Curriculum Vitae – Statement of Teaching Philosophy
Renee A. Weeks
AREA OF INTEREST: BUSINESS & HUMAN RESOURCES
PERMANENT ADDRESS:
20970 County Highway 39
Osage, MN USA 56570
Phone: [Send email to request phone number] 73-3417
Mobile: (701) 866-3053
Email: [Send email using form at bottom] or
renee.weeks@rasmussen.edu
OBJECTIVE: To obtain an instructor (online or traditional) position in business
or human resources. Primary areas of interest include business administration,
management, and human resources management.
EDUCATION: Masters of Business Administration with Emphasis on Human Resource
Management, 2007, University of Wisconsin, Whitewater, Online MBA Program, 3.958
GPA
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with Emphasis on Human Resource
Management, 2005, University of Wisconsin, Platteville, Distance Education
Program
Accountant Diploma, 1985, Minnesota State Technical and Community College,
Detroit Lakes MN
BACKGROUND COURSES INCLUDE:
Building Effective Organizations Social Responsibility Current Issues in
Compensation & Benefits
Managerial Economics Business Technologies Training & Development
Advanced International Economics Seminar in Human Resource Management Advanced
Statistical Methods
Business & Professional Communication International Management Buyer Behavior
Strategic Decision Making Operations Strategy Financial Accounting
Management Accounting Legal Environment of Business Small Business Management
Microcomputer Applications Industrial Training & Supervision Global Business
Leadership & Management Principles of Macro- & Micro-Economics Introduction to
Marketing
Human Resource Management Management/Gender & Race Personnel Practices
Legislation
Mathematics of Finance Financial Management Labor-management Relations
Business Policy/Strategy Employee Recruitment & Selection Interpretation of
Business & Economic Data
Professional Profile
M.B.A. with Human Resources Management Emphasis graduate with record of success
in management. Creative problem solver with ability to drive revenue growth,
resolves conflict, improve morale, and consistently exceed profit goals.
Computer literate.
• Management – Solid background in planning and executing sales and marketing
plans. Hands-on manager with highly developed negotiation skills and experience
cultivating strategic business partnerships. Equally strong in budgeting and
financial management. Broad knowledge of the concepts and techniques of
strategic management, developing a strategic vision, setting objectives, and
crafting a strategy.
• Human Resources Management – In-depth knowledge of human resources functions
including staffing, human resource development, compensations and benefits,
safety and health, and employee and labor relations. Advanced training in Equal
Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action.
• Marketing – Broad knowledge of marketing disciplines, including research,
telemarketing, promotional planning, pricing, merchandising, event planning, and
advertising.
• Communication – Persuasive communicator with well-developed presentation and
negotiation skills. Able to develop productive relationships with colleagues,
customers, and staff at all levels.
• Team Building – Decisive team leader with experience recruiting and hiring,
developing talent, and creating effective training programs.
EXPERIENCE/EMPLOYMENT:
DEAN OF STUDENT LEARNING – Rasmussen College: Fargo/Moorhead
2009-Present
Campuses: Focus on success of in-classroom and online
students in first/second quarters, students requiring remedial support,
ESL students, students on warning or probation due to poor academic performance,
manage full and part-time faculty teaching foundations courses in English
and Math, responsible for management of the library and the Academic
Student Center functions, work in collaboration with the Dean of Faculty
ONLINE ADJUNCT PROFESSOR/INSTRUCTOR – Graduate & Undergraduate
National University, La Jolla, CA, BS & MBA Program: Business
2007-Present
Knowledge Management Discipline using eCollege e-Learning Platform
PROFESSOR/PROGRAM COORDINATOR – In classroom Undergraduate 2008-2009
with online Blackboard component Minnesota School of Business –
Moorhead, MN Campus: Business & Accounting Program:
Accounting Principles, Macroeconomics, Introduction to Business,
Supervisory Management, Business Communication, Business
Writing, Business Math, Consumer Behavior, Marketing, Business
Law, and Student Development
ONLINE INSTRUCTOR [APPOVED FOR FUTURE CONTRACTS]— 2009-Present
Undergraduate: Moodle -Learning platform: McKinley College,
Fort Collins, CO: Business
HUBBARD COUNTY SOCIAL SERVICES – Park Rapids, MN
2004-2008
Lead Child Support Officer/Departmental Manager/Supervisor
Manage and oversee child support departmental operations for the county. Manage
departmental human resource issues and develop human resources strategy in order
to improve departmental operations and effectiveness. Direct collections,
enforcement, and legal action functions. Conduct meetings and provide ongoing
mentoring sessions for departmental staff. Negotiate with and interview case
parties. Attend court appearances in child support magistrate court and district
courts. Consult regularly with the county attorney and private attorneys on
child support cases.
• Improved child support collections.
• Increased county incentive revenue.
• Streamlined departmental functions to improve performance.
• Enhanced departmental performance by improving employee motivation.
BELLE TAINE GLASS OF PARK RAPIDS, INC. – Park Rapids, MN
1994-2004
Corporate General Manager: Retail/Service Business
Directed field and office operations and supervised staff. Managed human
resources including employee recruitment and training. Developed and implemented
staffing strategies to cope with employee turnover. Estimated and scheduled
projects and jobs. Purchased and maintained inventory. Performed and
implemented financial management decisions. Developed customer relations and
service strategies.
• Increased sales revenues and reduced costs.
• Augmented corporate profits.
• Reorganized organizational procedures to improve performance.
EMMANUEL NURSING HOME – Detroit Lakes, MN
1991-1994
Business Office Manager
Supervised business departmental staff and operations. Evaluated and developed
business office procedures and policies. Converted an existing 25-year-old
manual accounts receivable system onto computer. Administered business office
budget. Implemented electronic submission of Medicaid and Medicare claims.
