Cynthia Melendez
Farmers Branch,TX
Summary
Passionate educator with diverse experience across various learning environments, including specialized and mainstream settings. Skilled in creating engaging curriculums tailored to individual student needs, fostering inclusive classroom atmospheres that inspire curiosity and learning. Demonstrated ability to adapt teaching methodologies to enhance student understanding and achievement. Successfully implemented innovative teaching strategies that improved learner engagement and academic performance.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
Pre-K Dual Language Teacher
Legacy Preparatory Charter School
Plano, TX
08.2023 - Current
- Plan and provide students with well-organized lessons to achieve the objectives of the curriculum.
- Assess and evaluate both language proficiency and content knowledge objectives in both languages.
- Led students through safety procedures for active shooter and fire drills.
- Built and strengthened positive relationships with students, parents and teaching staff.
- Implement a lesson plan to teach the Spanish language and culture in a dual-language setting.
- Created and enforced child-based, hands-on curriculum to promote student interest and receptive learning.
- Used videos, lectures and moderated discussions to engage students during class.
- Encouraged critical thinking skills by guiding students through problem solving activities.
- Supported English Language Learners by providing additional guidance during class time.
- Promoted positive behavior management strategies within the classroom setting.
- Provided individualized instruction to struggling students and introduced specialized lessons plans to monitor progress.
- Established clear expectations for academic performance while maintaining a supportive atmosphere for all learners.
- Participate in the Annual Frog Street Curriculum conferences.
Bilingual Kindergarten Teacher
Legacy Preparatory Charter School
Plano, TX
08.2021 - 06.2023
- Created and enforced child-based, hands-on curriculum to promote student interest and receptive learning.
- Adapted instructional techniques according to student learning styles and progress.
- Engaged with children on individual basis to build positive, trusting relationships.
- Organized and led activities to promote physical, mental and social development.
- Implemented behavior modeling and positive reinforcement into daily routines.
- Organized creative and fun activities, enhancing children's physical, emotional and social well-being.
- Managed classroom materials and resources effectively to maximize instructional time.
- Instructed and assisted children in eating, toileting, and resting to help develop healthy personal habits.
- Communicated with parents regularly to maintain student progress, schedule meetings, and increase overall student happiness.
- Met with administrators and department team members to work on curriculum planning and assessment methods.
- Created a positive, nurturing classroom environment that encourages children's exploration and curiosity.
Second Grade Bilingual Teacher
Legacy Preparatory Charter Academy
Mesquite, TX
01.2020 - 06.2022
- Plan and provide well-organized lesson plans aligned with Texas standards and guidelines.
- Integrated technology into the curriculum to enhance student engagement and learning.
- Instructed students on how to use proper grammar when speaking and writing in both languages.
- Employed online learning management systems and other diverse instructional resources to offer students remote assistance with assignments.
- Encouraged collaboration among peers through cooperative learning activities.
- Prepared, administered and graded daily work and tests to evaluate student's progress.
- Offered hands-on learning opportunities to develop student self-esteem and life skills.
- Maintained positive classroom culture through behavior management techniques.
- Prepared materials for upcoming lessons according to district guidelines.
- Implemented differentiated instruction based on individual needs of students.
- Delivered educational after-school activities for groups of students to improve learning potential outside of classroom.
- Provided support and guidance to colleagues to maintain a collaborative work environment.
- Collaborated closely with team members to achieve project objectives and meet deadlines.
Permanent Bilingual Substitute Teacher-Third Grade
Dallas ISD
Dallas, TX
08.2018 - 05.2019
- Demonstrate commitment to the philosophy that every minute is learning time by executing engaging lessons aligned to state standards to prepare for STAAR
- Effective communication skills to present daily instructional information accurately in Power Point
- Help students analyze and improve study methods and habits
- Conduct ongoing assessments of student achievement through formal and informal weekly testing
- Attend and participate in PLC and faculty meetings weekly
- Excellent classroom Management & Discipline
Substitute teacher (Elementary grades)
Dallas ISD
Dallas, TX
11.2017 - 05.2018
- Educated students in various subjects to provide seamless transition during absence of head teacher.
- Implemented lesson plans assigned by classroom teacher to educate students about key concepts.
- Led and facilitated discussions to encourage critical thinking, and student engagement.
- Monitored student progress and provided feedback to classroom teachers about their performance.
- Utilized educational technology to enhance learning experiences.
- Took attendance and maintained attendance records during period as substitute.
- Implemented effective classroom management techniques and ensure safe and productive learning experiences to promote respect for others.
