Aja Winstead
Castle Hayne,NC
Summary
Energetic Educator with over ten years of hands-on experience employing range of suitable strategies to foster student learning. Experienced working with school faculty and staff to develop personalized learning goals for vocational and post-secondary goals for students. Accomplished in developing and implementing new pathways and course materials, evaluating student performance, and supervising research and field-based developmental activities. Dedicated to helping students achieve academic success.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Adjunct Instructor, English
Cape Fear Community College
04.2023 - Current
- Developed and kindled professional relationships with students to better communicate and enhance instruction.
- Attended meetings and workshops to refine and enhance instructional skills.
- Identified academic strengths and obstacles and developed instructional techniques to accommodate different learning styles.
- Created unique, student-centered lesson plans and assignments for each class to promote maximum learning and knowledge retention.
- Used variety of instructional methodologies and technology to keep English courses interesting and engaging.
- Organized, prepared, and revised English course material and applied technological options for online and course-related software.
- Appraised student understanding by applying course content and gauging comprehension.
- Developed creative and effective teaching methods for course content to capture students attention.
- Displayed professional demeanor and served as role model for students.
- Designed and distributed feedback forms to continually improve teaching skills and develop stronger connection with students.
Principal & Alternative Learning Coordinator
Pender Innovative Learning Academy
07.2021 - 04.2023
- Facilitated paperwork to open new alternative learning school
- Opened a new school with three different pathways for students' entry (virtual, day treatment, and alternative)
- Developed school guiding policies and procedures for the new school
- Developed an online referral process for stakeholders
- Hired, trained, and developed trauma-informed school staff members
- Created a school mascot
- Worked with providers to establish an onsite day treatment program
- Served as liaison between parents, students, and school personnel when needed
- Communicated with parents to encourage active parental participation in education.
- Oversaw schedule management and protocols for orientation, registration, and related activities.
- Formulated and implemented school safety and security policies.
- Studied assessment information covering students, teachers and school operations to formulate improvement plans.
- Established instructional practices driven through statistical performance data.
- Maintained school focus on learning by enforcing rules related to academics, student discipline and class attendance.
- Proven record of developing and implementing school policies to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations.
Alternative Learning Coordinator & Administrator
Pender County School District
08.2018 - 07.2021
- Served as the coordinator for Alternative Learning Programs
- Served on district-wide Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) Team
- Worked with the Director of Student Services to support school counselors, principals and District Technology staff in responding to and following up on issues of student safety identified through internet monitoring software
- Conducted intake & transition meetings for parents and students entering Alternative Learning Programs
- Created continuous learning plans for each student entering the Alternative Learning Program
- Communicated with parents about their student's progress and resources that are available to students in the Alternative Learning Program
- Conducted home visits for students enrolled each quarter in the Alternative Learning Programs
- Communicated with the transportation department to arrange transportation as needed for ALP students when necessary
- Teamed with subject matter experts in evaluation and revision of training tools in order to continually improve learning platforms.
- Worked closely with instructors to prepare online materials, content, and tools to facilitate training globally.
- Created curricula, research topics and conceptualized course format, subject matter and presentation.
- Reached out to vendors to evaluate available curriculums and associated materials.
Student Support Coordinator
Topsail High School
04.2016 - 09.2018
- Facilitates and serves as a coach for the Multi-Tiered Systems of Supports (MTSS) program
- Serves as a member of the District MTSS Leadership Team
- Serves as Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports (PBIS) Coach and Graduation Coach
- Coordinates 504 plans, homebound services, and the Alternate Learning Program (Apex Learning)
- Served as back-up Test Coordinator
- Actively serves as Student Council Advisor
- Establishes positive relationships with parents, students, fellow teachers, and administration
- Implemented MTSS Online Guide for Staff and created all forms
- Facilitates professional development training for MTSS/PBIS
- Worked with fellow colleagues to achieve a model school for PBIS recognition
- Created and implemented a goggle tracking sheet for interventions
- Attended training for youth mental health and received Youth Mental Health Certification (expires 2020)
- Committees:
- Data Team
- PLCs
- Designed or used assessments to monitor student learning outcomes.
- Evaluated programs and monitored implementation and compliance with regulations to achieve objectives.
- Conferred and resolved education-related issues and problems with students, parents and school officials.