Implemented computerized accounts payable and payroll.
• Collected over $60,000 in previously rejected Medicaid room and board claims.
• Implemented computerization of accounts receivable and accounts payable.
• Implemented computerized time clock and payroll for 170+ employees.
• Improved business office morale and performance.
COMPUTER SKILLS: Desire2Learn e-learning platform, eCollege e-learning platform,
iLinc Voiceover Protocol, Blackboard e-learning platform, Elluminate Voiceover
Protocol, Angel e-learning platform, Moodle e-Learning platform, Wimba Voiceover
Protocol, Microsoft Office Suite, AppleWorks, SPSS Statistical Software,
QuatroPro, IrFranView
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Obtained both Bachelor’s degree and Master’s degree via
Distance Education and Online; Presentations at high school level on Minnesota
Child Support/Being a Legal Father; Approved application for curriculum
development for Education to Go; Insights Profile trainer/presenter.
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS:
Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society Membership.
The National Scholars Honors Society Membership
Minnesota Business Educators, Inc.
HONORS AND AWARDS:
2005 Summa cum Laude Graduate – University of Wisconsin, Platteville
2005 Outstanding Student in Business Administration Distance Education:
University of Wisconsin, Platteville
2008 Faculty of the Year: Minnesota School of Business/Globe University Network
REFERENCES:
Jay D. Mondry, Retired 9th Judicial District Court Judge, Minnesota
14614 E. Fish Hook Drive
Park Rapids, MN 56470
[Send email to request phone number] 32-5955 or 941-979-9120; email: judgejay@arvig.net
Dr. Machelle Schroeder
University of Wisconsin – Platteville
1 University Plaza
Platteville, WI 53818
(608) 342-1459; email: schroema@uwplatt.edu
Erika C. Randall, Assistant County Attorney
Hubbard County
301 Court Avenue
Park Rapids, MN 56470
[Send email to request phone number] 32-2319; email: erandall@co.hubbard.mn.us
Sandy J. Schmidt, Financial Assistance Supervisor
Hubbard County Social Services
301 Court Avenue
Park Rapids, MN 56470
[Send email to request phone number] 32-2425; email: sschmidt@co.hubbard.mn.us
Nan Iles, Deputy Court Administrator
Hubbard County
301 Court Avenue
Park Rapids, MN 56470
[Send email to request phone number] 32-2226; email: N/A
STATEMENT OF TEACHING PHILOSOPHY
My teaching philosophy has been influenced by my prior experiences as an online
and distance education student for nearly seven years. During this time, I
participated in countless projects, discussion boards, and interactions with a
variety of instructors and students. It was during this time that I
unconsciously developed my teaching philosophy concerning online instruction. I
came to realize the importance of possessing clear, achievable teaching
objectives as well as appropriate, functional teaching methods necessary to
achieve those objectives, particularly in the unique online environment of
learning.
My definition of learning involves more than just the acquisition of knowledge;
it is also a process of understanding the big “picture” as well as the individual
“parts” of that picture. Knowledge must be able to be applied to the “real”
world because “knowing” something does not occur without “doing” something.
To promote this kind of learning, I must act not only as an instructor, but also
as an instructional designer. As an online instructor, my virtual classroom must
strive to be a community of learners who work together and support each other’s
learning. Some of the ways online teaching can accomplish this are through group
work, team-building activities, clear course guidelines, and course instructions.
I must set reasonable goals for my students and assist them in attaining those
goals. Interactive discussion boards are a valuable learning tool for online
students. I believe that through regular communication, interaction, and
collaboration on projects and course material, I can help students understand my
goals for them in the course and to help them achieve those goals.
I actively promote interaction by asking students to make personal introductions
and to share some bits of personal information about themselves in the form of a
student profile. I have also found that sharing about myself promotes greater
sharing by students. My teaching philosophy centers on instructor/student
interaction, thus, making effective communication one of the most important
features of my teaching philosophy.
Furthermore, I feel teaching must encourage students to take some responsibility
for their own learning and intellectual growth. My emphasis on course concepts
and the practical application of those concepts to real world situations allows
this to happen. Online students are a unique breed of student. They possess
tenaciousness of spirit, the ability to work independently, and a willingness to
learn. My online teaching abilities and expertise along with online technology
allows these students to learn and develop skills that will help them throughout
their lives.
Another valuable tool in the online environment is the course syllabus. This is
usually the first piece of communication between teacher and student. It makes a
valuable first impression. Because of this, a course syllabus must be clear,
concise, and provide answers to major course questions. Students must know what
is expected of them, how they fulfill those expectations, and what the potential
outcomes will be.
Likewise, feedback and a willingness to listen and answer questions are vital
components of my teaching philosophy. As a former experienced online student, I
am aware of the importance of timely instructor feedback. Problems arise when
students do not receive comments and other advice as needed for future
assignments. This is particularly true for distance learners who typically learn
under time constraints due to full-time employment and other responsibilities in
their lives. An effective tool used by students to help improve instructor
performance is evaluation. Course and instructor evaluations help me to grow and
learn as an online instructor. In this way, I can continue to improve the
quality of my classroom learning experience and, thereby, ultimately improve the
quality of my students’ lives.
Another integral part of my teaching philosophy is my respect for diversity
among students. In my prior classes as well as my current employment position, I
have interacted with a variety of people of different races as well as different
socioeconomic backgrounds. Cultural diversity contributes to the richness and
depth of society. Without it, our world as we know it would indeed be rather
dull and unappealing.
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