Dana Smith
Buford,GA
Summary
Early childhood educator with 23 years of experience. Sugar Hill, GA 30518 Dana.smith2019@icloud.com 678-394-6210 I attended University of Georgia where I received my bachelors degree in early childhood education. I graduated with a 3.7 major G.P.A and received several presidential honor roll awards. After student teaching, I was hired at the school I completed my student teaching experience , Jefferson Elementary, where I taught Third grade and Kindergarten. I have since taught in Gwinnett County Public Schools for a combined total of 23 years. I have experience in kindergarten (15 years), second grade (6 years), and third grade(2 years). In 2022-2023 I was a kindergarten paraprofessional and an instructional clerk at Freemans Mill Elementary. In January 2024, I began teaching Ga Pre-k lead at Discovery Point in Hamilton Mill where I currently teach my own Ga pre-k classroom. I am relocating this summer to Jefferson City School District because I want my daughter (rising 3rd grader) to attend school at Jefferson City SchooI. value my own classroom and students as it makes me feel more productive, and fills me with pride when I watch my students grow and learn. Being the lead teacher gives me a sense of ownership in my students' success. I believe every child is capable of learning. It is my responsibility to discover their optimal learning style in a nurturing environment that helps them to be successful learners.
Caring Teacher with strong communication skills and drive to excite students about learning. Specializing in creating stimulating environments that help students achieve full potential and enjoy learning. Communicates effectively and maintains strong relationships with scholars, families and colleagues.
A Knowledgeable Lead Teacher with strong leadership background, excellent program management expertise and devotion to meeting learning needs of each student. Well-organized in planning lessons and activities to diversify instruction and engage students. Analytical problem-solver successful in calmly approaching classroom or student personal problems to devise appropriate interventions and resolve concerns.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Ga Pre K Lead Teacher
Discovery Point
Dacula , GA
01.2024 - Current
- Provided instructional guidance and mentorship to teachers in the development of lesson plans, instructional materials, and assessments.
- Developed and implemented strategies to improve student learning outcomes.
- Collaborated with other school staff to ensure that all students have access to a safe and supportive learning environment.
- Monitored classroom instruction on a regular basis through observation, feedback, and collaboration with teachers.
- Conducted individualized academic interventions for struggling students as needed.
- Assisted in developing evaluation tools such as rubrics or checklists for assessing student work.
- Ensured compliance with state standards by incorporating them into lesson plans.
- Maintained secure and disciplined classroom to provide positive learning environment.
- Worked with students one-on-one to boost skills in weak areas and grasp new concepts.
- Arranged classrooms to facilitate optimal education for student groups.
- Worked with teachers to design interactive lessons and increase student success.
- Researched books and supplemental materials to use with lesson plans.
2nd Grade Teacher
Freeman's Mill Elementary-GCPS
Lawrenceville , GA
07.2017 - 08.2023
- Consulted with parents to build and maintain positive support networks and support continuing education strategies
- Maintain well-controlled classrooms by clearly outlining standards and reinforcing positive behaviors
- Monitored student's academic, social, and emotional progress and recorded in individual files
- Observed children to identify individuals in need of additional support and develop strategies to improve assistance
- Developed weekly lesson plans and activities to engage children and promote learning
- Maintained an organized, fun and interactive classroom to help children feel safe
- Establish positive relationships with students and families
- Assessed student progress and provided feedback on educational development
- Encouraged the use of technology to support student learning
- Collaborated with teachers, parents, and administrators to facilitate positive outcomes for students
- Worked with teaching staff to evaluate individual progress and recommend appropriate learning plans
- Kept accurate documents about student progress for school and parent records
- Held parent teacher conferences to keep parents informed of their child's academic, social, and developmental growth
- Worked with small groups of students with academic needs as a paraprofessional for kindergarten, first grade, and second grade students
- Assisted 2 first grade teachers with very challenging classes as a paraprofessional
- Assisted in an autistic classroom for a special education teacher, who had to be on leave for an illness for a period of time.