English Teacher
MTSS/PBIS, Topsail High School
08.2013 - 01.2016
- Taught English 9 and 12, Creative Writing
- Key Contributions:
- Earned high marks for the quality and creativity of classroom teaching, lesson plans, scaffolding, collaborative grouping, differentiated instruction, and inclusion instruction
- Taught general education students as well as individuals with learning challenges and special needs within a mainstreamed, inclusive classroom
- Consistently commended for ability to redirect students exhibiting behavior problems by replacing disruptive, unproductive patterns with positive behaviors
- As a result, selected to be a part of Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports (PBIS)
- Actively served on a variety of school committees and task forces focused on curriculum development, textbook review, fundraising, and anti-bullying efforts
- Established positive relationships with students, parents, fellow teachers, and school administrators/staff
Ninth Grade English Teacher
Brunswick County Public Schools
03.2013 - 06.2013
- Taught and manage a classroom at an alternative learning school
- Developed a holistic approach to student-centered learning
- Implemented differentiated instruction to meet individual students' need
- Provided one-on-one tutoring for students
- Implemented reading strategies based on the P.L.A.N.S
- Model
- Attended a variety of professional staff development workshops and conferences
- Supported student skill development in alignment with personal and academic goals.
- Produced engaging lesson plans and activities to help students master learning objectives.
- Monitored student progress and provided feedback to both students and parents.
Graduate Tutor
Youthbuild of Wilmington
06.2012 - 10.2012
- Helped students prepare with necessary skills needed for GED testing
Education
Doctor of Education - Educational Leadership
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA05.2024
Specialist of Education - Educational Leadership
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA07.2021
Certificate Multicultural and Transnational Literature - undefined
East Carolina University
2016
M.A.T - Secondary English
University of North Carolina Wilmington, School of Education
2013
B.A. - English, Literary Studies
University of North Carolina Wilmington
05.2012
B.B.A - Trust And Investment Management Pre-Law
Campbell University, School of Business
2004
Skills
- Online Content Development
- Innovative Teaching Methods
- Different Learning Styles
- Instructional Strategies
- Online Learning Platforms
- Online Class Discussion
- Grant Writing
- Student Performance Data
- Community Relations
- Multitasking Abilities
- Community Engagement
- Student and Parent Relations
Accomplishments
- Developed and implemented a multiple pathway for students that increased new student enrollment by 50%.
- Developed and implemented a virtual pathway to increase enrollment for homeschoolers back to the district.
- Helped to improve the district's graduation rate to 93%
- Helped to establish the district's only K-12 school
- Awarded Farm to Table Grant
- Created and supervised student mentorship volunteer program, resulting in increased confidence levels as well as improved communication skills for all involved parties.
Affiliations
Kappa Delta Pi, School of Education Honor SocietySigma Tau Delta, International English Honor SocietyGraduate Student Association, University of North Carolina WilmingtonPresident, Project Save Our ChildrenLeadershipDistrict Lead for Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports District Multi-Tiered System of SupportMental Health Committee Backpack Buddies CommitteePender Long-term Management CommitteeServed as a Board Member of Communities in School (served three years)Steering Committee for Alternative Learning Program and Schools & North Carolina Association of Alternative EducatorsAlternative Learning Programs and Schools Network North Carolina Association of Alternative Educators
Additional Information
- AWARDS, Kappa Delta Pi, Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA, 2021Sigma Tau Delta, University of North Carolina WilmingtonChancellor's Award, University of North Carolina Wilmington, 2012Dean's List, University of North Carolina Wilmington, 2011-2012 Dean's List, Campbell University, 2004 President's List, Campbell University, 2003
Certification
- Licensed Language Arts 6-9 - Highly Qualified
- Licensed English 9-12- Highly Qualified (M)
- Youth Mental Health First Aid Certification
- Trauma-Informed Certification
- CPR/AED & First Aid Certification
- Culturally Competency Certificate
- Resiliency and Learning Training
- LETRS for Administration Volume I
Timeline
Adjunct Instructor, English
Cape Fear Community College
04.2023 - Current
Principal & Alternative Learning Coordinator
Pender Innovative Learning Academy
07.2021 - 04.2023
Alternative Learning Coordinator & Administrator
Pender County School District
08.2018 - 07.2021
Student Support Coordinator
Topsail High School
04.2016 - 09.2018
English Teacher
MTSS/PBIS, Topsail High School
08.2013 - 01.2016
Ninth Grade English Teacher
Brunswick County Public Schools
03.2013 - 06.2013
Graduate Tutor
Youthbuild of Wilmington
06.2012 - 10.2012
Doctor of Education - Educational Leadership
Liberty University
Specialist of Education - Educational Leadership
Liberty University
Certificate Multicultural and Transnational Literature - undefined
East Carolina University
M.A.T - Secondary English
University of North Carolina Wilmington, School of Education
B.A. - English, Literary Studies
University of North Carolina Wilmington
B.B.A - Trust And Investment Management Pre-Law
Campbell University, School of Business