Amanda Karaffa
Montoursville,PA
Summary
Passionate about literacy and dedicated to supporting academic goal achievement, I am a seasoned consultant and professional learning coordinator with 14 years of experience. I possess a deep understanding of evaluating district, regional, and state literacy needs, enabling me to effectively coordinate detailed action planning and implementation. Leveraging my expertise in the field, I am committed to driving positive change and fostering a culture of continuous improvement in education.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Coordinator of Professional Learning
Blast Intermediate Unit 17
08.2024 - Current
- Entered data, generated reports, and produced tracking documents.
- Implemented project management techniques to overcome obstacles and increase team productivity.
- Built highly-efficient administrative team through ongoing coaching and professional development opportunities.
- Planned and facilitated needs-based professional learning tools, resources and educational materials to enhance teaching skills.
- Developed, implemented and evaluated high-quality, research-based professional learning.
- Attended professional learning sessions to support continued growth.
- Offered professional learning development and delivery that built teacher-leadership capacity.
- Collaborated with colleagues and improved teaching practices through professional learning communities and student retention meetings.
- Incorporated teaching methodologies to address kinesthetic and hands-on learning styles.
- Coordinated training and professional development courses for teachers and school administrators to create new teaching strategies that encourage student learning.
- Led project teams in creation, maintenance, planning and revision of training materials for targeted employee education and professional development.
Curriculum Specialist
Blast Intermediate Unit 17
01.2024 - 08.2024
- Effectively implemented best training practices and adult learning principles in planning and creation of instructional materials.
- Teamed with subject matter experts in evaluation and revision of training tools in order to continually improve learning platforms.
- Collaborated with administrators to determine course objectives.
- Researched and incorporated current trends and data into standard curriculum for English Language Arts.
- Cultivated interpersonal skills by building positive relationships with others.
- Proven ability to develop and implement creative solutions to complex problems.
- Designed course materials and supported implementation for curriculum audits, revisions, and adoptions.
Educational Consultant
Blast Intermediate Unit 17
05.2021 - 01.2024
- Created, developed, and facilitated professional learning opportunities surrounding Structured Literacy and evidence-based instructional practices
- Collaborated with district administrators and stakeholders to action plan short and long term professional learning experiences
- Assessed and developed district and building level Multi-Tiered Systems of Support through interconnected framework
- Leveraged high impact strategies and theoretical models for Instructional Coaching
- Collaborated with school board officials to assess areas for improvement in curricula, classrooms, testing and student activities.
- Coordinated training and professional development courses for teachers and school administrators to create new teaching strategies that encourage student learning.
- Provided lesson planning and pacing support to helping educators analyze data and apply it to instruction.
- Reached out to vendors to evaluate available curriculums and associated materials.
- Effectively implemented best training practices and adult learning principles in planning and creation of instructional materials.
Title I Reading Specialist
Warrior Run School District
01.2011 - 12.2021
- Wrote and delivered customized instruction to individual students and groups.
- Built positive and productive relationships with teachers to drive improvements to reading programs.
- Utilized technology to create meaningful lessons that engage students.
- Conducted assessments of students to determine individual needs.
- Coordinated regular meetings to share and analyze student performance data and success plans with colleagues and parents.
- Maintained accurate records of student progress and attendance.
- Facilitated small group instruction to address individual learning needs.
- Collaborated with other educators to develop instructional strategies.
- Worked closely with parents and guardians to address students' issues on multiple fronts.
- Promoted memory, cognition and language development with hands-on activities and individualized instruction.
Education
Reading Science Certificate -
Mount St. Joseph University
Cincinnati, OH05-2025
Endorsement - Instructional Coaching
Immaculata University
Immaculata, PA12-2022
Masters - Reading
Bloomsburg University
Bloomsburg, PA08.2012
Bachelors - Education
Shippensburg University
Shippensburg, PA12.2009
Skills
- LETRS 3rd Edition Facilitator
- Enhanced Core Reading Instruction (ECRI) Vetted Trainer
- Acadience Reading Mentor
- Member of Pennsylvania Department of Education's Structured Literacy Work Group
- Assessment Coordinator for PVAAS and CDT assessments
- Professionalism
- Deadline Adherence
- Problem-solving abilities
- Staff Development
Certification
- LETRS 3rd Edition Facilitator
- Lexia Learning
- Acadience Reading Mentor
- Acadience Learning
- Enhanced Core Reading Instruction (ECRI)
- Center for Teaching and Learning
Timeline
Coordinator of Professional Learning
Blast Intermediate Unit 17
08.2024 - Current
Curriculum Specialist
Blast Intermediate Unit 17
01.2024 - 08.2024
Educational Consultant
Blast Intermediate Unit 17
05.2021 - 01.2024
Title I Reading Specialist
Warrior Run School District
01.2011 - 12.2021
- LETRS 3rd Edition Facilitator
- Lexia Learning
- Acadience Reading Mentor
- Acadience Learning
- Enhanced Core Reading Instruction (ECRI)
- Center for Teaching and Learning
Reading Science Certificate -
Mount St. Joseph University
Endorsement - Instructional Coaching
Immaculata University
Masters - Reading
Bloomsburg University
Bachelors - Education
Shippensburg University
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