Professional: storytelling, Victorian literature, poetry, creative nonfiction, folklore, gender studies, rhetoric, linguistics, European History
Christine Knowles
Arundel,Maine
Summary
Accomplished Educator specializing in progressive and alternative education with a focus on inclusive learning environments. Demonstrated success in enhancing student outcomes through effective relationship-building, community partnerships, and strong communication and collaboration with parents, paraprofessionals, and colleagues. Proven ability in staff training, facilitating community discussions, and curriculum development. Dedicated and adaptable professional with a proactive attitude and the ability to learn quickly.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
2
2
Certifications
Work History
Education Director
The New School
Kennebunk, ME
07.2020 - Current
- Facilitated regular faculty meetings to evaluate student performance and implement new initiatives.
- Established effective strategies and metrics to assess program success and impact.
- Provided professional development opportunities for educators to enhance teaching skills.
- Evaluated faculty performance through observations, surveys, and interviews to promote excellence.
- Created partnerships with local businesses for student job shadowing experiences.
- Managed budget allocations for staff, equipment, and authorized purchases effectively.
- Maintained transparent communication with families regarding student achievements and progress.
- Oversaw compliance with educational regulations and ensured safe learning environments.Create, inspire, and maintain a holistic learning environment and foster a community of growth, learning and inquiry.
- Model environmental sustainability and social responsibility and promote those ethics and activities within the school
- Support and mentor teachers and provide professional development opportunities for educators to enhance teaching skills
- Evaluate faculty performance through observations, surveys, and interviews to promote excellence.
- Facilitate regular meetings with parents, staff, students and other stakeholders to plan and implement fundraising initiatives, evaluate school performance, and build and maintain community relationships
- Build and maintain relationships in the community for off-site learning and community service opportunities
- Maintain transparent communication with families regarding student achievements and progress.
- Assist students and parents in planning and implementing college and career goals, including SAT prep access, college research and application support, and career/vocation exploration
- Coordinate the transfer of students between The New School and area high schools
- Work with sending school districts to coordinate SPecial Education Services. Attend IEP, ISP, and 504 meetings
- Establish effective strategies and metrics to assess program success and impact.
- Manage budget allocations for staff, equipment, and authorized purchases effectively.
- Oversee compliance with educational regulations and ensure safe learning environments.
Lead Teacher, Humanities
The New School
Kennebunk, ME
01.2005 - Current
- Delivered engaging English and Social Studies instruction for mixed-grade students, covering diverse topics like Literature of Heaven and Hell; Civil Rights and Public Policy; and Advanced Poetry Workshop
- Provided mentorship to educators in developing lesson plans and instructional materials.
- Designed assessments that balanced student strengths with demanding achievement standards.
- Supported youth academically, socially, and emotionally through personalized advising.
- Collaborated with parents, students, and co-teachers to plan curriculum, fundraise, and manage administrative tasks.
- Created a comprehensive school-wide standards reporting system and transcript format.
- Planned immersive learning opportunities, including hurricane relief work in Louisiana and art history trips to Italy.
- Organized interdisciplinary trips focused on cultural appreciation in New York City and natural resource studies in Maine.
Education Technician, 6th & 7th Grade Special Education
King Middle School
Portland, ME
01.2005 - 06.2005
- Delivered academic support to students with IEPs and 504s across various settings, including mainstream classrooms and small groups.
- Served an ethnically and economically diverse population in an expeditionary middle school.
- Facilitated one-on-one instruction tailored to individual student needs.
- Implemented inclusive teaching strategies to enhance learning outcomes for diverse learners.
Education
MS - Education Teaching and Learning
University of Southern Maine
Gorham, ME01.2016
BA - English
Keene State College
01.2003
LPN -
St. Joseph School of Practical Nursing
Nashua, NH01.1999
Skills
- Student support
- Student assessment
- Classroom management
- Assessment creation
- Presentation skills and Public Speaking
- Problem-solving
- Reliability
- Attention to detail
- Adaptability
- Curriculum development
- Community partnerships
- Program evaluation
- Data analysis
- Strategic planning
- Budget management
- Regulatory compliance
- Staff training
- Student recruitment
- Effective communication
- Team collaboration
- Conflict resolution
- Restorative Justice Circle Keeping
Related Professional Experience
Whispering Willows Learn and Play Center, Peterborough, NH, Pre-school teacher, 1996-1997
- Planned and supervised structured activities for children ages 2-5.
Crotched Mountain Rehabilitation Center, Greenfield, NH, Residential Counselor/Life Skills Trainer, 1993-1999
- Provided community and residential support services for children with disabilities.
- Instructed children on daily living skills, from personal hygiene to financial literacy.
- Partnered with colleagues to develop and execute IEPs, ISPs, and behavior modification programs.
- Acquired training in American Sign Language and crisis intervention strategies.
Portland High School, Portland, ME Spring 2005 ETEP Intern, 11th Grade British Literature
- Planned and taught a wide variety of lessons within a writing intensive curriculum
- Taught all three levels within a dynamic, tracked high school with a large ESOL population.
- Attended meetings of the school redesign team
Lyman Moore Middle School, ME Fall 2004 ETEP Intern, 7th Grade ELA
- Designed and taught differentiated lessons targeting reading comprehension and literacy development.
- Scaffolded student-led literature circles, reading journals, interdisciplinary spelling tests, and laptop lessons.
- Partnered with parents, teachers, and students to foster a successful learning environment.
Accomplishments
- Community Pillar: 2025 Excellence in Sexual HEalth Education Award
- Restorative Justice Training
Certification
- (Highly qualified) Maine State Teaching Certifications 7-12 English and Language Arts, Social Studies
References
References available upon request.
Work Preference
Work Type
Full TimeWork Location
On-SiteRemoteHybridImportant To Me
Work-life balanceCompany CultureHealthcare benefitsInterests
Personal: cooking, culinary history, pottery, photography, birdwatching, writing, poetry, gardening
Community: community health and wellness, sustainability, conservation
Software
Microsoft Suite, Google Suite
I am adaptable and learn quickly Learning new software applications doesn't worry me
Quote
There is no innovation and creativity without failure. Period.
Brene Brown
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
swipe to browse
Timeline
Education Director
The New School
07.2020 - Current
Lead Teacher, Humanities
The New School
01.2005 - Current
Education Technician, 6th & 7th Grade Special Education
King Middle School
01.2005 - 06.2005
MS - Education Teaching and Learning
University of Southern Maine
BA - English
Keene State College
LPN -
St. Joseph School of Practical Nursing
Similar Profiles
Jordan SalyersJordan Salyers
Research Assistant at THE NEW SCHOOLResearch Assistant at THE NEW SCHOOL
Ruby IzadRuby Izad
Teachers Assistant at The New SchoolTeachers Assistant at The New School
Amber SearsAmber Sears
Student Worker at The New SchoolStudent Worker at The New School