Bernadette McFarland
Education Leader
San Diego,CA
Summary
Experienced in curriculum development, student engagement, and program coordination. Proven ability to foster collaborative environments. Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills for meeting evolving needs and delivering impactful results. Skilled leader of educational programs from kindergarten through secondary levels. Collaborated in creating socially responsive curriculum and implementing innovative, student-centered teaching strategies in a full inclusion project-based school. Improved student engagement and academic performance through effective leadership and collaborative team building. Strong communication skills, adaptability, and strategic planning contribute to a positive school culture and nurturing learning environment. Training in crisis prevention and creating behavior plans, along with knowledge of special education laws and best practices, enables writing strong IEP goals to support students' growth. Leader of an effective English Language Learner Program. Collaborative leader with skills to meet the needs of students from diverse backgrounds with a wide range of skills.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
Vice Principal
The San Diego Cooperative Charter School
11.2019 - Current
- Acted as principal for day-to-day running of school as well as key decision making.
- Data review and analysis to improve academic program
- Teacher coaching and mentoring/Mentored newly hired educators and provided encouragement and feedback.
- Evaluate teacher performance through classroom observations, offering constructive feedback for improvement in instructional delivery methods.
- Facilitates Parent Orientation and Middle School Student Orientation
- Attend IEP meetings as the LEA Representative
- Implement and enforce student discipline/restorative justice practices
- Work closely with Counseling staff to provide follow up to discipline
- Work closely with Counseling staff for student Risk Assessment
- Host monthly community events to establish strong parent relationships
- Confer with parents and staff regarding student behaviors and progress
- CAASPP/EL Coordinator
- Meet with parents to discuss student performance and behavioral issues.
- Monitor academic progress of all students through regular review of assessment data to identify trends and potential areas of growth or concern.
- Maintained records for school, district, state, and federal requirements.
- Oversaw scheduling, orientation, and other support areas.
- Collaborate with teachers to develop curriculum improvements, resulting in increased student engagement and achievement.
- Evaluate teacher performance through classroom observations, offering constructive feedback for improvement in instructional delivery methods.
- Monitored student behavior and enforced discipline policies.
- Enhanced school performance by implementing new policies and procedures for student discipline and academic support.
- Instructed small groups of teachers and students.
- Planned and implemented professional development programs.
- Addressed performance gaps among student subgroups by developing targeted intervention strategies in collaboration with instructional staff.
- Collaborated with MTSS team and attended SST meetings
- Monitored student progress and implemented intervention strategies to support student success.
- Fostered positive relationships with community stakeholders by participating in local events, connecting with business leaders, and collaborating with other schools within the district.
- Supported hiring, training, and disciplinary action in compliance with legal guidelines and requirements.
- Served as an approachable liaison between administration, faculty, parents, and students to ensure effective communication and cooperation within the school community.
ELPAC Coordinator
The San Diego Cooperative Charter School
01.2020 - Current
- In addition to the vice-principal role, responsibilities include developing a schoolwide articulated EL program responsive to the student's needs and desired school outcomes
- Develop, facilitate, and provide related staff training
- Improved ELL student reclassification rate to 25%
- Provide direct support to teachers, principals, and other school personnel in all aspects of the program for English learners
- Coordinate student testing/assessment and the transition to English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC) grades K-8
- Coordinate academic plan for language reclassification
- Monitor student progress and oversee the collection of all student data to ensure student progress and history are available to all concerned parties
- Act as a partner with teachers in meeting the identified academic needs of the student: make recommendations for individual student support and provide research-based strategies for use in the classroom
- Learn new methods, procedures, and strategies working with students in the English Learner program
- Provide necessary documentation as required by the State Department of Education and District level reporting
- Facilitate school-level committees composed of parents, staff, and community members designated to advise school officials on English learner programs and services
Lead Kindergarten/TK Teacher
The San Diego Cooperative Charter School
01.2018 - 01.2019
- Designed and delivered developmentally appropriate, culturally responsive, project-based curriculum while fostering a safe and welcoming environment for students and their families in a full inclusion, cooperative learning environment.
- Facilitated emergent curriculum emphasizing social-emotional learning to support holistic student development, including Responsive Classroom, Mind-Up, Social Thinking, and Collaborative Classroom.
