Teaching Credentials:
Educational Preparation:
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Experience:
- Teacher, Fort Service Learning Magnet Academy, 2011- 2017
- Teacher, Veterans Memorial Middle School, 2017-Present
Offices Held:
- Curriculum and Assessment Development, Muscogee County School District, 2011-Present
- Team Leader, Fort Service Learning Magnet Academy, 2013-2017
- Grade Level Curriculum Lead, Sixth Grade Social Studies, Fort Service Learning Magnet Academy 2013-2017
- Debate Coach, Columbus Urban Debate League, 2013-2017
- I had two parings place in the novice division of the city championships: one pairing came in 1st place and the other pairing came in 3rd place for the 2016-2017 season.
- Saturday School Teacher and Tutor, Fort Service Learning Magnet Academy, 2013-2017
- Department Chair, Social Studies Department, Fort Service Learning Magnet Academy 2014-2017
- Magnet Lead Teacher, Fort’s Service Learning Program, 2014-2017
- Social Studies Fair Coordinator, Fort Service Learning Magnet Academy, 2014-2017
- Two students from Fort were selected to attend the Southwest Regional Fair in Perry, Georgia: one student won 1st place and the other won 2nd place.
- Department Chair, Social Studies Department, Veterans Memorial Middle School 2017- Present
- Social Studies Fair Coordinator, Veterans Memorial Middle School, 2017- Present
- Five students from Veterans were selected to participate in the Southwest Regional Fair at the National Infantry Museum in Columbus, Georgia: four students won 1st place, one student won 2nd place, and one student advanced to the state social studies fair competition.
- Cultural Approach Associates, The Ivey Center at Columbus State University, 2017-Present
- Georgia Public Broadcasting (GPB) Teacher Advisory Group, 2018- Present
- District Social Studies Textbook Adoption Committee, 2018-2019
- Springer Theatre Academy Education Committee, 2018-Present
- Personalized Learning Lead at VMMS, 2019- Present
- CSU Liaison for Student Teachers at VMMS, 2019-Present
- Teacher Mentor Lead, Veterans Memorial Middle School, 2021-Present
Trainings and Staff Development:
- Content Active Literacy Instruction (CALI) two-day seminar, hosted by MCSD, 2012
- Smart Board and Clicker two-day training, hosted by MCSD 2012
- Student Engagement Activities for Social Studies four-day workshop, facilitated by Eric Grigsby of MCSD, 2012
- Ron Clark Academy two-day educator training, facilitated by Ron Clark, 2013
- Cultural Approach to History five-day seminar facilitated by Dr. Richard Gardiner of CSU, 2013
- Georgia Council of Economics Education one-day workshops, facilitated by Michael Raymer of GCEE, 2013 and 2015
- Georgia Council of Economics Education Tour of the KIA plant, facilitated by Michael Raymer of GCEE, spring 2013
- Formative Instructional Practices (FIP) modules & Edivation online training, 2014-2015
- Comprehension Instructional Sequence Module (CISM) one-day training, facilitated by Kerryn Bowden, fall 2014
- Gifted Education Certification 30-week course, facilitated by Dr. Sally Becker through CaseNex 2015-2016
- Gradual Release of Responsibility Model two-day workshop, facilitated by Kimberly Brown-Boynton and Wendy Henderson of MSCD, summer 2016
- History on the Chattahoochee River two-day workshop, hosted by the Columbus Museum, 2016
- Medal of Honor Character Development Program one-day workshop, facilitated by Erin Billmayer of the Medal of Honor Foundation, fall 2016
- Teacher Support and Coaching Training for MCSD, 2016-2017
- “How to Develop Great Questions/Inquiry” one-day workshop, facilitated by Dr. Victor Salazar of The Ivey Center for the Cultural Approach to History at Columbus State University, 2017
- “Teaching About the Holocaust: Lessons for Today” two-day workshop, facilitated by Sally Levine and Emma Ellingson of the Georgia Commission on the Holocaust at CSU's Cunningham Center, spring 2017
