This letter expresses interest in a position as a special education teacher for grades K-12. The candidate has a master's degree in special education from Western Michigan University with endorsements in history/social studies and special education. Currently, she is a special education teacher for middle and high school, where she manages cases and IEPs for students with learning disabilities and cognitive impairments. She has teaching experience in learning strategies, social studies, economics, and English for middle and high school students. The candidate also has experience implementing accommodations and modifications during student teaching placements. She is interested in the position to provide attention to students with special needs.

1. This letter is being submitted to express my interest for the position of the a special education teacher in
grades K-12.
I have completed my master’s degree program for a special education endorsement at
Western Michigan University. I have obtained endorsements in history and social studies in the
secondary level and have obtained a special education endorsement. Currently I am a special education
teacher for high school and middle school at Lighthouse Academy in Grand Rapids, MI.
During my time there, I managed cases for students who are at-risk with learning disabilities and
cognitive impairments in a strict discipline academy and residential setting. I have written transition IEPs
on the TIENET online system, including the PLAFF,goals, and objectives. I also reevaluated students for
eligibility based on previous data (by parent permission). I conducted and arranged meetings for students
with disabilities and wrote behavior plans for students as needed. In addition to my case management
experiences, I also taught learning strategies to high school and middle school students, teaching them
reading comprehension skills, writing skills, sentence structure,time management, goal setting, and
learning styles. I also taught middle school social studies by reading with audio, taking notes, hands-on
activities, and use of visual aids as well as high school Economics and English. I also facilitated an online
credit recovery class. In addition to secondary teaching, proctored MEAP testing for students in the
residential setting and ordered testing materials for students with learning disabilities as the MME
Accommodations Coordinator. To improve my teaching, I attended professional development trainings
for IEP guidelines and TIENET training. Finally, I did Medicaid billing on a monthly basis and kept
accommodations log for students on my caseload.
I also implemented accommodations and alternative assignments for the special education students
who were included in my classes during my student teaching at Maple Street Magnet School for
the Arts. Additionally, I was able to create adaptations for students who were mainstreamed at
Allendale-Fairfax High School. Working with special needs students to accommodate
impairments improved my planning and presentation. I collaborated with their resource teachers
to implement adjustments for their disabilities. I found that they were successfulafter I assessed
them using modified tests, assignments, posters, and scrapbooks. I developed a rapport with the
students by establishing relationships and making their lessons relevant. I also had many special
education opportunities through substitute teaching for Kalamazoo Public Schools. These
classrooms ranged from self-contained to full inclusion models at the elementary and secondary
levels. I frequently instructed small groups of learning impaired students on subjects including
reading, spelling, math, science,and social studies. I have also worked with cognitive and
emotionally impaired students by supervising them in job placement and volunteer programs.
I also gained much experience shadowing a first grade student at Comstock Green Meadow
Elementary School. I assisted in integrating this child back into the general education classroom
using behavioral and social supports. I achieved this by providing the student with extra help in
behavioral as well as academic needs and by stressing positive reinforcements and providing
consequences for both positive and negative behaviors.
Finally, I gained much experience working as an intern teacher at Starr Elementary in Plainwell,
MI. I taught reading and math to first and second grade students in Tier 3 through movement,
direct instruction (Reading Mastery),use of manipulatives (Touch Math), and reteaching as
needed. I also progressed monitored students on reading on a weekly basis with the DIBELs on
Oral Reading Fluency and Retell Fluency. I did much coteaching with generaleducation teachers
through complementary teaching, parallel teaching, and alternative teaching, depending on the
needs of the students and the lessons being taught. I also collaborated with other professionals in
planning lessons and setting up and implementing behavior plans. I wrote an Individualized
Education Plan (IEP) stating student's current level of progress and goals in the areas of reading

2. and social behavior. I also taught social skills through Second Step and Room 114 to second,
third, and fourth graders.
It is my desire to obtain a career as a specialeducation teacher so that children with special needs
can get the attention they need. Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to
discussing my candidacy at greater length in a personal interview.
Sincerely,
Joy Porter
Enclosure