Dina Gratz
Carleton
Summary
Dynamic educator with a proven track record at Airport Community Schools, adept at fostering creativity and critical thinking in students. Skilled in hands-on experimentation and effective classroom management, I promote collaborative teamwork and parent-teacher collaboration, ensuring a positive learning environment that supports diverse learning needs that enhance academic outcomes.
Overview
31
31
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
5th Grade Science Teacher
Airport Community Schools
Wagar Middle School
09.2022 - Current
- Developed and implemented engaging science curriculum aligned with state standards.
- Facilitated hands-on experiments to enhance student understanding of scientific concepts.
- Utilized technology tools to support interactive learning experiences in the classroom.
- Fostered a positive learning environment by maintaining open communication with students, parents, and colleagues.
- Established clear expectations for behavior and academic performance while maintaining consistent routines within the classroom setting.
- Devised and presented lessons that accommodated differences in student learning styles and ability levels.
- Organized field trips and guest speakers to expose students to various scientific careers and industries, sparking interest in STEM fields.
Kindergarten Teacher
Airport Community Schools
Ritter Elementary School
09.2017 - 06.2022
- Organized educational activities that promoted social skills, emotional development, and kindergarten readiness.
- Assisted in curriculum development to align lessons with state standards and improve overall instructional quality.
- Fostered social-emotional growth in students through daily morning meetings, conflict resolution strategies, and character education lessons.
- Cultivated love for reading among students by integrating interactive storytimes into daily routines.
- Enhanced classroom behavior through implementation of positive reinforcement strategy, leading to more conducive learning environment.
- Boosted students' understanding of basic math concepts with use of hands-on learning tools and activities.
- Encouraged creative expression among students through introduction of weekly art projects.
- Promoted culture of reading and learning by setting up classroom library accessible to all students.
- Adapted teaching methods and materials to meet evolving educational standards and best practices, ensuring high-quality education.
- Delivered structured lessons on readiness skills by emphasizing phonics, language skills, literature, and handwriting.
Kindergarten Teacher
Dearborn Heights School District #7
Bedford Elementary School
09.1998 - 06.2015
- Implemented differentiated instruction strategies to meet the diverse learning needs of all students.
- Promoted learning through play with engaging activities, games and lessons.
- Promoted a positive learning environment with the use of collaborative group work and hands-on activities.
- Delivered lesson plans, implemented school curriculum and used data to create, monitor, and establish personalized learning plan for each student.
- Improved student reading skills by implementing phonics-based instruction and guided reading activities.
- Utilized assessment data to modify instruction and target areas of weakness for individual students.
- Monitored and evaluated student progress through regular assessments and observations.
- Exercised good classroom management focused on positive behavior support by clearly articulating fair and consistent expectations along with appropriate natural consequences.
- Served as a mentor for new teachers, providing guidance on lesson planning, classroom management, and instructional strategies.
Kindergarten Teacher
Detroit Community School District
Harms Elementary School
09.1995 - 06.1998
- Developed engaging lesson plans that fostered creativity and critical thinking in young learners.
- Implemented individualized instruction strategies to support diverse learning needs and abilities.
- Created a positive classroom environment that encouraged student participation and collaboration.
- Assessed student progress regularly, adjusting instructional methods to enhance academic outcomes.
- Built positive relationships with students and families for safe, trusted learning support.
- Enhanced classroom management by establishing clear expectations, rules, and routines.
Education
24 Credit Hours - General Studies
Mary Grove
Southfield, MIMaster of Science - Early Childhood Education
Wayne State University
Detroit, MI12-2000
Bachelor of Science - Early Childhood Education, Science, Children's Lit
Eastern Michingan Unversity
Ypsilanti, MI04-1995
Skills
- Growth mindset encouragement
- Collaborative teamwork
- Parent-teacher collaboration
- Hands-on experimentation
- Classroom management
Google classroom
Test proctoring
Standardized testing
Teamwork
Time management
Certification
- ZA Early Childhood Endorsement
- Certified Science 6th-8th
- Prek-5th grade certification
Timeline
5th Grade Science Teacher
Airport Community Schools
09.2022 - Current
Kindergarten Teacher
Airport Community Schools
09.2017 - 06.2022
Kindergarten Teacher
Dearborn Heights School District #7
09.1998 - 06.2015
Kindergarten Teacher
Detroit Community School District
09.1995 - 06.1998
24 Credit Hours - General Studies
Mary Grove
Master of Science - Early Childhood Education
Wayne State University
Bachelor of Science - Early Childhood Education, Science, Children's Lit
Eastern Michingan Unversity