variety in instruction to better connect with all learning modalities • Using technology to connect with students’ learning partners

3. THE LYRICS • SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS • Masters Degree in Education • E-Learning Certificate • Teaching • Social Work • Coaching • Behavior Management • Advanced Technology Skills • Web Design • Technology Development/Management • Human Resources/Organizational Development • Public Relations • Grant Writing • Published Author

4. THE LYRICS • EDUCATION September 1979 to May 1983 Fort Hays State University Bachelor of Science, Elementary Education, concentrations in Social Studies and Language Arts September 1989 to May 1990 The University of Akron Master of Science, Elementary Education, concentration in Math May 2005 to December 2005 The University of Akron E-Learning Certificate August 2007-June 2008 Friends University Master Teacher Coursework (6 hours) July 2008-September 2008 Drake University Teaching Students Responsible Behavior (3 hours) Differentiated Instruction (3 hours) Improving Student Achievement (3 hours)

5. THE LYRICS • PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE August 2006 to Present Buckeye Local Schools 8th Grade Language Arts and American History Teacher • Plan and carry out lessons • Match plans and instruction to State of Ohio Standard requirements • Provide creative and innovative lessons to ensure student success • Provide a variety of instruction methods to appeal to all learning modalities • Communicate effectively with parents, students, and colleagues • Serve as a mentor for student teachers • Generate new ideas for innovative instruction • Successfully seek mini-grants to provide additional instructional enrichment

6. THE LYRICS • PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE September 2002 to September 20006 Buckeye Local Schools Technology Resource Coordinator • Manage all administrative functions of the Technology Department for Buckeye Local Schools • Support network and computer use district-wide • Develop and provide training for staff and students • Develop district-wide technology plan as mandated by the State of Ohio • Provide integration ideas and develop integration initiatives for the use of technology in the classroom • Co-develop and update the district’s web page(s) • Oversee development and maintenance of technology inventory • Provide guidance to Superintendent regarding effective use of technology • Write grants for technology initiatives and act in an advisory capacity for others who are writing grants • Research best practices and encourage their implementation

7. THE LYRICS • PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE March 1992 to September 2002 Community Action Wayne/Medina Director of Human Resources (9/99 to 9/02) • Provide administrative management of all Human Resource functions • Provide oversight for Technology function of the Agency • Provide oversight for Support Service function of the Agency • Developed/Initiated systems in support of effective Human Resource management Assistant Director of Operations (9/95 to 9/99) • Provide oversight for operations of 17 Head Start centers and 120 staff • Assure compliance with all State and Federal guidelines • Provided oversight for transportation program, including bus purchases, inspections, and laws for school bus operations. Area Coordinator (9/93 to 9/95) • Provide direct supervision to Head Start staff Family Service Specialist (3/92 to 9/93) • Work with families to develop goals

8. THE LYRICS • ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE September 1990 to March 1992 Perky’s World of Children • Preschool Teacher September 1989 to September 1990 The University of Akron • Graduate Teaching Assistant, Part Time Instructor September 1988 to September 1989 Wayne Dalton Corporation • Receptionist/Inside Sales September 1986 to September 1988 East and West Holmes Schools • Long Term Substitute Teacher September 1983 to September 1986 LaCrosse Schools • Fourth Grade Teacher

9. THE LYRICS • SCHOOL/COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES Buckeye Foundation Public Relations Committee Buckeye Foundation • Serve on the Buckeye Foundation Public Relations committee, provided technical support and web design for the Buckeye Local Schools Foundation Provided flyers and other public relations brochures for the Foundation. Buckeye Foundation Fun Run Race Director Buckeye Foundation • Serve as race organizer for a major fundraiser for the Buckeye Education Foundation. Coordinate all Race activities and Race day events. Wayne County Humane Society Volunteer Humane Society • Volunteer in the WCHS store called Treasures by the Pound, which is a retail pet boutique whose net proceeds benefit the Wayne County Humane Society. Buckeye Athletic Volunteer Buckeye Local Schools • Donate items for fundraising for the Buckeye Consolidated Booster program which provides sports funding for athletics.Worked admission gate for football games and volleyball games Philadelphia Trip Chaperone Buckeye Jr. High School • Attended Philadelphia Field trip with the eighth grade class and was responsible for the direct supervision of seven eighth grade boys during the trip.

