pennington.rachel98@gmail.

com (540) 241-8558 Stuarts Draft, VA, 24477

RACHEL PENNINGTON
Portfolio: https://rachelpenningtonmusic.weebly.com/

EDUCATION James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA (2016-2020)

Bachelor of Music (B.M.)
Degree: Music Education- Voice
Stuarts Draft High School, Stuarts Draft, VA (2012-2016)
Advanced Diploma, June 2016, GPA 3.5

TEACHING/ PRACTICUM EXPERIENCE_________________________________

Music Director: “Can’t Feel at Home”, Court Square Theatre, Harrisonburg, VA (2022-23)
 Found sheet music, and led, planned, and directed music rehearsals.
 Taught both solo and choral pieces.
 Worked with community members of all ages.
Long Term Music Substitute: Mountain View Elementary School, Charlottesville, VA (2021-22)
 Taught music and created lesson plans for grades K-5.
 Aligned lessons with the curriculum to teach the fundamental principles of music and
musicianship skills.
 Created and built relationships with students.
Summer Enrichment Academy Instructional Aide: Berkeley Glenn Elementary School,
Waynesboro, VA (July 2021)
 Assisted teachers in the classroom with academic activities and worked with students
individually.
 Lead students in afternoon activities partnered with the YMCA.
Substitute, Rockingham County Public Schools, Rockingham County, VA (2021)
 Taught and supervised students when their regular teacher was unable to lead class.
 Managed classroom behavior, quickly interpreted lesson plans, and created reports to
inform the students' permanent teacher of their success.
Student Teacher, John Wayland Elementary School, Bridgewater, VA (Spring 2020)
 Observed Cooperating Teacher
 Created online projects and activities for 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 5th grade during COVID-19.
 Student teaching location for Block 4, MUED 480.
Student Teacher, Turner Ashby High School, Bridgewater, VA (Spring 2020)
 Observed Cooperating Teacher and gradually took control of each class.
 Created lesson plans and activities for teaching choir and piano.
 Helped with production of the Spring musical, “Hello! Dolly”
 Student teaching location for Block 3, MUED 480.
Practicum Student, Teacher, and Conductor, Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community,
Harrisonburg, VA (Fall 2019)
 Created lesson plans for teaching and conducting a given piece of repertoire for winter
concert.
 Teaching and conducting location for MUED 376.
Practicum Student: High School
 Spotswood High School, Rockingham County, VA (Fall 2017, Spring 2019)
 Broadway High School, Rockingham County, VA (Spring 2019)
 Colgan High School, Manassas, VA (Spring 2019)
Practicum Student: Middle School
 Skyline Middle School, Harrisonburg, VA, (Spring 2018)
 Elkton Middle School, Rockingham County, VA (Fall 2017)
Practicum Student: Elementary School
 Keister Elementary School, Harrisonburg, VA (Fall 2018)
o Created lesson plan and teaching experience for a class of second graders.
 Stone Spring Elementary School, Harrisonburg, VA (Spring 2018)
o Observed student to create an instrument dedicated to the needs of the individual
learner.
 Mountain View Elementary School, Harrisonburg, VA (Fall 2017)

RELEVANT EXPERIENCE_____________________________________________
Judge, Musical Auditions & Callbacks, Turner Ashby High School, Bridgewater, VA (Fall 2019)
 Helped judge, score, and place students in fitting roles.
Program Leader, Boys and Girls Club, Staunton, VA (2018-2020)
 Created varying programs for children, grades K-6 for a summer camp.
 Watched and played with children.

AWARDS & ACHIEVEMENTS__________________________________________

 JMU’s Dean List: (2016, 2019, 2020)
 National Society of Collegiate Scholars (NSCS), JMU, (Fall 2016- Spring 2020)

LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE___________________________________________
Undergraduate Manager/ Conductor, The JMU Treble Chamber Choir (TCC), JMU, (Fall 2019)
 Taught students a chosen piece of repertoire.
 Conducted selected piece for the winter concert.
First Year Orientation Guide (FROG), JMU, (Fall 2018)
 Assisted students and parents with move in.
 Familiarized students with campus during orientation week and helped them transition to
JMU.
  Continued as a guide and reference throughout their college experience.
JMU School of Music Educational Mentor (Fall 2018)
 Provided advice and guidance for incoming music student.
President, Family Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), Stuarts Draft High
School (Fall 2015- Spring 2016)
 Tended to organization tasks and needs.
 Led, ran, and planned club meetings and events
Vice-President of National Events, (FCCLA), Stuarts Draft High School (Fall 2014-Spring 2015)
 Worked to attain awards for school organization at the state level.
Team Captain, Junior Varsity Soccer Team, Stuarts Draft High School, (Spring 2013)
 Led warm-ups, team activities, and encouraged team members.

ADDITIONAL EMPLOYMENT__________________________________________
Retail Associate, Ross Dress for Less, Waynesboro, VA (June 2019- Present)
 Completes cash office: Counts money, balances tills, and processes deposit.
 Stock room worker: Processes hardlines, hangs clothes, runs stock, and hard tags clothing
 Greets and assists customers.
Employee, The Gateway Café, Fishersville, VA (Nov 2015- Aug 2017)
 Took and served customers’ orders.
 Made and prepared food and coffee.

RELATED SKILLS______________________________________________________
 Certified in CPR and First Aid
 Child Abuse and Neglect Certification
 Dyslexia Awareness Certification

REFRENCES___________________________________________________________
 Scott Zane Smith, Music Education Instructor, James Madison University Professor:
o Email: smithsz@jmu.edu
o Phone number: (540) 560-4430
 Melissa Mitchem, Instructional Coach, Mountain View Elementary School:
o Email: mmitchem@k12albemarle.org
o Phone: (804) 350-0480
 Eileen Guevara, Pre-K-5 Music Teacher, Mountain View Elementary School:
o Email: eguevara@k12albemarle.org
o Phone Number: (703) 362-6879