Cristina Fennell
8830-7th Ave.
Brooklyn, NY 11228
347-403-4827
fennellcris@hotmail.com
Special Education Online Portfolio: http://prospectiveteacherfennell.weebly.com
To Whom This May Concern,
My resume is enclosed for your consideration. My name is Cristina Fennell and I am interested in
Special Education teaching opportunity at your school. My credentials include a Bachelor’s Degree in
Psychology, an Advanced Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis, and one year of direct instructional
experience in an Applied Behavior Analysis school setting. I also have a Dual Master’s Degree in Early
Childhood General Education and Early Childhood Special Education (Birth-2nd grade), and a year teaching
experience as a general education teacher at P.S. 31 in an Integrated Co-teaching (ICT) kindergarten class. I am
eager to find a classroom where I can make a positive impact on the lives of students with special needs. It is
my hope that the combination of my work experience and knowledge in the field of special education illustrates
that I am an excellent candidate for a position in your school.
During the 2012-2013 school year I had the pleasure of working in an Integrated Co-Teaching (ICT)
kindergarten classroom, at P.S 31. This experience allowed me to gain a great deal of knowledge and has
taught me that kindergarten is a critical time in a child’s development and assists in building a strong foundation
for their future intellectual, physical and social development. This past year provided me with the knowledge to
understand that it is important to observe each of my students’ strengths, weaknesses, and all other abilities in
order to build rapport and have a better understanding of the child’s overall repertoire. I also learned that in
order to provide students with the foundation to improve their academic skills, it is essential to provide a variety
of learning opportunities and experiences that are based on assessments and the strengths, needs and interests of
the students. With this foundation I was able to plan and arrange the classroom environment by providing
materials that were most appropriate for the students in the classroom. Teaching in an ICT kindergarten class
provided me with various teaching strategies to motivate my students to learn in their own individual ways. I
was able to collaborate with my co-teacher and provide challenging and engaging learning experiences that
enhanced confidence in my students and encouraged intrinsic learning.
My greatest capability is facilitating to different styles of learners. I posses the ability to create a healthy
and safe learning environment and develop multi-disciplinary; multi-sensory interactive, and engaging lesson
plans to meet the needs of diverse learners. I also incorporate various forms of technology, learning centers,
various manipulatives, group work, and thematic units to teach new concepts and materials that engage and
motivate and challenge children to learn. Additionally, I make certain that each child receive individualized
praise and encouragement, ensuring that each child is encouraged to learn and to find their own intrinsic ways
of learning.
As a teacher I am aware that young children have an intrinsic desire to learn. My path as a teacher has
taught me strategies to help and motivate students to find their own ways of intrinsic learning. I hope that a
future interview will allow me to further demonstrate my skills and abilities concerning the education of
students with special needs. Thank you in advance for the time you have taken to read this letter, my resume,
and application. I welcome the opportunity to meeting with a representative of your district and discuss the
possible contributions that I can make to a school in your school based on my skills and extensive educational
and work experience.
Sincerely,
Cristina Fennell
Cristina Fennell
8830-7 Ave ♦ Brooklyn, NY 11228
(347) 403-4827 ♦ fennellcris@hotmail.com
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Objective: To obtain a full time teaching position that will allow me to work with students with special needs.
Education:
 Hunter College CUNY
2010-Present
Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Special Education (Birth-2nd Grade)
Graduation Date: May 2012
GPA: 3.7

Long Island University C.W. Post
2008-2009
Advanced Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis

Queens College CUNY
2006-2008
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
Work Experience:

P.S. 31, Brooklyn NY
Fall 2012- Present
Kindergarten ICT
General Education Teacher
Responsibilities Included:
 Collaborated with co-teacher to develop and implement weekly lesson plans that facilitate the
participation of all students
 Implemented challenging and engaging learning experiences that enhanced confidence and encouraged
intrinsic learning
 Implemented innovative instructional strategies, including parallel teaching, station teaching, and hands
on multi-sensory activities in meeting the needs of all the students
 Collaborated with Speech Therapist, Occupational Therapist and ESL teachers on a regular basis to
provide information necessary for modifications and adaptations to be developed and implemented.
 Collaborated with parents to ensure that students excelled to their highest potential
 Used assessments to measure student progress, and utilize appropriate teaching methods
 Implemented positive behavioral intervention plans and strategies
 Familiarized with the new Common Core Standards
 Familiarized with the new Danielson Evaluation System

QSAC Day School, Whitestone Queens
2008-2009
Teacher’s Assistant
Responsibilities Included:
 Implemented Applied Behavior Analysis and Discrete Trial Training interventions for young children on
the autism spectrum.
 Assisted in behavior intervention plans.
 Worked one on one with students using Token Economy Systems, Independent Activity Schedules, and
Picture Exchange Communication Systems (PECS).
Projects
 I assisted in conducting and writing a Token Economy Exchange study which was presented at the
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) conference in May 2009.
Student Teaching Experience:
 Cobble Hill Play Group, Brooklyn NY
Fall 2011

P.S. 32, Brooklyn NY
Fall 2011
(Prekindergarten, kindergarten, and 1st grade)
Responsibilities Included:
 Assisted Cooperating Teacher with planning, preparing, and executing multiple lessons and activities.
 Utilized various methods of formal and informal assessments in the classroom.
 Lead whole group lessons in various subjects to further enhance students’ skills in the classroom.