Over the last few years I have found myself drawn to the teaching profession for one main reason — the opportunity to teach children. I will always treasure the experience I have derived from counseling at camp, instructing swimming lessons at the local YMCA, and teaching during my practicum at Irving Elementary School in Dubuque, Iowa. Through these last ten years of counseling,training, and encouraging children, I have learned how vulnerable they can be and how important a positive role model can be in developing their self-esteem and self-respect. This is truly an awesome and challenging responsibility. I believe a teacher can significantly influence a student’s educational progress by effective and thoughtful discipline as well as by setting reasonable and individual goals for each student. If I as a teacher am willing and able to respect my students in this way, I believe the rewards will be reflected in their lives as well as my own.

Professionally, I have varied and constant capabilities. I have experience as an effective instructor, a willing extracurricular volunteer, an able facilitator of group discussions and a proficient computer teacher. Personally, I strive to provide strong leadership, capable organization, loyality and honesty. In conclusion, I wish to add that I consider myself to be a lifelong student. I know that there are many older as well as younger individuals who have a vast wealth of knowledge and experience from which I can draw and learn. Discussion and exchange of ideas can be invaluable not only in educational development but in personal development as well.

Thank you for taking the time to review my application.


Sincerely,


Mr. Mark Christopher Ross

Mark Christopher Ross

My future educational objective is to combine my love of teaching with the implementation of technology in the classroom. It would be my personal goal to integrate this technology into the regular curriculum as appropriate. I wish to increase the student's knowledge of multimedia computer applications and the world wide web. This would be a combination of two of my greatest interests.


EDUCATION

• Double Major in Elementary Education and Biblical Studies
  
• Iowa Teaching Licensee with a K-6 endorsement
  
• Evangelical Training Association Standard Teacher Diploma
  

• Major in English literature
  
• Minor in history
  

• Irving Elementary School, Dubuque, Iowa, Grades 1 & 6
• Eisenhower Elementary School, Dubuque, Iowa, Grade 3
• Sunrise Christian Academy, Wichita, Kansas, Grade 3
• Dubuque Home School Art Program, Dubuque, Iowa, Grades 2-9
• Star Program (an afterschool tutoring program), Dubuque, Iowa, Grades 2-6
  

• Experience in peer teaching, peer reading, and team teaching.
• Subjects taught include reading, writing, spelling, science, math, social studies, & computer.

• Physical Education, Elementary (1998-1999)
• Social Studies, Junior High (1998-1999)
• English, Junior High (1998-2000)
• English, Senior High (1999-2001)
• Economics, Senior High (1998,2000)
• Biblical Studies, Senior High (1998-1999)
• Web Page Design, Junior & Senior High (2000)

• Tri-State Christian School, Galena, IL (1999-present)
  Co-Directed Fall 1999 drama of The Miracle Worker by William Gibson
  Co-directed Fall 2000 drama of The Ugly Duckling by A. A. Milne & The Finger of God by Percival
  
  
• Irving Elementary School, Dubuque, IA (1998)
  Initiated a WWW page design club for students & supervised their design of an Irving WWW page
  
  
• Emmaus Bible College, Dubuque, IA (1995-2000)
  • Computer Lab Proctor, Assistant Network Administrator
  • Ensemble (bass vocalist)
  • Emmaus Elementary Education Vice President
    
  • Student Government Treasurer
    
  • "No Hesitation" Actor & Assistant Director
    
  
  
• Malagash Bible Camp, Malagash Mines, NS (1992-1998,2000)
  
  • Director
  • Assistant Director
  • Counselor
  • Counselor for Special Needs
  • Lifeguard
  • Crafts Instructor
  • Sports/Games Leader
  
  
• Centennial Pool, Truro, NS (1994 - 1996)
  
  • Special Education Aquatic Instructor
  • Aquatic Fitness Instructor
  • Aquatic Instructor
  • Lifeguard
  
  
• Oland’s Centre, Antigonish , NS (1992-1993)
  
  • Assistant Instructor of Special Education Aquatic Classes
    
  
  
• Colchester YMCA, Truro, NS (1990-1995)
  
  • Aquatics Supervisor
  • Aquatic Instructor Trainer
  • Aquatic Instructor
  • Lifeguard
  • Ski Camp Counsellor/Leader
  • After School Program Leader
  • Youth Leadership Corps. Leader
  • 3F Senior’s Group Aquatic Fitness Instructor
  • School Lunch Program Leader

• First Aid & CPR (1995-2000)
• Royal Life Saving Society of Canada Aquatics Instructor (1994-1999)
• Canadian Red Cross Aquatics Program Instructor (1994-1998)
• YMCA Aquatics Program Aquatics Instructor (1992-1999)
• YMCA Instructor Trainer (1994-1999)
• YMCA Fitness Instructor (1995-1999)
• Counselor Training (1988-1999)
  Topics include: Family violence, Legal Issues (e.g. Reporting abuse, incident
  reporting), emotional support for children, and health & safety regulations.
• Duke of Edinburgh Awards (1992 - 1997)