Aiza Shikapwashya
Valhalla,NY
Summary
Perceptive educator with solid record of accomplishment in attaining and surpassing targets during 22-year career. Stay on top of trends in education to maintain modern, efficient systems meeting needs of diverse students. Solid relationship-builder with decisive approach to solving operational problems.
Overview
52
52
years of professional experience
12
12
years of post-secondary education
4
4
Certifications
Work History
IB, AP, & Honors Chemistry Teacher
Woodlands Middle High School
Hartsdale, New York
09.2015 - Current
- International Baccalaureate Diploma Program Chemistry, Advanced Placement Chemistry, Honors Chemistry
- Map annual curricula to achieve teaching, content, reading, process, and attitudinal goals
- Researched and played key role in acquiring digital resources for International Baccalaureate Diploma Program in District
- Increased student engagement by implementing use of technology for science lessons
- Re-envisioned and implemented using technology as primary and essential teaching and learning resource for teachers and students
- Implement use multiple avenues for students to demonstrate content and conceptual understanding
- Collaborate with colleagues in adding new resources to science department
- Develop Advanced Placement Chemistry (AP Chemistry) curriculum as first-year college chemistry course including securing necessary laboratory equipment and learning materials
- Teach AP Chemistry students to develop 21st Century skills including real-world problem-solving strategies and critical thinking skills
- My Brother's Keeper Mentor working to inspire and mentor young men in grades 9-12
- Enhanced student learning by optimizing wide range of instructional approaches and innovative classroom activities
- Reviewed curriculum and devised alternate approaches to presenting lessons to increase student understanding.
- National Society of Black Engineers Jr. Club Advisor – helping students engage in STEAM activities.
District Level Activities
Greenburgh Central School District
Hartsdale, NY
09.2015 - Current
- Collaborate with district and school administration to add Problem-Attic to growing science resources.
- Designed and implemented curriculum to train teachers how to transition to digital/electronic delivery of course content.
- Teach course to train teachers how to digitize content to leverage potential of Google Education suite.
- Identified resources for teacher professional development activities.
- Conduct and supervise 2 professional development sessions for science department.
- Identify and secure community partnerships to provide internship opportunities to students in high school.
- Collaborate with Superintendent of Schools and school board on Strategic Planning Committee to identify short-term and long-term goals for district.
- Collaborate with Greenburgh Central School District Director of Technology to add two chromebook carts to science department.
- Collaborate with school administration to add Stemscopes to growing science resources.
- Collaborate with colleagues and lead professional development to implement Stemscopes.
- Represent Greenburgh Central School District at Southern Boards of Cooperative Educational Services Science and Technology – Instructional Leadership Forums.
- Collaborate with Director of World Languages, International Baccalaureate Programs & English as New Language Programs to identify International Baccalaureate Program resources and secure trainings.
- Collaborate with Science Technology Engineering Arts and Mathematics Director to identify students in order to build dock for school pond.
School Building Leader Intern
Woodlands Middle High School
Hartsdale, NY
09.2021 - 06.2022
- Researched 10+ substitute management programs that would fit building climate; identified program and recommended its implementation to supervisor, because current substitute teachers were difficult to obtain
- Developed and implemented teacher-driven process to modify department course offerings and created database to track changes in course offerings
- Created 30+ customized Google Forms that would be used for teachers to use with students to better manage recommendations for upcoming school year, designed to reflect curriculum offerings per grade and subject area, and allowing for more comprehensive list of classes to be recommended
- Saved time and improved efficiency of mailing student schedules to parents by migrating and merging eSchool data to Google sheets in order to create Mail Merge document
- Conducted teacher observation and evaluation that included: review of submitted lesson plan, pre-observation meeting with teacher, lesson observation, post-observation review and feedback
- Initiated discussion with superiors about feasibility of NYS Seal of Biliteracy in schools, evaluated clearly defined steps required to establish program and was instrumental in formation of committee responsible for exploring matter
- Participated in 5+ interviews of candidates for various teaching positions as well for support staff
- Reviewed scheduled staffing for testing sites in schools and protocols to meet student accommodations.