- Most Likely to Succeed film viewing and one-day workshop, facilitated by Dr. Victor Salazar and Kristan MacPhail of The Ivey Center for the Cultural Approach to History at Columbus State University, fall 2017
- GaDOE, Inquiry and Georgia Standards of Excellence two-day workshop facilitated by Joy Hatcher, the Social Studies Program Manager for the Georgia Department of Education hosted by the Chattahoochee-Flint RESA, spring 2017
- Georgia Specialty Crops Farm four-day teacher tour, facilitated by Donna Rocker of the Georgia Farm Bureau at various farm locations across south Georgia, summer 2017
- Cultural Approach to History five-day seminar, facilitated by Dr. Victor Salazar and Dr. Richard Gardiner of The Ivey Center for the Cultural Approach to History at Columbus State University, 2017
- Manufacturing Bus Tour (three-day), facilitated by Dr. Christopher Cannon of the Georgia Council on Economic Education at various facilities across Georgia, summer 2017
- Teaching East Asia four-day seminar, facilitated by Dr. Farley Richmond and Dr. Clifton Pannell at the University of Georgia, summer 2017
- Georgia Standards of Excellence (GSE) two-day training, facilitated by Piper Hudmon the social studies content specialist for MCSD, at the Muscogee County Public Education Center, summer 2017
- Belfer National Conference for Educators (three-days), facilitated by Cameron Walpole at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington D.C., summer 2017
- “Sticks and Stones Exposed: The Truth Behind Words and Relationships,” presented by motivational keynote speaker, Dave Weber at Northside High School during pre-planning, 2017
- Purposeful Close Reading and Writing in Social Studies training, facilitated by Piper Hudmon the social studies content specialist for MCSD, at the Muscogee County Public Education Center, fall 2017
- Personal finance lesson plan training and writing, select teachers invited to participate by Dr. Christopher Cannon of the Georgia Council on Economic Education, fall 2017
- Learning Targets and Scales for Social Studies 6-12: Initial PLC Session, select teachers invited to participate by Piper Hudmon the social studies content specialist for MCSD, at the Muscogee County Public Education Center, 2017-2018
- Georgia Council of Economics Education, “Teaching the GSE Grade 8: Economics in Georgia Studies,” facilitated by Glen Blankenship of GCEE, spring 2018
- Georgia Council for Social Studies Annual Conference, fall 2018
- Council for Economic Education National Conference, fall 2018
- Field Seminar Trip to Washington D.C. with the Cultural Approach to History, fall 2018
- Cultural Approach to History five-day seminar, facilitated by Dr. Victor Salazar and Alicia Stonbraker of The Ivey Center for the Cultural Approach to History at Columbus State University, 2019
- Muscogee County School District Student Success Summit, summer 2019
- Field Seminar Trip to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with the Cultural Approach to History, fall 2019
- Georgia Public Broadcasting Education, “Exploring the Georgia Studies Digital Collection” webinar, facilitated by Tracey Wiley and Michael Kuenlen of GPB Education, March 3, 2020
- Georgia Public Broadcasting Education, “Spotlight on Strategies Digital Integration Playtime” webinar, facilitated by Tracey Wiley of GPB Education, June 5, 2020
- Georgia Council on Economic Education, “Economics and the Civil Rights Movement” virtual workshop, facilitated by Angie Battle of GCEE, June 29, 2020
- Georgia Public Broadcasting Education, “Spotlight on Strategies Digital Integration Playtime” series facilitated by Tracey Wiley and Kimberly Mobley of GPB Education, July 2, 10, 17, 24, 2020
