Talayah Timbers

Ann Arbor, MI 48104 | (815) 545-2739 | talayaht@umich.edu

Certification
Lower Elementary (ZO): PK-3, Upper Elementary (ZP): 3-6

Education
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
B.A. in Elementary Education | GPA: 3.982/4.0 April 2025

Teaching Experience
Perry Early Learning Center, Ypsilanti, Michigan September 2023-December 2023
Teaching Intern
● Observed primary instructor in Head Start Program in preschool classroom
● Assisted with carrying out lessons planned and led by primary instructor
● Developed classroom management skills related to behavioral issues and social issues
with preschool students (2-3 years old)
● Held small one-on-one discussions/activities with students on math and science topics

Scarlett Middle School, Ann Arbor, Michigan November 2023-December 2023

Teaching Intern
● Planned and implemented lessons with a small group of students in sixth-grade
● Carried out educational activities regarding digital citizenship

Lawton Elementary School, Ann Arbor, Michigan January 2024-April 2024

Teaching Intern
● Observed primary instructor in 5th grade throughout entire day
● Held one-on-one discussions/explorations with a student
● Observed particular students’ behaviors and educational experiences throughout the
year
● Created and carried out whole group lessons
● Created and carried out small group lessons

Related Experience
SOS Children’s Villages of Illinois, Lockport, Illinois June 2021-June 2022
● Worked individually with children in foster care
● Taught/tutored child in phonics
● Practiced reading and writing with child
● Tutored student in multiple areas of mathematics (Kindergarten)
● Created lesson plans

Private Nanny, Bourbonnais, Illinois (Family 1) June 2022-August 2022

● Created and carried out discipline plans
 ● Helped children ages 3 (girl) and 5 (boy) with summer homework/math and literacy
workbooks
● Helped children create routines around play and nap time
● Helped children develop planning and enacting skills

Private Babysitter, Bourbonnais, Illinois (Family 2) June 2022-August 2022

● Babysat 19 month old girl (her first non-family caretaker)
● Supervised toddler on playground equipment
● Used helpful redirections

Private Nanny, San Leandro, California (Family 3) May 2023-June 2023

● Nannied 16 month old boy (His first non-family caretaker)
● Supervised toddler on playground equipment
● Used helpful redirections

Private Nanny, Oakland, California (Family 4) June 2023-August 2023

● Cared for 5 year old girl with cerebral palsy (Including during recovery from surgery)
● Practiced fine and gross motor skills with child
● Attended speech-language therapy appointments
● Attended physical/occupational therapy appointments
● Practiced use of new AAC software
● Accompanied 8 and 10 year old children on trips to local zoos and museums)

Community Engagement
University of Michigan The Pearl Project (General Member) September 2023-Present
● Fundraising for Roseland Community Good News Daycare
● Volunteering at daycare
● Helped plan and enact educational crafts and activities in daycare
● Communicated with club leadership
● Community outreach

Language Skills
● Spanish (basic)
● American sign language (basic)
Dear Prospective Mentor Teacher,
My name is Talayah Timbers. I am an undergraduate sophomore. I grew up in the
Chicago suburbs but was actually born in Midland, Michigan. Not many people from my high
school attended the University of Michigan but it was always my dream school. Both of my
parents attended the University back in the 90’s and my sister just graduated last year. You can
probably assume that this meant Michigan was always part of me and my family. Though I grew
up in the Chicago area, my dad’s entire family lives about 30 minutes from Ann Arbor in
Carleton Michigan, so I visited a lot growing up. I have found that the University is filled with a
diversity of people, some a lot like me and some completely different. I love this aspect of the
school because I get to learn from others’ experiences and teach them about my culture and the
things that are important to me.
I have always felt a calling to teaching, especially in the younger grades. If you had
asked me in elementary school what I wanted to be when I grew up, I would have said I wanted
to be a kindergarten teacher. I had always dreamed of working with children and this interest
has turned into a passion over the past few years. In high school I began working in foster care
where I volunteered as a tutor and would also hold and volunteer at community events with the
entire community of the foster care placement I was in. It was an absolute dream come true. I
was paired up with a 5 year old girl who was just about to go into kindergarten and didn’t even
know her ABCs as she’d never been given the opportunity to learn. Over the summer, I taught
her the entire ABCs and once she started school, I brought in math worksheets and helped her
with her homework. Not only did I get to teach her all sorts of mathematics and literacy
concepts, I got to be a mentor and someone she could look up to. We developed an amazing
bond throughout the year that made it very difficult for me to leave when college rolled around.
This year, I have gotten a few amazing opportunities to work with children in school
settings which have further fueled my passion for the field of education. As a student teacher
and a beginning teacher, I want to develop an understanding of how diversity and inclusion
shows up in a classroom and how it can be discussed and introduced. I am interested in helping
children in underprivileged situations and areas to access the education and the resources and
the life they deserve. Given this desire, I would like to become aware of how children’s outside
lives and environments may impact their behaviors and performance in my classroom and
develop my compassion and grace for students. Thank you for your time.

Best,

Talayah Timbers