Alan Wales
Woodbridge,NJ
Summary
Creative and Flexible Theatre, Special Education, English and Civics Teacher with 8+ years of combined experience. Detail-oriented planner with talent for developing individualized lesson plans and experiential learning and progressive pedagogy. Committed to promoting intellectual, emotional, physical and social growth of a diverse student body.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
4
4
Certification
Work History
Drama Teacher
Sunset Park High School
Brooklyn , NY
2021.09 - Current
- Prepared and implemented curricula for drama student programs focusing on individual student strengths.
- Collaborated with other staff in arts department faculty.
- Organized and delegated green screen, lighting and camera set-up
- Researched extracurricular film and tv performances and screened examples to observe techniques.
- Developed individualized programs meeting abilities, interests and needs of students while adhering to state-wide policies.
- Drafted and determined production budgets that included camera, green screen, lighting, sound and editing.
- Developed curriculum and lesson plans to structure classroom activities.
- Instilled cultural and foundation skills in students by teaching history of drama and theater as well as film and television.
- Executed and directed dramatic performances that engaged and captivated students resulting in regular class sizes of 30+ students each semester through word of mouth
- Assessed student comprehension and achievement by providing grades based on class participation and assignments.
- Coordinated and directed dramatic performances in which students were largely autonomous with both technical and dramatic performance elements.
- Instilled a business professionalism in students surrounding auditioning and obtaining industry standard materials to prepare with.
Student Advisory - Program Head
Sunset Park High School
Brooklyn , NY
2020.09 - Current
- Provided ongoing direction and leadership for program operations.
- Scheduled and supervised staff meetings to discuss new ideas and update participants on program details and milestones.
- Coached team members on productivity strategies to accomplish challenging goals.
- Directed team of 10+ teachers, overseeing records, performance and quality assurance.
- Advised students individually and in groups on academic programs for individual interests.
- Pointed students to relevant information about academic and personal support services available on campus or in their future career field.
- Collaborated with parents and teachers to help students reach potential.
- Encouraged students to explore age-appropriate and career-related opportunities.
- Analyzed student academic records to assess educational and career goals.
- Conducted academic advisement services for students on reoccurring basis to maintain educational progression.
- Assessed data gathering methods for validity and reliability purposes.
- Researched best practices and developed strategies to improve program outcomes.
- Partnered with local organizations to expand access to post secondary educational support for students.
- Successfully oversaw 85%+ of students applying to college, an improvement of more than 25% from the previous supervisor.
- Successfully oversaw 2x as many students successfully applying for financial aid from the previous supervisor.
- Provided support and guidance to students experiencing academic and personal troubles.
- Planned and promoted career planning presentations, work experience programs and career workshops.
- Oversaw career and job fairs to connect students with area schools and employers.
- Assisted students in exploring and selecting career paths.
- Provided resources to support students in achieving career goals.
- Educated students on college admissions process and scholarship requirements.
- Taught classes and presented self-help or information sessions on subjects related to education and career planning.
Special Education Teacher
Sunset Park High School
2019.09 - Current
- Partnered with standard education teachers from across academic departments.
- Delivered effective and differentiated classroom instruction to range of neurodiverse students.
- Taught students across multiple classifications and degrees of special needs.
- Modified general education curriculum for special-needs students using various instructional techniques and technologies.
- Instructed students with physical and cognitive disabilities.
- Taught multiple subjects to students with intellectual or emotional disabilities.
- Created and managed IEPs to define student learning objectives and educational strategies, in addition to applying instructional knowledge and methods to support goals.
- Encouraged students to take ownership of learning by providing choices.
- Designed individual education plans to encourage student growth according to different learning abilities and needs.
English Teacher - Special Education
Sunset Park High School
Brooklyn , New York
2019.09 - Current
- Planned dynamic lessons to increase student comprehension of books and literary concepts.
- Led interesting and diverse group activities to engage students in course material.
- Prepared comprehensive English curriculum for multiple classes.
- Utilized multimedia strategies and technology to convey information in fresh and interesting ways.
