Samantha Briggs is seeking a teaching position and provides her teaching philosophy, qualifications, and experience. Her teaching philosophy focuses on student-centered learning through inquiry, real-world problem solving, hands-on lessons, and technology to create an inspiring learning experience tailored to individual student needs. She has several years of experience teaching biology and other sciences in secondary schools and holds relevant teaching certifications in Washington and Virginia. Briggs also provides her education background, technical skills, areas of strength, and references.

1. Samantha Briggs
slbriggs010@gmail.com 705 N. State Street #302
(757) 277-4811 Bellingham, WA 98225
Teaching Philosophy
Our students are our greatest teachers. Teaching should focus on the whole child to meet
students’ social, emotional, and cognitive needs. I facilitate a positive environment where
students are at the center of their learning. Through self-discovery students not only learn
more but also take more pride in what they have accomplished. Curriculum is focused on
inquiry, real life problem-solving, technology, and hands-on lessons to create an
individualized, inspiring, and authentic learning experience. Technology can enhance
learning and provide new learning opportunities such as connecting students globally. Our
students deserve to have learning opportunities that are tailored to their individual needs
and prepare them for the 21st century. A positive learning climate fosters confidence,
autonomy, self-efficacy, locus of control, relevancy, and mastery goal orientation. I build a
rapport with and hold high expectations for all students. These instructional strategies in
turn foster student intrinsic motivation and ultimately increase learning.
Certification
Washington Residency Teacher Certification, Biology, Secondary Education
Certification Number: 513743E
Effective 01/07/2015
Washington Substitute Teacher Certification
Certification Number: 513743E
Effective 01/07/2015
Virginia Collegiate Professional License, Biology, Secondary Education
License Number: CP-0638051
Effective 07/01/2009 to 06/30/2014, Renewed Effective 6/30/2014- 7/01/2019
CPR, AED, First Aid Certified (Adults/Child/Infant)
American Heart Association
Effective 03/09/2014 to 03/09/2016
Education
M.S. in Education, Old Dominion University December 2014
Major: Secondary Education, Field Based Program

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Highlights: GPA: 4.0. Thesis Research on How School Climate Affects Secondary Students’
Intrinsic Motivation and Why it Should be the Focus of Current Educational Policy. IDT 775-
Designing Online Instruction, FOUN 641- Assessment and Evaluation of Student
Learning, FOUN 722- Applied Statistics and Data in Education, TLED 530- PK-12
Instructional Technology.
B.S. in Biology and Secondary Education, Old Dominion University December 2009
Highlights: GPA: 3.88. Student teaching practicum, exemplary evaluation. Senior
seminar research, The Effects of Eutrophication on the Chesapeake Bay and Management
Solutions.
Teaching Related Experience
Science Teacher: Grades 6-12 January 2015- Present (until June 2015)
Lynden Academy, Lynden WA
n Create inquiry-based curriculum for six science classes: grades 6-8 life science,
grades 9-10 biology, grades 11-12 anatomy and physiology, and grades 6-12 science
fun, ecology, and science fair.
n Serving as leave-replacement
High School Teacher: Biology, Honors Biology, Ecology August 2011-June 2013
Lakeland High School, Suffolk VA
n Created rigorous engaging lessons and differentiated instruction to meet all students
needs.
n Created inquiry and problem-solving based lessons.
n Implemented technology in innovative ways that enhanced learning.
n Developed assessment tools based on New Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and
Virginia Standards of Learning. Made data-driven decisions to assess students’ needs
and create interventional strategies for remediation.
n Demonstrated excellent classroom management techniques.
n Established exceptional rapport and communication with parents, students, and
faculty.
n Collaborated with parents to organize Saturday tutoring sessions where students
invited friends and relatives to help study.
n Co-wrote 2012-2013 Biology Curriculum Pacing Guide and Biology 9 Weeks Benchmark
Assessments for Suffolk Public Schools.

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n Member of School Improvement Plan Team. Co-developed student survey on school
climate, collaborated with faculty of Old Dominion University to develop grants and
professional development.
n Co-wrote and presented professional development for district principals and
superintendent. Demonstrated innovative scientific inquiry and hands-on lessons.
n Co-wrote and presented professional development for colleagues about Response-
to-Intervention (RTI) and Tiered Instructional Strategies.
n Lead Biology tutor.
n Awarded Rookie Teacher of the Year award for 2011-2012 school year.
Biology Tutor Jan. – May 2010 & Jan. - April 2011
Norview High School, Norfolk VA
n Tutored high school students individually and in small groups during their regular
scheduled biology class. Worked with 10 classes total.
n Collaborated with biology, ESL, and special education teachers to create lessons,
classroom material, activities, and hands-on manipulatives that enhanced student
learning.
n Volunteered several hours after school to tutor and make classroom materials.
Volunteered additional 25 hours of tutoring once grant ended.
n Volunteered at two Saturday tutoring sessions. Taught parents studying strategies to
use at home.
Long-Term Substitute
Lakeland High School, Suffolk VA
Alternative Education Program April- June 2011
n Program served students who had failed more than one grade level and/or had been
removed from traditional classroom setting by administration for disciplinary
infractions.
n Created learning paths using online program, Odyssey. Created hands-on lessons to
build on online course content. Designed individualized activities to increase
relevancy and motivation.
n Demonstrated excellent classroom management techniques.
Ecology “Z-block”
n After school program served as alternative to summer school.
Biology Sept. – Nov. 2010
n Exceeded administrator expectations on performing all teacher duties. Created
lesson plans and activities for five classes. Tutored after school on a regular basis.
Communicated and collaborated with parents, students, and staff.

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Other Experience
Assistant Dock Master August 2003 - June 2009
Rebel Marina, Norfolk VA
n Maintained office operations, billing, and assisted serving customer needs.
Key Qualifications
Technology Skills:
§ Technology Portfolio Website
§ LMS & CMS
§ SPSS
§ Microsoft Word, Excel,
PowerPoint, Publisher
§ Google Apps
§ Web 2.0 Tools (i.e. Weebly, Prezi,
Edmodo
Areas of Strength:
§ Organization
§ Time management
§ Collaboration
§ Creativity
§ Listening
§ Building rapport
§ Mentoring at-risk students
§ Title 1 Schools
§ NGSS
Educational Research
§ August 2014, How School Climate Affects Secondary Students’ Intrinsic Motivation
and Why it Should be the Focus of Current Educational Policy
§ December 2014, Massive Open Online Courses in K-12 Education

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References
Dr. Thomas Whitley, Principal
Western Branch High School
Phone: 757-638-7900
Thomas.Whitley@cpschools.com
1968 Bruin Place
Chesapeake, VA 23321
Douglas Wagoner, Principal
Lakeland High School
757-925-5790
douwagoner@spsk12.net
214 Kenyon Road
Suffolk, VA 23434
Ashley Heberling, HS Lead
Math/Science Teacher
Suffolk Public Schools
757-925-6760
ashleyheberling@spsk12.net
Catherine Walsh, Instructional
Supervisor of Science
Suffolk Public Schools
757-925-6760
catwalsh@spsk12.net
Amy Jacobs, Science Dept. Chair
Lakeland High School
757-925-5790
amyjacobs@spsk12.net
214 Kenyon Road
Suffolk, VA 23434
Dr. Marjorie Stealey, Principal
Norview High School
757-852-4500
mstealey@nps.k12.va.us
6501 Chesapeake Blvd.
Norfolk, VA 23513
Abbie Watson, Cooperating Teacher
Norview High School
440-339-9302
awatson@nps.k12.va.us
128 Lake One Drive
Hampton, VA 236