Amy Sparks
Euless,TX
Summary
Innovative Science Educator bringing 20 years of experience in teaching all secondary science. Expertise in classroom oversight, course planning and behavior management. Successful at collaborating with teachers, administrative leaders and support specialists to meet individual student needs. Committed to encouraging higher-order thinking to increase student performance.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
3
3
Certifications
Work History
Biology Teacher
Irving ISD
08.2023 - Current
- Improved student understanding by incorporating hands-on activities and real-world examples into lessons.
- Developed comprehensive assessments to evaluate student progress, providing timely feedback for improvement.
- Collaborated with colleagues to develop interdisciplinary lesson plans, creating a cohesive curriculum across subjects.
- Enhanced the learning experience by utilizing multimedia resources in classroom presentations and assignments.
- Maintained open lines of communication with parents through regular emails, phone calls, and parent-teacher conferences to discuss student progress.
- Wrote Chemistry Curriculum for the district.
Physics/Chemistry Teacher
Abilene ISD
08.2017 - 05.2023
- Increased student interest in chemistry by incorporating hands-on experiments and activities into lessons.
- Developed engaging lesson plans for diverse learners, resulting in improved comprehension and achievement.
- Collaborated with colleagues to create interdisciplinary projects, promoting a deeper understanding of chemistry across subjects.
- Mentored students individually, guiding them towards academic success and personal growth.
- Evaluated student progress through formative assessments, adjusting teaching strategies as needed for optimal results.
Physics/High School Biology Teacher
Texas City ISD
08.2016 - 05.2017
- Improved student comprehension by incorporating real-world examples and hands-on activities into lesson plans.
- Enhanced students'' critical thinking skills through project-based learning and scientific inquiry method
- Mentored new teachers, sharing best practices and providing guidance on effective teaching strategies for high school biology.
- Established a positive learning environment by maintaining clear expectations and providing consistent support for all students.
High School Science Teacher
Ira ISD
08.2013 - 05.2016
- Enhanced student understanding by utilizing diverse teaching methods and strategies tailored to individual learning styles.
- Established positive classroom environment by implementing effective classroom management techniques, fostering respect and inclusivity among students.
- Continuously updated curriculum materials to ensure alignment with current standards and state requirements.
High School Science Teacher
Abilene ISD
08.2012 - 06.2013
- Mentored struggling students, offering additional support and resources to improve their academic performance.
- Led professional development workshops for fellow teachers to share best practices in science education.
- Continuously updated curriculum materials to ensure alignment with current standards and state requirements.
- Assisted in creating a safe and nurturing classroom environment that promoted emotional well-being and academic growth for all students.
Intergrated Physics and Chemistry Teacher
Wylie ISD
08.2010 - 05.2011
- Enhanced classroom engagement through the use of interactive teaching methods, such as group projects and hands-on activities.
- Collaborated with other teachers to plan interdisciplinary units that connected subjects and promoted deeper understanding among students.
- Differentiated instruction to accommodate diverse learning needs, ensuring each student had an equal opportunity for success.
- Maintained accurate records of student progress, attendance, and behavior to facilitate ongoing communication with parents about their child''s educational journey.
Physics/High School Chemistry Teacher
Culberson County Allamoore ISD
08.2011 - 05.2012
- Enhanced student comprehension by incorporating visuals and real-world examples into lesson plans.
- Promoted a positive learning environment by establishing clear expectations, setting goals, and providing constructive feedback.
- Evaluated student progress regularly through formative assessments, adjusting instructional strategies as needed to improve understanding.
- Implemented inquiry-based learning activities that encouraged critical thinking skills and fostered a deeper understanding of chemistry concepts.
High School Science Teacher
Roscoe ISD
08.2008 - 05.2010
- Enhanced student understanding by utilizing diverse teaching methods and strategies tailored to individual learning styles.
- Established positive classroom environment by implementing effective classroom management techniques, fostering respect and inclusivity among students.
- Increased student participation in extracurricular activities through effective promotion of science clubs and events.
