Please contact Mike if you have any questions or suggestions at:
Mikehaggar@msn.com
TEFL RESUME
SOCIAL STUDIES RESUME
Education
I earned my Bachelor of Arts in Social Science from the University of Minnesota (Morris Campus) in 2007. While attending Morris, I often took the maximum credit load in order to pursue my interest in the range of the social studies field. Eventually I earned an area of emphasis in Women's Studies, and 3 minors in History, Anthropology and Sociology. Additionally I earned a MN Teaching License for Social Studies in 2008. Through the licensure program I was able to observe and later teach at Morris Area High School, and Coon Rapids High School (both in Minnesota).
While attending University I participated in several on-campus Student-Lead Organizations including The Women's Resource Center, Peer Health Educators, KUMM College Radio and the College Democrats.
In the Spring of 2014 I attended Hamline University in St Paul MN for a certificate to Teach English as a Foreign Language. This course is a part of the Graduate Program for a Masters in English as a Second Language. As part of the practicum portion of the certificate, I observed and taught at Neighborhood House community center in West St Paul, MN.
Spanish: I am just beginning to regain my ability to communicate in Spanish. One of the reasons I chose to travel to South America is that it has been a life goal to become fluent in Spanish. So far this goal has taken a back seat to other ambitions, but I am hoping my time in South America will force me to follow through on the plan.
Travel
International and domestic travel have been pivotal to my development as a teacher and as a person. My parents both stressed opportunities to travel as I was growing, through simple family road trips or fishing, camping and hiking adventures, they continually presented time away as essential. My Mother and Grandmother introduced me to international travel through a trip to the United Kingdom at age 8 and I have been very privileged to make international travel a regular part of my life.
One of the valuable things my parents taught me about travel is that it doesn't come without responsibility. I was encouraged to research and educate myself about the surroundings and the people in the places I visited. Respect for different ways of living, cultural practices etc was considered a must. I was also taught that if possible, one should always give back in some way for the opportunity you are given. One of the reasons I became a teacher was because I found that this was an avenue to channel many of these values.
Writing a list of places you have been to can feel a bit like bragging, I mean for this just to shed some light on my travel experiences so I won't give a whole lot of details. This will not be a comprehensive list.
North and Central AmericaCanada: I have been on several trips including to Vancouver, Montreal and Winnipeg
Mexico, Belize and Guatemala:
Spent a few weeks traveling, particularly studying the Colonial and Mayan history.
Europe
Most recently visited Iceland and Ireland. While in those locations I learned a great deal about their histories, as well as current political and economic issues.
On a previous backpacking trip through much of Europe, I studied international relations especially concerning globalization and ethnic and religious conflict.
Asia
India: Through the University of MN I spent about 3 weeks in India studying Economics, Gender issues, Politics and other current issues.
Hong Kong and China: Through Luther Seminary (and my Mother) I was able to learn a great deal about the pre-transition Hong Kong government and economy. I was also able to see and smell such things as Chinese Wet Markets, Chicken Feet, Hong Kong Government Housing etc.
Africa
Tanzania: Highlights of this trip include seeing fish farming and heifer projects, visiting public and private schools and hospitals, and being invited into local people's homes.
Morocco: I was able to see several of the old cities, learn more about historic and present trade, and came to have a greater appreciation of Islam post 9/11.
Work Experience
*LNAS
From 2008-2014 I worked as a full time Social Studies Teacher at Loring Nicollet Alternative School (LNAS) in Minneapolis MN. Loring Nicollet is a Minneapolis Public Alternative School that serves students in grades 9-12, ages 14-20. My time at LNAS was wonderful, but after 6 years I decided that I needed to follow through on other dreams.
"The objective of Loring Nicollet Alternative School is to empower high school students to become more aware of who they are and what they need to reach their goals. The most successful environment for students is one that is safe and one that validates their experiences. The foundation of this environment at Loring Nicollet consists of: respect for individuality, a multi-cultural and gender fair curriculum, an informal atmosphere, participatory democracy, open communication, trust, honesty, values clarification, spiritual growth, self-discipline, the balance between group and individual responsibility, and decision making."
If you are thinking that sounds like an excellent school, you are right!
One of the special and challenging aspects of Loring Nicollet is that the school is run by a core staff of 5 teachers. The staff work through consensus to make big decisions and meet several times a day.
This creates a really dynamic atmosphere where Teachers are empowered to meet the needs of students in many ways. One of those ways is through developing their own curriculum and classes.
When I started at LNAS I had only taught traditional social studies classes (US History, World History, Geography, Economics, Government). At LNAS I was encouraged to find where my passions and the students interests/needs aligned. So I taught A LOT of classes(see my Social Studies Resume).
