Todd D. Berger
212 South Fremont Street
Lake Benton, Minnesota 56149
212 South Fremont Street
Lake Benton, Minnesota 56149
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
RUSSELL-TYLER-RUTHTON SCHOOL DISTRICT, RUTHTON, MN
Substitute Teacher
September 2006 to Present
* Long-term substitute for sixth grade language arts and social studies, October-November 2007
* Directed 37 elementary students in Twinderella at Russell-Tyler-Ruthton Elementary School, March 2010
* Provided classroom instruction, guidance and supervision of students for six weeks, in teacher’s absence
* Served as substitute in area school districts and at a variety of grade levels including: PreK-6th grade, Art, Spanish, Special Education, Title Reading, Title Math, Music, Art, and P.E., high school and middle school Math and Language Arts
* Regularly worked as substitute teacher in schools in Pipestone, MN; Marshall, MN; Russell-Tyler-Ruthton, MN; Lake Benton, MN; Lincoln HI Elementary in Hendricks, MN; and Lynd, MN
RIVERSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, OAKLAND, IA
Teacher, Elementary, Kindergarten, and Preschool
August 1999 to June 2002, August 2003 to May 2006
* Taught 14 “at risk” preschool students identified for social, emotional or academic needs
* Led pre-school staff in building-wide self-study, working toward NAEYC (National Assoc. for the Education of Young Children) accreditation for preschool program
* Wrote and used original chants, songs, movements and poems to help access students’ differing learning styles and increase student engagement
* Utilized “Data, Not Guesswork” strategies to collect and interpret student progress, make decisions in Math and Phonics instruction, and foster growth in student achievement
* Developed and used Shakespeare and Elizabethan history unit for 3rd graders, and led class in organization and three performances of “Romeo and Juliet”
* Coached elementary students in History Day and Invention Convention programs
* Created classroom website with spelling lists and weekly newsletters
* Led 24 students in a “Living History Day” in which students researched and portrayed historical figures in a living museum exhibit and performance
* Volunteered to serve on various committees to develop goals, evaluate programs and curricula, and improve communication between staff and administration
PERRY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, PERRY, IA
Talented and Gifted Teacher/Program Coordinator
August 2002 to July 2003
* Co-taught in a clustered elementary classroom consisting of 1/3 of students identified for the gifted program, 1/3 identified for special education programs, and 1/3 “typical” students
* Guided students in competing in History Day, Future Problem Solvers, and Invention Convention
* Planned and presented district-wide Gifted Education In-service about Q.A.R. (Question Answer Relationships) to improve teacher instruction and increase student achievement
* Developed SMART Goals (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Timely) to meet annual district goals
* Organized and supervised after-school Chess Club open to all students, with approximately 24 participants in Kindergarten through 6th grade
* Established, developed and maintained records for students in gifted education program
* Coached elementary students in competing in the National History Day, Future Problem Solvers, and Invention Convention programs
WORK EXPERIENCE
ST. JOHN’S CHURCH, LAKE BENTON, MN
Part-time Office Secretary
June 2009 to Present
* Accurately recorded dates and information for weekly bulletins,
* Typed and proofread weekly bulletins for correct information, grammar and spelling
* Created digital forms to improve accuracy and ease in reporting of weekly census data
* Assisted in maintenance of records by recording attendance, donations, and ceremonies
RUNNINGS FARM AND FLEET, MARSHALL, MN
Pets Department Manager
October 2010 to December 2010
* Assisted customers with purchases and provided positive, high quality service in all customer interactions, including in-person telephone, email, and FAX
* Maintained accurate stock levels and replenished stock as needed, including completing special orders and monitoring inventory
* Replenished and relocated merchandise on and off the sales floor.
* Organized and maintained warehouse and sales floor areas according to policy
* Worked with retail buyers to ensure awareness of department product needs as well as other product information.
K-MART, MARSHALL, MN
Customer Service
April 2020 to October 2010
* Provided positive, high quality customer service through telephone, email and face-to-face interactions
* Maintained fast and efficient cash register operations
* Demonstrated strong skills in suggestive selling techniques for add-on sales.
* Replenished and relocated merchandise on and off the sales floor.
* Organized and maintained stockroom reserve areas according to Company policy.
BUFFALO RIDGE NEWSPAPERS, LAKE BENTON VALLEY JOURNAL, LAKE BENTON, MN
Customer Service, Composition, Proofreader, Reporter, Photographer, and Receptionist
August 2006 to January 2011
* Provided positive, high quality customer service through telephone, email and face-to-face interactions
* Accurately recorded customer advertising orders for billing
* Created, formatted, proofread and edited weekly newspaper inserts and ads for local businesses
* Reported and wrote news copy and press releases for local and area news, entertainment, and other events
* Proofread weekly newspapers for correct grammar, spelling, punctuation and factual accuracy
* Independently typed, proofread and edited over 32 monthly issues of the Lake Benton Beacon historic newspaper
* Processed digital photography for newspaper publication and portraits for photography business using Adobe Photoshop
LAKE BENTON OPERA HOUSE, LAKE BENTON, MN
Children’s Theatre Director
November 2008 to May 2010;
* Instructed students in basic concepts for stage, including voice inflection, annunciation, areas of stage, blocking, and non-verbal communication
* Engaged students in games to develop creative thinking, positive self-concept, and cooperation
* Directed 31 elementary students in The Legend of Sleepy Hollow at Lake Benton Opera House, November 2009
* Directed 25 elementary students in Peter Pan at Lake Benton Opera House, November 2008
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, PIPESTONE NATIONAL MONUMENT, PIPESTONE, MN
Summer Park Ranger
June 2006 to August 2006
* Independently planned and delivered daily, guided educational talks about Pipestone National Monument
* Collected and documented entrance fees, weather information, and environmental and hydrological data
* Provided interpretive talks about local environmental, cultural, and historical sites
VOLUNTEER AND OTHER EXPERIENCE
AMERICA READS PROGRAM, FOSTER GRANDPARENTS PROGRAM
Program Assistant, AmeriCorps Program
May 1998 to September 1998
* Planned tutoring hours, requirements and activities with local principals and teachers to maintain and improve tutoring programs for Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) and Foster Grandparent Program
* Collaborated with principals, librarians and teachers to establish new Foster Grandparent Program tutoring sites, and worked to ensure a mutually beneficial experience
* Recruited and assisted in training Senior reading volunteers for tutoring programs and in summer reading programs at local libraries
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Lake Benton Area Chamber of Commerce Secretary; November 2007-October 2010
Chamber of Commerce Chili Feed/Talent Show Committee Chair; 2009-2010
Substitute Librarian, Lake Benton Public Library; September 2009-Present
Lake Benton Library Board Member, Lake Benton, Minnesota
Friends of the Library Member, Lake Benton, Minnesota
Secretary at St. John’s Church, Lake Benton, Minnesota; May 2009-Present
4-H Cloverbuds Leader, Marshfield 4-H Club, Lincoln County; Tyler, Minnesota
Pioneers Leader, Lake Benton, Minnesota
Cub Scouts Den Leader, Lake Benton, Minnesota
