Carol Simmons
McGrath,AK
Summary
Dedicated elementary teacher with a proven track record of excellence in teaching grades K-8, including Music and PE, seeking to transition into a full-time career. Known for a collaborative approach and strong commitment to enhancing literacy, this education professional excels in developing, delivering, and evaluating effective reading improvement plans. Fully credentialed in Alaska, possessing exceptional organizational and communication skills that contribute to optimizing student and school success. Well-versed in Title I requirements, LETRS, HMH Curriculum, and various instructional strategies, ready to leverage expertise in a new educational environment.
Overview
36
36
years of professional experience
Work History
Early Childhood Education Director
Iditarod Area School District
McGrath, AK
07.2023 - 06.2026
- It was my job of purchasing classroom furniture, curriculum, and physical education equipment for 6 classrooms.
- It was my job in the hiring, observing, guiding and supporting a lead teacher and staff of 6 classroom teachers.
- I was the overseer in making sure the lead teacher was promoting lessons for the preschool teachers in child development & learning through the use of a variety of curriculums.
- I made sure that the preschool teachers were building family & community relationships daily to monthly in scheduling socials throughout the years by use of Family Reading Nights and other means of social gatherings and meet and greets.
- It was my job to see that preschool teachers were observing, documenting, and assessing to support young children and their families through the ASQ screener and TS GOLD.
- It was my job to see that preschool teachers were trained and certified in the Pro Solutions Trainings, a Professional Development for early childhood educators and the curriculum of Teaching Strategies by using developmentally effective approaches to connect with children and their families.
- It was my job to see that preschool teachers and the lead teacher were certified in the use of content knowledge to build meaningful curriculum in the following areas; Teaching Strategies, The Creative Curriculum, Learning Without Tears, Heggerty, Conscious Discipline, Pyramid Model, through the use of curriculum instructional lesson plans.
Reading Specialist
Iditarod Area School District
McGrath, AK
07.2023 - 06.2024
- I established confident readers in the use of phonemic awareness, phonics, morphology, spelling, and comprehension through the use of the curriculum HMH for students throughout the district to login to the digital platform of HMH daily to twice weekly to build the skills individually needed from their scores from MAPS Growth/NWEA results.
Principal/Teacher (K
Iditarod Area School District
Holy Cross, AK
05.2023 - 06.2023
- Finished out the year because the principal there had a medical leave.
- I, along with the K-8th Grade teacher presented a Community Luncheon, Kindergarten and 8th Grade Graduations, turned in reports, and prepared the school for the upcoming new school year.
3rd-5th Grade Elementary Teacher
Iditarod Area School District
McGrath, AK
08.2019 - 05.2023
- Teacher following student teaching practicum, instructing all academic subject areas to elementary classrooms.
- Small classroom sizes of 6-12 students led to individualized instruction along with working with small group rotations.
- Devised lesson plans in alignment with state curriculum standards and created balanced instructional programs, demonstrations and work time to meet educational and instructional goals.
- Served on school committees and task forces focused on curriculum development, textbook review, and anti-bullying efforts.
- Involved parents in student education by cultivating strong relationships.
- Offers hands-on learning opportunities to develop student self-esteem and life skills.
- Created a safe, nurturing environment of trust and respect.
- Used technology to drive instruction and maximize student achievement.
- Promoted English and Athabaskan language development skills through reading and storytelling.
- Students were engaged in “Fresh Eyes on Ice” UAF program monthly which were online and face to face classes involving the safety and learning of Ice Awareness.
- Students were taught lessons of the Alaska history of the Iditarod Sled Dog Race and involved in a school wide reenactment of the Iditarod Sled Dog Race.
1st Grade Elementary Teacher
Craig City School District
Craig, AK
08.2018 - 05.2019
- Hired as first grade teacher at Craig Elementary and have thoroughly enjoyed teaching in a totally new state and environment.
- Most students were able to achieve a complete reading level up from beginning kindergarten to middle and end of first grade level! The program "Class DoJo" was an excellent classroom management tool in that I was able to create balanced instructional programs, demonstrations and work time to meet educational and instructional goals.
- Involved parents in student education by cultivating strong relationships.
- Offers hands-on learning opportunities to develop student self-esteem and life skills.
- Created a safe, nurturing environment of trust and respect.
- Used technology to drive instruction and maximize student achievement.
