Melissa R.

Leider
1061 Ramblewood Place, Charlottesville, VA 22901, USA 434.249.8338 leidermr@dukes.jmu.edu melissaleider.weebly.com
Education

James Madison University (JMU), Harrisonburg, VA

Master of Arts in Teaching: Middle Education
Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Liberal Studies
Bachelor of Music in Instrumental Music Education
Cumulative GPA: 4.0

May 2017
May 2016
May 2016

Endorsements
Held in VA

Middle School Language Arts

Middle School Math
K 12 Instrumental Music

Teaching
Experience

Substitute Teacher, Elementary and Middle School

February 2016 Present
Rockingham County Schools, Harrisonburg City Schools,
Staunton City Schools
Administered established lesson plans and created new lesson plans as
needed
Observed a variety of urban and rural school settings with a range of school
policies and classroom management plans
Student Teacher, Grade 8 Language Arts, Elkton Middle School, Rockingham County
October December 2016
Designed and instructed a movie-making unit using iMovie that engaged
students in project-based learning
Collaborated with reading specialist, special education teacher, and 8th
grade team to create differentiated groups for reading, writing, and word
study
Attended district-wide technology professional development and
participated in schools digital conversion as all students received
Chromebooks
Student Teacher, Grade 7 Math, Shelburne Middle School, Staunton City
August October 2016
Collected data throughout unit on translating algebraic expression by
administering a pre-assessment, formative assessments, and postassessment; analysis of data showed improvement in all 23 students scores
from pre- to post-assessment
Implemented a positive rewards behavior management system using
ClassDojo that promoted teamwork and collaboration
Completed in-depth case studies of three diverse students in order to plan a
unit that connected to their interests, learning styles, and developmental
needs

Practicum Student, Grade 6 Math, J. Frank Hillyard Middle School, Rockingham County
January May 2016
Built relationships with students by creating and administering an interest
and mathematical attitude survey based on Gardners Multiple Intelligences
Provided individual and small-group math remediation on algebraic
fundamentals
Practicum Student, Grade 6 Language Arts, Stewart Middle School, Rockingham County
September December 2015
Assessed 98 students personal narrative papers using Six Traits of Writing
rubric
Formulated and taught unit about types of conflict in literature
incorporating Pixar movie clips
Utilized technology as formative assessment tool (kahoot, quizziz, socrative,
and padlet)
Student Teacher, Middle School Band, Montevideo Middle School, Rockingham County
March May 2015
Created jazz history unit incorporating sound clips, videos, and
improvisation activities
Led sectionals with each instrument group focusing on fundamentals of
embouchure and technique
Rehearsed and conducted music for each ensemble at Spring Concert
Additional
Experience

Girl Scout Troop Leader

Big Brother Big Sister
Camp Counselor

February 2012 Present

November 2012 Present
June 2009 August 2015

Activities and
Recognitions

Membership in Professional Organizations:

Association for Middle Level Educators, Virginia State Reading Association,
Virginia Society for Technology in Education, Virginia Music Educators
Association, Kappa Delta Pi
Graduate Assistant, JMU College of Education
Deans List
Betty Coe 64 & Paul Cinquegrana Scholarship
Commencement Speaker for JMU College of Education

Research
Experience and
Presentations

Poster Session, Your Brain on Art International Conference

JMU College of Visual and Performing Arts Research Grant
JMU College of Visual and Performing Arts Presentation for Faculty
Poster Session, SYNAPSE Neuroscience Conference
Poster Session, JMU Research Symposium
Poster Session, Virginia Music Educators Association Conference

2016
2016
2016
2015
2015
2014