- Developed and implemented engaging lab experiments, providing hands-on learning experiences for students.
- Served as a faculty advisor for the Science UIL team, helping students prepare for competitions and achieve success at the regional level.
- Conducted ongoing assessments of student progress, adjusting instructional strategies as needed to enhance learning outcomes.
- Continuously updated curriculum materials to ensure alignment with current standards and state requirements.
Jr and High School Science Teacher
Trent ISD
08.2006 - 08.2008
- Enhanced student understanding by utilizing diverse teaching methods and strategies tailored to individual learning styles.
- Developed and implemented engaging lab experiments, providing hands-on learning experiences for students.
- Served as a faculty advisor for the Science UIL team, helping students prepare for competitions and achieve success at the regional level.
- Established positive classroom environment by implementing effective classroom management techniques, fostering respect and inclusivity among students.
- Increased student participation in extracurricular activities through effective promotion of science clubs and events.
Biology Teacher
Mineral Wells ISD
08.2005 - 05.2006
- Improved student understanding by incorporating hands-on activities and real-world examples into lessons.
- Developed comprehensive assessments to evaluate student progress, providing timely feedback for improvement.
- Enhanced the learning experience by utilizing multimedia resources in classroom presentations and assignments.
- Implemented differentiated instruction strategies, catering to individual student needs and promoting inclusive learning environments.
Chemistry Teacher
San Marcos CISD
08.2004 - 07.2005
- Increased student interest in chemistry by incorporating hands-on experiments and activities into lessons.
- Developed engaging lesson plans for diverse learners, resulting in improved comprehension and achievement.
- Implemented inquiry-based learning techniques to encourage critical thinking and problem-solving skills among students.
- Mentored students individually, guiding them towards academic success and personal growth.
Adjunct Biology Instructor
Western Texas College
01.2015 - 05.2016
- Enhanced student understanding of complex biological concepts by utilizing engaging and interactive teaching methods.
- Developed comprehensive lesson plans that incorporated real-world examples, promoting deeper understanding of biology topics.
- Collaborated with fellow instructors to refine curriculum and improve overall course structure.
Education
Master of Science - Education With Biology Specialization
Sul Ross University
Alpine, TX12.2011
Bachelor of Science - Education
McMurry University
Abilene, TX12.1999
Skills
- Curriculum Design and Development
- Educational Leadership
- Laboratory Experiments
- Lesson Plan Implementation
- Educational Research
- Inquiry-Based Learning
- Staff Development
- Classroom Management
- Faculty Collaboration
Accomplishments
Head of Science Department
Presented a paper on Czar Alexander II at Regional Phi Alpha Theta Conference
Researched the natural flora of the three toes boxed turtle
Affiliations
- Pickle ball enthusiast
- MIneral Rock Collector
Certification
Texas Principal as an Instructional Leader Certificate 2022
Texas Science Teacher 8-12
Texas Science Teacher 4-8
Timeline
Biology Teacher
Irving ISD
08.2023 - Current
Physics/Chemistry Teacher
Abilene ISD
08.2017 - 05.2023
Physics/High School Biology Teacher
Texas City ISD
08.2016 - 05.2017
Adjunct Biology Instructor
Western Texas College
01.2015 - 05.2016
High School Science Teacher
Ira ISD
08.2013 - 05.2016
High School Science Teacher
Abilene ISD
08.2012 - 06.2013
Physics/High School Chemistry Teacher
Culberson County Allamoore ISD
08.2011 - 05.2012
Intergrated Physics and Chemistry Teacher
Wylie ISD
08.2010 - 05.2011
High School Science Teacher
Roscoe ISD
08.2008 - 05.2010
Jr and High School Science Teacher
Trent ISD
08.2006 - 08.2008
Biology Teacher
Mineral Wells ISD
08.2005 - 05.2006
Chemistry Teacher
San Marcos CISD
08.2004 - 07.2005
Master of Science - Education With Biology Specialization
Sul Ross University
Bachelor of Science - Education
McMurry University
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