Dana Giddens
LaBelle,FL
Summary
Passionate professional with excellent presentation, research, and communication skills. History of excelling in high-pressure environments and achieving impressive results. Skilled at optimizing student experience through various learning methods and tools. Articulate teaching professional with extensive academic experience and focus on positively contributing to department success. Proven skill in curriculum and course development. Dedicated to building morale and creativity among students. Organized academic professional offers history of positive student learning outcomes fostered through creative curriculum delivery. Skilled in sparking thought-provoking discussions to increase student participation and boost information retention. Brings several years of teaching experience and strong sense of academic integrity.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Assistant Principal
Faith, Hope, & Truth Christian Academy
Pearson, GA
08.2023 - 09.2024
- Provided guidance and support to teachers, staff and students in the school.
- Developed and implemented school policies, procedures and programs for student achievement.
- Monitored student behavior and discipline in accordance with district regulations.
- Resolved conflicts between faculty members and students.
- Conducted regular meetings with parents to discuss their children's academic progress.
- Supervised the maintenance of accurate student records including attendance, grades, health records and special needs assessments.
- Facilitated communication between teachers, administrators and parents regarding student performance issues.
- Analyzed data collected from standardized tests to identify areas of improvement in instruction or curriculum design.
- Intervened when necessary to ensure compliance with state laws concerning education.
- Ensured that all safety protocols were followed by staff members during school events.
- Attended conferences related to educational leadership or policy making.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of current trends in education technology.
- Displayed strong decision making abilities and confidence to staff and students.
- Established and enforced clear class objectives and requirements to promote consistent education for students.
- Built life-long learning skills and strong study habits in students to help each prepare for higher-level education.
ESOL Coordinator
Atkinson County Board of Education
Pearson, GA
08.2017 - 05.2022
- Developed and implemented lesson plans to meet the needs of English as a Second Language students.
- Assessed student progress and provided appropriate feedback, instruction, and guidance.
- Collaborated with faculty members to develop effective strategies for teaching ESOL students.
- Utilized various methods of instruction such as lectures, group activities, individual tutoring sessions, and multimedia presentations.
- Created an environment conducive to learning by establishing positive relationships with students and families.
- Provided individualized instruction to accommodate different learning styles of each student in the classroom.
- Facilitated small-group discussions between ESOL students to promote language acquisition skills.
- Integrated technology into the curriculum to enhance student engagement and learning outcomes.
First Grade Teacher
Pearson Elementary School
Pearson, GA
08.2005 - 08.2017
- Provided engaging instruction in reading, writing, mathematics, science and social studies to a class of 25 first graders.
- Developed and implemented individualized learning plans for struggling students.
- Collaborated with special education staff to ensure appropriate accommodations were made for students with IEPs.
- Assessed student performance through formal testing and informal observation.
- Created classroom environment that promoted positive behavior expectations and respect for diversity.
- Planned and facilitated small group activities to enhance student understanding of material presented in whole-class setting.
- Integrated technology into daily lesson planning to support 21st century skills development.
- Promoted critical thinking by developing problem-solving activities that encouraged higher order reasoning skills.
- Encouraged parental involvement by communicating regularly through phone calls, emails, newsletters and parent conferences.
- Organized field trips to reinforce curricular content in an experiential manner.
- Maintained accurate records of student progress throughout the year using data tracking systems such as AIMSweb or DIBELS.
- Established effective communication with colleagues across grade levels to develop a cohesive school culture.
- Integrated art, music and physical education into core subject areas when appropriate.
- Attended professional development workshops related to best practices in teaching pedagogy or instructional strategies.
- Instructed students individually and in groups using varied teaching methods.
- Offered hands-on learning opportunities to develop student self-esteem and life skills.
- Involved parents in student education by cultivating strong relationships.
- Helped students learn to persevere with challenging tasks and build resilience for later educational efforts.
- Met with parents to communicate students' progress, achievements and classroom issues.
- Instructed students in standardized subjects as well as general learning strategies and skills for social development and character.
- Administered and graded class tests to evaluate student progress and comprehension.
- Created safe, nurturing environment of trust and respect.