School District Leader Intern
Greenburgh Central School District
Hartsdale, NY
01.2022 - 06.2022
- Researched and reviewed New York State requirements for creating professional development plan for district; Reviewed district-specific needs, and planned collection of data to inform on specific needs of school district
- Assessed ELA and mathematics programs for middle school and elementary for alignment to common core standards, and identified alternative instructional resources
- Consulted with teachers and district administrators on curriculum alignment
- Interviewed and collected data from mathematics and ELA 15+ professional learning community (PLC) leaders, reading specialists, and other support staff regarding academic intervention
- Analyzed academic intervention data to determine level of communication and collaboration between instructional staff and support staff
- Designed and created targeted monitoring evidence collection devices regarding use of federal education funding
- Led meetings with district school principals and leaders on analyzing targeted monitoring data and associated evidence collection
- Curated evidence for targeted monitoring for submission to New York State Education Department
- Designed and crafted emails to communicate to community and teachers' union soliciting participation on professional development planning committee
- Prepared agenda for professional development planning committee meetings
- Planned and co-chaired 3 professional development planning committee meetings
- Assessed screening process at elementary level to ensure equity in enrollment to Advanced Learning Program (ALP)
Regents Chemistry Teacher
Woodlands Middle High School
Hartsdale, NY
09.2015 - 08.2018
- Living Environment, Marine Science, Human Ecology, Map annual curricula to achieve teaching, content, reading, process, and attitudinal goals
- Increased student engagement by implementing use of technology for science lessons
- Implement multiple avenues for students to demonstrate content and conceptual understanding
- Increased implementation of digital resources and technology as integral part of learning experience
- Collaborate with colleagues in adding new resources to science department
- Collaborate with Greenburgh Central School District Director of Technology to secure technology to science department
- Collaborate with school administration to add Stemscopes to growing science resources
- Collaborate with colleagues and lead professional development to implement Stemscopes as well as Nearpod and evaluate other programs
Regents Chemistry Teacher
Bronx Center Of Science And Mathematics
Bronx, New York
09.2014 - 06.2015
- Creating lesson plans with multiple entry points to maximize student engagement
- Implemented formative assessments as tools to drive instruction daily
- Collaborated with colleagues in grade level teams to address student needs
- Collaborated with science department team on science enrichment programs
- Evaluated self-reflective strategies to enhance curriculum development and instruction
- Continued migration of implementing digital resources and technology in place of hard copies in classroom.
Chemistry Leave Replacement and Substitute Teacher
Westhill High School
Stamford, Connecticut
09.2013 - 06.2014
- Leveraged classroom discussion strategies to engage students, promote topics and boost learning opportunities
- Enhanced student learning by optimizing wide range of instructional approaches and innovative classroom activities
- Established standardized assessments with strict requirements and documented information in permanent records.
Science Department Chair
Blessed Sacrament-St. Gabriel High School
New Rochelle, NY
09.2001 - 06.2013
- Initiated and completed major overhaul of 5 science department curriculum
- Re-imagined how to teach science to facilitate better teacher feedback to students
- Redesigned science lesson plans to include important interactive activities within annual curriculum plans
- Partnered with administration to provide science teachers with better technology in classroom
- Introduced and implemented Vernier Software and Technology throughout science curriculum.
Regents Chemistry Teacher
Blessed Sacrament-St. Gabriel High School
New Rochelle, NY
09.2008 - 06.2013
- Created and assessed lesson plans that provided for students' engagement and interaction with concepts
- Challenged students through activities that included laboratory work, graphic organizers and writing exercises
- Helped students formulate ideas on how material chemistry affected their everyday lives.
Regents Physics Teacher
Blessed Sacrament-St. Gabriel High School
New Rochelle, NY
09.2007 - 06.2013
- Re-envisioned curriculum to include more hands-on approach centered round problem-based learning
- Created engaging laboratory activities that focused on students’ design methodology
- Created lesson plans that assessed and evaluated students' scientific literacy and learning goals.