- Coordinated activities to encourage interest in reading.
- Exposed students to diverse content to build perspective in drama pedagogy.
- Attended department meetings to develop and update course curricula.
- Prepared and implemented lesson plans covering required course topics.
- Designed and facilitated group projects to foster teamwork and problem-solving skills.
- Developed innovative lesson plans to engage students in English language learning.
- Participated in professional development opportunities to stay up-to-date on teaching best practices and enhance educator skills.
- Created and implemented activities to foster critical thinking skills of students.
- Worked with other teachers to support struggling students and provide thorough help to rectify comprehension issues.
- Collaborated with colleagues to design and maintain curriculum.
- Evaluated and graded students' essays, projects and exams.
- Participated in professional development activities to stay current with literature trends.
- Incorporated current events into lesson plans to promote student engagement.
- Led classroom discussions to encourage students to analyze literature critically.
- Employed visual and auditory approaches to make lessons more interesting and interactive for students.
- Partnered with standard education teachers from across academic departments.
- Delivered effective and differentiated classroom instruction to range of neurodiverse students.
- Taught students across multiple classifications and degrees of special needs.
- Modified general education curriculum for special-needs students using various instructional techniques and technologies.
Civic Education Teacher - Special Education
Sunset Park High School
Brooklyn , New York
2019.09 - Current
- Maintained awareness of relevant current events and quickly incorporated study into curriculum.
- Educated students regarding national and global social issues and influencing factors.
- Led classroom activities for play-based and immersive learning.
- Consulted with teachers in other disciplines to identify and adopt successful instructional strategies.
- Planned learning activities that provided students with opportunities to observe, question and investigate social studies topics.
- Developed instructional aids for classroom use and encouraged student participation.
- Implemented prepared lesson plans in established classrooms.
- Devised lesson plans reflecting student educational, cultural and language diversity.
- Used computers, audio-visual aids and other equipment to supplement presentations.
- Encouraged consistent classroom attendance and managed student behavior using constructive criticism.
- Researched latest teaching techniques and incorporated into lesson delivery to improve concept acquisition.
- Created lesson plans and made adjustments based on overall class performance throughout year.
- Established and supported positive educational environment for student learning.
Education
Master of Arts - Adolescent Education
Hunter College
New York06.2018
Master of Fine Arts - Theater
University of Houston
Houston, TX06.2012
Certificate of Completion - College Advising Program
Columbia University
New York, NYBachelor of Arts - Theater
Rockford University
Rockford, ILSkills
General Education
- Language Development
- Active Listening
- Adaptability and Flexibility
- Scheduling Coordination
- Creating Collaborative Environments
Theatre
- Theater Production Coordination
- Rehearsal Direction
- Acting Coaching
- Performance Techniques
- Fostering Artistic Expression
- Multicultural Art Proficiency
Special Education
- Learning Style Assessment
- Student Support
- Classroom Management
- Self-Contained Classrooms
- Parent Communication
- IEP Development
Certification
- Theater Teacher Certification - New York License - 2023
- College Advisor Certificate Program - Columbia University - 2020
- CrossFit Level Two Certified Instructor - National License - 2020
- Special Education Teacher Certification - New York License - 2018
Timeline
Drama Teacher
Sunset Park High School
2021.09 - Current
Student Advisory - Program Head
Sunset Park High School
2020.09 - Current
Special Education Teacher
Sunset Park High School
2019.09 - Current
English Teacher - Special Education
Sunset Park High School
2019.09 - Current
Civic Education Teacher - Special Education
Sunset Park High School
2019.09 - Current
Master of Arts - Adolescent Education
Hunter College
Master of Fine Arts - Theater
University of Houston
Certificate of Completion - College Advising Program
Columbia University
Bachelor of Arts - Theater
Rockford University
- Theater Teacher Certification - New York License - 2023
- College Advisor Certificate Program - Columbia University - 2020
- CrossFit Level Two Certified Instructor - National License - 2020
- Special Education Teacher Certification - New York License - 2018
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