Amy L. Payne

dynamic educator with demonstrated success at Lyons Upper Elementary School, specializing in the Science of Reading Instruction and instructional leadership. Successfully enhanced student learning outcomes through innovative lesson delivery and effective mentoring of new teachers. Committed to fostering collaborative planning and data-driven interventions for continuous improvement.

• Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC)
• Elementary Education (P–5)
• Middle Grades Education (4–8) – Mathematics
• Gifted In-Field Endorsement
• ESOL (P–12)

• Use assessment data and student work analysis to identify instructional needs, guide grouping, and plan targeted instruction.
• Apply knowledge of foundational literacy development to diagnose student needs in phonics, comprehension, and fluency.
• Support student growth by implementing data-driven instruction and differentiated learning strategies.
• Utilize student feedback, peer review, and rubric-based evaluation to build student ownership of learning.

• Developed visible displays of student literacy work throughout the school, creating examples that inspire students and spark conversations about learning.
• Implemented peer review and student rubric-based grading systems, encouraging deeper reflection and ownership of writing.
• Promoted a culture where student work becomes a model for other learners and teachers across the school.
• Supported collaborative discussions on instructional strategies and standards implementation.

• Served as Grade Level Chair for both Kindergarten and 1st Grade teams (teams of ten teachers each) in Clay County, Florida, facilitating collaboration, communication, and instructional alignment across grade-level teams.
• Organized, oversaw, and implemented a schoolwide motivational reading program for three consecutive years, encouraging student engagement in reading and fostering a culture of literacy throughout the school.
• Created student-authored class books displayed in the school library, allowing students across grade levels to read peer writing and celebrate authentic literacy growth.
• Designed a student-centered poster campaign featuring student replicas to motivate and encourage schoolwide growth on Georgia Milestones assessments.
• Developed ELA standards reference books for grade-level team to deepen collaborative and understanding of new Georgia ELA standards and strengthen instructional alignment.
• Hosted other grade level ELA teachers for classroom observations to model writing instruction and effective literacy practices.
• Contributed instructional lessons and strategies to the school instructional coach newsletter, supporting teachers in implementing effective classroom resources.
• Provided instructional videos and modeled lessons to the RESA team to support regional professional learning workshops for educators.
• Implemented peer review and student rubric-based grading practices that promote student ownership, reflection, and deeper engagement in writing
• Displayed student work throughout the school to celebrate growth, provide instructional examples for teachers, and spark conversations among students and staff about learning.

• Hosted 4th grade ELA teachers in classroom observations to model writing instruction and effective literacy practices.
• Contributed instructional strategies and lesson ideas to the school instructional coach newsletter to support teacher learning across the school.
• Shared instructional videos and modeled lessons with RESA professional learning teams for use in regional teacher workshops.
• Facilitated professional discussions with colleagues to strengthen understanding of literacy standards and instructional strategies.

• Implement Science of Reading–aligned literacy instruction emphasizing phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.
• Designed and implemented classroom practices that emphasize deep learning, student thinking, and application of literacy skills rather than surface-level recall.
• Created student-authored class books displayed in the school library to celebrate literacy growth and inspire other students.
• Developed a student-centered poster campaign encouraging growth in Georgia Milestones performance and fostering a culture of academic motivation.
• Built ELA standards reference books for grade-level teams to deepen teacher understanding and collaboration around new Georgia ELA standards.