Permanent Substitute Pre-K Bilingual teacher
Dallas ISD
Dallas, TX
08.2015 - 06.2017
- Instruct an age-appropriate lesson plan that encourages emotional, social, physical and academic growth. (Frog Street Curriculum)
- Design and provide learning activities in centers according to Early Childhood to facilitate the creation of helpful learning environment.
- Collaborated with other teachers to develop integrated lessons for multiple subjects taught in Spanish.
- Maintained accurate records of attendance, grades, homework completion and test scores.
- Encouraged student participation through pair work and individual projects.
- Engaged students through lecture and discussion, increasing classroom interaction to build inclusive learning environment.
- Participated in workshops, trainings and conferences to improve educational skills with Early Childhood.
- Assisted English learners with developing their English language proficiency while maintaining their native language fluency.
- Implemented behavior management techniques that promoted positive interactions among students.
- Attend and participate in PLC, SWAG, and faculty meetings and trainings.
- Participated in school events such as Open House nights or Parent-Teacher Conferences.
Permanent Substitute Pre-K Bilingual teacher
Dallas ISD
Dallas, TX
08.2015 - 06.2017
- Instruct an age-appropriate lesson plan that encourages emotional, social, physical, and academic growth aligned to state standards
- Maintain individual student portfolios including checklists, work samples and narrative reports
- Design an effective room arrangement that supports the goals and development level of the children in the classroom
- Provide learning activities in centers according to Early Childhood and facilitated the creation of helpful learning environment
- Small groups activities to meet academic standards
- Attend and participate in PLC and SWAG training and faculty meetings
- Excellent classroom Management & Discipline
Customer Service Representative
Department of Homeland Security
Denton, TX
11.2016 - 02.2017
- Company Overview: FEMA
- Collecting and recording disaster registration from applicants seeking disaster assistance for housing and other needs assistance
- Analyzed information according to established procedures to determine applicant needs and provide referrals to appropriate disaster programs, community resources, other Federal, State, and local agencies
- Enforced and adhered to the Robert T
- Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act while assisting applicants seeking assistance from disaster victims
- Administered the laws, policies, rules, regulations, or other directives governing emergency management
- Conducted telephone interviews in English/Spanish to register applicants for disaster assistance and made basic assistance determinations based upon established procedures, referring more complex issues to higher processing levels for decision
- FEMA
- Professional Training Courses Completed: Registration Intake 9/2017, Duplicate Investigation 10/2017, Incoming Mail 10/2017, FEMA Manual 10/2017, Pre - Placement Interview training 11/2017, NEMIS (Helpline Training)
Education
BA - Arts Concentration in Criminal Justice
Universidad Del Turabo
Yabucoa, Puerto Rico06-1999
GA - Secretary-Technology Office Automation
Universidad De Puerto Rico
Humacao, PR01-1994
Skills
- Bilingual proficiency
- Scaffolding strategies
- Oral language skills
- Listening comprehension
- Cooperative learning
- Project-based learning
- Student engagement
- Instructional materials
- Reading comprehension
- Group work facilitation
- Parent-teacher communication
- Teaching strategies
- Language modeling
- Feedback techniques
Accomplishments
- Designated Master teacher by TIA
- District Teacher of Year 2023-204
- Teacher of the Year 2023-2024
- Rookie Teacher of the Year 2021-2022
Languages
Spanish
Native/ Bilingual
English
Native/ Bilingual
Affiliations
- Hispanic Month school coordinator
Other Duties
- LPAC Coordinator
- Teacher mentor for new teachers in my grades
- School tutor for STAAR testers
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Pre-K Dual Language Teacher
Legacy Preparatory Charter School
08.2023 - Current
Bilingual Kindergarten Teacher
Legacy Preparatory Charter School
08.2021 - 06.2023
Second Grade Bilingual Teacher
Legacy Preparatory Charter Academy
01.2020 - 06.2022
Permanent Bilingual Substitute Teacher-Third Grade
Dallas ISD
08.2018 - 05.2019
Substitute teacher (Elementary grades)
Dallas ISD
11.2017 - 05.2018
Customer Service Representative
Department of Homeland Security
11.2016 - 02.2017
Permanent Substitute Pre-K Bilingual teacher
Dallas ISD
08.2015 - 06.2017
Permanent Substitute Pre-K Bilingual teacher
Dallas ISD
08.2015 - 06.2017
BA - Arts Concentration in Criminal Justice
Universidad Del Turabo
GA - Secretary-Technology Office Automation
Universidad De Puerto Rico
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