Teaching Philosophy

Tell me and I'll forget. Show me, and I may not remember. Involve me, and I'll understand.


-Native American Saying-

Todd's Resume

Todd Cota

BILKENT UNIVERSITY, EAST CAMPUS K-6 - 06800 BILKENT – ANKARA, TURKEY

Phone 0534-348-3457 – E-mail: TODDCOTA@YAHOO.COM

PROFESSIONAL OBJECTIVE

To continue to expand my educational abilities and methodologies in a collaborative, innovative and academically challenging environment.

EDUCATION/CERTIFICATION

M.Ed.; Masters of Social Studies Education

University of Minnesota: College of Education & Human Development Minneapolis, MN

December 2006

Teacher Licensure; Social Studies Education

University of Minnesota: College of Education & Human Development Minneapolis, MN

August 1999

B.A.; International Relations

Saint Cloud State University Saint Cloud, MN

July 1997

IB Economics Certification

July, 2008 Athens, Greece

IB TOK Certification

March, 2009 Kuwait City, Kuwait

Council of International School Accreditation Training

September 2009 Ankara, Turkey

Aalborg University Study Abroad Program

July 1988 Aalborg, Denmark

Minnesota Literacy Council (ESL Training)

September-October 1994 Minneapolis, Minnesota

CLASSROOM EXPERIENCE

Bilkent Laboratory International School (2007-present) Ankara, Turkey

Head of Department International Social Sciences

· Developed curriculum to integrate the elementary, middle and high school (PYP, IGCSE and IB programs)

Head of Department TOK

· Development of integrated Theory of Knowledge curriculum

Teacher

· Teaching IB Economics at the Higher and Standard Levels for grades 11 & 12. Teaching Theory of Knowledge for grades 11 & 12. Taught History & Geography for grades 6 & 8.

· IB Extended Essay advisor

Model United Nations Co-Director

· Coordination, training and supervision of numerous MUN delegations while attending conferences within Turkey, Israel and Holland.

SAGE Academy (2001-2007) Minneapolis, Minnesota Teacher

· Taught Humanities, AP Economics, U.S. History, Word History, Anthropology, Geography & Psychology for grades 9-12

Lead Teacher Social Studies Department

· Developed scope and sequence for various social studies/social sciences courses

Board Member

· Treasurer and active board member for 6 years

Development Writer

· Wrote numerous grants that resulted in financial gains for various school programs

Odyssey Charter School (1999-2001) Brooklyn Park, Minnesota

Teacher

· Taught Humanities, Geography, U.S. History, World Religions, Expository Writing & Writing Strategies for grades 7-11

Expeditionary Coordinator

· Designed, planned and implemented numerous expeditions/field trips

Minneapolis Public Schools (1997-1999) Minneapolis, Minnesota

Substitute Teacher (long & short term)- (grades 7-12)

· Taught numerous subjects within the Social Studies for grades 7-12

CLUES (Chicanos Latinos Unidos En Servicio) (1995-1997) Saint Paul, Minnesota

ESL (English as a Second Language) Teacher

· Taught adults & youth - English Language Proficiency Skills

LEADERSHIP ACTIVITIES

Head of Department (HOD) International Social Studies

Model United Nations (MUN) Co-Director

Emergency Procedures Chair

Field Trip Committee Co-Chair

Accreditation Committee Chair (International Social Studies)

Co-Founder: SAGE Academy Secondary Charter School

Board Member (Treasurer): SAGE Academy

Expeditionary Coordinator

Development Writer (Grant Writer)

Project Based Learning Coordinator

Fine Arts Committee Chair

Mentor & Student Teacher Supervisor f

ACTIVITIES/HOBBIES

Block Club Leader (Minneapolis, MN), Volunteer Work at Homeless Shelters (Chicago, IL), Photography, Physical Conditioning, Gardening, Landscape Design, Swimming, Travel, Hockey, Outdoor Recreation: hiking, camping, ice skating, mountain biking, cross country skiing, downhill skiing, kayaking & canoeing

HONORS & AWARDS

Phi Delta Kappa Regional Teacher of the Year Award

Deans List: (Cumulative GPA 3.832) University of Minnesota M.Ed. Licensure Program

Finalist for Nautilus Award: Curricular Humanities Text, “The Compassionate Rebel”

Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Award, Numerous Grant Awards for Educational Programming

INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE

College Study Abroad Program (Aalborg University, Denmark)

Lived & Worked (London, England)

Hiking Expeditions (Pyrenees, Rocky Mountains, Himalayan Mountains)

Lived & Worked (Tel Aviv, Israel)

Travel in Europe, North Africa, Asia, Near East, Middle East, Caribbean, North & Central America

Designed & Led International Educational Expeditions for Secondary Students: Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, Costa Rica, Slovakia, Poland, London, Paris, Prague, Israel

REFERENCES

References on file with:

· International School Services (ISS)

· The International Educator (TIE online)

Debra's Resume

Debra Cota

East Campus * K Block Apartment 6 * Bilkent, Ankara, Turkey

debracota@yahoo.com

Profile

Resourceful and innovative teacher who has taught in numerous educational settings for many years. Dedicated to the well being of individual growth with each child. Encourages community and parental involvement within the evolution of courses taught. Exceptional communicator with students and parents through an intuitive and ambassadorial approach.

Objective

To obtain a preschool or kindergarten teaching position in an international school.

Education

B.S., Elementary Education, May 1991, Saint Cloud State University,

St. Cloud, MN

Council of International School Accreditation Workshop (Team Visit) Training, September 2009

PYP Level 3, Early Years Program, July 2009.

PYP Level 2, Assessment in The PYP, November 2008.

PYP Waking Up to The PYP Level 1, February-May 2008

KRI Yoga Certification, (Kundalini Research Institute), January-August 2006, (Center for Happiness), Minneapolis, MN

Yoga For Youth At Risk, October 2004, with Krishna Kaur Khalsa, (Y.O.G.A. For Youth), Minneapolis, MN

Radiant Child Yoga Program Level 3, September 2004, with Shakta Kaur Khalsa, (Children’s Yoga), Chicago, IL

Radiant Child Yoga Program Levels 1 and 2, September 2003 with Shakta Kaur Khalsa, (Children’s Yoga), Chicago, IL

Waldorf: Teaching Your Preschooler, January-May 2002 (Waldorf teacher trainer program), Minneapolis, MN

Minnesota Literacy Council, September-October 1994, certificate to teach English as a Second Language, Minneapolis, MN

Study Abroad Program, Alnwick, England, September 1988 to March 1989.

International Experience

Lived and Worked, Tel Aviv, Israel

Sketching Course, Prague, Czech Republic

Himalayan Trek, Annapurna Range, Nepal

Global Exploration, May 1995 to July 1996, studied world cultures and religions.

(Traveled numerous countries within Europe, Near East, Northern Africa, Asia, and North America).

Work Experience/Skills

Preschool Teacher, Bilkent International Preparatory School, Ankara, Turkey, 2007 to present.

Home School Educator, Interdisciplinary and direct instruction to my two boys, in addition to other home-schooled children, September 2004 to 2007.

Founder and Co-Director of LAF (Language and Arts Fun) Preschool, Montessori/Spanish/ASL program, September 2001 to May 2004.

Yoga Instructor, Seward Montessori School K-6, Minneapolis Community Education, Minneapolis After School Programs, Minneapolis Yoga Workshop, Center for Happiness, Movement Arts Center, Ramsey County Juvenile Detention Center, 2003 to present.

Writer, children’s stories, Honorable Mention, Shabo Award at The Loft, Minneapolis, MN.

Substitute Teacher, taught grades 1-5, September 1996 to April 1997, Hudson, WI.

Community Involvement Programs, Counselor/Life Coach to developmentally disabled adults, Minneapolis, MN., August 1992 to April 1995

Elementary Education Teacher, taught 6^th grade, Ysleta Independent School District, El Paso, TX., September 1991 to May 1992

PeaceJam Program, Adult Chaperone for PeaceJam Conference (Guest of Honor, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Wangari Maathai). March 2006

Activities/Hobbies

Yoga instructor to colleagues at Bilkent, volunteer work at homeless shelters, block club leader in Minneapolis neighborhood, numerous artistic endeavors, writer, community activities organizer, avid reader, outdoor recreation: biking, cross country skiing, downhill skiing, camping, hiking.

References on file with:

International School Services (ISS)

The International Educator (TIE online)