- Brought in purchased and donated materials to round out supplies for classroom activities.
ESOL Paraprofessional
Pearson Elementary School
Pearson, Georgia
08.2003 - 08.2005
- Provided support for students with limited English proficiency in the classroom.
- Developed and implemented activities to help students learn English language skills.
- Assisted teachers in preparing lesson plans and materials for ESOL classes.
- Collaborated with other members of the school staff to ensure that all ESL students were supported effectively.
- Conducted individual assessments of ESL student's academic progress, needs, and interests.
- Organized and led small group instruction sessions to reinforce language development skills.
- Created a variety of instructional materials to accommodate various learning styles and levels of ability among ESL students.
- Facilitated social interactions between English-speaking and non-English speaking students.
- Maintained records of student attendance, assessment results, and daily activities related to the program.
- Provided guidance on how best to use available resources to enhance learning opportunities for ESL students.
- Encouraged linguistic diversity by promoting the use of native languages during class time where appropriate.
- Participated in professional development workshops related to teaching ESOL methods and strategies.
- Monitored student behavior in order to maintain a safe environment conducive to learning.
- Supported teachers in providing modifications or accommodations for special needs learners within an ESOL setting.
- Implemented differentiated instruction techniques as needed based on student's abilities and learning goals.
- Assisted with translation services when necessary for parent and teacher conferences or other important communications.
- Utilized technology such as online platforms or apps to facilitate language learning experiences.
- Attended IEP meetings as needed to provide information regarding a student's progress in ESOL classes.
- Provided feedback on lesson plans submitted by teachers for review prior to implementation in the classroom.
- Tutored students in course material to improve comprehension.
Education
Doctor of Education - Early Childhood Education
Walden University
Minneapolis, MN08-2023
Specialist of Education - Curriculum Development
Walden University
Minneapolis, MN05-2015
Master of Science - Early Childhood Education
Walden University
Minneapolis, MN11-2011
Bachelor of Science - Early Childhood Education
Valdosta State University
Valdosta, GA05-2005
Associate of Science - Early Childhood Education
South Georgia State College
Douglas, GA08-2000
Skills
- New Student Orientation
- Program Evaluation
- Employee oversight
- Curriculum Evaluation
- Personnel Management
- Program Development
- Budget Development
- Classroom Instruction
- Small Group Instruction
- ESOL Certified
- Curriculum Implementation
- Microsoft Office
- Curriculum coordination
- Lesson Planning
- Teaching strategies
- Database Management
- Instructional technology
- Program Management
- Educational leadership
- Workshop Facilitation
- Testing Procedures
- Teacher Training
- Course design
- Online learning
- Multicultural education
- Group Discussions
- Schedule Management
- Student Data Analysis
- Workshops and Seminars
- Syllabus Development
- Peer Collaboration
- Blackboard
- Personable and Approachable
- Powerpoint Presentations
- Flexible Schedule
- Research Leadership
- Online Teaching
Certification
- English as a Second Language (ESL) Endorsement - Georgia Department of Education.
Languages
English
Professional
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Assistant Principal
Faith, Hope, & Truth Christian Academy
08.2023 - 09.2024
ESOL Coordinator
Atkinson County Board of Education
08.2017 - 05.2022
First Grade Teacher
Pearson Elementary School
08.2005 - 08.2017
ESOL Paraprofessional
Pearson Elementary School
08.2003 - 08.2005
- English as a Second Language (ESL) Endorsement - Georgia Department of Education.
Doctor of Education - Early Childhood Education
Walden University
Specialist of Education - Curriculum Development
Walden University
Master of Science - Early Childhood Education
Walden University
Bachelor of Science - Early Childhood Education
Valdosta State University
Associate of Science - Early Childhood Education
South Georgia State College
Similar Profiles
Mary Yalenga MkandawireMary Yalenga Mkandawire
Mathematics Teacher at FAITH CHRISTIAN ACADEMYMathematics Teacher at FAITH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
Stephen McRobertsStephen McRoberts
Teacher at Faith Christian AcademyTeacher at Faith Christian Academy
Brenda WeaverBrenda Weaver
Teacher at Faith Christian AcademyTeacher at Faith Christian Academy