Brandy N Klaers
Carthage,TN
Summary
I am a passionate, empathetic, patient, and experienced ESL and ELA Teacher with 7 years of experience teaching both online and in the classroom. I am currently seeking a teaching position that capitalizes on my expertise with teaching students who need differentiated supports while learning core content. I am currently licensed in the state of Tennessee and endorsed to teach English Language Development to grades k-12 as well as to grades 6-12 for English Language Arts. I have a Bachelor of Science in Geography with a specialization in Travel/Tourism along with a minor in German. I also recently attained Masters of Education with a major in Curriculum and Instructional Leadership with a concentration on teaching English as a Second Language( ESL). I have high expectations for each student which I work with. I have experience working with students ranging from pre-k- 12th grade as well as adult English Language Learners. I believe that all students are capable of reaching their full potential with high-quality equitable education and individualized supports.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
English Language Development Teacher
Sumner County Board Of Education
Gallatin, TN
07.2021 - Current
- Developed activities and integrated technology to diversify instruction thus making learning more interesting and engaging for students.
- Designed curriculum which focused on enhancing the four language domains for students based on their ELA curriculum in a modified form.
- Enhanced students' academic language comprehension through interaction daily with new vocabulary as well as reinforced concepts being taught in their ELA class through meaningful activities and project-based learning.
- Used collaborative learning techniques to help English Language Learners acquire English as well as develop appropriate social skills in a school with a large population of students with high-emotional and social needs.
- Collaborated with teachers and administration to meet quarterly and yearly educational goals through quarterly monitoring report forms and in-person meetings.
- Assisted content teachers in knowing how to effectively differentiate and modify learning for newcomers and struggling ESL students in their classrooms through meetings and providing examples that were customized according to their student's ILP.
- Advocated for newcomers and other ESL students who needed more differentiated assignments in order to be successful in their content classrooms by meeting with teachers and revisiting their ILP with them -or through email communication.
- Designed and maintained 52 students' ILPs throughout the year with ongoing data, anecdotal notes, and needed modifications and accommodations based on their WIDA OA/ Literacy scores and my own knowledge of students.
- Created schedule, implemented schedule, and administered WIDA ACCESS efficiently to 52 ESL students with being the only ELD Teacher in the school.
- Helped educate all students at school about Hispanic culture and identity by hosting an interactive Hispanic Heritage Month learning project in the library which counted as a grade for their Social Studies class.
- Kept open and ongoing communication with students' families as well as meeting needs for students' families throughout the year. Contacted churches, community centers, and BOE to help supply low-income families with basic needs such as food, beds, community resources, prenatal care, and clothing.
- Connected students and families with access to counseling services.
ESL Independent Contractor
Brainhoop Inc
Los Angeles, CA
02.2021 - 07.2021
- Taught Chinese Language Learners who live in US, Canada, and China ESL through many differing content subjects.
- Improvised and improved online curriculum.
- Created strong rapport with students and families through online and live communication during class.
- Differentiated teaching based on each individual student's English language proficiency.
- Established contact and collaborated with management.
- Effectively managed online student behavior.
- Left constructive feedback for students and parents after each class.
- Assigned appropriately leveled homework and grades.
- Received raise within first 3 months.
- Retained and gained returning and regular students
VIPKid
Independent Contractor
Lebanon And Carthage, TN
03.2016 - 02.2021
- Privately teach TEFL students of all skills and English Language Proficiency levels online
- Develop rapport with families in China and their students through virtual means
- Complete timely and effective feedback after each lesson
- Taught myself basic Chinese instructional words to aid in clarification while teaching.
- Continuous positive parent feedback from over 127 parents
- Have taught over 500 privately-tutored students
- Have a high achievement score for VIPKid teachers. 5 stars out of 5 stars over the length of 4 years
English as a Second Language Specialist
Wilson County School District
Lebanon, TN
01.2018 - 12.2020
- Created and implemented training to promote long-term excellence for English Language Learners based upon best practices for English Language Learners.
- Increased school's overall grade for ELL growth in 2019. ELL s make up 10% of schools' overall state grade.
