Connie Cruz
Moses Lake School District
2
Languages
1
Certification
16
years of professional experience
Passionate school teacher with a California teaching credential and a Washington Emergency Substitute Certification. Experienced in improving student learning outcomes by adapting lesson plans to student needs. Dedicated to promoting academic performance and fostering social skills and character development.
Work History
Substitute Teacher
4 Years 6 Months- Organized and cleaned teaching areas after daily use to maintain high standards for returning teachers or other substitutes.
- Followed classroom plans left by class teacher to continue student education and reinforce core concepts.
- Counseled students with adjustment or academic problems.
- Maintained day-to-day classroom management and discipline to promote learning initiatives.
- Kept students on-task with proactive behavior modification and positive reinforcement strategies.
- Operated computers or audio-visual aids to supplement presentations.
- Took consecutive long term assignments in the elementary and preschool settings.
Fourth Grade Teacher
1 Year 11 Months- Incorporated district technology and restructured curriculum to create engaging, multi-dimensional lessons during covid19.
- Worked with grade level teachers to design lessons to optimize student education for both in-person and online learning.
- Built positive relationships with parents to involve families in educational process.
- Taught students subject-specific material, learning strategies, and social skills.
- Maintained online student portfolios to monitor learning progress and completion of work required for promotion to next grade level.
- Helped students develop self-esteem and life skills by fostering healthy conflict-resolution, critical thinking, and communication.
- Boosted individual perseverance and resilience by setting challenging goals and providing realistic support.
- Prepared materials for lessons, assignments, and assessments, and evaluated, corrected and graded student performance to identify gaps in skills or knowledge and set realistic goals.
- Developed and implemented discipline strategies to maintain classroom order.
Kindergarten Teacher
2 Years 10 Months- Built positive relationships with students and families for safe, trusted learning support.
- Incorporated art, music and physical activity into curriculum for well-rounded education.
- Developed and implemented behavior management strategies for creation of ideal learning environment.
- Developed and implemented individualized educational plans for special needs children.
- Rewarded student success by utilizing praise and positive reinforcement techniques.
- Delivered structured lessons on readiness skills by emphasizing phonics, language skills, literature, and handwriting.
- Promoted learning through play with engaging activities, games and lessons.
- Arranged parent-teacher conferences to address student progress and collaboratively set goals for areas of improvement.
- Monitored and evaluated student progress through regular assessments and observations.
First Grade Teacher
1 Year 10 Months- Built positive relationships with parents to involve families in educational process.
- Provided individualized and diversified instruction to support student comprehension and assist with navigating challenges.
- Organized classroom supplies and decorated walls to create fun, nurturing settings, and meet learning needs.
- Scheduled and directed field trips and hands-on activities to foster student learning and creativity.
- Collaborated with administrators on classroom policies, management strategies, and discipline.
4th Grade Student Teacher
4 Months- Worked with classroom teacher to learn about current standards and best practices.
- Utilized student-centered learning techniques, including group work, demonstrations, and self-discovery labs.
- Implemented lessons developed by a cooperating teacher in a fourth grade classroom, and managed a classroom of over 25 students
- Collaborated with teachers during staff development meetings on how to integrate affective teaching strategies in the classroom
- Observed and participated in special learning opportunities to expand horizons and learn different approaches.
- Monitored classrooms for safety and good behavior, offering students positive reinforcement to maintain discipline.
- Cultivated positive relationships with administration, teaching staff, and students.
- Taught lessons encompassing skill-building activities in speaking, writing, reading and listening.
- Attended students' concerts, sporting events and performances to offer support and encourage extracurricular activities.
First Grade Student Teacher
3 Months- Assisted students during regular class time in order to ensure their understanding of the daily lessons.
- Attended to the needs of English Language learners.
- Communicated with English and Spanish speaking parents on a regular basis.
- Worked with classroom teacher to learn about current standards and best practices.
- Organized classroom supplies and decorated walls to create fun, nurturing settings, and meet learning needs.
- Kept classroom clean, organized, and safe for students and visitors.
- Facilitated small group activities and one-on-one instruction to meet individual student needs.
Volunteer
1 Year 9 Months- Volunteered in a first-grade classroom setting.
- Assisted master teacher with testing students in reading comprehension.
- Tutored at various competency levels to help people with reading, math and writing skills.
- Worked with groups and individual students to improve reading and comprehension skills.
- Maintained clean, neat, and operational facilities to serve program needs.
Tutor Mentor
2 Years 5 Months- Worked with high school students from grades 9 to 12.
- Used flashcards and other techniques to test and improve memory through practiced information retrieval.
- Motivated students with accurate feedback and positive reinforcement.
- Facilitated small group and one-on-one tutoring sessions focusing on academic subject areas.
- Assisted students with their writing projects.
- Collaborated with faculty to design practice exercises.
- Conducted review sessions to help students prepare for tests.
- Assisted students in developing study skills and strategies.
- Provided homework assistance using specific curriculum and materials.
- Worked closely with students on specific class struggles, closely reviewing materials and assignments to offer targeted help.
- Supported students in development of critical thinking skills and perseverance to persist with challenging tasks.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Liberal Studies
Skills
Educational Settings
Time Management
Organizational Skills
Lesson Planning
Student Monitoring
Safe
Positive Learning Environment
Diversified Instruction
Teacher Collaboration
Certification
California Teaching Credential
Washington Emergency Substitute Certification
Languages
English
Spanish
Timeline
Substitute Teacher
Moses Lake School District
04.2022 - CurrentRead More
Fourth Grade Teacher
The Academy For Enriched Sciences - LAUSD
08.2019 - 07.2021Read More
Kindergarten Teacher
The Academy For Enriched Sciences - LAUSD
08.2016 - 06.2019Read More
First Grade Teacher
Academy For Enriched Sciences - LAUSD
08.2014 - 06.2016Read More
4th Grade Student Teacher
The Academy For Enriched Sciences - LAUSD
01.2014 - 05.2014Read More
First Grade Student Teacher
San Jose Elementary School - LAUSD
09.2013 - 12.2013Read More
Volunteer
Calahan Elementary School - LAUSD
09.2011 - 06.2013Read More
Tutor Mentor
Avid Tutor, Cleveland High School - LAUSD
01.2011 - 06.2013Read More
California State University - Northridge
Bachelor of Arts from Liberal Studies
Read More