Andrew Richards
Cuyahoga Falls,OH
Summary
Professional educator with outstanding communication and instructional experience. Adapts to different classroom settings and subjects. Masterful at new teaching styles and concepts and can work within constraints of school guidelines and policies. Keen observer equipped to change teaching styles based on student need or subject matter. Detail-oriented team player with strong organizational skills. Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously with a high degree of accuracy.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
Adjunct Faculty Member
Kent State University
08.2023 - Current
- Utilized various teaching methodologies, including e-leaning, to accommodate different learning styles within classroom setting.
- Engaged students with insightful and compelling classroom discussion of topics relevant to coursework to boost student learning and retention.
- Collaborated with department head to create dynamic, ongoing curriculum development, and instruction improvement program.
- Organized, prepared, and revised course material and applied technological options for online and course-related software.
- Developed and implemented best practices in Early Childhood Education curriculum for improved learning and student performance.
- Promoted a positive learning environment through open communication and constructive feedback.
- Scored exams and graded student performance fairly.
- Taught one course, providing instruction to up to 21 undergraduate students.
Elementary School Teacher
Green Local School District
06.2023 - Current
- Managed and effectively taught nearly 50 students each day; managed several emails, phone calls, and weekly newsletters.
- Created lesson plans to correlate with state curriculum standards and devised educational programs to meet educational objectives.
- Evaluated and assessed student progress regularly, providing constructive feedback and adapting teaching methods accordingly.
- Established open communication and positive relationships with students, parents, peers, and administrative staff.
- Established positive classroom environment through effective classroom management strategies, fostering respect and cooperation among students.
- Contributed to school-wide initiatives aimed at improving overall student achievement, participating in professional development workshops and collaborating with colleagues on best practices.
- Communicated effectively with parents and guardians, maintaining open lines of communication regarding student progress and addressing concerns as needed.
- Utilized data-driven instruction techniques to analyze student performance trends and adjust teaching methods accordingly for optimal results.
- Provided warm, supportive environment for developing academic, social, and emotional growth.
- Collaborated with fellow teachers to develop interdisciplinary lesson plans, enhancing students'' understanding of various subjects.
- Improved student comprehension by utilizing differentiated instruction techniques customized for diverse learning needs.
- Designed and presented lesson plans in one or more academic subjects using variety of teaching techniques to appeal to various learning styles within assigned grade level.
- Assisted in creating a safe and nurturing classroom environment that promoted emotional well-being and academic growth for all students.
Tutor
Kent City Schools – Holden Elementary
08.2022 - 06.2024
- Oversaw academic development and rigor of 13 groups of students (over 100 students daily) from kindergarten to grade five
- Planned engaging activities that were developmentally appropriate for each grade level
- Collaborated, assisted, and supported teachers with curriculum
- Utilized technology daily with activities
- Maintained accurate records to present to administrators and teachers regarding progress and development of each student
- Participated in teacher based team meetings, IEP meetings, and addressed academic, emotional, and social interventions that were necessary for each student
- Engaged with parents and guardians on daily/ weekly basis through newsletters, emails, and phone calls
- Assessed and progress monitored using ACADIENCE, STAR, HEGGERTY, FUNDATIONS, and LETRS.
Principal
Saint Columbkille School
07.2019 - 07.2022
- Led and managed academic, physical, and social-emotional growth and development of nearly 400 students from prekindergarten to grade 8; nearly 10% of student population receives services for identified difficulties
- Maintained annual budget of nearly $2 million – Parish, State, and Federal Funds
- Achieved nearly $400,000 in cost savings during 2021 without eliminating staff
- Collaborated, assisted, and supported teachers and stakeholders in educational decisions of school
- Designed, executed, and planned for Distance Learning during Covid-19 Pandemic (March – May 2020)
- Communicated weekly with families through Family Newsletters, emails, and All Calls
- Developed and initiated RtI process through proper documentation and intervention tiers
- Spearheaded initiative for Positive Behavior Intervention Supports (PBIS)
- Implemented EdChoice/ EdChoice Expansion Scholarship programs for families – growth in school families by nearly 20% due to this scholarship
- Actively participated and engaged in ETR/ IEP meetings
- Initiated STEM/STEAM initiative for collaboration, inquiry, communication, problem solving, and reflection
- Participated in Professional Learning Communities with diocesan principals
- Increased NWEA MAP assessment scores by 8% from Fall to Winter
- Strengthened math program from grades 2-8 by using online programs that pinpointed students' strengths and deficits and allowed teachers to more thoroughly differentiate assignment – Math XL
- Overhauled and implemented new discipline system in Junior High more consistent with area high schools
- Negotiated salaries based on years of service and experience for certified and classified employees
- Conducted formal, informal, and walk-through observations of all staff members; utilized OTES model for observation
- Coordinated and conducted weekly meetings with assistant principal, dean of students, and pastor
- Designed teacher pay scale based on years of experience and degrees held
- Moderator for Knights Ambassadors (Student Council)
- Created and designed new logo for prekindergarten marketing campaign
- Raised over $100,000 during Giving Tuesday campaigns for new gym floor and playground
- Raised over 6,500 non-perishable items in less than three weeks for community food cupboards
- Recipient of Ohio Department of Education's Purple Star for Military Friendly School
- Piloted Standards Based lesson planning and assessment to develop standards based report cards
- Assisted and consulted in implementation of Frontline/AppliTrack for Diocesan schools
- Member of Diocesan and State External Validation Team for
- Ohio Catholic Schools Accrediting Association (OCSAA).
