Catherine V. Kirchner
Furlong,Pa
Summary
Dynamic educator with a Master's degree in Reading Education and a Reading Specialist certificate, complemented by extensive training in Reading Recovery. Proven expertise in innovative teaching strategies that effectively address and bridge student skill gaps in reading and mathematics within small group settings. Proficient in conducting comprehensive reading assessments and leveraging data from MAP (Measures of Academic Progress - NWEA) to tailor instruction to meet individual student needs. Committed to fostering a love for learning and cultivating literate, lifelong learners equipped with essential skills for future success in both small and whole group settings.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Extended Day Instructor - Multigrades Small Group
Bridgewater-Raritan Public School District: John F. Kennedy Primary School
01.2023 - Current
- Developed and executed engaging small group lessons for students attending school one hour prior to regular schedule
- Targeted instruction to enhance student comprehension through grade-level language arts curriculum
- Vocabulary building instruction
- Incorporates daily brain warm-ups to stimulate adaptability in thinking and communication abilities vital for Newcomers.
Intervention Specialist
Bridgewater-Raritan Public School District: John F. Kennedy Primary School
01.2011 - Current
- Contributed to MTSS and data committee by collecting and analyzing school-wide academic scores during Fall, Winter, and Spring universal screenings to identify students requiring additional support or eligible for tier 2 services.
- Participates in Giving Tree Committee to assist families requiring clothing and food throughout academic year
- Holds Sonday System I training certification
- Skilled in i-ready
- Develops intervention action plans for individual students to target skill gaps requiring focus
- Assesses daily student performance to evaluate progression
- Re-evaluates action plans according to needs to adjust instructional focus or develop new focus goals
- Established trusting and friendly relationships with parents and colleagues.
- Developed intervention plans based on established guidelines and individual needs.
- Facilitates collaboration with classroom teachers to guarantee students integrate new knowledge into classroom settings.
Small Group Investigations (SGI) Grades 1-4
Bridgewater-Raritan Public School District: John F. Kennedy Primary School
01.2023 - 06.2025
- Developed and delivered project-based learning unit focusing on 'how to create a zoo' and 'what makes something fun? - creating an evening safari'.
- Guide and support students during individual and small group research investigations
- Support and motivate students during project creation and peer presentations.
- Break down large projects into smaller assignments
- Leverage technology (book creator) or materials for interactive projects
Reading Recovery Teacher
Bridgewater-Raritan Public School District: John F. Kennedy Primary School
01.2005 - 01.2010
- Designed and executed impactful individualized daily lessons utilizing Marie Clay's framework.
- Coordinated with classroom teachers to facilitate student transfer and application of literacy skills and strategies within classroom environments.
- Assessed daily to align with student needs for following day's lesson
- Engaged with fellow reading recovery teachers in district to devise solutions that address student weaknesses and promote student strengths
- Evaluate incoming first graders on literacy skills to determine appropriate placement
- Actively contribute to monthly reading recovery professional training to develop as an educator
- Mentored new first grade teacher throughout full school year, emphasizing reading assessment techniques.
- Conducted behind-the-glass lessons promoting colleague engagement and dialogue.
- Designed impactful small group reading and writing lessons to enhance literacy skills for second and third grade students.
Second Grade Teacher
Bridgewater-Raritan Public School District: Van Holten School
01.1998 - 01.2001
- Collaborated with the technology teacher to participate in an internet science unit called 'The Square of Life'
- Created weekly newsletters and behavior charts to enhance open positive communication with parents
- Attended many school and district wide professional development programs to grow as an educator
- Planned and taught small group guided reading lessons to support and enrich students' literacy development
- Participated in School/ PTO activities
- Collaborated with second grade team
First grade teacher
Wake County Public School District: Washington GT Magnet School
01.1996 - 01.1998
- Created and taught K-2 elective classes to enhance/ enrich student learning or support and fill learning gaps
- Represented first grade team on the school's writing committee - scoring writing samples for students in grades 1-5 using district rubric
- Served as K-2 representative for Student Support Team - giving suggestions to classroom teachers on ways to modify and chart results
- Wrote detailed elective progress reports and report card comments on a quarterly basis
- Developed and implemented daily lesson plans
- Attended various professional development courses in district and on my own to grow as an educator
Education
MA - Reading
Rutgers University
New Brunswick, NJReading Specialist Certification - Reading
Rutgers University
New Brunswick, NJReading Recovery Certification -
Rutgers University
BridgewaterBachelor of Arts - English and Elementary Education
Douglass College, Rutgers
New Brunswick, NJSkills
- Academic assessments
- Student engagement strategies
- Experience with diverse student populations
- Ongoing professional growth
- Clear instruction
- Technology-enhanced teaching methods
- Enhancing student engagement
Accomplishments
- Achieved an increase in student confidence who are struggling at grade level content by developing focused and engaging lessons. I have strong rapport with students to create a safe environment for risk taking. Lessons consistently incorporate hands on materials when teaching mathematics to make learning more accessible. When providing reading support I am able to increase known vocabulary and teach students how to utilize context clues for improved comprehension or provide intense phonics instruction for decoding weaknesses.
Certification
- Reading Recovery Training - 2000-2001
- Masters in Reading/ Reading Certification - Spring 2006
Timeline
Extended Day Instructor - Multigrades Small Group
Bridgewater-Raritan Public School District: John F. Kennedy Primary School
01.2023 - Current
Small Group Investigations (SGI) Grades 1-4
Bridgewater-Raritan Public School District: John F. Kennedy Primary School
01.2023 - 06.2025
Intervention Specialist
Bridgewater-Raritan Public School District: John F. Kennedy Primary School
01.2011 - Current
Reading Recovery Teacher
Bridgewater-Raritan Public School District: John F. Kennedy Primary School
01.2005 - 01.2010
Second Grade Teacher
Bridgewater-Raritan Public School District: Van Holten School
01.1998 - 01.2001
First grade teacher
Wake County Public School District: Washington GT Magnet School
01.1996 - 01.1998
MA - Reading
Rutgers University
Reading Specialist Certification - Reading
Rutgers University
Reading Recovery Certification -
Rutgers University
Bachelor of Arts - English and Elementary Education
Douglass College, Rutgers
Key Qualifications
- Certificate of Recognition Educational Services Professional Recipient, 2019-2020
- Certified in Elementary (K-6) Education (NJ), certified as a Reading Recovery teacher, and a Reading Specialist (NJ), Elementary (K-6) Education (PA).
- Design and implement lessons for both math and reading; differentiating instruction to meet the needs of each individual learner.
- Utilizes OnCourse Lesson Planning Software, Google Docs, Google Slides, and NWEA.org for assessment collection and lesson planning.
- Coached new teacher in MTSS position.
- Mentored maternity leave substitute for six week MTSS position.