Susan Crooks is a South Carolina certified teacher with experience teaching K-8 students in both traditional and online settings. She has a master's degree in education from Clemson University and is seeking to grow her leadership skills through additional education programs. Crooks has a proven track record of over 20 years of teaching, developing curriculum, leading professional development, and taking on additional roles such as advisor and committee member.

1. Susan Crooks
120 St. Augustine Dr.
Greenville, SC 29615
Cell: 864.477.8660
susan.crooks78@gmail.com
PROFILE
South Carolina certified Health and Life Insurance producer. Certified in middle level language arts, elementary,
gifted education, online teaching, and early childhood. Experienced in teaching children and adults from diverse
socio-economic and cultural backgrounds. Recruiter for educational programs. Skilled in the use of technology.
Strong communication skills.
EXPERIENCE
South Carolina Connections Academy – Greenville, SC 2011 - present
7th
Grade Language Arts Teacher
• Taught heterogeneous groupings of students in grade 7 and provided remedial as well as enrichment
activities.
• Enhanced the curriculum by integrating critical thinking skills into my LiveLesson presentations.
• Led professional development series on the integration of critical thinking skills into our classrooms using
information from my training and courses by the International Foundation of Critical Thinking.
• Motivated students through engaging, enthusiastic, and imaginative LiveLesson presentations.
• Developed positive relationships with parents, teachers, and students.
• Planned, coordinated, and lead learning experiences including our Writing Workshops across the state of
SC.
• Led an effort which allowed all middle level SCCA students to work in the WTL program over the
summer as a pilot program.
• Negotiating with Pearson Education, SCCA, Converse College, and a faculty member, I was able to have
two courses approved resulting in 23 faculty members becoming certified to teach gifted education
courses. The tuition savings to Pearson Education amounted to a savings of approximately 40,000 in
tuition reimbursement to Pearson Education.
• As the NJHS advisor, I created our annual Walk-a-Thon event and taught critical thinking skills to these
students.
• Member of the Spirit Committee, Advisory, School Improvement Council and Fall Festival (co-chair)
• Created online Recess for our students to socialize.
Crooks & Associates – Greenville, SC 2003 - 2011
President/Co-owner
• Created business related literature
• Sales both in house and outside
• Participated in closings
• Assisted with financials
• Marketing
Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic School – Greenville, SC 2003 - 2010
Grades 6, 7, and 8 Language Arts Teacher
• Taught heterogeneous groupings of students in grades 6, 7, and 8 providing remedial as well as
enrichment programs.
• Created challenging curriculum teaching advanced classes (English I) which included thesis driven
research report, oratorical contest, mock trials, and e-folios.
• Motivated students through enthusiastic and imaginative presentations.
• Developed positive relationships with parents, teachers, and students.
• Planned and coordinated middle school field trips including overnight trips.
• Volunteered as assistant choir director.

2. • Go to person for new staff in the middle school
Upstate Writing Project/Clemson University – Greenville, SC 2006 - present
Writing Specialist
• Coordinated and assisted with UWP activities
• National Writing Conference facilitator and scorer
Teacher, Covington Independent Schools – Covington, KY 1998 - 2002
Title I Teacher – Sixth District School
• Collaborated with 5/6 teachers proving remedial and enrichment support.
• Created and implemented visual art program which had been dismantled by the state for lack of funds.
• Served as specialist on the Adopt-A-School Art Committee as well as a member of the B.E.S.T. team
(Business partnership).
• Designed and produced posters used district wide connecting visual arts to the KY Core Content Areas.
• Elected to the SBDM (Site Based Decision Making Council) where I assisted in budget expenditures,
personnel selection, use of school space, curriculum development, and initiation of full day kindergarten.
Visual Arts Instructor – Two Rivers Middle School
• Recruited to create visual arts program in newly created middle school.
• Elected to the SBDM where I spearheaded committees that initiated gender grouping along with assisted
in budget expenditures, personnel selection, use of school space, and curriculum development.
• Worked closely with the superintendent initiating alternative school, computer lab, science lab, and space
usage issues.
• District facilitator for curriculum mapping and integration of the arts.
• Presented workshops for parents, students, district employees and for the Kenton County Library System,
the Kentucky Arts Education’s Association, and the Kentucky Department of Education.
Cincinnati Public Schools – Cincinnati, OH 1996-1998
Family Education Program: GED Instructor, Site Manager, Visiting Teacher, and P.A.T.
• Enhanced students’ academic and social growth by using a variety of teaching strategies and techniques
while actively involving students.
• Recruited students into the G.E.D. program.
• Instructed students both in the classroom and home setting.
• Participated in Leadership, Community, and Anti-Violence training.
Blessed Sacrament Catholic School – Ft. Mitchell, KY 1994-1996
Public School Religion Teacher
• Created engaging religious educational lessons
• Worked closely with families of students in public school to ensure they received a strong foundation in
Catholic education
Sea Oats Distributors – Lakeside Park, KY 1992-1996
President/Co-owner
• Developed innovative marketing strategies
• Designed products for distribution across the US
• Managed a small pool of workers
• Assisted with financials
EDUCATION
Clemson University – Clemson, South Carolina
Masters in Education
Upstate Writing Project Specialist

3. SC Health/Accident/Life Insurance Certified
University of Central Florida - Orlando, Florida
Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education
There are numerous reasons for my interest in your leadership program: • I am a life-long learner and feel what I
learn in your courses will help me grow as a teacher and a person. • I have what scholars are now calling grit.
When presented with a cause, I will work tirelessly until I see it to fruition. • Having worked as a social worker
for the school system, having lead parenting groups and having taught GED, Parents as Teachers, K - 7 Visual
Arts, ELA in private, inner-city, and online schools has given me a great deal of experience to draw from in a
leadership position. I have also grow-up in a family business and have owned several business which has
provided me with an understanding of finances and some of the complexities that go along with the running of an
organization. • Another reason for my interest is that I feel I would bring a different perspective to the
organization. I view myself as a creative thinker and feel that I do often see things in unique ways that can help
solve problems • I am presently studying ways to integrate Critical Thinking into our curriculum and also ways to
train faculty and administration in the process. • Lastly, and importantly, have a heart for our families and our
students, and I believe that our families, students, and faculty know that. This is important for building a
community.
My participation in the leadership program would give me a deeper understanding of the role of a leader in our
organization. I would apply this new information to my Critical Thinking studies. I would become a better
teacher, PLC member, and person by viewing school/staff/family/student issues with another lens. If presented
with an opportunity in CE, I will be ready with both feet on the ground to move forward.
Thank you for considering me for entrance into this program.