Ruth Canji

Certification

Illinois Type 03 Certificate with ESL Endorsement and Approval

Illinois Type 04 Certificate, August 2012

Experience

Citywide Teacher/Cadre, Chicago, Illinois
Edgebrook, Hibbard, Garvy, Sauganash, Peterson, Hitch, Mary Lyon, Lorca, Prieto, Belding, Stone, and Schubert Schools, Sep. 2010-present

• Taught every grade level pre-K-8.
• Worked with Special Ed students 1:1, in inclusion settings, and in pull-out groups.
• Worked with ELL students in push-in and pull-out models.
• Supported students receiving RTI services.
• Worked individually and with small groups of students needing extra support in reading (decoding, comprehension, and fluency), and with those needing help writing.

Reavis School, Chicago, Illinois
Teacher, April 2010-June 2010

• Taught a Second/Third Grade split level class starting after Spring Break.
• Worked with Second/Third Grade team to design and implement integrated Expeditionary Learning unit on wetlands.
• Worked with grade level team to write Expeditionary Learning curriculum across content areas.
• Established close working relationships with families in short amount of time.
• Successfully met teaching challenges of assignment in which students had had many teachers and subs within one academic year; established and maintained order, procedures, and routines in class.

Orrington Elementary School, Evanston, Illinois
Cadre, 2009-2010

• Taught Third Grade for three months for Carole Skalinder, longtime teacher, author, and contributor to Everyday Math.
• Worked with Third Grade team to implement integrated thematic units.
• Initiated writing weekly newsletters and established strong rapport with parents.
• Familiar with Everyday Math, FOSS Science, Reader’s Workshop, and Writer’s Workshop curriculum and instruction methods for grades K-5.
• Trained and worked as ISAT coach for grades 3-5.
• Taught every grade level, including Special Ed inclusion and pull-out programs.
• Familiar with Balanced Literacy and the Daily Five models of literacy instruction.
• Incorporated literacy strategies, such as QARs and Writing to Learn, across content areas.

Cameron Elementary School, Chicago, Illinois
Kindergarten Teacher, 1998-2002

• Served as Grade Level Chair for two years. Held meetings with teachers to develop curriculum, evaluation tools, and grading rubrics; acted as liaison between teachers and administration.
• Taught the first all-day Kindergarten class at Cameron, working with the highest-need students.
• Participated in a two year University of Chicago Guided Reading literacy study led by Gay Su Pinnell. Was observed/videotaped and participated in regular debriefing sessions and interviews related to the teaching of reading and writing.
• Collaborated with the University of Chicago Center for School Improvement in implementing Guided Reading program and STEP assessments.
• Received two grants, one individually and one with a Kindergarten team member, enriching students’ educational experience through participation in field trips, writing and art projects, and gardening and wildlife projects.
• Worked with Kindergarten grade level team to plan new thematic units for the year.
• Worked closely with parents to address emergent literacy skills and target areas. Kept in touch via weekly class newsletters, regular conferences, and phone calls as necessary.
• Member of the Professional Problems Action Committee, participating in identifying school-wide problems and working with staff to brainstorm and implement solutions.
• Served as Social Committee President for two years.

Albany Park Community Center
Adult Literacy Coordinator, 1995-1996

• Taught adult ESL classes and worked one on one with individuals seeking to improve literacy skills.
• Coordinated volunteer tutors and designed and led workshops for new instructors and volunteers.
• Volunteered as a tutor for Vietnamese women learning English.

University of Illinois at Chicago
Teaching Assistant, 1993-1995

• Instructor of Composition and Fiction Writing Workshops.
• Developed curriculum, portfolio requirements, and grading rubrics for above courses.

University of Chicago Center for School Improvement
Test Administrator, 1998

• Trained in the STEP method of assessing students’ reading and literacy skills.
• Worked one on one with students at a variety of schools on the west and south sides of Chicago.

Institute for Health Research Policy
Proctor, 2002

• Worked at the University of Illinois at Chicago collecting field research on character education in CPS schools.
• Collaborated and provided feedback on revisions of survey assessments.

Related Experience

Waters School, Disney School, and Anderson School, Chicago, Illinois
Parent Volunteer, 2002-2009

• Assisted teachers with read-alouds, art projects, and other classroom activities.
• Attended PTC meetings and SIPAA meetings. Worked with teachers and other parents to facilitate school improvement, initiatives, and activities at Waters.
• Wrote and edited grants to fundraise for Waters school.

Other Voices Literary Magazine
Assistant Editor, August 1994-August 1998

• Selected and edited stories and interviews for publication.
• Wrote grants applying for funding from local and national arts organizations.
• Organized readings, panel discussions and presentations concerning the magazine.

Education

The University of Illinois at Chicago
Master of Education, May 1998
Master of Arts in English, Creative Writing, May 1995
Bachelor of Arts in English, May 1992
Received Van Keuren Award for Outstanding Achievement in English

References

Mike Dougherty, Former Principal, Orrington School
847-859-8781 mdough1@gmail.com

Angie Taggart, Teacher, Peterson School
312-752-7124 angieweber19@hotmail.com

Suzanne Lang, Teacher, Orrington School
847-909-0501 langs@district65.net

Donna Del Vecchio, Teacher, Orrington School
773.381.1421 delvecchiod@district65.net

Renee Schneiderman, Area 1 SCRMA Specialist
847-338-5220 rsschneiderman@cps.k12.il.us (recently retired)

Peggy Smith, Former TAP Lead Teacher, Cameron School
312-404-8977 peggysmith5@sbcglobal.net