Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Quote
Summary
Accomplishments
Certification
Timeline
Social Media Links
Media Projects
31
Cherry Griffin, M.A.

Cherry Griffin, M.A.

Journalist/Educator
San Antonio,TX

Overview

8
8
years of professional experience

Work History

5th Grade ELA Teacher

Kipp Texas Public Schools
San Antonio, TX
11.2023 - Current
  • Designed and executed TEKS aligned ELA istruction with emphasis on data-informed decisions using platforsms such as Illuminate, Skyward, Ready, and Amplify.
  • Tracked student progress through weekly formative assessments, IA1/IA2 (Internal Assessment) benchmarks, and BOY,MOY, and EOY iReady diagnostic assessments (Beginning, Middle, and End of Year), resulting in a 27% increase in students reaching Meets or Masters levels.
  • Delivered differentiated small group instruction using Lexia and NoRedInk, targeting specific skill gaps in comprehension, grammar, and writing.
  • Suppoerted EB (Emergent Bilingual) learners by intergrating Ellevation strategies and collaborating with ESL specialists to scaffold rigorous reading and writing tasks.
  • Managed classroom behavior and reward systems through LiveSchool, promoting prositive engagement and scholarly conduct.
  • Maintained consistent family engagement by sharing weekly academic and behavioral updates through ClassDojo, strengthening the home-school connection.
  • Collected and analyzed student feedback through Panorama Student Surveys, achieving a Spring 2025 favorability rating of 83%, a 9-point increase from Fall 2024.
  • Authored data reflections and reteach plans for IA Assessments that addressed low performing TEKS such as 5.3.B, 5.6.G, and 5.11.D.

Owner

Destiny Talk Live Media Group
Smyrna, GA
01.2020 - Current
  • Produced and hosted podcasts and video series focused on personal storytelling, education, and healing through media.
  • Designed promotional materials and managed brand presence using Canva an Adobe tools.
  • Utilized analytics to assess audience engagement and refine content strategy.

UTA OnRamps Instructor/Communications Teacher

San Antonio Preparatory School
San Antonio, TX
07.2022 - 11.2023
  • Created content curriculum to teach Communications and Broadcast Journalism, aligned with the Student Television Network (STN) standards.
  • Delivered instructions as an OnRamps Instructor for AET: 304: Foundations of Arts and Entertainment Technology for the University of Texas Austin (UTA), with a project-based model focused on storytelling, design thinking, podcasting, UX/UI design, video game development, and immersive digital media.
  • Earned 60 CPE hours through UT Austin'S New Instructor Summer Professional Learning Institute (2023).
  • Participated in the TED-Ed Student Talks Program, guiding students to craft and share personal narratives on the official TED-Ed platform.
  • Assessed student mastery through rubrics, critiques, digital portfolios, and Canvas-based submissions.

Production Assistant Intern

Karen McMullen
Brooklyn, NY
09.2021 - 12.2021
  • Supported logistics and planning for film festivals (TRIBECA, DOC NYC, TIDE), including director outreach and digital resource management.

Contracting Officer

Department of Defense/CFMO
Marietta, GA
05.2019 - 08.2021
  • Oversaw multi-million dollar construction and rehabilitation projects across Georgia Army National Guard sites.

Radio Talk Show Host

IBNX Radio Network & Sensation Station Network
Atlanta, GA
09.2017 - 12.2019
  • Created and hosted talk shows with a focus on community leadership, youth advocacy, and storytelling.

Education

Master of Arts - New Media Journalism-Online

Full Sail University
Winter Park, FL
06.2023

B.A - Communications And Rhetoric Studies / Film And Media Studies

Oglethorpe University
Brookhaven, GA
05.2021

Ph.D. - Educational Leadership

Wladen University
Minneapolis, MN
01.2025 - Current

Skills

  • Data & Assessment Tools: Skyward, Illuminate, iReady, mClass, Amplify, Ellevation, NoRedInk, Lexia, and LiveSchool
  • Digital Media: Adobe Creative Cloud Suite, iMovie, Filmora, Canva, Pixksel App
  • Instructional Tools: Google Suite, Microsoft Office, Canvas LMS, Sibme
  • Storytelling & Production: Video Editing, Script Writing, Interviewing, Blogging, Podcasting
  • Communication: Stakeholder Relations, ClassDojo Parent Communication, Panorama Surveys, Public Speaking

Quote

"Fear should never keep you from success. Fear should be the motivator that guides you to your purpose and power. Fear is finding every available resource to accomplish your goals."
C. Griffin

Summary

Strategic and creative educator-journalist with proven success driving student growth and engagement through data-driven instruction, multimedia storytelling, and curriculum innovation. Adept in leveraging technology platforms to elevate student performance, differentiate instruction, and communicate academic progress. Passionate about inclusive learning and amplifying student voice through engaging and rigorous instruction.

Accomplishments

  • AIRS New Voices Award Recipent, 2018
  • STAAR data showed class gains from 30% to 57% mastery between IA1 and IA2 in ELAR (English Language Arts)
  • iReady MOY to EOY diagnostic growth: 17% of students advanced at least one grade level
  • Spring 2025 Panorama Survey: Scored 83% overall with a 96% of students reporting motivation to do their best

Certification

  • OnRamps AET Instructor Certification-University of Texas at Austin (2023)
  • ADA/IDEA/504 Rights Overview (2023-24)
  • FERPA Student Privacy Certification (2023-24)
  • UNTWISE Employment Services Credentials: Job Skills Training (EXP: June 2027)
  • Social Media MarketingFoundation
  • Content Creation Strategy
  • GA Certified Purchasing Agent
  • Occupational Safety and Health Professional

Timeline

Ph.D. - Educational Leadership

Wladen University
01.2025 - Current

5th Grade ELA Teacher

Kipp Texas Public Schools
11.2023 - Current

UTA OnRamps Instructor/Communications Teacher

San Antonio Preparatory School
07.2022 - 11.2023

Production Assistant Intern

Karen McMullen
09.2021 - 12.2021

Owner

Destiny Talk Live Media Group
01.2020 - Current

Contracting Officer

Department of Defense/CFMO
05.2019 - 08.2021

Radio Talk Show Host

IBNX Radio Network & Sensation Station Network
09.2017 - 12.2019

Master of Arts - New Media Journalism-Online

Full Sail University

B.A - Communications And Rhetoric Studies / Film And Media Studies

Oglethorpe University

Social Media Links

LinkedIn, Cherry Griffin, Multimedia Journalist https://www.linkedin.com/in/cherry-griffin-m-a-0091ab8/

LinkedIn: Destiny Talk Live Media Group: https://www.linkedin.com/company/destiny-talk-live-media-group-llc/?viewAsMember=true

Media Projects

I am working on a project I started in my undergraduate work called If These Walls Could Talk. It will be a documentary of my book that is anticipated to launch in the summer of 2024. The book/documentary covers family secrets and what life is like after experiencing trauma at a young age. To view the video, If These Walls Could Talk. -

This project was also during my undergraduate degree program, during which I had the opportunity to be an independent media partner at New York Fashion Week. Check out the footage here: DTL PLITZ NY Fashion Week 2018 MEGAN Fullerton.

Interview with Mia Phillips of Toyota for the Black Enterprise Women of Power Summit at the Yacht & Beach Club Resort at Walt Disney World, Florida. Destiny Talk Live Interview with Mia Phillips of TOYOTA, USA.

This is one of my very first shows on the Sensation Station Network Determining Your Vision for 2018

To view more shows, please visit (Destiny Talk Live Radio).

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Cherry Griffin, M.A.Journalist/Educator