Cover Letter

Dear School Representative,

Teaching has been my chosen field from the first time I can remember anyone asking me what I wanted to be when I grew up. In the fall of 2011, I completed the Bachelors of Science in Elementary Education (K-8) program at St Cloud State University. My degree combined with my student teaching field experience, serving as director of a summer theatre camp, volunteering as a Big Brother, and coaching activities have I believe prepared me to be a teacher. Since graduating I have been employed as a Behavior Interventionist, a 6th grade teacher in the St. Cloud school district (isd. 742), 4th grade teacher in the I-Learn Program at Cold Spring Elementary, and a Technology Specialist at Kaleidoscope Charter School. I enjoy having a career where I can positively impact the lives of children the way many of my teachers have influenced mine. I would like the chance to serve the children of your district.

My first teaching experience was as a volunteer for a summer theatre camp when I was 15. I continued with this organization for several years, eventually becoming one of the directors. This experience allowed me to work with a diverse group of students and their parents. I learned the importance of setting goals and working to complete tasks in a timely fashion. I developed an understanding of the importance of compassion and understanding, but also a need for structure in order to accomplish the goals of the program.

I have student teaching experience at several grade levels. After receiving my degree I started working as a behavior interventionist at Talahi Elementary. I worked closely with administrators and classroom teachers to provide safe and nurturing classroom. We looked at the data we collected and targeted the behaviors, times and places we needed improvement. This job was a great stepping stone to my career as a classroom teacher.

I became a 6th grade teacher the following school year. Since being hired I have worked both at an elementary school teaching all subject every day, and a middle school teaching only certain subjects multiple times a day. I enjoy the difficult but satisfying task of managing the difference of abilities among my students. I tailor activities to maintain the interest of high-level students without intimidating those with fewer skills. I particularly enjoy working with "at-risk" children and learned that careful preparation of lessons allowed me to break down sometimes-complicated concepts to simple examples that my students could grasp.

Early in my career I experienced the impact technology had in expanding my classroom and the material my students could learn. That is why in the spring of 2015 I enrolled in the Masters of Arts Educational Technology Program through Michigan State University. The program has been a tremendous help for me to expand my toolset of skills to help reach students’ needs and track various trends in educational technology.

Thank you for your consideration.

Respectfully yours,

Doug Asquith