Cassandra Fitzharris
Education
Purdue University Aug 2019 – May 2023
Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education
o Cumulative GPA: 3.74/4.00
o Licensure in Elementary Education and Teaching English Language Learners (TELL/ESOL)
o Minors in Educational Learning Sciences and Psychology
Brownsburg High School, Brownsburg IN Aug 2015 – May 2019
High School Diploma
o Cumulative GPA: 4.11/4.00
Classroom Experiences
Student Teacher Jan 2023 - May 2023
o EDCI 496: Student Teaching in the Elementary School
o In the duration of the spring semester of my senior year, I attended the fifth-grade classroom of Yvonne Abrahamson at West
Lafayette Intermediate School each day from 7 AM until 4 PM. During this time, I completed the edTPA, planned lessons and
assessments, and co-taught lessons through the first nine weeks of the semester, then progressively took over the classroom
until solo teaching/planning . Solo teaching consisted of taking over all teaching, planning all lessons, creating activities,
grading all work, and developing assessments.
Practicum Teacher, English Language Learner Specialist Jan 2022 - Dec 2022
o EDCI 526, 530, 517, 519, 559: ESOL Licensure Courses
o Each week I visited the classroom of the EL Specialist of Miami Elementary. Together we worked on lessons for two groups of
kindergarten students by integrating content IDOE Standards as well as WIDA Standards for ELs. This was a new program at
Miami Elementary; therefore, we were writing lessons and curriculum for these groups of students throughout the year. The
goal was to simultaneously incorporate English learning through subject based instruction and build their sense of academic
language within small group settings.
Practicum Teacher, Fourth Grade Jan 2022 – May 2022
o EDCI 370: Teaching ELLs
o Miami Elementary School in Lafayette, IN
o In this observation for the duration of January 2022-April 2022, I visited a 4th grade classroom and worked with a small group
of 3-5 EL students.
Practicum Teacher, Second Grade Jan 2022 – May 2022
o EDCI 364: Math Capstone / EDCI 365: Science Capstone
o Wea Ridge Elementary in Lafayette, IN
o Planned STEAM unit based on curriculum and standards, integrating math and science elements differentiated for the
appropriate learning levels for students in the class.
Practicum Teacher, Third Grade Aug 2021 – Dec 2021
o EDCI 363: Literacy in the Elementary Grade II
o Klondike Elementary in West Lafayette, IN
o Worked with two students in developing reading and writing skills including diagnostic reading assessments and Running
Record testing.
Practicum Teacher, Fifth Grade Jan 2021 – May 2021
o EDCI 326: Literacy in the Intermediate Grade / EDCI 361: Social Studies Education
o West Lafayette Intermediate in West Lafayette, IN
o Plan and deliver Figurative Language unit lessons and various lessons within their social studies curriculum.
Practicum Teacher, First Grade Aug 2020 – Dec 2020
o EDCI 265: Inclusive Classroom
o Frontier Elementary in Brookston, IN
o The focus for this experience was to work with students with disabilities or special needs. I had the opportunity to work with
multiple students with various disabilities (ADHD, Special Needs, ODD) to assist with completing their schoolwork.
Practicum Teacher, Kindergarten Jan 2020 – Mar 2020
o EDCI 205: Exploring Teaching
o Glen Acres Elementary in Lafayette, IN
o This observation was based on developing classroom management, building student relationships, and working with small
groups. This practicum experience was cut short due to COVID; my class did not move to online learning.
Cadet Teacher, Fourth Grade Aug 2018 – May 2019
o For the duration of my senior year of high school, I would visit the classroom of Kim Ramsey for two hours each afternoon. I
would work with small groups of students, grade papers, create activities, and often teach lessons to small groups or the
whole class.
Work Experience
Manager of School and Family Programs Sept 2023 - Current
o Museum of the Bible, Washington D.C.
o As the Manager of School and Family Programs, I am responsible for school outreach, program design, and program delivery
for our various school and family groups. I oversee other museum educators and ensure that our programs are evaluated by
guests to continue development and improvement within the department. Data tracking is another large aspect of my daily
role, monitoring frequency of programs, attendance, affiliation of groups, as well as revenue of programs.
Summer Adventure Camp Counselor, Conner Prairie May 2021 – Jul 2023
o A Smithsonian Affiliate
o At Conner Prairie Adventure Camp, our mission statement was to provide a safe and fun summer experience that builds
community and creates opportunities for personal growth under the skilled leadership of excellent role models. In this
position, I was given the opportunity to collaborate with my supervisors, fellow counselors, parents, and campers to deliver an
outstanding summer experience for children ages 5 to 13 years of age.
Floor Sales Associate, Dick’s Sporting Goods Jan 2022 – Jul 2022
o Over the course of my employment with DSG, I worked at the Lafayette, IN and the Avon, IN locations. I was responsible for
welcoming athletes to the store, directing customers to merchandise, processing POS purchases and merchandise returns, and
developing effective and accessible layouts of merchandise across the store.
Manager, The Ice Barn Jul 2017 – Jul 2020
o In this position, I led a staff in working out of a traveling food truck and serving shaved ice around the community at different
events. To be successful in this position, I had to work quickly and make sure I was communicating with other employees in
order to meet the customer’s expectations.
Academic Leadership
Resident Assistant, Purdue University Residences Jan 2021 – May 2023
o Developed relationships with 50 residents and fellow staff members while establishing a community and maintaining university
policies.
Substitute Teacher, West Lafayette School Corp. Jan 2021 – May 2023
o Fulfilled short-term teaching engagements at various schools and across all grade levels K-6.
Kappa Delta Pi, Purdue University Aug 2021 – Dec 2022
o Planning and creating networking and professional development opportunities for members of the college of education.
o Served as the Vice President of Membership for the Fall of 2022.
Awards
Outstanding Future Educator Award, Indiana Association for Colleges of Teacher Education
o Recognized by the Indiana Association for Colleges of Teacher Education (IACTE) as one of five outstanding future educators
from the College of Education at Purdue University.
Certificate of Excellence, Purdue University
o Selected to have the most effective Active Learning Listening Strategy (ALLS) within my student teaching cohort.