- Smithsonian Summer Sessions, 20 hours of online coursework, July 20-24, 2020
- “Social Studies Inquiry Basics,” GaDOE virtual workshop facilitated by Joy Hatcher, the Social Studies Program Manager for the Georgia Department of Education, July 30, 2020
- Georgia Council on Economic Education, “Colonial and Revolutionary-Era Georgia” virtual workshop, facilitated by Dr. Christopher Cannon of GCEE, fall 2020
- Muscogee County School District EmpoWEr Blended Education Conference, summer 2021
- Harvard Graduate School of Education Project Zero Sparks 1-Day Virtual Conference, summer 2022
- Muscogee County School District EmpoWEr Educational Conference, summer 2022
Training of Future Teachers and Current Teachers:
- Cultural Approach to History Living History Actress, 2011-2012
- Presenter at MCSD Idea Fair on “Music in the Classroom,” 2012
- Social Studies Curriculum Mapping, under the direction of Janet Hale, 2011-2012
- Social Studies Curriculum Work for MCSD, under the direction of Kimberly Cason, 2013
- 6th and 7th grade social studies Grade Level Curriculum Lead, at Fort Service Learning Magnet Academy, 2013-present
- Social Studies Curriculum Work for MCSD, under the direction of Kimberly Cason and Piper Hudmon, 2014
- Presenter at MSCD Idea Fair on “Interactive Student Notebooks and How to Use Them,” 2015
- Teacher Leader Academy (TLA) presenter on “Interactive Student Notebooks and How to Use Them,” hosted by MCSD, 2015
- Social Studies Curriculum Work for MCSD, under the direction of Piper Hudmon, 2015
- Presenter at MSCD Idea Fair on “Interactive Student Notebooks and How to Use Them,” 2015
- Presenter for the MSCD School Board on “Relevance of Textbooks in the Classroom,” 2015
- Link to article: http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/local/article29456227.html
- Social Studies Curriculum Work for MCSD, under the direction of Piper Hudmon, summer 2016
- Gifted Collaboration with non-gifted certified teachers, under the direction of Dr. Kimberly Lester, 2016-2017
- Wrote the 6th grade Student Growth Measure Assessment aligned to the new Georgia Standards of Excellence (GSE) for MCSD, summer 2017
- Teacher Leader at Fort Service Learning Magnet Academy: facilitate professional developments, designated by principal to be observed by new teachers and teachers who need classroom management strategies and supervises and mentors student teacher candidates from Columbus State University
- Wrote two lesson plans for the Georgia Farm Bureau’s Agriculture in the Classroom program based the Georgia Specialty Crops Teacher Tour, summer 2017
- Presenter on “Music/Television/Movies in the Classroom” for the Cultural Approach to History Seminar, summer 2017
- Purposeful Reading and Writing in Social Studies redelivery from Piper Hudmon to Veterans Memorial Middle School social studies department, fall 2017
- Wrote a lesson plan for the Ivey Center at Columbus State University on behalf to the federally recognized Muskogee-Creek Nation, fall 2017
- Selected by the Georgia Council on Economic Education to write lesson plans for personal finance in middle grades 6-8
- Teacher Support Coach for new teachers in Muscogee County School District, under the direction of Angela Blackstock and Sheryl Green, Teacher Quality Specialists
- Social Studies Curriculum Work for MCSD, under the direction of Piper Hudmon, summer 2018
- Presenter on “Creating Cultures of Thinking” at the Georgia Council for Social Studies Annual Conference, fall 2018
- Presenter on “Rap Music in the Social Studies Classroom” for the Council for Economic Education National Conference, fall 2018
- Social Studies Curriculum Work for MCSD, under the direction of Piper Hudmon, summer 2019
- Presenter on “Learning Stations” for the Cultural Approach to History Seminar, 2019
- Cooperating teacher for CSU student teacher Shayla Foston, fall 2021.
