1609 Doral Drive

Brookings, SD 57006

ALEXIS KORTAN
Phone: (605)691-9875
Email: Alexis.Kortan@trojans.dsu.edu · Portfolio: alexismkortan.weebly.com

Educational Philosophy:
I believe that all students have the ability to learn. As a future teacher, I hope to direct and prepare my
students into the path of a future career. The children in our classes are the future, and I want to make a
bright future for all my students. I will do this by first creating a safe environment for my students, which
includes making connections and always supporting them. I will help my students believe in themselves
even when things get tough, because they will learn if they persevere. Teaching student’s life lessons are
equally important as the curriculum being taught. Students must understand how to communicate with
others and collaborate as a team. Secondly, I know what it’s like to give school your all and still come out
struggling. I never want any of my students to feel like they failed. It’s like a saying I saw that said, “If
you fail, never give up because F.A.I.L means, First Attempt In Learning” (Author Unknown). I can teach
my students by motivating them and making learning exciting. I can do that by hands-on activities, class
engagement and possibly gamifying my classroom. The last, but one of the most important, parent
communication and connections.

CAREER RELATED EXPERIENCES

TEACHER AID– 2015
BROOKINGS MEDARY ELEMENTARY, 1ST GRADE
 Got the experience to see what teaching was like
 Student interactions
 Taught a math lesson
 Worked in small groups and one-on-one with students
PRACTICUM – 2017
MADISON MIDDLE SCHOOL, MATH AND SCIENCE
 Observed math and science classes
 Got the experience to see what teaching in a middle school was like
 Student interactions

READING METHODS – 2017

HOWARD, 5TH GRADE READING/LANGUAGE
 Observed and worked with students
 Created and taught a lesson
 Worked one-on-one with students
 Student interactions
LEVEL III – 2018
COLMAN EGAN, 3RD GRADE SCIENCE/MATH
 Observed and worked with students
 Created and taught all science lessons for 3 weeks
 Worked one-on-one with a student before and after school
  Was the teacher for most of the day
STUDENT TEACHING – 2018-2019
BROOKINGS, 5TH GRADE MCL (MASS CUSTOMIZED LEARNING) MATH
 Made connections and worked with students
 Created and taught multiple lesson plans, as well as co-teaching
 Learned the importance of classroom management, organization and being flexible
 Substitute teaching
 Attend all teacher meetings
 Tried new things including Mass Customized Learning

EDUCATION

DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY -MADSION, SD

ELEMENTARY EDUCATION, MINOR: TECHNOLOGY
GPA: 3.219
Honor: Dakota State University Deans List (FA:2017, 2018)
Award: National Society of Leadership and Success
Expected Date of Graduation – May 2019

BROOKINGS PUBLIC SCHOOL – BROOKINGS, SD

HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA- MAY 2015
Organizations- Brookings Wrestling Association, FCCLA, and FFA

VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCES:
 FCCLA Character Counts - (2014)
 FFA Children’s Petting Zoo - (2015)
 Wrestling Tournaments “AAU and Les Tlustos” - (2011-2015)
 Blanket Creations for Project Warm Up - (2017)
 DSU Day of Service - (2016-Current)
 Community Center After School Program - (2017)
 S.T.A.R.S - (2017)
 Belize Teaching Trip (March 2, 2019- March 19,2019)

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS/MEMBERSHIPS &

SPECIALIZED TRAINING
 CPR & First Aid Certification (2015- 2017)
 Teachers of Tomorrow (2015-current)
 National Society of Leadership and Success (2016-current)
 National Science Teachers Associations (2018-current)
 Community Volleyball League (2018)