- Promoted language development skills through reading and storytelling.
Second Grade Teacher
Grant Parish Public School District
Verda, LA
08.1993 - 05.2018
- Earned high marks for the quality of classroom teaching, lesson plans, and instructional materials.
- Materials used in teaching language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, music, and history.
- Developed innovative approaches that were held as the model standard for meeting district goals in technology integration across the curriculum, experiential learning, literacy, and diversity areas.
- Taught general education students as well as individuals with learning challenges and special needs within a mainstreamed, inclusive classroom.
- Commended for ability to redirect students exhibiting behavior problems by using Class DoJo.
- Served on school committees and task forces focused on curriculum development, textbook review, fundraising, and anti-bullying efforts.
- Certified to teach Archery in grades 4+.
Physical Education Elementary Teacher
Grant Parish School Board
Verda, LA
08.2013 - 05.2017
- Taught students about concepts regarding fitness, health and well-being.
- Instructed students in classroom settings on specific exercises, team sports concept and overall safety to avoid injuries.
- Adapted teaching methods and instructional strategies to promote learning in students of differing skill levels.
- Devised safe and effective exercise strategies based on knowledge of kinesiology, anatomy and biology.
Music Elementary Teacher
Grant Parish School Board
Verda, LA
08.2006 - 05.2013
- Developed and oversaw programs for school gatherings, special concerts and student performances.
- Helped students appreciate arts with instructional and immersive techniques by use of music notation.
- Introduced students to different styles of music and promoted appreciation of all genres.
- I gathered music and props for daily class instruction as well as performances.
- Instructed students on how to play simple melodies with keyboards, recorders and ukuleles using music notation.
3rd Grade Elementary Teacher
Grant Parish School Board
Pollock, LA
08.1990 - 05.1993
- Teacher following student teaching practicum, instructing all academic subject areas to elementary classrooms.
- Devised lesson plans in alignment with state curriculum standards and created balanced instructional programs, demonstrations and work time to meet educational and instructional goals.
- Left Pollock Elementary (on excellent terms) at the end of the 1993 academic year to teach closer to my home.
Education
AK Teacher Certificate - Alaska Studies
University of Alaska Southeast
Juneau, AK01-2023
No Degree - Biology Teacher Education
University of Alaska Fairbanks
Fairbanks, AK01-2020
Master of Science - Educational Technology
Northwestern State University
Natchitoches, LABachelor of Arts - Elementary Education
Northwestern State University
Natchitoches, LA08-1990
Skills
- Alaska Professional Teaching Certification
- Google Classroom Certified
- LETRS Certified Teacher
- Certified Sylvan Learning Teacher
- Leadership in Preschool Teacher/Student Relationship Building
- Positive Behavior Techniques through the use of PBIS Interventions
- Preschool State Standards Adherence
- Student-Centered Learning
- Reading Specialist in HMH
- ASQ Certified and Teaching Strategies Gold
Accomplishments
- Used Microsoft Excel to develop skills needed for educational grant goals to be achieved in tracking spreadsheets.
- Collaborated with team of six teachers and one certified lead teacher in the development of achieving goals in Alaska's Early Education Program Grant.
- Supervised team of six para-teacher staff members.
- Achieved success by completing the ECE Grant, Early Childhood Education Grant, with accuracy and efficiency.
- Been in the educational system for over 30 years.
Timeline
Early Childhood Education Director
Iditarod Area School District
07.2023 - 06.2026
Reading Specialist
Iditarod Area School District
07.2023 - 06.2024
Principal/Teacher (K
Iditarod Area School District
05.2023 - 06.2023
3rd-5th Grade Elementary Teacher
Iditarod Area School District
08.2019 - 05.2023
1st Grade Elementary Teacher
Craig City School District
08.2018 - 05.2019
Physical Education Elementary Teacher
Grant Parish School Board
08.2013 - 05.2017
Music Elementary Teacher
Grant Parish School Board
08.2006 - 05.2013
Second Grade Teacher
Grant Parish Public School District
08.1993 - 05.2018
3rd Grade Elementary Teacher
Grant Parish School Board
08.1990 - 05.1993
AK Teacher Certificate - Alaska Studies
University of Alaska Southeast
No Degree - Biology Teacher Education
University of Alaska Fairbanks
Master of Science - Educational Technology
Northwestern State University
Bachelor of Arts - Elementary Education
Northwestern State University