AMANDA J. FIGUEROA
Mountainside,NJ
Summary
New Jersey certified K-5 teacher with twenty-two years of full time teaching experience in a low income, multicultural setting. Ready to bring wealth of teaching experience to new role. Skilled at creating engaging lesson plans and fostering positive classroom environment that encourages student learning and development. Known for strong collaboration with colleagues and adaptability to changing classroom needs. Proficient in curriculum planning and student assessment.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Second Grade Teacher
PHILIPS ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL
08.2018 - Current
- Taught and assessed twenty students with diverse learning abilities following the Common Core Standards
- Aptitude to remain flexible and ensure that every child's learning styles and abilities are addressed
- Planned and executed daily lessons in all content areas keeping with state curriculum mandates
- Designed and developed activities to meet the academic, intellectual, and social needs of all students
- Implemented ELA and Math standards according to more than one curricular model: structured literacy, workshop model
- Used multiple curriculum including, but not limited to UFLI, The Writing Revolution, and Fishtank for planning LAL
- Formed small group instruction based on data from assessments including CORE and teacher observation
- Used decodable texts, and systematic phonics instructions to progress learning
- Taught with a variety of math programs, including Math in Focus (Singapore Math), and most recently Eureka Math
- Facilitated small-group and independent reinforcement activities
- Worked collaboratively with fellow grade-level teachers to design engaging and hands-on lessons with real-world applications to inspire further learning
- Utilized Internet and SmartBOARD daily as resource tool for instructional design
- Applied Positive Discipline, balancing authority with open dialogue
- Encouraged students to make appropriate behavioral choices, with privilege sanctions imposed for misbehavior
- Taught alternative methods for managing conflict between peers
- Maintained effective communication with parents through DoJo app, phone calls, emails, and in-person conferences
- Assessed student performance through anecdotal records, student-teacher conferencing, peer evaluation, student portfolios, and teacher/student designed rubrics
- DRA2, iReady, SENA, Teacher's College Spelling and Writing assessments, Forefront Math Assessment, CORE were administered and analyzed with results being used to drive instruction
- Developed Units of study for both Reader's and Writer's Workshop using UBD planning as well as feedback from my colleagues to compile activities, strategies, and end of unit projects
- Transmitted information to staff through grade level meetings, provided support to colleagues, and made recommendations to Administration on behalf of the 2nd grade team
- Helped to organize grade wide projects and curriculum, and help to implement in classrooms as needed
- Taught CODING class for K-2 and 3-5 afterschool which taught the basics of coding on sites like Tynker.com and CODE.org
- Founded after school math enrichment program utilizing Crazy 8's by Bedtime Math
- Taught Summer School Plus for struggling readers, and students with learning disabilities
- DonorsChoose.org- Recess materials, Unlock the Box materials
- GoFundMe.org Raised money for a Second Grade Field Trip to see The Lion King on Broadway
Second and Third Grade Teacher
E. ORANGE COMMUNITY CHARTER
03.2007 - 01.2018
- Taught and assessed twenty-six students with a wide range of performance levels
- Worked with LAL Supervisor to incorporate Balanced Literacy into a school without a mandated literacy program
- Aided colleagues in the implementation of Balanced Literacy and Reader's/Writer's Workshop in their classrooms
- Sought professional development to introduce CODE and Guided Math curriculum
- Leadership qualities recognized by administration which led to selection for following roles:
- Remediation Programs Summer Explorer's Camp: 4 wk trip-based program for students entering 3rd gr
- Do The Math: Intervention program designed to develop skills needed to build math fluently (3rd & 4th)
- Read Naturally: Structured remedial program designed to increase fluency and comprehension(3rd & 4th)
- Saturday Academy Six Week course for 3rd graders taking PARCC
- Parent Involvement Reading Night: School-wide family literacy promoting home-school connection (K-4)
- Math in Focus Parent University: Seminar to educate parents on new math program (K-4)
- Go With the Flow Academy: LAL workshop for students & parents to prepare for NJASK (3rd & 4th)
- Applied for and obtained two separate grants to further my student's understanding of CODING and computer science
- Received yearlong access to Tynker.com which taught the basics of coding and simple program design
- Through Donorschoose.org received funding for 10 Chromebook computers to implement Tynker Grant, and to increase hands-on computer time for my students to improve their computer literacy
Third-Grade Science and Social Studies Teacher
THE SCHOMBURG CHARTER SCHOOL
10.2006 - 12.2006
- Assigned as mid-year replacement and terminated due to lack of funds
- Planned and executed lessons for 60 third grade students using hands-on experiments, re-enactments, and Internet research
Third-Grade General Education Teacher
NYC Department of Education
09.2002 - 06.2005
- Assigned to an inclusionary classroom at PS 194 in Brooklyn
- Successfully co-taught class of 24 students, 11 classified as having a variety of special needs
- Applied accepted teaching techniques including using the Balanced Literacy format along with teaching math using the Everyday Mathematics program
- Planned and executed daily lessons in language arts, mathematics, social studies, and science
- Since many students had been classified as learning disabled, emotionally disturbed, and/or having Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), effectively scaffolded instruction at multiple mainstream levels
Education
MS - Education with Focus in Literacy
BROOKLYN COLLEGE
Brooklyn, NY01.2007
BS - Early Childhood Ed. with Art minor
SALVE REGINA UNIVERSITY
Newport, RI01.2002
Skills
- Curriculum Implementation Aligned with Core Standards
- Led team collaboration of curriculum development to integrate our use of materials and instruction
- Multimedia-Aided Teaching
- Collaborative learning and problem solving skills taught through project based learning
- School and Classroom Data driven instruction
- Effective Classroom Management
- Multitasking Abilities while maintaining attention to detail
- Consistent Reliability in Deadlines
- Culturally Responsive Teaching
- Proficient in SMARTBoard, Google Classroom, CANVA
Recommendations
Recommendations furnished upon request
Certification
- Elementary Education Certification - New Jersey Department of Education.
Timeline
Second Grade Teacher
PHILIPS ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL
08.2018 - Current
Second and Third Grade Teacher
E. ORANGE COMMUNITY CHARTER
03.2007 - 01.2018
Third-Grade Science and Social Studies Teacher
THE SCHOMBURG CHARTER SCHOOL
10.2006 - 12.2006
Third-Grade General Education Teacher
NYC Department of Education
09.2002 - 06.2005
BS - Early Childhood Ed. with Art minor
SALVE REGINA UNIVERSITY
- Elementary Education Certification - New Jersey Department of Education.
MS - Education with Focus in Literacy
BROOKLYN COLLEGE
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