Kristen Koppers
Educator / Writer / Blogger / Speaker
RESUME
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PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
20+ years of teaching and leadership experience
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I am a passionate teacher with exceptional skills in curriculum planning, classroom management, and relationship building. Highly respected by students, parents, peers, and administrators. Dedicated to maximizing students’ success by establishing high expectations, creating an organized and collaborative classroom, and leveraging a wide variety of instructional techniques.
English Teacher - Joliet Township High School
​2003 - present
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Teaching College Prep English 2 (10th grade) and English 4 (12th grade) with a wide variety of learning abilities. My classes are integrated with the use of technology in the classroom to incorporate new methods into teaching; focusing on student learning by connecting literature and writing to ‘real world’ experiences (utilizing the students’ prior knowledge)
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Academy Facilitator: work directly with the small learning community coordinator on special projects throughout the year, run partial meetings, meet with other academy facilitators in sharing ideas and areas of focus.
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SIP Team Member: participated in the School Improvement Plan Committee for several years in help creating a positive environment for students and staff. Participated in district meetings and team leader
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Leader of the Subject Area Committee (SAC): a significant part in creating and developing the English curriculum for eight years while maintaining a positive learning experience for my students.
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Tech Prep Facilitator – level 2 students: focused on meeting with colleagues to create an interdisciplinary connection between: Math, Science, English, Computers, and Technology. Presented at several conferences locally and nationally on STEM leadership.
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Teacher Evaluation Committee: focus on Danielson’s template of teacher evaluations. Worked with colleagues and administrators within my district to create and develop an authentic evaluation system for all employees within the district.
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Junior Class Committee Sponsor: contributes to community service / social projects. In charge of organizing annual prom event and is the direct communication between junior class advisors.
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Adjunct English Teacher - Joliet Junior College
2001 - 2002; 2015 - present
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Taught Developmental English and Developmental Reading for two consecutive semesters. Took a break to earn my Masters in English where I returned to college teaching in 2015 as an adjunct instructor teaching Rhetoric 101 & 102.
education
WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
KALAMAZOO, MI - 1997 Bachelor of Arts in English
GOVERNORS STATE UNIVERSITY
UNIVERSITY PARK, IL​ - 2003 Master of Arts in English​
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GOVERNORS STATE UNIVERSITY
UNIVERSITY PARK, IL​ - 2009 Master of Arts in Educational Administration
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MASTERY SECONDARY TEACHING CERTIFICATE in ENGLISH ENDORSEMENTS:
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Public Speaking (Speech - High School)
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Journalism (High School)
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Social Sciences (grades 5 - 8)
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Families of Faith Christian Academy - Channahon, IL
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Media Director (2022 -2024)
Parent Organization
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Assistant Soccer Coach (2023)
Director of Communications / Coach
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AWARDS
GREAT TEACHER AWARD RECIPIENT
2014
ISBE AWARD OF RECOGNITION CLASSROOM TEACHER
2015
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ISBE AWARD OF RECOGNITION GROUP COLLABORATION
2015
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EVERYDAY HERO AWARD (WILL & GRUNDY COUNTIES)
2015
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NOMINEE FOR GOLDEN APPLE
2016
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EVERYDAY HERO KEYNOTE SPEAKER (WILL & GRUNDY COUNTIES)
2018
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ISBE AWARD OF EXCELLENCE CLASSROOM TEACHER
2024
Areas of Expertise
Academy Facilitator
Problem Based Learning (PBL)
Project Based Learning (PBL)
Individual & Small Group Conferencing
Classroom Technology Integration
Use of 1:1 Technology
Differentiated Instruction (DI)
Public Speaking at local and national conferences
Knowledge of history, philosophy, sociology, and psychology integrated within the curriculum and areas of study
Expert at Interdisciplinary Projects / Units
Professional Development
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GCN Training on various topics
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Technology Boot Camp
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Problem Solving Process and Progress Monitoring (PLC)
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RTI Training
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SIP Team Leadership Committee
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Standard Based Grading (SBG)
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DEI Training
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Cyber Security Training
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Co-Teaching CadreDiversity Workshop and TrainingTech Prep
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WorkshopCRISS TrainingHigh Schools That Work TrainingWorkshop on Differentiated Instruction HSTW
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Common Core Standards Training
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Verbal Crisis Intervention Training
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Guest Moderator on Twitter for Joy Kirr focusing on her book Shift This - November 2018