- Fostered a positive, inclusive classroom community using the Responsive Classroom Approach to teaching which encompasses positive behavior management strategies, building strong student-family-teacher relationships, and ensuring a joyful, equitable learning environment where all students are valued
- Supported students in early literacy, and language development using evidence-based science of reading curriculum such as Secret Stories, Orton Gillingham methodologies, Collaborative Classrooms, and the writer's workshop model to support students' developing an identity as writers and storytellers.
- Designed and delivered the Sage garden curriculum to teach science standards, environmental stewardship, integrating early literacy and math skills.
- Facilitated student learning delivering Illustrative Math curriculum and Math activities using YouCubed and Graham Fletcher resources.
- Collaborated regularly with families, planned home visits and developed community engagement opportunities for families.
- Parent participation was an essential part of the school's mission statement—led parent meetings about the developmental milestones of TK-Kindergarten students.
- Responsible for formal and informal assessments of each student, communicating student progress through conferences, and writing student report cards.
- Collaborated and co-taught with school counselors, special education teachers, and providers to support students with various needs.
- Worked closely with OT to naturally integrate a sensory diet into the daily activities to support all students, including students identified with special needs.
- Attended IEP meetings.
- Collaborated and planned with the TK-K team.
- Participated and co-planned school-wide weekly Professional Learning Communities.
- Supervise and mentor paraprofessionals, practicum students and student teachers.
- Hosted 3 parent meetings per school year
- Facilitated parent goal-setting conferences in the fall and student-led conferences in the spring.
- Differentiated instruction to accommodate diverse learning needs, ensuring each student had an equal opportunity for success.
- Assessed student performance regularly using both formative and summative assessments to inform future lesson planning.
- Identified struggling students early on and provided additional support through tutoring sessions and modified lesson plans.
- Continuously pursued professional development opportunities such as workshops or conferences to stay current in educational trends.
- Integrated cultural awareness into lessons by incorporating diverse perspectives and materials into the curriculum.
- Served on school committees focused on curriculum development, teacher evaluations, or community outreach initiatives to contribute positively to the overall school climate.
- Designed and implemented differentiated instruction strategy to meet diverse learning needs, enhancing educational outcomes.
- Increased parental involvement in students' education by organizing regular communication and events.
- Enhanced students' critical thinking and problem-solving skills through project-based learning.
- Designed curriculum materials for special education students, facilitating inclusive learning.
- Helped students explore concepts with engaging, learning-focused activities.
- Created and developed lesson plans to meet students' academic needs.
- Developed and implemented classroom routines to address varying student needs.
- Fostered student curiosity and interest through creative hands-on activities.
Education Specialist
The San Diego Cooperative Charter School
01.2016 - 01.2018
- Designed and implemented the instructional program and materials for students with special needs, including the science of reading approved methodology, math fluency, and Illustrative Math curriculum to ensure culturally responsive practices
- Attended weekly meetings with teachers, service providers, and administrators to ensure students received specialized academic instruction and accommodations in a full inclusion setting to support students in meeting their educational, executive functioning, social, and emotional goals
- Collaborated and maintained ongoing communication of pertinent information and consultant services to staff members, parents, and stakeholders
- Facilitated IEP meetings in alignment with best practices and federal and state education policies and regulations
- Maintained ongoing assessments for screening, progress monitoring, diagnostic, and outcome, including: Student performance and educational outcomes to provide appropriate and effective instruction Measure students' progress on IEP goals Initial assessments were done using WJ4, Brigance Early Childhood, and reading assessments
- Supervised, collaborated, and supported professional growth opportunities for paraprofessionals
- Increased parent involvement through regular communication about student progress and collaborative goal-setting for academic success.
- Worked with staff members and teachers to design comprehensive and individualized plans to optimize student education.
- Adapted teaching methods and materials to meet students' varying needs.
- Provided individualized support for students with special needs, adapting instructional approaches to meet their unique learning requirements.
- Evaluated student work using formative assessments and provided constructive feedback, promoting continuous improvement in academic performance.
Primary Multiage Lead Teacher
SDCCS
08.2010 - 01.2016
- Developed curriculum and lessons for all content areas to meet developmental and instructional goals
- Developed and implemented differentiated instruction strategies to accommodate diverse learning styles, resulting in increased student engagement and success.
- Adapted teaching methods and materials to meet students' varying needs.
- Used data-driven decision-making processes to analyze student performance trends and adjust instructional practices accordingly, leading to improved outcomes.
