Debra Bellino
Washingtonville
Summary
Dedicated and versatile professional with a passion for working with scholars at multiple grade levels. Accomplished in building long-lasting relationships with scholars, parents and colleagues. Highly skilled at reinforcing lesson information, tutoring, and enforcing rules through effective classroom management.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
4
4
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification
Work History
Teacher Assistant- Aspire Program
Taft Elementary School
Washingtonville
11.2025 - Current
- Support classroom teacher in managing scholars with individual learning needs and personal challenges in a diverse setting
- Promote positive scholar behavior during lunch, recess, and transitions
- Facilitate small group instruction to reinforce key concepts and skills
- Supervise and participate with scholars during all special activities and programs
- Establish positive relationships with scholars, fellow coworkers and school administrators
- Contribute to positive, educational setting by delivering gentle discipline and promoting scholar success
- Implement classroom rules and procedures to maintain discipline and order as set by the head teacher
- Utilize educational technology to enhance classroom learning
- Engage in professional development workshops and training sessions
Specialized Tutor
EBL Coaching
New York
07.2017 - 07.2022
- Facilitated one-on-one tutoring sessions to enhance academic performance through hands-on learning
- Utilized educational software to track scholar progress and engagement
- Collaborated with parents to discuss scholar's challenges and strategies for success
- Worked specifically with struggling learners, scholars with various learning disabilities, those with ADD/ ADHD, and dyslexia
- Created and executed individualized learning plan using research-based, multisensory techniques that were specifically tailored to meet the scholar's needs
- Abided by the Orton Gillingham method during student sessions
- Provided diagnostic and prescriptive tutorial plans for each scholar in the areas of Reading, Language Arts, Writing, Mathematics, and Study Skills
- Gave Department of Education quarterly WRATH tests and provided feedback
Kindergarten Teacher
Our Lady's Catholic Academy
South Ozone Park
09.2014 - 03.2017
- Developed engaging lesson plans for diverse learning styles
- Fostered a positive classroom environment promoting respect and collaboration
- Implemented effective classroom management strategies to ensure smooth transitions
- Planned weekly lessons, unit plans, and exemplars for all subject areas
- Taught on average 22-30 scholars in a self-contained classroom
- Displayed scholar's work in hallways and around the classroom
- Used positive reinforcement and incentives when rewarding behaviors
- Held quarterly conferences with parents for report cards and other academic related issues
- Structured curriculum to include all the NYS Standards of Learning for Kindergarten
- Emphasized Beginning Reading and Writing through the use of the Superkids Program (Rowland Reading)
- Used hands-on learning, interactive games, and manipulatives for GO MATH program
- Combined literature-based learning with Phonics and hands-on thematic activities
- Carefully created lessons to aide in scholar's development of all motor skills
- Used Emotional Literacy during Morning Meeting as a tool to set the tone for the day and discovered how scholars were feeling
- Wrote Individual Education Plans (IESP) and provided feedback and support when needed for the Committee on Special Education
- Developed close personal relationships with parents/guardians via email and conferencing
- Prepared scholars for their transition to 1st grade
Pre-Kindergarten Substitute Teacher
Divine Mercy Catholic Academy
Ozone Park
04.2014 - 06.2014
- Facilitated engaging lessons for diverse scholars in a variety of subjects areas
- Managed classroom behavior and maintained a positive learning environment
- Collaborated with team teachers to implement lesson plans effectively
- Taught through hands-on learning, songs, dances, and arts and crafts
- Practiced and prepared scholars for graduation and stepping up to Kindergarten
- Provided center-based activities for all scholars
5th Grade Home School Instructor
NYCDOE
Brooklyn
09.2013 - 06.2014
- Facilitated engaging learning activities in various subjects areas
- Monitored scholar progress and adjusted instruction as needed
- Developed and implemented curriculum that was aligned with NYS Common Core Standards for special needs scholar
- Collaborated with scholar's parents on weekly lessons and reinforcement of standards
- Used portfolios, graphic organizers, and other data that kept track of scholar's daily progress
- Created numerous projects that integrated Fine Arts into all subject areas
- Held weekly conferences with scholar's parents and grandparents to keep them updated on their progression
- Provided progress reports and lessons for the Department of Education quarterly
3rd and 4th Grade Classroom Teacher
Bronx Lighthouse Charter School
The Bronx
08.2011 - 06.2013
- Provided stability by looping with my scholars for 2 years
- Planned and taught all subject areas in a self-contained classroom
- Part of a co-teaching team that collaborated daily on Math and ELA
- Worked closely with Writing and Math coaches from Fordham University to decifer scholars strengths and weaknesses
- Developed and implemented curriculum that was aligned to NYS Common Core Standards Collaborated with other team teachers based upon on weekly lessons and planned class trips
- Grouped scholars according to ability and fostered their needs through differentiated instruction
- Wrote and implemented Individual Education Plans (IEP) for scholars in need and collaborated with Special Education teachers on lessons for pull-out classes with scholars
