About+Mrs.+Holton

=Laura Dahlheim Holton=

** EDUCATION  **
 * ALA Accredited Master of Science in Information Sciences **
 * Major: School Librarian **
 * University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, May 2007. **


 * Master of Education **
 * Major: Reading Education **
 * Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, August 2000. **


 * Bachelor of Science Secondary Education **
 * Majors: English and Biology **
 * Minor: Psychology **
 * Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, June 1995. **

** PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE  ** ** Thomas Edison Charter School, North Logan, Utah. August 2008-June 2012. ** **  Part-time School Librarian  ** > > > > > > **  Lecturer  ** ** Utah State University. Logan, Utah. January 2008-May 2008. **
 * School Librarian **
 * ** Created information literacy units for elementary classes using the Understanding by Design process.  **
 * ** Collaborated with the science and history middle school teachers to prepare students for the science and history fairs.  **
 * ** Led information literacy training sessions for parents during the library open houses.  **
 * ** Encouraged students to read with book displays and book talks, creation of a middle school collection, and activities to peak students' interest for author visit.  **
 * ** Designed an elective class on library research skills for middle schools students.  **
 * ** Selected books to begin a young adult section in the library.  **
 * ** Encouraged students to read through monthly book clubs, reading challenges, reference challenges, and thematic book displays.  **
 * Information Access. **
 * __Classroom Highlights__ **
 * Created a class that focused on reference services for future school librarians. **
 * Designed assignments and class activities where students practiced areas in reference services such as reference interviews, print sources, and electronic search tips. **
 * Encouraged students to discuss implications of practice by moderating discussions on an electronic discussion board. **

** Teacher  ** ** Fairview Middle School. Fairview, Tennessee. August 1999-May 2007. **
 * Eighth grade reading teacher. **
 * __Classroom Highlights__ **
 * Emphasized in reading classroom the teaching of reading strategies, metacognitive awareness, student choice for reading and activities, multiple intelligence activities, reflection activities, and thematic units. **
 * Implemented differentiated instruction for inclusion classes. **
 * Created reading entrance activities to reinforce reading standards. **
 * Collaborated with other teachers to create cross-curricular projects. **
 * Designed lessons that resulted in students consistently exceeding the state goals on the state reading assessment. ** **  __Leadership Activities__  **
 * Led professional development on reading and differentiated instruction for school. **
 * Coordinated school wide reading initiatives. **
 * Served as representative for Building Leadership Team. **
 * Served on county textbook adoption committee. **
 * Served on county curriculum committee to integrate technology into the literacy curriculum. **


 * Teacher **
 * Wallace School. Nashville, TN. July 1998-April 1999. **
 * Special education teacher for self-contained secondary classroom. **
 * __Classroom Highlights__ **
 * Developed curriculum units for students’ IEPs. **
 * Focused on teaching social skills for students transition to regular high school. **
 * Explored with students their plans after high school and created a career fair for students to research different careers. **


 * Teacher **
 * Quail Hollow Middle School. Charlotte, North Carolina. August 1995-June 1997. **
 * Eighth grade science teacher. **
 * __Classroom Highlights__ **
 * Used inquiry labs in the classroom. **
 * Created learning centers based on Bloom’s taxonomy. **
 * Motivated students through invitational learning, positive recognition, and academic incentives. **
 * Involved parents in the classroom with weekly newsletter, monthly parent and child homework, parent meetings once a semester. **
 * __Leadership Activities__ **
 * Led the family literacy club. **
 * Served as a member of the reading improvement steering committee. **
 * Planted an outdoor classroom for science lessons. **


 * PROFESSIONAL PRESENTATIONS **
 * “Teachers in the Driver’s Seat for Professional Development.” National Middle School Association Conference, November 7, 2006. **
 * “Reading Strategies in the Classroom.” Milan Middle School. Milan, Tennessee, July 21, 2003. **