Courtney Branch
National Board Certified Teacher
Hickory,NC
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
6
6
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Middle School English and Language Arts Teacher
Catawba County Schools
Hickory, NC
08.2011 - Current
- Designed and executed student skill development in alignment with course curriculum, promoting effective verbal and written communication through listening, speaking, reading and writing practice differentiating for 100% of students.
- Evaluated academic skills of each student through verbal assessments, graded assignments and standardized tests including administration of local and state standardized tests.
- Kept classroom organized, clean and safe for students and visitors.
- Completed in-service and additional training to maintain professional growth including selection as staff representative/ peer trainer for Literacy Design Collaborative (LDC) and ELA department chair.
- Utilized multimedia strategies and technology to convey information in fresh and interesting ways.
- Worked with administrators on behavioral issues to support needs of students such as IEP development.
Middle School English and Language Arts Teacher
Burke County Public Schools
Morganton, NC
08.2003 - 07.2011
- Instructed classes of up to 30 students on principles and strategies of English Language Arts and differentiated instruction for 100% of students as featured on National Board certification.
- Evaluated academic skills of each student through verbal assessments, graded assignments and standardized tests.
- Specialized training in using graphic organizers, aligning curriculum standards to learning goals.
- Specialized training in differentiation for gifted learners, implemented goals in classroom, and selected to represent school in county gifted learner committee.
Even Start Family Literacy Program Director
J. Iverson Riddle Developmental Center
Morganton, NC
01.2000 - 08.2003
- Supervised staff of 13 to execute program recruitment, execution, and quality.
- Evaluated and executed ongoing direction and leadership for program operations to include compliance with local, state, and federal mandates for funding and quality.
- Oversaw development and execution of multiple grants to maintain program for early childhood education as well as adult education.
- Participated in continuous improvement by generating suggestions, engaging in problem-solving activities to support teamwork resulting in federal grant renewal.
Social Worker II
Caldwell County Department Of Social Services
Lenoir, NC
06.1994 - 01.2000
- Delivered comprehensive therapeutic services to children, adolescents and adults to support child welfare and prevention services for average of 30 families per month.
- Formulated treatment plan strategies with multidisciplinary teams to provide comprehensive and continuous care plan.
- Testified under oath as child advocate in family court to assist with child custody decisions.
- Assessed and interviewed clients for abuse and neglect to compile documentation for court reports.
- Offered therapeutic services and crises intervention to emotionally disturbed children and adolescents.
Education
Master of Arts - Reading Education
Appalachian State University
Boone, NC 06.2004 - 12.2006
Bachelor of Arts - Double Major, English And Psychology
University of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC 08.1989 - 05.1993
Skills
Individualized instruction
IEP familiarity
Response-to-intervention understanding
Verbal and written communication
Student assessments
Literacy skills
Lesson Planning
Lesson plan implementation
Differentiation specialist
Timeline
Middle School English and Language Arts Teacher
Catawba County Schools
08.2011 - Current
Master of Arts - Reading Education
Appalachian State University
06.2004 - 12.2006
Middle School English and Language Arts Teacher
Burke County Public Schools
08.2003 - 07.2011
Even Start Family Literacy Program Director
J. Iverson Riddle Developmental Center
01.2000 - 08.2003
Social Worker II
Caldwell County Department Of Social Services
06.1994 - 01.2000
Bachelor of Arts - Double Major, English And Psychology
University of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
08.1989 - 05.1993
Summary
Skilled Language Arts Teacher knowledgeable about building strong verbal and written communication skills in middle grades students. Familiar with curriculum selection, lesson planning and classroom management. Desiring to contribute 28 years of experience to this position.