- Designed, educated, and monitored enforcement of ILPs as well as IEPs within content teacher classrooms.
- Created evolving and progressing goals and monitored each student for continued success.
- Improved English Language skills in language domains of listening, speaking, reading, and writing in classroom.
- Contributed to and participated in designing student's specialized educational plans (IEPs psychological assessments) in conjunction with student's educational team.
- Created and implemented lesson plans for grade levels k-12 with goal of increasing English language acquisition.
- Administered WIDA ACCESS ELP annual summative tests, initial screeners, and WIDA MODEL formative tests to ESOL students.
- High TEAM rubric evaluation scores.
- Effectively advocated for each of students and their families.
- Kept individual portfolios for each student with work samples and important documentation.
- Translated official school documents.
- Continually attended ongoing Professional Development opportunities (over 180 credit hours withing 3 years).
- Experienced with using ELLevationeducation to keep living portfolios and most current data for each student.
Ancillary Aide
Wilson County School District
Lebanon, TN
08.2017 - 07.2019
- Provided safe mobility support to help individual move around school environment.
- Student's growth in academics and mobility greatly improved during service (student is now in college).
- Collaborated with Special Education and aided in design of yearly goals and IEP modifications and accommodations for student.
- Communicated and organized student's homework assignments with teachers and parents.
- Interpreted student's speech( severe ataxia) and needs to peers and teachers.
- Assisted teachers with homework modifications and differentiation for student.
- Tutored student on as need basis after school hours at student's home as well as educated parents on content being taught to student.
- Offered immediate assistance in emergency and routine endangering situations to evaluate needs and deliver care.
- Maximized student's mobility within the school environment by helping student carry out personal tasks such as dressing and walking using wheelchair to walker.
- Aided student during physical therapy and speech therapy while at school.
- Developed strong rapport with student and family as well as provided emotional support.
Substitute Teacher
Wilson County School Disrict
Lebanon, TN
12.2016 - 05.2017
- Kept accurate and current attendance records for school compliance.
- Followed classroom plans left by class teacher reinforce core concepts.
- Effectively followed classroom routines to support student environments and maintain consistent schedules.
- Requested as regular and trusted substitute for several teachers.
- Kept students on-task with behavioral strategies and positive reinforcement.
- Organized and cleaned teaching areas after daily use for returning teachers or other substitutes.
- Supervised lunchroom and recess activities.
- Took notes and prepared reports on school day activities to provide to primary teacher.
- Assigned, explained, and graded homework.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Geography
Ball State University
Muncie, IN12.2023
M.Ed - Curriculum And Instruction With Focus On ELLs
Middle Tennesse State University
Murfreesboro, TN12.2020
Skills
- Strong English Language Skills
- Interpersonal communication
- Lesson Planning
- Expert with Best Practices for differentiation and implementing evidence-based instruction
- Ability to collaborate with other educators
- Highly skilled at developing plans for individual students based on their strengths, needs, and goals collaboratively decided upon in team setting
- Strong capability to develop rapport and continuous communication with students and families
- Effective at maximizing students' potentials and creating high-expectations
- Skilled leadership experience
Certification
ESOL Praxis to teach grades k-12
ELA Praxis to teach grades 6-12
EdTPA for ESOL Students (passed)
Licensed Teacher in the state of Tennessee
3.8 Graduate GPA for M.Ed
MAT score of 408
TESOL Foundations Certificate obtained 2019
TESOL Advanced Certificate obtained 2019
TEFL in China obtained 2021
Over 180 hours of professional development in education
Timeline
English Language Development Teacher
Sumner County Board Of Education
07.2021 - Current
ESL Independent Contractor
Brainhoop Inc
02.2021 - 07.2021
English as a Second Language Specialist
Wilson County School District
01.2018 - 12.2020
Ancillary Aide
Wilson County School District
08.2017 - 07.2019
Substitute Teacher
Wilson County School Disrict
12.2016 - 05.2017
VIPKid
Independent Contractor
03.2016 - 02.2021
Bachelor of Arts - Geography
Ball State University
M.Ed - Curriculum And Instruction With Focus On ELLs
Middle Tennesse State University