Here are some general subject areas I taught (many of the class names were not immediately descriptive):
US History, World History, Government, Geography, Economics, Genocide, Sociology/Anthropology,
Psychology, Currents Events, Organizing and Activism, Debate, World Religions,
Logic, Critical Thinking Skills, Interpersonal Communication, Creative Writing,
Improv/Theater/Digital Media, Art, Health and Human Sexuality, Men's Issues
I also taught through some rather innovative methods (these classes were in addition to standard classes)...
-History research through blogging
-World history through Graphic Novels (actual historical themes)
-World history through science fiction (discussing repeating themes of history in fictional writing)
-Geography through board and computer games
-Minnesota History through learning about organizing and activism
-Psychology through theater
-US History and Civics through social experiments that put the students in charge of the class
I won't go into all the details of what makes LNAS such an amazing school, but I will say I was proud to work there and have the opportunity to explore my teaching style along side students and coworkers who were invested in making education matter.
*ESL Neighborhood House/TEFL Practicum (visit my TEFL Resume)
In the Spring of 2014 I enrolled in Hamline University's Teaching English as a Foreign Language certificate program. The Masters level course is designed to prepare future TEFL Teachers through classroom academic work as well as experience on the job teaching in ESL classrooms throughout St Paul MN. The program focuses on interactive lessons and student centered classrooms.
I taught at Neighborhood House Community Center in the historic Latino neighborhood of West St Paul. I worked with the adult students in the intermediate/advanced class on a variety of subjects and skill needs. My students were primarily from Mexico, El Salvador, Honduras and Columbia and from a variety of educational backgrounds -ranging from very little schooling to university level education. My lessons were observed by faculty and peer observers who gave me feedback on areas of improvement. I also observed and gave peer feedback regularly.
Topics of lessons included: Work communication skills, higher education, learning styles, social media and sharing general experiences.
Skills Practiced: Reading, listening, writing, speaking, grammar, numeracy, critical thinking
*Student Teaching
In 2007 I taught at Morris High School in Morris, MN. As part of my Teacher Practicum I taught 9th and 12th Grade students in Civics and Governance classes under supervision by the Cooperating Teacher. Morris High School is in what is considered a rural area of MN.
In 2008 I taught at Coon Rapids High School in Coon Rapids, MN. To fulfill the requirements of Student Teaching for my Minnesota Teaching License I taught 11th grade World History and 12th grade Economics under the supervision of two Cooperating Teachers. Additionally I was asked to present research I had done on the genocides in Rwanda, the former Yugoslavia and Nazi Germany.
Coon Rapids High School is in what is considered a suburban area of MN.
*Other Education Jobs
In 2006 I taught as an Assistant Art and Homeroom Teacher at Bren Road district 287.
During this Summer School position I worked with 3 different programs, with diverse student populations. The three programs served students with different needs: Emotional and Behavioral Disorders, Pregnant and Parenting Teen Mothers, Students with Chemical Addictions.
The students were from a variety of backgrounds (suburban and urban), all different races, ages, academic needs. Many of the students were immigrants from Latin America, Asia and Africa.
In the summer of 2005 I worked as an Art Teacher for St Paul Community Education. I taught ceramics and pottery to school aged children.
In the summer of 2004 I worked as an Assistant Daycare Teacher at a Pre-school and Daycare facility at St Matthews Lutheran Church in St Paul. I worked with children ages 4-12 on academic skills such as reading, math and writing.
*Experience Outside of Education
From 2009-2013 I was a leader in a small faith community in St Paul, MN
-As a leader I was expected to co-create long range plans and mission statements, attend regular meetings, create agendas, take meeting notes, organize members, fund raise, create and promote events, present at events, volunteer and attend conferences and public events of related organizations, communicate community news through social media, etc.
-This experienced served to develop my strengths as a leader and coworker. I learned an incredible amount about how to create and run an organization. It also provided an opportunity to hone my public speaking skills and work with am adult audience.
Previous jobs have also included: Clerk at a retail candy store (1 year), Ice Cream Vendor (5 years), Cook in a restaurant (1 summer).
Fun Facts about Mike's Hobbies
-I was a disk-jockey in both high school and college.
-I had several poems published in the St. Louis Park Mandala.
-I have performed spoken word poetry and sang in a few bands.
-I love to paint and draw,
Much of my art is inspired by comic books
and abstract-dreams.
-I study a variety of World Religions.
-I am a big fan of social and digital media platforms.
-I am a big fan of social and digital media platforms.
-I usually walk 10+ miles per day when traveling.
TEFL RESUME
SOCIAL STUDIES RESUME
Mike's LinkedIn Profile