Kindergarten teacher
White Oak Elementary school - GCPS
Sugar Hill , GA
07.2012 - 06.2017
- Built positive relationships with students and families for safe, trusted learning support
- Observed children to identify individuals in need of additional support and developed strategies to improve assistance
- Recognized children's physical, emotional, and social needs for personalized support
- Created and supervise variety of hands-on learning activities for fun and engagement
- Play games with students to increase understanding of subjects
- Educated students on foundational concepts, such as shapes, numbers, and letters
- Maintain organized, fun and interactive classroom to help children feel safe
- Utilized creative teaching strategies to engage students in classroom
- Developed innovative activities to engage young children in the learning process
- Implemented age-appropriate curriculum to meet needs of young learners
- Access student progress and provided feedback on educational development
- Incorporated music, art and literature into curriculum
- Applied play-based strategies to provide diverse approaches to learning
- Gave one-on-one attention to children while maintaining overall focus on entire group.
Kindergarten teacher
Riverside Elementary School - GCPS
Suwanee , GA
06.2002 - 07.2012
- Taught class size of 25 students
- Lead teachers and staff members to plan and schedule lessons promoting learning for all activities
- Communicated instructional expectations to students in a positive manner
- Kept data and classroom in an organized fashion
- Managed time wisely and effectively
- Implemented positive reinforcement strategies
- Promoted social and emotional development
- Implemented and enforced positive behavior modification strategies
- Enforced school policies and rules in the classroom and in the school
- Coordinated with teachers and specialists
- Used a variety of instructional exhibits and displays
- Experienced with diverse student populations
- Used a variety of differentiated instruction to meet the needs of all my students.
3rd Grade Teacher and Kindergarten Teacher
Jefferson Elementary School
Jefferson , GA
08.1998 - 06.2002
- Developed and created age-appropriate curriculum
- Provided constructive feedback to students, parents, and administrators
- Maintained an open line of communication with the parents of my students
- Complied to educational standards
- Created and implemented a daily schedule and a weekly schedule
- Tutored students in academic need
- Worked one on one and in small groups with students who needed additional support
- Insured safety, and injury prevention through careful observation and accident prevention
- Used a variety of multimedia instruction
- Professional caregiver while treating my students with the upmost respect
- Computer proficiency and technological expertise
- Adept at working with special needs children
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with both parents and coworkers
- Communicated with parents on a weekly basis via a weekly newsletter to keep them informed of happenings in the classroom.
Education
Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education -
University of Georgia
Bachelor of Science - Undecided
Georgia State University
Skills
- Organizational skills
- Classroom management
- Curriculum development
- Experience with children
- Early childhood education
- Time management
- Teaching
- Childcare
- Classroom experience
- Positive behavior management
- Event planning
- Tutoring
- Social-emotional learning
Certification
- Teaching certification, 171786, 12/1997 - 06/2027
- Georgia certificate, 171786
- Professional educator license, 12/1997 - 06/2027
- Gcps Application, 737269
- GA PDS, 302803
- Drivers license, 039392331, 05/1992 - 06/2027
Additional Information
Work style: reliability - proficient
Groups
- PTA
- Debate Club
Additional Contact Information
- Dana.smith2019@icloud.com
- 678-394-6210
Locations
Sugar Hill, GA, 30518
Relocating to Jefferson City School District summer 2024
Awards
Presidential honor and Deans list - May 1997
Debate Club
Timeline
Ga Pre K Lead Teacher
Discovery Point
01.2024 - Current
2nd Grade Teacher
Freeman's Mill Elementary-GCPS
07.2017 - 08.2023
Kindergarten teacher
White Oak Elementary school - GCPS
07.2012 - 06.2017
Kindergarten teacher
Riverside Elementary School - GCPS
06.2002 - 07.2012
3rd Grade Teacher and Kindergarten Teacher
Jefferson Elementary School
08.1998 - 06.2002
Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education -
University of Georgia
Bachelor of Science - Undecided
Georgia State University
- Teaching certification, 171786, 12/1997 - 06/2027
- Georgia certificate, 171786
- Professional educator license, 12/1997 - 06/2027
- Gcps Application, 737269
- GA PDS, 302803
- Drivers license, 039392331, 05/1992 - 06/2027
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