- Used portfolios, running records, graphic organizers, and other data that kept track of scholar's daily progress
- Worked closely with CSE to ensure that scholars were getting the appropriate services in and outside of the classroom
- Coordinated lessons with the Director of Instruction that enhanced scholar's interest and targeted their capabilities
- Prepared scholars for NYS ELA and Math tests in April 2012, April 2013 and Science in May 2013 through individual and group tutoring, as well as hands-on learning in the Science lab
- Kept in close contact with parents on a daily basis by either phone, letter, or email
- Held conferences for report cards and other academic related issues
- Taught through hands-on learning and student-centered activities on Smartboard
- Created numerous individual and group projects integrating Fine Arts into all curriculum areas
- Used "Responsive Classroom" modeling that helped manage behavioral issues
- Formulated plans that incorporated the use of reinforcement and encouraged positive behaviors
2nd Grade Classroom Teacher
Saint Theresa Of Avila School
The Bronx
09.2010 - 06.2011
- Planned and taught lessons for all subject areas in a self-contained classroom
- Decorated classroom, outside hallway, and door displaying scholar's work and monthly themes
- Held conferences with parent for report cards and other academic related issues
- Developed and implemented curriculum in alignment with all NYS standards of learning for 2nd grade
- Focused on preparing scholars for the Sacraments of Reconciliation and First Holy Communion
- Enhanced education with hands-on activities and triggered lessons that fostered scholar's development
- Created numerous individual and group projects integrating Fine Arts into all curriculum areas
- Wrote and implemented Individual Education Plans (IEP) when needed for scholars with special needs
- Kept in close contact with CSE, where phone and parental meetings were set up to ensure scholar's success
Kindergarten Classroom Teacher
Saint Benedict School
The Bronx
09.2008 - 06.2010
- Planned, taught, and integrated lessons for all subject areas in a self-contained classroom
- Displayed scholar's work all around the classroom and outside hallways
- Held conferences with parents for report cards and other academic or behavioral issues
- Developed and implemented curriculum with all NYS Standards of Learning for Kindergarten
- Focused on Beginning Reading, Writing, and Mathematics
- Combined literature-based learning with Phonics and hands-on thematic activities
- Designed lessons that fostered scholar's development of fine and gross motor skills
- Prepared scholars for their transition to 1st grade
- Documented scholar's growth through the pictures that were used to create a graduation DVD
- Wrote and implemented Individual Education Plans (IEP) when needs for scholars
- Kept in contact with CSE, where phone and parental meetings were set up as required
1st Grade Classroom Teacher
Sacred Heart Private School
The Bronx
09.2003 - 06.2008
- Planned and taught lessons for all subject areas in a self-contained classroom
- Designed bulletin boards that displayed scholar's work and focused on monthly themes
- Prepared and conducted Science experiments using Harcourt Series textbook
- Held conferences with parents for report cards and other academic or behavioral issues
- Developed and implemented curriculum in alignment with all NYS Standards of Learning for 1st grade
- Focused on Reading, Creative Writing, and Mathematics
- Combined literature-based learning with Phonics and hands-on activities
- Designed lessons to foster scholar's development of fine and gross motor skills
- Created numerous individual and group projects that integrated Fine Arts into the curriculum
Private Instructor
Sylvan Learning Center
Yonkers
03.1998 - 06.2003
- Tutored pre-adolescents and adolescents and improved their basic skills
- Assisted scholars from grades K- 12th in Beginning Reading, Academic Reading, Creative Writing, Mathematics, and Homework Support
- Recorded scholar's progress and assessment scores
- Held monthly meetings with parent and center director to discuss scholar's progress based upon recommendations for growth
- Maintained close Teacher/ Scholar relations
Education
Master of Science - Elementary Education
American College of Education
Indianapolis, IN 10.2025 - 02.2026
Master of Science - Elementary Education
IONA University
New Rochelle, NY 09.1997 - 05.2001
Some College (No Degree) - Literacy
Fordham University
Bronx, NYSkills
- Classroom management
- Lesson planning
- Curriculum development
- Individualized instruction
- Educational technology
- Student assessment
- Parent communication
- Team collaboration
- Differentiated instruction
Certification
- NYS Initial Certification in Childhood Education, Grades 1 through 6th- Obtained August 2025
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Teacher Assistant- Aspire Program
Taft Elementary School
11.2025 - Current
Master of Science - Elementary Education
American College of Education
10.2025 - 02.2026
Specialized Tutor
EBL Coaching
07.2017 - 07.2022
Kindergarten Teacher
Our Lady's Catholic Academy
09.2014 - 03.2017
Pre-Kindergarten Substitute Teacher
Divine Mercy Catholic Academy
04.2014 - 06.2014
5th Grade Home School Instructor
NYCDOE
09.2013 - 06.2014
3rd and 4th Grade Classroom Teacher
Bronx Lighthouse Charter School
08.2011 - 06.2013
2nd Grade Classroom Teacher
Saint Theresa Of Avila School
09.2010 - 06.2011
Kindergarten Classroom Teacher
Saint Benedict School
09.2008 - 06.2010
1st Grade Classroom Teacher
Sacred Heart Private School
09.2003 - 06.2008
Private Instructor
Sylvan Learning Center
03.1998 - 06.2003
Master of Science - Elementary Education
IONA University
09.1997 - 05.2001
Some College (No Degree) - Literacy
Fordham University