dh resume
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dh resume

Résumé
Donna Harris
3649 East Crocus Drive
Phoenix, Arizona 85032
h- 602/482-7208
LearningLeafT------------

Education: Ottawa University, Phoenix AZ – BA in English
Rio Salado, Gateway and Paradise Valley Community Colleges – Languages, computers and supervisory classes
York University, Toronto, Canada - Humanities

VERY PASSIONATE about keeping children interested in the love of books and the love of reading. My favorite part of my teaching day has always been storytime with my classroom friends. I love watching their faces light up as they get more involved with the story. Through the Magic of Children’s Books, I encourage a Love of Reading and touch on topics and ideas that still challenge us today; also develop critical thinking skills and enhance students’ observations and interpretive skills. Questions are asked along the way to keep students involved and motivated, and to support a collaborative sharing of ideas. A simple magic trick is presented at the beginning of the class, loosely related to the story, and also to peek their interest in the story. Of course, the magic trick is always revealed at the end of the reading so the children can replicate it on their own. Through a variety of engagement activities (questions, listening and responding to the story, magic tricks), students developed a rich language base and come to understand the power of words. Reading texts aloud is the single most important activity for building the knowledge required for successful reading.

Sept2019-Mar2020 - substitute teacher at an early childhood centre (4 afternoons a week). Due to covid, I did not go back to the classroom but do have experience with online teaching

March 2009 – 2015
While semi retired, I volunteered as a teacher at the Phoenix Children’s Hospital One Darn Cool School for the long-term care. As well I was a substitute teacher and prepared curriculum on English Literature, European History and various other courses for grades 1 through high school. I especially enjoyed reading stories & encouraging reading. I have published short stories and essays on education.

1998 - 2020
Since 1998, taught Sunday morning Hebrew and Judaics to grades 1 or 2 at Congregation Beth Israel in Scottsdale, as well as beginning Hebrew to Grade 4. I prepared lesson plans, critiqued textbooks, conducted surveys and met with parents. I executed school-wide programs, composed and directed school plays and, of course, prepared report cards. In 2008, I published articles on Teaching Tolerance and Expect More, You Get More. Used stories to help demonstrate life lessons.