JENNA PETERSON
North St. Paul
Summary
Passionate educator dedicated to cultivating fundamental teaching skills through guided instruction. Thrives in a collaborative role as a creator within a thriving learning environment. Strives for self-reflection and setting professional goals to continuously improve teaching practices. Committed to developing and implementing effective lesson plans that cater to the unique needs of diverse learners.
Overview
5
5
years of professional experience
Work History
Fifth Grade Elementary School Teacher
Birch Lake Elementary School
White Bear Lake, MN
08.2025 - Current
- Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities, staying current on educational trends and research findings.
- Utilized educational technology tools to facilitate interactive learning and improve student engagement.
- Assessed student progress through formative and summative evaluations, providing timely feedback for improvement.
Cross-Categorical Special Education Teacher
Birch Lake Elementary School
White Bear Lake, MN
08.2024 - Current
- Provide individualized, small group instruction tailored to meet the academic, behavioral, and social-emotional needs of students with a variety of disabilities.
- Work closely with classroom teachers, specialists, service providers and support staff to develop and implement appropriate accommodations, modifications, and supports that ensure student access to the general education curriculum.
- Modified general education curriculum using various instructional techniques and technologies.
- Lead the development, implementation, and monitoring of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) in compliance with IDEA, ensuring that goals are measurable, data-driven, and aligned with state standards.
Long Term Substitute - Interventionist
Birch Lake Elementary School
White Bear Lake, MN
04.2024 - 06.2024
- Developed interventions for students currently struggling or at risk of falling behind.
- Assessed and documented student progress
- Gathered, organized, and analyzed data on student needs and progress.
Setting 3 DCD Special Education Student Teacher
Duluth East High School
Duluth, United States
01.2024 - 04.2024
- Provided life skills programming, transitional services, and self-advocacy activities for students with mild to moderate DCD (Developmental Coordination Disorder).
- Managed IEPs to define student learning objectives and educational strategies, in addition to applying instructional knowledge and methods to support goals.
- Collaborated with other educators (including paraprofessionals and LPNs) to develop instructional strategies to best fit the wide range of student needs.
Kindergarten Student Teacher
Stowe Elementary School
08.2023 - 12.2023
- Created and implemented different learning activities to meet needs of different types of learners.
- Cultivated positive relationships with administration, teaching staff, and students.
- Developed lesson plans that incorporated mandated topics and included immersive activities for student engagement.
Preschool Teacher
Hidden Valley Preschool
08.2021 - 09.2023
- Applied play-based strategies to provide diverse approaches to learning.
- Maintained well-controlled classrooms by clearly outlining standards and reinforcing positive behaviors.
- Addressed behavioral and learning issues with parents and daycare management.
Fifth Grade Student Teacher
Stowe Elementary School
02.2023 - 04.2023
- Enhanced student learning by optimizing a wide variety of instructional approaches and innovative classroom activities
- Evaluated and revised lesson plans to facilitate and moderate classroom discussions and student centered learning
- Engaged students to stay on-task through proactive behavior modifications and positive reinforcement strategies
Special Education Student Teacher
Homecroft Elementary
09.2022 - 12.2022
- Assessed students’ skills through progress monitoring to gauge educational needs and developments
- Planned activities that were individualized and specific to the needs of the student
- Engaged in one-on-one or small group work with students that aligns with IEP goals.
Special Education Student Teacher
Hermantown Middle School
09.2022 - 12.2022
- Performed various teaching methods of learning to enable students to meet their IEP goals.
- Collaborated and communicated with general education teachers, specialists, speech pathologists, counselors, and physical therapists to ensure all students' needs were evaluated and met.
- Created a positive learning experience for small group instruction where students understood learning expectations while maintaining structure and consistency within learning materials.
School Monitor, North Star Duluth Edison Charter School
09.2021 - 06.2022
- Communicated with elementary school teachers about their expectations and rules they have established for their students
- Demonstrated positive reinforcement for students that were going above and beyond with North Star expectations, and demonstrated positive discipline for the students that were challenging and struggled with expectations.
Youth Specialist
YMCA
08.2021 - 12.2021
- Observed and guided students in grades K-6 as they take part in independent crafts, physical activities, and outdoor games
- Created a welcoming environment for all students to connect with peers
- Established open communication with parents to build a stable relationship between student and specialist.
Education
Master of Science - Curriculum And Instruction
Western Governors University
Salt Lake City, UT10-2025
Bachelor of Applied Science - Integrated Elementary And Special Education
University of Minnesota Duluth
Duluth, MN05-2024
High School Diploma -
North High School
North St. Paul, MN06-2019
Skills
- Critical Thinker
- Collaborator
- Student Advocacy
- Differentiated Instruction
- IEP Familiarity
- Adaptability and Flexibility
- Growth Mindset Promotion
- Activity Planning
Timeline
Fifth Grade Elementary School Teacher
Birch Lake Elementary School
08.2025 - Current
Cross-Categorical Special Education Teacher
Birch Lake Elementary School
08.2024 - Current
Long Term Substitute - Interventionist
Birch Lake Elementary School
04.2024 - 06.2024
Setting 3 DCD Special Education Student Teacher
Duluth East High School
01.2024 - 04.2024
Kindergarten Student Teacher
Stowe Elementary School
08.2023 - 12.2023
Fifth Grade Student Teacher
Stowe Elementary School
02.2023 - 04.2023
Special Education Student Teacher
Homecroft Elementary
09.2022 - 12.2022
Special Education Student Teacher
Hermantown Middle School
09.2022 - 12.2022
School Monitor, North Star Duluth Edison Charter School
09.2021 - 06.2022
Preschool Teacher
Hidden Valley Preschool
08.2021 - 09.2023
Youth Specialist
YMCA
08.2021 - 12.2021
Bachelor of Applied Science - Integrated Elementary And Special Education
University of Minnesota Duluth
High School Diploma -
North High School
Master of Science - Curriculum And Instruction
Western Governors University