- Delivered Illustrative Math curriculum and best practices identified by Jo Boaler and Graham Fletcher resources.
- Prepared lesson materials and provided ongoing evaluation of student progress to adjust lessons and instruction to meet the needs of the students
- Measured progress of students towards their academic and social/emotional goals
- Maintained open communication with parents about student progress and opportunities to be part of their child's education in the classroom and at home
- Hosted 3 parent meetings per school year
- Facilitated parent goal-setting conferences in the fall and student-led conferences in the spring
- Completed Report cards for each student and collaborated with SST and/or IEP team to support students identified with needs or to identify students under Child Find Laws
- Provided a safe, developmentally appropriate, culturally responsive environment for all students in the classroom using Responsive Classroom Approach
- Participated in weekly collaborative professional development or PLCs to reflect on and improve instructional strategies
- Led weekly team meetings with team members, including paraprofessionals and special education teachers
- Organized field trips that enriched classroom learning experiences by connecting students with real-world applications of course concepts.
- Designed and executed project-based learning experiences, promoting teamwork, problem-solving skills, and real-world connections for students.
- Completed student progress reports mid-term to notify students and parents of strengths and areas of improvement.
Preschool Lead Teacher
The Unitarian Cooperative Preschool
08.2001 - 08.2010
- Facilitated developmentally appropriate curriculum and lessons for all content areas to meet developmental goals across all physical, cognitive, social and emotional, and linguistic domains, including bilingual/multilingual development.
- Designed curriculum and a nurturing learning environment in a parent cooperative school that celebrated families, cultures, languages, and diverse communities,
- Collaborated with colleagues to design emergent curriculum inspired by the Reggio Emilia Approach.
- Measured progress of students towards their developmental milestones including social and emotional development.
- Parent conferences bi-annually
- Hosted 3 parent meetings per school year
- Oversaw classroom IA's and parent volunteers.
- Promoted a positive classroom environment, fostering respect, empathy, and teamwork among students.
- Provided open and loving environment where children direct learning process.
Education
Special Education Teacher Credential: AUT Add On - Special Education: Autism Certified
High Tech High Credential Program
San Diego, CA01.2017
M.A. Education - Elementary Teacher Education
University of Phoenix
01.2010
B.A. - Early Childhood Development
National University
01.2007
Skills
- Effective Student Engagement
- Strong Written and Oral Communication
- Strong Family-School Partnerships
- Coaching and Professional Development Support
- Academic Performance Tracking
- Strategic Organizational Oversight
- New teacher training and mentoring
- Stakeholder Involvement
- Implementation of Restorative Approaches
- Data-Informed Educational Strategies
- Teacher Performance Evaluations
- Special Education Expertise
- Crisis Response Team Member
- Active community involvement
- Instructional leadership
- Strategic planning
- Emergency preparedness
Professional Training
- Responsive Classroom Elementary Course
- IMSE Orton Gillingham Fidelity Certificate
- Really Great Reading Curriculum
- Social Thinking Curriculum
- Self and Match
- Illustrative Math
- Learning While Leading: Supporting Effective Educator Development grant (SEED) from the US Department of Education
- Restorative Practices Facilitator
- Crisis Prevention Intervention
- Non-Violent Communication
Teaching Credentials and Certifications
- California Multiple Subject Credential, English Language Learner Authorization
- California Special Education Credential, Mild Moderate Authorization, Autism Spectrum Authorization, English Language Learner Authorization
- Preliminary Washington State Residency Credential
Work Preference
Work Type
Full TimeWork Location
RemoteOn-SiteHybridImportant To Me
Paid sick leaveCompany CultureHealthcare benefitsTimeline
ELPAC Coordinator
The San Diego Cooperative Charter School
01.2020 - Current
Vice Principal
The San Diego Cooperative Charter School
11.2019 - Current
Lead Kindergarten/TK Teacher
The San Diego Cooperative Charter School
01.2018 - 01.2019
Education Specialist
The San Diego Cooperative Charter School
01.2016 - 01.2018
Primary Multiage Lead Teacher
SDCCS
08.2010 - 01.2016
Preschool Lead Teacher
The Unitarian Cooperative Preschool
08.2001 - 08.2010
M.A. Education - Elementary Teacher Education
University of Phoenix
B.A. - Early Childhood Development
National University
Special Education Teacher Credential: AUT Add On - Special Education: Autism Certified
High Tech High Credential Program
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