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Panel Guest on Tweet and Talk (Edumatch) "The Power of Storytelling 1" - January 13, 2019
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Panel Guest on Tweet and Talk (Edumatch) "The Power of Storytelling 2" - March 10, 2019
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Differentiated Instruction in the Teaching Profession - Release date: July 16, 2019
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Guest on Teaching Tales by Brent Coley - Episode 67. Check it out here - July 24, 2019
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Guest Blogger with Rachelle Dene Poth​ - August 25, 2019
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Guest Moderator on Twitter - Using Differentiated Instruction in the Classroom #Formativechat - September 23, 2019
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Guest Blogger with Larry Ferlazzo in Ed Week - October 13, 2019
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Guest / Author Blogger on Edumatch Publishing - October 15, 2019
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Moderator for Tweet and Talk (Edumatch) - "Differentiated Instruction" - November 3, 2019
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Panel Guest on Tweet and Talk (Edumatch) - December 15, 2019
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Guest on BAM! Radio Network with Larry Ferlazzo - December 19, 2019
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Contributor to Edumatch Snapshot in Education 2019 - December 30, 2019
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Guest on Lasting Learning with Dr. Dave Schmittou - January 22, 2020 (aired on May 6, 2020)
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Guest Moderator on Twitter - Using Interdisciplinary Units on #TLAP - February 4, 2020
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Guest Moderator on Twitter- SBG with Formative Assessments #FormativeChat - February 24, 2020
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Guest Blogger with Larry Ferlazzo in Ed Week - March 23, 2020
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Guest on Teach Better Daily Drop-In with Chad Ostrowski - May 6, 2020
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Publication of The Perfect Puppy - Edumatch Publishing - May 10, 2020
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Guest on undrcaff3inatED podcast by Erin Kiger - May 18, 2020
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Online Twitter Presenter EC Global Learning How to Differentiate Your Class into a Blended / Remote Learning Space - July 11, 2020 #DITeaching #ECGlobal
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Guest Moderator on Twitter - #FormativeChat - July 20, 2020
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Guest / Author Blogger on Edumatch Publishing "Differentiate ‘How” You Teach -- Not What" - September 14, 2020
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Guest Blogger for Teach Better Team "Working During “Work Hours” Is Important for Self-Care"- November 10, 2020
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Presenter at #IETC2020 (@ILEdTechCon) - November 17, 2020
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Guest / Author Blogger on Edumatch Publishing "One Nation Divided?"- December 5, 2020
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Contributor to Edumatch Snapshot in Education 2020 - December 30, 2020
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Guest / Author Blogger on Edumatch Publishing “I Don’t See Color”: Why I Stopped Using this Phrase - February 16, 2021
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Guest Blogger for Teach Better Team "Living with OCD: It Doesn’t Just Go Away" - April 20, 2021
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Contributor to the 100 Stop Series (edited by Rick Jetter & Rebecca Coda) - May 14, 2020
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Guest Blogger for Teach Better Team "Learn HOW to Differentiate in Teaching" - May 26, 2021
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Guest / Author Blogger on Edumatch Publishing "Do Personal Political Opinions Belong in School? - July 9, 2021.
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Guest / Author Blogger on Edumatch Publishing "A New School Year Brings New Explorations"- August 16, 2021
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Host for the #100StopSeries with Dr. Rick Jetter on YouTube
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Guest Blogger for Teach Better Team "One Size Does Not Fit All" - October 21, 2021
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Guest Blogger for Teach Better Team "New Teachers: Never Give Up on Your Passion" - October 31, 2021
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Guest Blogger for Teach Better Team "Student Relationships: Let Them Connect With You" - November 4, 2021
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Guest Blogger for Teach Better Team "Teachers Need the SEL Approach Too" - November 12, 2021
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Guest Blogger for Teach Better Team "Grades, Feedback, and Assessments" - November 15, 2021
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Guest Blogger for Teach Better Team "Five Classroom Tips for Teachers" - November 22, 2021
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Guest Blogger for Teach Better Team "Classroom Management Is Not Just About Rules" - November 29, 2021
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Guest Blogger for Teach Better Team "Using Differentiated Instruction to Teach a Novel" - December 7, 2021
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Guest Blogger for Teach Better Team "Mental Health: We Are the First Line of Defense" - December 16, 2021
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Guest Blogger for Teach Better Team "Light Up the Holidays with Teaching​" - December 18, 2021
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Guest Blogger for Teach Better Team "School Climate and Culture Affect Relationships" - December 20, 2021
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Guest Blogger for Teach Better Team "Choosing Not to Look Back" - January 13, 2022
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Co-author of Escape Ed: Unlocking Student Achievement by Edumatch Publishing (2022)
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Contributor to the 100 Stop Series - blue book (edited by Rick Jetter & Rebecca Coda) - December 9, 2023