Michael J.

Kaechele
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michaelkaechele.wordpress.com

OBJECTIVE To become a secondary teacher in math who engages students in authentic learning by using
inquiry, hands-on projects, and technology to create self-motivated, life-long
learners .

TEACHING-RELATED Valleywood Middle School Kentwood, MI 2004-present

EXPERIENCES Math class
Combined project-based learning, inquiry-based learning, hands-on projects, and direct instruction to
reach a diverse group of students.
• Created a class wiki with our schedule, assignments, and extra
help for students and parents
https://valleywoodtech.wikispaces.com/6th+Math.
• Had a student-teacher attending the University of Regina in
Canada work with students through Skype and other on-line tools.
• Implemented technology into the math curriculum using games,
practice sites, and having students create “mathcasts” to explain their
problem solving
http://www.screentoaster.com/watch/stUk9WR0RIR1xZRlheXllRVl
Vd/academic_green_problem
• Met with students before and after school for extra support.

Technology class
• Employed a facilitator / coach model of teaching to guide students in
exploring real-world problems.
• Researched and created new curriculum for technology classes
emphasizing math, cooperation, and problem-solving.
• Integrated math, science, social studies, art, and language arts into
technology curriculum.
• Motivated at-risk students with relevant, hands-on activities.
• Collaborated with a class in Vietnam to have students design and
create their own video games.
• Students maintained their own blogs and creatively expressed
themselves through on-line tools such as Scratch, Google Sketchup,
and Pivot.
• Managed and maintained a technology computer lab with both Apple
and PC’s.
• Collaborated with other technology teachers in the district in
developing and implementing a plan to update our current labs with a
math focus.
• Re-designed room layout and changed the furniture to create a more
cooperative environment.
• Managed classroom by establishing routines and procedures.
• Created and implemented individual behavior plans with the support
of the administration.
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• Communicated with parents by class wiki, class blogs, personal

meetings, phone calls, and e-mail regarding students’ progress and
behavior.
• Worked for one semester helping other teachers in my building
integrate technology into their classes.
• Facilitated our entire teaching staff in setting up class blogs or wikis
with Google Calendar integrated in to post lesson plans and
assignments.

Allegan Alternative High School Allegan, MI 2003-2004

Social Studies Teacher
• Developed curriculum with no textbooks for five classes: Global
Studies, U.S. History, Current Events, Government, and Economics.
• Helped students one-on-one after school.
• Used active learning, simulations, debate, cooperative groups,
and internet research and activities to instruct a diverse level of
students.
• Had students paint a map of the world on my ceiling.
• Led a reading group for students.
• Met weekly with a group of students to monitor their progress.

Pinewood Middle School Kentwood, MI April 28-June 6, 2003

Long-term substitution for 7th grade math
• Performed all duties of a full-time teacher for the end of the year
including lesson planning, grading, and assessments.
• Communicated with parents through letters, emails, phone calls,
and personal meetings.
• Evaluated and selected students for algebra class for the next
year.

Valleywood Middle School Kentwood, MI 2002-2003

Teacher Internship
• Assisted in the fall semester and student taught in the winter
semester for 7th grade math and 8th grade social studies.
• Constructed three units for social studies on Thomas Jefferson,
Andrew Jackson, and the Westward expansion.
• Created a website for our class for communication with students
and parents containing assignments and links for students to dig
deeper into classroom topics
• Motivated students with different learning styles by using
diverse teaching methods including costumes, manipulatives, debate,
critical thinking, skits and oral presentations, cooperative learning,
evaluating primary source material, music, and drawing.
• Designed an Andrew Jackson scavenger hunt on the Internet at
http://www.kn.sbc.com/wired/fil/pages/huntandrewjmr2.html
• Built a webquest on Westward expansion and devised tests for
assessment.
• Implemented Reader’s Theatre in history class and wrote one
skit.
• Instructed small groups of low achievers because of learning
difficulties or English as a second language.
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• Developed inquiry worksheets in math.

• Helped identify a student for special education services and
attended an initial IEPC meeting.
• Communicated with parents through phone calls, letters, and
notes.

Northeastern University Shen Yang, China 1995-1996,

English teacher 1999
• Taught English to Native Chinese speakers for two years.
• Prepared lesson plans and cooperative activities.
• Instructed both large and small groups.
• Interacted extensively with students outside of the classroom.
• Assessed English level through tests and interviews.
• Designed grade program in Microsoft Excel.

Merson Church Allegan, MI 1993-1995

Youth Group Leader
• Taught junior and senior high students.
• Organized and led group activities.
• Chaperoned trip to Belize, Central America.

PROFESSIONAL
DEVELOPMENT
• Attended MACUL conference in 2009 and 2010 and presented on
implementing and running a “paperless” classroom (2010) and will be
presenting on Collaboration in 2011.
• Write a professional blog reflecting on my teaching and interact with
hundreds of educators from around the world on blogs and Twitter.
• Led on-going professional development at Valleywood helping all
teachers set up their own class blogs or wikis to communicate with students
and parents in 2009-10.
• Served on the committee that created the 2010 District Technology Plan.
• Presented on using Google Reader and social bookmarking at Kentwood
Middle School in-service in 2009.
• Completed “23 Things” class through KISD in 2008 http://kisd-
23things.blogspot.com/.
• Completed Capturing Kids’ Hearts Process Champion training in 2008
and have been a leader at Valleywood.
• Participated in all in-services for Kentwood teachers.
• Attended a Conference on Ruby Payne’s Bridges out of Poverty on March
18, 2004.
• Certified in Crisis Prevention Intervention training in September, 2003
and April, 2007.

EDUCATION Grand Valley State University Allendale, MI 2003-2007

Masters of Education:
• Secondary Education
• 3.98 GPA
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Grand Valley State University Allendale, MI 2000-2003

Graduate Teacher Certification Program
• Michigan Secondary Teaching Certification June
30, 2003
• Highly Qualified Teachable Major: History (CC)
• Michigan Test for Teacher Certification History: 282
• Highly Qualified Teachable Minor: Math (EX)
• Michigan Test for Teacher Certification Math: 300
• 3.97 GPA

Liberty University Lynchburg, VA 1990-1993

Bachelor of Arts
• Major: Missions and Cross-Cultural Studies
• Magna Cum Laude
• 3.73 GPA

EXTRACURRICULAR
ACTIVITIES
• Coached Science Olympiad Team at Valleywood Middle School 2004-2009.
• Facilitated after school “Homework Club” for at-risk students.
• Coached 5th grade girls basketball at Glenwood Elementary School, fall 2006.
• Willing to coach middle school sports or sponsor a club such as chess club or
volunteer for other activities where needed.