Science Research Coordinator
Blessed Sacrament-St. Gabriel High School
New Rochelle, NY
09.2006 - 06.2009
- Introduced and initiated three-year course, Science Research in High School
- Instructed students to conduct successful science research that was original and fundamentally sound
- Guided students to prepare and present original science research data in concise and relevant manner
- Identified technology and digital resources for classroom as teaching and learning resources
Regents Biology Teacher
Blessed Sacrament-St. Gabriel High School
New Rochelle, NY
09.2000 - 06.2008
- Re-envisioned curriculum to reflect successful preparation of students for Living Environment Regents exam
- Prepared lesson plans relevant to students and their ability to relate to content meaningfully
- Prepared student laboratory activities such that scientific inquiry was intricate part of these plans.
Education
Master of Science - Educational Leadership Administration/Supervision
Hunter College of The City University of New York
New York, NY 09.2020 - 06.2022
Education Specialist Advanced Degree - Educational Leadership
Northcentral University
San Diego, CA 10.2017 - 01.2020
M.A - Secondary Science Education - Biology
City College of New York of The City University of New York
New York, NY 01.2013 - 06.2015
Bachelor of Science - Biology
Bethune - Cookman University
Daytona Beach, FL 01.1995 - 06.2000
Skills
Relationship and rapport building
Committee leadership
Leadership and team building
Flexible and Adaptable
G-Suite
Decision-Making
Training and Development
Planning and Coordination
MS Office
Problem-Solving
Dependable and Responsible
Organization and Time Management
Cultural Awareness
Self-Motivated
Critical Thinking
Excellent Communication
Certification
New York State School District Leader Certification
References
Mr. Matthew Smith, Principal Woodlands Middle High School, 475 West Hartsdale Avenue Hartsdale, NY 10530, msmith@greenburghcsd.org, (914) 761-6052
Mr. Edward Sullivan, Dean of Students Saint Barnabas High School, 425 East 240th Street, Bronx, NY 10470, (718) 325-8800
Prof. Yael Wyner, City College of New York Secondary Science Education, 160 Convent Avenue New York, NY 10031, (212) 650-5869 ywyner@ccny.cuny.edu
Dr. Christopher Macaluso, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction & Personnel, 475 West Hartsdale Avenue Hartsdale, NY 10530, cmacaluso@greenburghcsd.org (914) 761-6000
Publications
aizashikapwashya.weebly.com
Timeline
School District Leader Intern
Greenburgh Central School District
01.2022 - 06.2022
School Building Leader Intern
Woodlands Middle High School
09.2021 - 06.2022
Master of Science - Educational Leadership Administration/Supervision
Hunter College of The City University of New York
09.2020 - 06.2022
Education Specialist Advanced Degree - Educational Leadership
Northcentral University
10.2017 - 01.2020
District Level Activities
Greenburgh Central School District
09.2015 - Current
IB, AP, & Honors Chemistry Teacher
Woodlands Middle High School
09.2015 - Current
Regents Chemistry Teacher
Woodlands Middle High School
09.2015 - 08.2018
Regents Chemistry Teacher
Bronx Center Of Science And Mathematics
09.2014 - 06.2015
Chemistry Leave Replacement and Substitute Teacher
Westhill High School
09.2013 - 06.2014
M.A - Secondary Science Education - Biology
City College of New York of The City University of New York
01.2013 - 06.2015
Regents Chemistry Teacher
Blessed Sacrament-St. Gabriel High School
09.2008 - 06.2013
Regents Physics Teacher
Blessed Sacrament-St. Gabriel High School
09.2007 - 06.2013
Science Research Coordinator
Blessed Sacrament-St. Gabriel High School
09.2006 - 06.2009
Science Department Chair
Blessed Sacrament-St. Gabriel High School
09.2001 - 06.2013
Regents Biology Teacher
Blessed Sacrament-St. Gabriel High School
09.2000 - 06.2008
Bachelor of Science - Biology
Bethune - Cookman University
01.1995 - 06.2000