10. THE HARMONY • Credentials (click on each underlined item to see a PDF document) • Transcripts • Fort Hays State University • The University of Akron • Academic Certificates • Annenberg School 1 • Annenberg School 2 • Annenberg School 3 • E-learning

11. THE HARMONY • Credentials (click on each underlined item to see a PDF document) • Teaching Certificate • Pupil Activity Validation • Commendations • Homer B. Smith Nomination • Employee of the Year 2003-2004 • Employee of the Year 2004-2005 • Employee of the Year 2006-2007 • Student Nomination

12. THE MELODY • Students in my classes experience a variety of instructional methods including some interesting hands-on projects. After reading a summary of each project, you may click on the link at the end to see a PDF file with additional information.

13. THE MELODY • “Heads Up” Poetry Project: • This project was the culmination of a unit on poetry. Students learned about various types of poetry, about language use in poetry, wrote their own poetry, and read a great deal of poetry. The students then create an “I Look” poem about their physical characteristics and an “I Am” poem about their personality, hopes and dreams. They took these poems and, utilizing a Styrofoam head, re-created their message in a 3 dimensional representation. It was a grant funded project through the Buckeye Education Foundation, and one of the students’ favorite projects all year. • Link to photos

14. THE MELODY • Starlab Project • At the beginning of the school year I taught the students about folktales, fables, myths and legends. We read a number of each of these from various places around the world. In the end we focused on Native American myths and legends. In conjunction with the Science teacher, I planned a lesson for all 8th grade students which included a trip to the portable star lab, where I told them stories about the stars that were Native American folktales, and the students each created their own constellation and wrote a folktale about that constellation. Now that I am trained to operate the star lab on my own, I will not need another teacher in the lab, and can repeat this unit as desired. • Link to article on Starlab

15. THE MELODY • Constitution Project • Students were learning about the constitution and each group was given a section for which they were to develop a presentation to “teach” about that section of the constitution to the other students. Students planned skits, court room “trials,” and even “How a Bill Becomes a Law” rap tune. The event was a huge success, with many invited guests coming to see the presentations and Senator Sherrod Brown calling us for a 30 minute conference call to share his point of view about how the Constitution worked! • Link to additional information

16. THE MELODY • Other Projects • Biography Project • During the unit on Non-Fiction reading, I focus on non-fiction writing as well. The students learn about the elements of non-fiction, practice writing a variety of non-fiction items, culminating with a personal biography of another student. They interview each other, create the biography, and then, using a photograph, they draw a pencil drawing of their subject. These are displayed for other students to read. • Road to Revolution Project • Students each receive a paper brick, and as we discuss the American Revolution, they write down events on the brick that they believe are key to the outcome. They also write a brief summary of that event. As a way to review for an assessment, we place all the bricks on a paper “road” and glue them down, then display them and review them.

17. THE MELODY • Other Projects (continued) • Short Stories • Students learn about Non-fiction and are exposed to a variety of genres of non-fiction. During this unit the students also work to draft a short story, going through the writing process as we progress through a variety of short stories. They utilize a photograph that is project on the Smart board, and all students base their story on the photo. This project challenges students to be unique, and they truly enjoy hearing each others’ stories upon completion.

18. THE MELODY • Other Projects (continued) • Tic Tac Toe History • Students were given a tic tac toe board with a variety of types of project on it. Each student had to choose three projects to create a tic tac toe. These projects were designed to get them to write, be creative, and research for additional information. Students chose their projects, were given class time to create them, and then presented their projects to the class

19. AN “OFFBEAT” TEACHER • It is my desire to be the teacher that makes a difference in each child’s life. I want to impact them in positive ways, challenge them to think, encourage them to achieve, and inspire them to greater accomplishments. Every day I strive to achieve this goal.