Audra Birkeland
Arlington,TX
Summary
To secure a position as an elementary teacher to utilize my passion of delivering a quality education vital to a child’s development.
Educational professional prepared to bring expertise to new role. Provided engaging and structured learning experiences, ensuring smooth transition for students. Emphasizes collaboration and flexibility to meet varying classroom needs. Known for effective communication and classroom management.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Substitute Teacher
Crowley/Aledo ISD
01.2021 - Current
- Fostered a positive classroom environment promoting respect and collaboration among students.
- Collaborated with colleagues to enhance instructional practices and share resources.
- Maintained accurate records of student attendance, performance, and behavior.
- Communicated effectively with parents about student achievements and areas for improvement.
- Developed engaging assessments that accurately measured student understanding while minimizing test anxiety, leading to increased performance on standardized exams.
Teacher
MISD
10.2021 - 05.2025
- Designed and implemented engaging lesson plans tailored to diverse learning styles.
- Cultivated a positive classroom environment fostering collaboration and respect among students.
- Integrated technology tools to enhance learning experiences and increase student engagement.
- Collaborated with colleagues to develop interdisciplinary projects promoting critical thinking skills.
- Developed strong relationships with students, parents, and colleagues by maintaining open lines of communication and fostering a supportive learning environment.
- Managed classroom behavior effectively by establishing clear expectations, modeling appropriate conduct, and consistently enforcing established rules and consequences.
- Enhanced classroom engagement through the use of interactive teaching methods, such as group projects and hands-on activities.
- Maintained accurate records of student progress, attendance, and behavior to facilitate ongoing communication with parents about their child''s educational journey.
- Differentiated instruction to accommodate diverse learning needs, ensuring each student had an equal opportunity for success.
Drivers Ed Teacher
Academy Driving School
01.2019 - 01.2020
- Provided individualized feedback to students, fostering improvement in driving skills and confidence.
- Mentored new instructors, sharing best practices for effective teaching techniques and classroom management.
- Assessed student performance regularly using both formative and summative assessments to inform future lesson planning.
Texas History Teacher
Turning Point Secondary / Arlington ISD
01.2017 - 01.2019
- Facilitated collaborative projects that fostered critical thinking and communication skills among students.
- Assessed student performance through diverse evaluation methods to ensure academic growth and achievement.
- Organized interdisciplinary units that connected historical events to contemporary issues, promoting relevance in learning.
- Established strong relationships with parents and the community to support student success and educational initiatives.
- Employed appropriate teaching methods to cater to individual educational needs of each student.
- Fostered a positive classroom atmosphere encouraging open communication between peers and instructor alike.
- Tracked student progress using formative assessments, adjusting instructional methods accordingly for optimal results.
- Boosted student engagement through the incorporation of interactive activities, group projects, and hands-on experiences.
- Promoted cultural understanding and global awareness by integrating world history themes into curriculum.
Texas History Teacher
Carter Jr High / Arlington ISD
01.2001 - 01.2017
- Mentored new teachers, providing guidance on instructional techniques and classroom management strategies.
- Developed students'' critical thinking skills by incorporating primary source analysis in lessons and assignments.
- Maintained strong lines of communication with parents through regular progress reports and parent-teacher conferences, promoting collaboration in supporting each child''s education journey.
- Implemented differentiated instruction strategies for a diverse classroom environment ensuring all learners had equal opportunities for success.
- Provided timely feedback on assignments and assessments, allowing students to continuously improve their work.
- Communicated clear learning objectives to students on each unique chapter.
- Designed creative projects that allowed students to demonstrate their understanding of course material in various ways, catering to different learning preferences.
Education
Texas Teaching Certification - Social Studies
Master of Education - Special Education
Grand Canyon University
Phoenix, AZ01-2010
Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education
Oglala Lakota College
Eagle Butte, SD01-1996
Skills
- Excellent Communicator
- Adaptable and Flexible
- Creative and Self-motivated
- Energetic, Patient and Tolerable
- Positive reinforcement
- Behavior management
- Classroom organization
- Verbal and written communication
- Creativity in teaching
- Lesson plan implementation
- Behavior modeling
- Safety awareness
- Disciplinary procedures
- Differentiated instruction
- Elementary education
LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE
- Department Leader / Carter Jr High / 2006 – 2011
- Site Base Team / 2009 – 2010
- AVID Site Base Team / 2007 – 2008 and 2012 – 2013
- Member of the United Educator’s Association
Timeline
Teacher
MISD
10.2021 - 05.2025
Substitute Teacher
Crowley/Aledo ISD
01.2021 - Current
Drivers Ed Teacher
Academy Driving School
01.2019 - 01.2020
Texas History Teacher
Turning Point Secondary / Arlington ISD
01.2017 - 01.2019
Texas History Teacher
Carter Jr High / Arlington ISD
01.2001 - 01.2017
Master of Education - Special Education
Grand Canyon University
Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education
Oglala Lakota College