Valerie E. Pelak802 Arlington Ave. Unit #1, La Grange, IL 60525

vpelak26@yahoo.com630.263.5427

Goal: Sales, Corporate Training, or Public Relations Position Effective communications: listening, assessing needs, addressing both spoken and unspoken concerns,

developing solutions. Proven writing and documentation skills: designed, created, and updated various written deliverables.

Familiarity with multiple style guides and adept at accommodating content for varied audiences. Enthusiasm for the collaborative process: work well with supervisors and colleagues and have

passion for working with a team to create the best product possible.

Professional ExperiencePSYCHOLOGY TEACHER---H.L. Richards High School---Oak Lawn, IL---2012-Present

Successfully met the challenge of learning new teaching practices “on the fly” and integrated traditional and non-traditional teaching methods.

Created, edited, and implemented new Psychology district curriculum. Collaborated with three teaching professionals to develop a persuasive written proposal for expanding

advanced placement course participation for all students. Conducted interviews based upon focused questions and research.

Developed creative and innovative methods to motivate students and to make learning meaningful. Improved parent conference participation from 30% to 90% through an integrated campaign of parent

communication and student involvement. Read and dissecting challenging texts and studies to understand new psychological research Ability to multi-task, manage high school students and fellow teachers, and communicate effectively

■ ■ ■ SOCIAL STUDIES TEACHER---Elgin High School---Elgin, IL---2008-2012

Conducted successful sales campaign to solicit donations from local businesses for mock-trial team. Organized and directed writing and analytical thinking professional development meetings for first year teachers. Campaigned for a new girls’ cross country athletic team by creating persuasive data-driven presentation.

■ ■ ■ RADIO REPORTER AND PRODUCER---WSUI AM 910---Iowa City, IA---2003-2005

Produced, reported, and screened phone calls for “Iowa Talks” morning talk program. Organized fundraising drives, and identified and cultivated potential grant sources. Anchored hourly Iowa City news updates during afternoon NPR programming. Edited and composed radio news scripts and headlines for hourly news update breaks. Attended local press conferences, city government meetings, and provided in-depth coverage of events.

■ ■ ■ BROADCASTING INTERN---Tribune Broadcasting---Washington, D.C. ---2002

Wrote scripts for live shots, conducted interviews, logged video, and assisted field reporters.

EducationTHE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA---Iowa City, IA---Bachelor of Arts---Journalism---2002

Reporter and talk show host for KRUI 89.7 FM and WSUI AM 910 while maintaining GPA of 3.5. ■ ■ ■

NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY---De Kalb, IL---Bachelor of Arts---History/Education---2007 Obtained social studies certification while student teaching and completing clinical observations.

Honors and Distinctions

NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY EXEMPLARY STUDENT TEACHER RECIPIENT---2008