Dr. Sabrina Greenwell
January 18, 2011
Palm Beach State College
4200 Congress Avenue
Lake Worth, Florida 33461
Dear Search Committee,
I believe in the philosophy and direction of Palm Beach State College. I would value the opportunity to take an active teaching role in the college’s innovative and technological evolution. My educational doctorate in curriculum and instruction with a specialization in reading has provided me with the knowledge, skills, and ability to effectively employ scientifically based strategies, techniques, and instruction that were developed from current peer-reviewed research into my teaching. In addition, other graduate level courses in my degrees include eighteen hours in English with a focus on technology and technical writing, grammar, literature, and writing assessment. This academic background is advantageous for meeting the diverse needs of students. PBSC can depend on my reliability, dedication to the profession, and ability to problem-solve in any situation.
While I was teaching ENC 1101 and 1102 at Seminole State College, my students often remarked that they were successful in their studies because I clearly explain how to brainstorm, begin, organize, and format an essay in steps they could follow. They appreciated being able to email me questions and the promptness and thoroughness of my responses. If a student struggles with an assignment, I believe they learn more by making corrections and resubmitting it. I design my instruction to promote student success and mastery while keeping in mind the different learning aptitudes and proficiencies of each student. The objectives of my courses are clearly outlined in the syllabus, which contains a detailed schedule, rubrics, instructions, and grading scale. I use detailed rubrics for all assignments to maintain objective grading and so that students can use the rubric as a checklist.
Additionally, I have designed online courses utilizing Blackboard, Sakai, ANGEL, and Frontpage. I keep all handouts and notes on each class’s website along with helpful links and resources such as Purdue University’s OWL. I use cooperative projects and discussions to keep our learning environment interactive and engaging. My students utilize Google docs for collaborative research papers. This allows them to compose simultaneously, IM each other questions, and gives them continuous access to the document while they are in separate remote locations. They then submit their work into Turnitin.com and present their research to the class using PPT with embedded media.
I believe in collaborating with colleagues to create a stronger department, to share insight and ideas, and to reinforce our objectives and goals. I am a team player with both leadership and support skills.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I welcome the opportunity to meet with you for an interview.
Best regards,
Sabrina Greenwell