- GaDOE 8th Grade Resource Reviewer, 2021
- Selected to review Alma Thomas lesson plans for the Smithsonian American Art Museum, summer 2022
- Harvard
- Presenter at Muscogee County School District EmpoWEr Educational Conference, summer 2022
- Led three sessions:
- “Harvard’s Thinking Routines: Simple Strategies to Enhance Students’ Metacognition”
- “MCSD Top 10 Panel”
- “Tangible Toolbox for New Teachers”
- Led three sessions:
- Teacher Leader at Veterans Memorial Middle School: facilitate professional developments called “Ranger Round-Ups,” designated by principal to be observed by new teachers and teachers who need classroom management strategies and supervises and mentors student teacher candidates from Columbus State University as well as new teachers at my school
- Expose teachers in Georgia and across the nation to creative approaches through my educational social media:
- Class website and blog: http://heymrsellis.weebly.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heymrsellis/
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/mav1286
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/heymrsellis
Awards and Recognitions of Teaching:
- Columbus State University’s College of Education and Health Professions Scholastic Award for Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Social Science Education for the 2010-2011 academic year
- College of Education and Health Professions Outstanding Alumna Award from Columbus State University 2012-2013
- “Dream Team” Award for Top CRCT scores at Fort Service Learning Magnet Academy 2012-2013
- Designated exemplary Standards-Based Classroom by district representative, Gabrielle Bryant, 2014-2015
- Certificate of praiseworthy participation in speech activities, National Junior Forensic League, 2014
- Featured in the Ledger-Enquirer for my presentation to the MSCD School Board on “Relevance of Textbooks in the Classroom,” 2015
- Link to article: http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/local/article29456227.html
- College of Education and Health Professions Outstanding Alumni in Secondary Social Studies Education from Columbus State University in the spring of 2015
- Highest performing 10% of teachers in Muscogee County School District based on CRCT scores and TEM score from 2013, awarded in 2015
- MEA Golden Apple nominated by a fellow teacher and presented by the WRBL local news station, 2016
- Link to article: http://wrbl.com/2016/03/17/vanessa-ellis/
- Fort Service Learning Magnet Academy Teacher of the Year, 2016-2017
- Nominated by the Muscogee County School District for the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement Innovation in Teaching Competition: invited to Phase I and selected for Phase II
- Georgia Council on Economic Education (GCEE) 2017 Teacher of the Year
- Link to article: http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/local/education/article144169679.html
- Top Ten Semifinalist for Muscogee County School District Teacher of the Year
- Link to article: http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/local/education/article133385179.html
- Golden Bells (4) Awarded by Principal Sonja L. Coaxum for academic excellence, 2011-2016
- Highest department GMAS scores and growth at Fort Service Learning Magnet Academy: Social Studies department, under my direction as department chair, 2016
- Link to article: http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/local/education/article134910509.html
- Awarded a scholarship to attend the Belfer National Conference for Educators at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington D.C., summer 2017
- Guest blogger for Georgia Public Broadcasting, 2017-2018
- Selected for Georgia Department of Education Social Studies Instagram social media takeover for the
- Week of February 5-11, 2018
- Week of October 21-27, 2019
- Week of October 5-11, 2020
- Link to @gadoesocialstudies Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gadoesocialstudies/
- Muscogee Educational Excellence Foundation 2018 Harvard Fellow
- Social Science Education Graduate Award by the Columbus State University Department of Teacher Education, presented by at the Scholastic Honors Convocation, April 27, 2018
- Induction into Phi Alpha Theta, the international history honor society, Columbus State University, May 7, 2019
- Georgia Council on Economic Education (GCEE) Teacher Tribute, April 2020
- Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xJMkHwuhkA
- Georgia Council on Economic Education (GCEE) Lights, Camera, Budget competition along with 8th grader Brooklyn Adams, December 8, 2020
- Link to award: https://www.gcee.org/article/lcb-winners
- Guest blogger for Teachers Going Gradeless, 2021
- Link to article: https://www.teachersgoinggradeless.com/blog/not-yet-gradeless-grading-less
- Link to article: https://www.teachersgoinggradeless.com/blog/where-do-we-go
- First ever “Canvassador” for Muscogee County School District awarded by the MCSD Learning Innovation Specialist Team, May 19, 2021
- Veterans Memorial Middle School Teacher of the Year, 2021-2022
- Muscogee County School District Teacher of the Year, 2022-2023
- Link to interview with local news station: https://www.wrbl.com/news/wrbl-sits-down-with-mcsd-teacher-of-the-year-as-students-return-to-class/
Grants and Funding of Educational Projects:
- Columbus State University’s Ivey Center, $1,000 awarded for four Oculus Go virtual reality (VR) headsets to integrate technology with the Cultural Approach to History framework
- The Krystal Foundation, $2750 awarded for virtual reality (VR) technology
- Link to check presentation: https://www.thekrystalfoundation.com/check-presentations/
- Donors Choose Projects: https://www.donorschoose.org/heymrsellis
- Creative with Crayola! Interactive Student Notebooks, funded July 22, 2017
- Fostering Tolerance Through Collaboration: Part 1, funded September 9, 2017
- Fostering Tolerance Through Collaboration: Part 2, funding September 12, 2017
- I’ll Take You There!, funded November 19, 2017
- Give Every Child a Voice, funded November 26, 2017
- A Visual Learning Journey Into the Civil Rights Movement, funded January 19, 2018
- Visual and Active Learning for Our Civil Rights Unit: Part 1, funded January 24, 2018
- Visual and Active Learning for Our Civil Rights Unit: Part 2, funded January 26, 2018
- Visual and Active Learning for Our Civil Rights Unit: Part 3, funded January 27, 2018
- Virtually Reality for ALL Students: Part One, funded May 13, 2018
- Virtually Reality for ALL Students: Part Two, funded May 18, 2018
- Your Circumstances Don’t Define You, funded September 6, 2018
- Financial Literacy for 21st Century Learners, funded September 6, 2018
- The Conferencing Couch, funded June 11, 2019
- Starting off Stocked Up!, funded July 2, 2019
- Diversifying Living History, funded August 7, 2019
- Starting off Stocked Up, funded July 23, 2021
- Headphones for History, current project, 2021
- Playful Pedagogy, current project, 2021
Community Involvement:
- Bibb City Exhibition, Columbus State University, May 2009, Under the direction of Dr. Amanda Rees, Website: https://archives.columbusstate.edu/digital_collections/bibb_city.ph
- Battle for Columbus Project, Independent Student Research Project, Fall 2010, Under the direction of Dr. Richard Gardiner, Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xkzl3tPL09w&t=227s
- United Negro College Fund, Campaign Fund Raiser and Fort Service Learning Magnet Academy Representative, 2012-2017, Under the direction of Karen P. Jones
- Columbus Urban Debate League, Debate coach, organizer and judge 2012-2017, Under the direction of Richard Jessie and Dillon Evans
- Atlanta Urban Debate League, Volunteer judge 2012-Present, Under the direction of Lauren Jacob
- Volunteer Saturday School Teacher and Tutor, Fort Service Learning Magnet Academy, 2013-2017
- Annual Community Job Fair, Fort Service Learning Magnet Academy, 2014-2016, Under the direction of Jessica Bennett, Magnet Coordinator
- Church Nursery Worker, Solid Rock Church, September 2016-2020, Under the direction of Kristi Marvets, Nursery Director
- Recognition and Appreciation of Outstanding Contribution to the Community, College of Education and Health Professions Outstanding Alumni in Secondary Social Studies Education Columbus State University, Spring of 2015
- Empty Bowls, An International Project to Fight Hunger
- Fort Service Learning Magnet Academy, 2016-2017, In collaboration with Gretchen Brand (art teacher) and magnet students of FSLMA
- Panelist: African Americans in the South Perspective, Columbus State University, 2017, Invited to participated by Dr. Richard Gardiner of Columbus State University
- Teacher/ Camp Counselor: Time Keepers, theme- Ancient Greece, Columbus State University’s Ivey Center, 2019, Under the direction of Dr. Victor Salazar of CSU’s Ivey Center