Randall Kirk Jacobsen

1231 13 Mile Rd. NE, Sparta, MI 49345

(616) 887-1303
jacob120@msu.edu
randyjacobsen.weebly.com

Professional Objective
To obtain a position teaching Spanish and English at the secondary level

Education
2010 Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
College of Education
Michigan Secondary Education Certification
Highly Qualified to Teach: Spanish (FF), English (BA)

2009 Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI

College of Arts and Letters
Bachelor of Arts Degree
Major: Spanish Minor: English

2008 La Universidad Internacional Menéndez Pelayo (UIMP), Santander, España

May through July 2008
Studied Spanish business, literature and theater

2005 Sparta High School, Sparta, MI 49345

Internship Experience
City High/Middle School (7th-12th) Grand Rapids, MI 9/2009 - 4/2010

• Designed and taught lessons and units of study for Spanish classes ranging from first to
fourth year, each focusing on the development of effective communication in the four
domains of language
• Balanced the inclusion of the 5 C’s of World Language Standards with activities to
engage students’ personal interests and skills in classroom activities
• Collaborated in the creation of a new Spanish IV curriculum that will be used as the new
standard for the teaching of the course
• Advanced the exposure of students to authentic materials by encouraging the use of music,
Spanish and Latin American literature, local current events articles, and online resources
across the Spanish department
• Expanded the cultural elements featured in the ¡Ven conmigo! textbook through the
 Randall Kirk Jacobsen --- (616) 887-1303 --- jacob120@msu.edu

creation of additional musical activities by playing the guitar and singing, as well as
cooking authentic cuisine from Spanish speaking countries in class
• Participated in the transition of becoming an International Baccalaureate (IB) school by
taking part in training sessions and contributing to the development of IB unit plans and
activities
• Assembled exhibitions of student work for public display at many times throughout the
year, including a Spanish-speaking country project during Hispanic Heritage Month
• Engaged with parents of students using phone calls and emails, as well as in personal
meetings both in and out of parent-teacher conferences

Pre-Internship Experience
Haslett High School (9th-12th) - 4hrs/week Haslett, MI 10/2008 - 4/2009

• Participated in administrative activities in a Spanish classroom, such as taking attendance

online, grading homework/tests, and managing classroom activities
• Designed and taught two one-day lessons, including one using a song to illustrate the
contrast between the past and present tenses and another using a TPRS story to allow
students to inductively learn different verb conjugations
• Constructed a three-day series of lessons about traditional foods from Spain, the history of
Spanish currency, and a market activity in which students buy the foods necessary to make
a specific dish

Dwight Rich Middle School (7th) - 2hrs/week Lansing, MI 09/2007 - 12/2007

• Facilitated classroom management and maintained a regular tutoring schedule with small
groups of students in a Social Studies classroom
• Assisted in the creation of plans and goals for improvement with students struggling in the
class
• Modified textbook assignments and activities to engage students’ interests and relate the
material to students’ own lives

The Refugee Development Center - 4hrs/week Lansing, MI 09/2005 - 12/2005

• Tutored recent refugees of varying ages with learning English and middle/high school
assignments
• Adjusted methods of instruction and assistance according to English ability and individual
needs of the learner

Awards/Certifications
• Michigan State University graduate with high honors
• Michigan State University Dean’s List 2005-2009
• Michigan Competitive Scholarship 2007/2008
• MTTC Basic Skills Test: passed 04/2006
 Randall Kirk Jacobsen --- (616) 887-1303 --- jacob120@msu.edu

• MTTC Spanish Certification: passed 10/2008

• MTTC English Certification: passed 10/2008
• SOPI Oral Proficiency Level: advanced-high (11/2008)
Other Work Experience
Vida Internacional Churches Saltillo, México August 2009

• Aided in the construction of a church by mediating between teams from México and the
United States
• Translated for architects, construction workers and church planners

Akers/Hubbard Dining Complex East Lansing, MI 2006 - 2009

• Advised and trained new student cooks as a Level II Student Cook

• Directly assisted the head chefs and adapted performance to accommodate
stressful situations during busy meals
• Maintained a perfect attendance and behavioral record
• Awarded with three recognitions of dedication and quality of work

Jacobsen’s Floral and Greenhouse Sparta, MI 2001 - Present

• Assisted in the management of the production, care and distribution of retail and wholesale
horticultural products in a greenhouse and garden center
• Excelled in customer relations, informing customers to make the best purchases, and
encouraging healthy plant-care practices
• Translated for Spanish-speaking customers during the Spring and Summer seasons

Professional Website/ Digital Portfolio

Please feel free to visit my digital portfolio at: randyjacobsen.weebly.com

It features additional personal information, sample lesson/activity plans, photographs of my

students and their work, as well as resources that I find useful as a teacher. The site also provides
a variety of ways to contact me.

Personal Interests/Hobbies
• Writing/Reading poetry in Spanish and English
• Languages (Spanish Club, Language Club)
• Music (guitar, piano, drums, vocal)
• Running (cross-country or track and field coaching)
 Randall Kirk Jacobsen --- (616) 887-1303 --- jacob120@msu.edu

• Cooking

References
Patricia Osborn Apkarian Matthew Gonzalez
Internship Mentor - City High/Middle School Assistant Principal - City High/Middle School
1400 Fuller Ave. NE 1400 Fuller Ave. NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49505 Grand Rapids, MI 49505
(616) 819-3924 (616) 819-6288
(616) 901-6066 (cell) gonzalesma@grps.k12.mi.us
osbornp@grps.k12.mi.us

Jeffrey Bale, Ph.D. Kevin Holohan

World Language Subject Area Leader Internship Field Instructor
Michigan State University Michigan State University
360 Erickson Hall 149 Baynton NE
East Lansing, MI 48824 Grand Rapids, MI 49503
(517) 353-0750 (office) (616) 350-4626
(517) 432-5092 (fax) holohank@msu.edu
jbale@msu.edu