Melissa Franzen | Honor Society®

About

Hello, my name is Melissa Franzen and I am excited to pursue a path in teaching. I am a first generation student to go to college in my family. My belief is this: "If I can climb out of poverty, fight a chronic disease (Lupus), and survive many other life challenges but STILL succeed in pursuing my biggest dreams...anyone can." I traveled around the world to places such as Morocco, Jordan and Saudi Arabia and this opened my knowledge to different languages, cuisine, spiritual experiences and opened my heart to build love from all around. Currently, I am studying for my prerequisites to get accepted into the Elementary Education Program at Eastern Washington University. Previously, I studied at MN SE Technical Institution, then I transferred to Spokane Community College, and afterwards I transferred to Eastern Washington University. I recently discovered that my soul path is to become a teacher because I believe I am built to bring out the best in others. I worked with children from all age-groups, learning-levels and diverse cultural backgrounds in Spokane Schools- District 81 of Spokane WA as an Instructional-Aide. My aim in life is to remind a child that they are not forgotten and that they have hope for their future. We are in this together!

Education

Eastern Washington Univeristy

elementary education

2020 – 2023

Goals and interests

Career goal: My career plan is to start working as an Elementary School teacher and work in grades K-5. In addition to that, I would want to add on an endorsement of English Learning Language and/or literacy reading and writing and Special Education to my teaching certification. Furthermore, I plan to teach Middle School level grades to expand my exposure to many academic variants of the Education System.
Graduate school interests: After I graduate with my BA in Elementary Education, I plan to pursue a Master's Degree in Education to further my expertise. Ultimately, I will continue higher education while I'm working as a teacher.
Outside the classroom: I am a very creative person and I love to do arts and crafts such as making handmade jewelry and handmade home-decor. I also love to cook food; especially ethnic cuisine from all around the world.

Experience

instructional assistant

Spokane Schools- District 81

Sep 2019 – Jun 2021

Volunteering

My passion towards teaching began after I started volunteering at Adam's Elementary School in Spokane WA. I worked alongside teachers helping out elementary school students practice their spelling, testing their basic skills and knowledge, and preparing crafts and work books for the teacher's lesson plan for the week.

Spokane Schools District 81

Mar 2019 – Apr 2019
My volunteer work at free-reign ranch in Spokane WA allowed me to help disabled children and adults who had cerebral palsy and other physical disabilities. I also worked with many who had mental/cognitive disabilities as well. My roll was to support horse riders in mounting their horse and walk alongside them around the ranch to boost their quality of life and interaction with nature and people around them. I really enjoyed being outside in the country air to help disabled people in our community.

Free-Rein Therapeutic Horse Ranch

Mar 2018 – Sep 2018
I volunteered once or twice a week at Deaconess Hospital in Spokane WA at the front desk. I answered phone calls coming in from different departments and outside of the hospital. As guests walked through the front entrance, I would greet them and give them directions to which department or room they were going to visit. I was trained on how to respond to emergency situations if they happened on the spot and who to notify immediately. Sometimes, I would help the gift store clerk organize the store's products and deliver flowers to patient's rooms.

Multicare Deaconess Hospital

Mar 2016 – Jan 2017

Languages

English (US) Advanced