Assistant Principal
Saint Columbkille School
06.2018 - 06.2019
- Collaborated, assisted, and supported principal in several areas and with numerous initiatives
- Increased NWEA MAP test scores by 11% from Fall testing dates to Spring dates through implementation of professional development opportunities
- Assisted in student discipline for nearly 400 students in grades prekindergarten through grade 8
- Maintained documents for accreditation purposes
- Assisted and collaborated with principal in interpretation of NWEA MAP testing data to drive further instruction of professional development opportunities
- Contacted parents/guardians when necessary
- Performed teacher and staff observations in fall and spring; conducted post-observation conferences and provided specific feedback to teachers and staff members for 25 faculty members
- Coordinator for Edmentum online learning program; conducted professional development, provided support to teachers, created log-in identifications and passwords for teachers, tutors, and students
- Actively participated in and attended IEP and ETR meetings; ensured teachers were meeting specific accommodations, modifications, and goals
- Introduced and implemented formal Response to Intervention (RtI) process
- Led and presented monthly professional development on Growth Mindset through implementation of literature and training activities to use within classroom
- Moderator for Junior High Student Council and Kindergarten through grade two LEGO Club
- Passed Ohio Assessments for Educators (OAE) - Educational Leadership.
Principal
Saints Peter and Paul School
06.2016 - 06.2017
- Led and supervised staff of over 15 full-time teachers and staff
- Increased enrollment by 7% in less than one year
- Increased standardized test scores by 15% on IOWA Basics and Cognitive Abilities assessments
- Coordinator for all standardized tests (IOWA Basics, Cognitive Abilities, and NWEA MAP tests)
- Implemented and oversaw professional development and training of NWEA MAP testing from grades kindergarten through eight
- Developed and implemented schoolwide Positive Office Referral policy for over 110 students
- Implemented and applied Response to Intervention (RtI) process schoolwide
- Conducted professional development and modeled lessons on differentiation, utilizing objectives, and connecting data to past, current, and future instruction
- Implemented and developed Jon Peterson Scholarship guidelines
- Enhanced learning environment; 1:1 technology school
- Strengthened curriculum schoolwide by implementing STEAM/STEM guidelines to achieve goal of becoming STEM certified school
- Developed and analyzed annual budget.
Teacher
Kent City Schools
06.2013 - 06.2016
- Kindergarten teacher – Longcoy Elementary School
- Wilson Fundations Trained
- 100% of Kindergarten students demonstrated one academic Year's growth according to Student-Learning Objectives (SLO's)
- Utilized STAR assessment data to drive instruction for individualized and differentiated lessons
- One student deemed emotionally disturbed, one student on behavior intervention plan, two students on individualized education plans
- Third-grade teacher – Holden Elementary School
- 100% of students demonstrated one academic year's growth according to both Ohio Achievement Assessment (OAA) scores and Student Learning Objectives (SLO)
- Utilized several pieces of data; STAR, MAP, and OAA – to drive instruction and to differentiate and develop lessons that were engaging and interesting for all students
- Inclusion classroom – two students on behavior intervention plans, four students on individualized education plans, four English Language Learners
- Passed PRAXIS Teaching Reading: Elementary Education – May 2014
- State Teacher Rating - accomplished.
Education
Master of Science - Educational Administration
Wright State University
Dayton, OH05.2020
Bachelor of Science And/with Education Degree - Early Childhood Education
Kent State University
Kent, OH12.2012
Skills
- Enhances the learning experience for students and teachers; in-person and online
- Fosters positive relationships with stakeholders
- Creator and Innovator
- Problem-solver
- Collaborative leader & learner
- Researcher
- Individualized support
- Lesson development
- Course & Curriculum Planning
- Online Instruction
- Educational technology
- Technology Integration
Awards Activities
- Presenter and evaluator for Kent State University – Early Childhood Education Student Teacher Candidates and Pre-Service Gallery Exhibition.
- Presenter for THE SPARK Conference at Lakewood Catholic Academy (2021)
- Key Maker Award Recipient– Kent City Schools, Longcoy Elementary (2016)
- Nominated as Kent State University's Distinguished Alumni (2017)
- Spending time with my family; wife, Amber; and two children, Griffin (6) and Reese (4)
- Gymnastics and cheerleading coach – over 20 years of experience
- Weightlifting enthusiast and coach.
Timeline
Adjunct Faculty Member
Kent State University
08.2023 - Current
Elementary School Teacher
Green Local School District
06.2023 - Current
Tutor
Kent City Schools – Holden Elementary
08.2022 - 06.2024
Principal
Saint Columbkille School
07.2019 - 07.2022
Assistant Principal
Saint Columbkille School
06.2018 - 06.2019
Principal
Saints Peter and Paul School
06.2016 - 06.2017
Teacher
Kent City Schools
06.2013 - 06.2016
Master of Science - Educational Administration
Wright State University
Bachelor of Science And/with Education Degree - Early Childhood Education
Kent State University
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