AISHA COLLINS
Chicago,USA
Summary
Highly adaptable educator and English Language Arts curriculum development professional. Passionate about learning and collaborating with specialists to identify effective methods, approaches, and instructional strategies, to improve student achievement. Committed to implementing culturally relevant and diverse learning opportunities with a fresh and forward-thinking approach to education. Equipped with strong problem-solving skills for optimizing processes, supporting team objectives, and maintaining high standards in collaborative working environments.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
ELA Curriculum Designer
Chicago Public Schools
07.2023 - Current
- Designed, created, and revised English Language Arts K-12 culturally and historically relevant curriculum for more than 200,000 students across Chicago Public Schools
- Evaluated and improved curriculum alignment rooted in child development learning theories across multiple learning platforms
- Created, organized and facilitated processes to co-design curriculum with students and teachers through focus groups, interviews, design sessions, and steering committees
- Led a task force of CPS teachers facilitating 12 sessions of learning, leading to more than 100 unit and assessment rewrites, UDL and WIDA resource creations to achieve student learning goals
Teacher
Chicago Public Schools
08.2018 - 06.2023
- Demonstrated culturally responsive teaching utilizing research that supports use of age appropriate, culturally diverse literature, and student discourse throughout every aspect of learning
- Conducted intensive small group instruction to develop strong literacy, numeracy, social and learning skills with over 100, K-2 students
- Enhanced student knowledge of technology by integrating various web-based applications and inquiry-based learning activities in K-8 classrooms
- Integrated SEL into daily practices to support students' development of healthy identities, manage emotions and achieve personal and collective goals for over 60 students
- Supported new teachers and student teachers by mentoring on classroom management, culturally responsive teaching and learning, and differentiating instruction
Youth Counselor
Cunningham Children's Home
08.2017 - 08.2018
- Provided care and supervision to 15-20 youth in therapeutic residential programs to address significant behavioral and mental health challenges
- Worked with therapist and psychologists to create and implement treatment and success plans
- Maintained cross team partnership with state health officials through documentation of mental health services provided to children in compliance with state laws
- Increased sensitivity to cultural and linguistic needs of clients and families served amongst staff
Teacher
Champaign Public Schools
08.2015 - 08.2018
- Designed, implemented, and evaluated RTI strategies for under-represented, at-risk students in school district
- Incorporated exciting and engaging inquiry-based learning activities for over 60 students to achieve student participation in hands-on learning
- Supported University of Illinois student teachers by mentoring on classroom management, culturally responsive teaching, lesson planning and activity organization
Assistant Principal
Chicago Public Schools
07.2013 - 07.2014
- Facilitated continued professional development for teaching staff on quality curriculum implementation, restorative justice, culturally responsive teaching techniques, classroom management strategies and appropriation of necessary resources
- Performed classroom evaluations to assess teacher strategies and effectiveness
- Designed inquiry-based learning activities that were differentiated, targeting specific goals that optimized school and students' achievement for over 500 students
- Collaborated with stakeholders to administer school programs in alignment with school's vision and goals, providing positive, high-expectations in academic environment
- Drove operational improvements which resulted in decrease of behavioral infraction occurrences by 75% school-wide
Dean of Academic Instruction
National Heritage Academies
08.2011 - 08.2013
- Demonstrated commitment for urban school transformation
- Researched, recommended, developed and evaluated new initiatives to strengthen student success and support teaching staff in accomplishing instructional goals with collaboration with teachers and administrators
- Provided weekly coaching to support teachers of more than 10 teachers through frequent observations and oral/written feedback
Teacher
Chicago Public Schools
08.2007 - 08.2011
- Planned and implemented teacher trainings to support in creating culturally responsive learning experiences for students
- Integrated restorative justice and Whole Brain Teaching strategies into daily practices decreasing behavior infractions by 90%
- Created technology rich, student centered learning environment, utilizing independent learning, and flexible grouping
- Increased student reading growth by 130% through modifications of instruction
Education
Ed.D - Postsecondary Teaching/Learning Instr. Leadership
National Louis University
Chicago, IL12.2022
Ed.S - Leadership and Administration
National Louis University
Chicago, IL01.2014
Masters of Arts - Curriculum and Instruction
National Louis University
Chicago, IL01.2012
Bachelor of Arts - Education
Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, IL06.2006
Skills
- Culturally Responsive Teaching
- Instructional Curriculum Design
- Universal Design for Learning
- Cross Team Partnerships
- Social Emotional Learning
- Action Research
- Online Learning Platforms
- Discussion Facilitation
- Multi-Tiered Systems of Support
- Equity Framework
Certification
Illinois Principal Certificate Type 75
Professional Service
National Teacher Fellow, Yale National Initiative, Summer 2016, Summer 2017, Develop curriculum unit tailored to the needs of urban students using Yale University resources., Created and oversaw implementation of 2nd grade social studies curriculum unit.
Professional Memberships
National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS)
Research
- Doctoral Researcher, National College of Education, National Louis University, Worked with university department chair to assess and evaluate courses and programs in educator preparation programs., Conducted primary source research through the examination of educational publications and qualitative research methods to evaluate educator preparation programs., Examined the literature of L. Darling-Hammond, M. Haberman, and G. Gay and provided recommendations for the improvement of educator preparation programs for teachers of low-income, minority students., 01/2020, 12/2022
- Researcher, Teach Plus Fellowship, Engaged in inquiry processes to investigate, inform, and support policy issues and positions to create equitable educational systems for students., Created reports of recommendations for teachers, school leaders, and district and state policymakers as they work to support and retain Black faculty., 01/2013, 01/2014
- Researcher, National Louis University, 01/2010, 01/2012
- Researcher, National Louis University, 08/2003, 06/2006
Publications
Collins, A. (2010). Tune into the Tone: What Should We Hear Here? Yale National Initiative, 2.
Collins, Aisha, "Examining Teachers’ Perceptions of Preparedness to Teach in Low-Income Schools Upon Completing a Master of Arts in Teaching Degree" (2023). Dissertations. 723. https://digitalcommons.nl.edu/diss/723
Hobbies and Interests
Investigations to improve educator preparation programs for high-risk schools', pre-service teachers.
Timeline
ELA Curriculum Designer
Chicago Public Schools
07.2023 - Current
Teacher
Chicago Public Schools
08.2018 - 06.2023
Youth Counselor
Cunningham Children's Home
08.2017 - 08.2018
Teacher
Champaign Public Schools
08.2015 - 08.2018
Assistant Principal
Chicago Public Schools
07.2013 - 07.2014
Dean of Academic Instruction
National Heritage Academies
08.2011 - 08.2013
Teacher
Chicago Public Schools
08.2007 - 08.2011
Ed.S - Leadership and Administration
National Louis University
Masters of Arts - Curriculum and Instruction
National Louis University
Bachelor of Arts - Education
Eastern Illinois University
Ed.D - Postsecondary Teaching/Learning Instr. Leadership
National Louis University