Michael Dodge

18546 Shawnee Dr.

Spring Lake, MI 49456
Cell Phone (231) 638-7211
Email: m.r.dodge3@gmail.com

August 22, 2017

Mr. Roger Bearup
Superintendent of Schools
Grandville Public Schools
Dear Mr. Bearup,
I would like to express my interest and apply for the open Assistant Principal position at Grandville High
School.
While I started my teaching career 13 years ago, I began my career as an educator five years before that
during my senior year in High School. I was an elementary basketball coach and playground leader at Nims
Elementary in Muskegon, and then later at Moon, Glenside and Marquette Elementary. I coached a lot as I worked
towards my bachelors degree and for the first five years I was a teacher.
As my wife and I started a family, I shifted my focus to more academic extracurricular experiences and
leadership opportunities. I became a Critical Friends Group facilitator, joined the Technology Leadership Team for
our district, took over as School Improvement Co-Chair, started a FAME team, and immersed myself in our
Algebra I curriculum.
Four years ago, my role shifted again as an educator. While I was settling into my role as School
Improvement Co-chair, I also assisted with the transition of a new principal and preparing our school to transition
from a Responsible Thinking Process (RTP) school to a Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS)
school. While these were exciting changes in our school, there were also changes in my classroom. First semester
as a Math Interventionist, I worked with our lowest achieving 9th graders trying to build their basic skills and
problem solving abilities. I had the privilege of attending Add+VantageMR training, where I got to look at the
foundation of how students think about mathematics. Second semester brought another opportunity, I taught Math
180 to a group of about 80 9th graders that struggled the most during first semester.
While teaching at my Alma Matter was a great honor, three years ago I decided to seek out a new
experience and gained a different perspective in education by teaching at Reeths-Puffer High School. During my
first year at Reeths-Puffer, I finishing up my masters degree in educational leadership working to increase my
understanding of how schools really function. Also while at Reeths-Puffer, I have continued as a FAME coach
forming two new teams, and I have really worked on integrating technology into our classroom. I have presented at
various conferences, staff meetings, and professional developments on blended learning and how teachers can
integrate technology into their classrooms.
Being a part of students achieving success is why I got into education. I have witnessed this in the
classroom, on the sports field, and in life. As I have branched out into leadership roles, I have had the ability to
impact more than just my classroom. While I still have a passion for teaching and pushing students and student
athletes to achieve at their highest level, I have gained a new passion for working with educators to help them
achieve this success with their students. It is just as fulfilling for me to see colleagues that I have worked with
assisting students in attaining success. I have been a mentor for students and colleagues. I am disciplined in my
approach to teaching and coaching and the type of individual you can rely on to be prepared and willing to work
hard every day for excellence in and outside the classroom.
If given the opportunity, I know I will be a great addition to the team at Grandville High School. I
appreciate your time in reviewing my application.
Thank you,
Michael Dodge