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Mrs. Burkhart's Class
Heather Burkhart
Dedicated, self-motivated, proven team leader.
Goal driven, professional educator with a solid commitment to the well-being and academic growth of all students.
Hard working, creative, organized, and versatile individual.
Strongly believe in encouragement and high expectations for all students.
Always willing to learn, collaborate, and be flexible.
Well-respected, well rounded, and highly recognized for numerous teaching achievements.
Teaching Strengths
Use of Data-Driven Instruction
Differentiated Instruction
Hands-On Lessons
Appropriate and Innovative use of Technology
Stakeholder Involvement
Assessment Strategies
Increasing Student Motivation
Classroom Management
Professional work in Education
SEQUOIA UNION – Lemon Cove, California August 2017 – Present
Fifth Grade Math Self-Contained Classroom
In addition to teaching all subject areas I am also a member of the Agriculture Committee and School Site Council.
PIGEON FORGE MIDDLE SCHOOL – Pigeon Forge, Tennessee August 2011 – June 2016
Fifth Grade Math, Language Arts, and Science Teacher
Primary content areas of instruction have focused on 5th grade mathematics and science, with two years of experience teaching language arts, and one year of experience in sixth grade mathematics.
PIGEON FORGE MIDDLE SCHOOL – Pigeon Forge, Tennessee August 2009 – August 2011
Fifth and Sixth Grade Math Intervention Teacher
Responsible for establishing, designing, and developing the math intervention program curriculum for Pigeon Forge Middle School. Math Intervention department chair, responsible for training new Math Intervention Specialist and scheduling all Math Intervention classes. Provided differentiated instruction to remedial students in math using a hands-on, student-centered approach in order to meet the diverse needs of all learners. Seventy-eight percent of 5th grade students showing above average growth on Discovery Education Assessments were Math Intervention students. Communicating and collaborating with the eleven grade level teachers was an integral part in the success of this program, in addition to flexibility, determination, and persistence.
SEVIERVILLE INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL – Sevierville, Tennessee January 2009 – June 2009
Fifth Grade Math Intervention Teacher
Responsible for working with students in need of supplemental and enrichment instruction in mathematics and reading, both in an inclusion setting and as the instructor of math classes. Coordinating, planning, and collaborating with twelve other fifth grade teachers was a critical component of this position, in addition to data driven instruction, flexibility, and scheduling.
BEYOND THE LIMITS, COVENANT HEALTH – Knoxville, Tennessee July 2003 – May 2008
Intensive Focus Specialist Counselor for At-Risk Youth
Responsible for coordination, organization, scheduling, and facilitation of twenty-four school groups with fifteen at-risk students in each group. Program goals for the students included conflict resolution, communication skills, problem solving skills, and confidence building. Responsibilities also included, but were not limited to, leading summer camp activities that included ropes course trips, mountain biking, canoeing, caving, rock climbing, and hiking.
County and State Level Achievements
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2008-2016 - Each year teachers, principals, and STEM leaders from East Tennessee spent time observing my classes
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2010-2016 - Selected participant in county-level curriculum mapping and long range planning
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2014-2015 - Hosted Round Table Discussions in East Tennessee for the Tennessee Department of Education
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2014-2015 - Preformed teacher outreach tasks for the Tennessee Department of Education
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2014-2015 - Guest speaker for Leadership Sevier Educational Forum
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2014-2015 - Mentored practicum students from Carson Newman University and Tusculum College
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2013-2015 - Selected to attend math workshops and preform county-wide in-services for Sevier County teachers
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2013-2015 - Advance-ED School Accreditation Review team member and evaluator
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2013-2014 - Worked with the Pigeon Forge Chamber of Commerce to open a Teacher Supply Closet
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2013-2014 - Guest speaker for Pigeon Forge Chamber of Commerce and Community Leaders Work Session
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2013-2014 - PD360 Administrator, provided training and support for teachers to use and implement this program
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2012-2013 - Mentored student teacher and practicum students from East Tennessee State University
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2011-2012 - Selected as 1 of 2 teachers from the Sevier County School System to participate in Leadership Tomorrow
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2011-2012 - Coordinator of Leadership Tomorrow Service Project to build a $15,000 Outdoor Classroom
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2011-2012 - Presenter at the Tennessee Association of Middle School Conference
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2009-2012 - School & Math Intervention Administrator for FASTT Math and Discovery Education Assessment Programs
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2010-2011 - Selected and employed to develop a curriculum for Sevier County Math Intervention Program
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2010-2011 - Provided beginning of the year in-service for new Math Intervention teachers
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2008-2009 - Piloted the Math Intervention Program for Sevier County Schools. Success of program warranted county wide implementation.
School Level Achievements
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2015-2016 - Created website for AdvancED School Accreditation Process to increase efficiency of documentation
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2015-2016 - Co-chair for AdvancED School Accreditation Process
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2015-2016 - Co-chair for Pigeon Forge Middle School Tennessee School Improvement Planning Process (TSIPP)
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2009-2016 - Created above and beyond classroom website for students and parents www.mrsburkhartsclass.com
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2013-2016 - Grade Level Chair
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2013-2016 - Organized three week and six week reward parties for students each year
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2015-2016 - Crisis Management Team
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2013-2016 - School Technology Team
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2013-2016 - Chaperone for 8th grade trips to Washington DC and New York
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2013-2016 - Coordinated BETA AAU Basketball Tournament raised $14,000 per year for our BETA and Interact Clubs
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2012-2016 - Pigeon Forge Middle School BETA Sponsor
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2012-2016 - Co-organized BETA State Convention trip to Nashville, Tennessee
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2013-2016 - Made more efficient electronic school-wide attendance and discipline documentation forms
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2011-2015- Coordinated Pigeon Forge Middle School Fall Festival that raised an average of $3000-$5,000 per year
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2013-2014 - Implemented after-school tutoring program
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2010-2011 - Developed a school handbook for Pigeon Forge Middle School
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2010-2011 - Co-chair for Pigeon Forge Middle School Southern Association of Schools and Colleges (SACS)
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2010-2011 - Co-chair for Pigeon Forge Middle School Tennessee School Improvement Planning Process (TSIPP)
Honors
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2014-2016 - 1 of 3 teachers in the State of Tennessee selected to advise on policy implementation for state initiatives
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2014-2016 - Selected as a member of the Tennessee Department of Education Teacher of the Year Selection Committee
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2011-2016 - Level 5 teacher based on student performance on state-wide standardized tests
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2014-2015 - Selected as a member of the Sevier County Teacher of the Year Selection Committee
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2011-2015 - Featured on local television stations and in newspapers for my work in the classroom
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2014-2015 - Finalist for Tennessee Teacher of the Year
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2014-2015 - Selected to serve as a member of the Tennessee Board of Education Teacher Advisory Council
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2014-2015 - East Tennessee Grand Regional Teacher of the Year
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2014-2015 - Regional Teacher of the Year
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2014-2015 - Sevier County Teacher of the Year
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2014-2015 - Pigeon Forge Middle School Teacher of the Year
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2013-2014 - Pigeon Forge Middle School Teacher of the Year (First Year Eligible for this Honor)
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2011-2012 - Oak Ridge Associated Universities grand prize winner of a $30,000 technology grant
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2008-2009 - Masters in Teaching Degree earned from East Tennessee State University
The Most Meaningful Honors & Achievements
I am very proud of the achievements listed above, especially the ones that directly benefitted my students. However, the achievements that I am most proud of are those of the children in my class. When they discover a newfound love of learning, meet a goal, or simply do the very best they can - these are the best achievements of all! The greatest honor is to be a teacher and make a difference in the lives of my students.
