Donna Herrera
El Paso,Texas
Summary
Caring teacher with 24 years of experience in English/ ESL instruction. Expert in closely monitoring student progress while implementing modern educational techniques into daily practices. Committed to long-term student success through well-rounded educations.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
6th-8th Grade English/ESL Teacher
Socorro ISD
El Paso, TX
07.2022 - Current
- Increased student proficiency in English by creating engaging and interactive classroom activities.
- Enhanced students'' speaking skills through regular practice and focused feedback during conversation sessions.
- Supported language development for non-native speakers by providing one-on-one tutoring sessions tailored to individual needs.
- Evaluated student progress using standardized tests, quizzes, and oral assessments to modify teaching strategies as needed.
- Participated extracurricular activities like language clubs or field trips related to the course content in order to reinforce learning objectives outside of the classroom setting.
- Adapted instructional methods according to each student''s distinct learning style, resulting in increased confidence and improved performance on assignments.
- Enhanced learning experiences by incorporating specialized tools and resources tailored to the needs of special education students.
- Attended workshops to learn about student motivation and engaging learning activities.
- Created and delivered engaging lesson plans to accommodate different learning styles.
- Increased ESL students' reading levels by integrating online word games and altering lesson plans for students needing extra guidance.
- Collaborated with members of LPAC to decide placement for students
- Coached UIL for academic competition
7th Grade English/ESL Teacher
Clint ISD
El Paso, TX
08.2004 - 05.2022
- Increased reading comprehension skills by implementing guided reading activities and literature circles.
- Enhanced students'' writing abilities through targeted feedback and individualized instruction.
- Promoted critical thinking skills by designing project-based learning assignments linked to real-world issues.
- Collaborated with colleagues to develop interdisciplinary units, enriching the overall educational experience for students.
- Supported diverse learners by differentiating instruction and utilizing various teaching strategies, ensuring all students could access the curriculum effectively.
- Mentored new teachers in the department, sharing best practices and providing guidance on effective classroom management techniques.
- Served on the school''s English Language Arts curriculum committee, contributing to ongoing improvements in instructional materials and assessment methods.
- Led after-school tutoring sessions for struggling students, helping them improve their grades and overall academic performance.
- Implemented formative assessments throughout each unit to monitor student progress and adjust instruction accordingly.
- Utilized multimedia strategies and technology to convey information in fresh and interesting ways.
- Led interesting and diverse group activities to engage students in course material.
- Administered and interpreted assessment results to determine learners' challenges.
- Implemented differentiated instruction to meet needs of diverse learners.
- Integrated Smartboard and other instructional technologies into classroom.
- Planned and supervised class projects, field trips and visits by guest speakers.
- Served on school committees focused on curriculum development, teacher evaluations, or community outreach initiatives to contribute positively to the overall school climate.
- Led in department meetings to provide input to colleagues about student achievement and improvement.
- Increased educational expertise and knowledge by teaching in instructor-oriented workshops.
- Addressed individual learning needs by customizing lesson plans and providing targeted instruction for struggling students.
- Collaborated with fellow teachers to develop interdisciplinary lessons that reinforced core concepts across multiple subjects.
- Established strong relationships with parents to involve them in their child''s educational journey, addressing concerns and celebrating achievements together.
- Participated in professional development opportunities, continuously improving instructional techniques to stay current with educational trends.
- Organized extracurricular activities like language clubs or field trips related to the course content in order to reinforce learning objectives outside of the classroom setting.
- Contributed to school-wide professional development initiatives by leading workshops on best practices for teaching ESL learners across different grade levels.
- Developed and taught ESL curriculum to improve students' conversational abilities.
- Set assessments to measure student progress and identify growth opportunities.
8th Grade English/7th Grade English/ESL Teacher
Tornillo ISD
El Paso, TX
08.2000 - 05.2004
- Enhanced student comprehension by incorporating visual aids and hands-on activities in lessons.
- Assisted struggling students through targeted interventions, leading to increased academic success.
- Utilized data-driven instruction to identify areas of need and implement targeted strategies for improvement.
- Served as an advisor for extracurricular clubs or organizations, contributing to the overall development of well-rounded students.
- Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities to remain current on educational trends and research-based strategies for instruction.
- Organized after-school tutoring sessions for students needing extra support or enrichment opportunities, resulting in improved academic outcomes.
- Collaborated with teachers and therapists to develop individualized educational plans for each student, ensuring optimal progress.
- Developed innovative lesson plans to engage students in English language learning.
- Designed and implemented assessments to measure student progress in English language learning.
- Worked with other teachers to support struggling students and provide thorough help to rectify comprehension issues.
- Participated in professional development opportunities to stay up-to-date on teaching best practices and enhance educator skills.
- Prepared comprehensive English curriculum for multiple classes.
- Led department meetings to develop and update course curricula.
- Developed and implemented variety of instructional strategies to meet diverse needs of students.
- Built variety of formative and summative assessments to measure student progress.
- Assisted in development of extracurricular activities and special events.
- Collaborated with colleagues to design interdisciplinary lesson plans that incorporated elements from various subjects into the ESL curriculum.
- Organized extracurricular activities like language clubs or field trips related to the course content in order to reinforce learning objectives outside of the classroom setting.
- Developed and taught ESL curriculum to improve students' conversational abilities.
- Evaluated candidates for teaching positions
- Coordinated tutoring schedules foe each grade level
- Created Scope and Sequence for English
Education
Masters - Curriculum And Instruction
The University of Texas At El Paso
El Paso, TX05.2003
Bachelor's - Interdisciplinary Studies
The University of Texas At El Paso
El Paso, TX05.2000
Skills
- Differentiated Instruction
- ESL- English as Second Language
- Curriculum Development
- Innovative lesson planning
- Faculty Collaboration
- Inquiry-based learning
- Elementary Education
- Team Collaboration
- Team building
- Instructional Design
- ESL Education
Accomplishments
- Teacher of the Year for Tornillo Junior High
- Teacher of the Year twice for Horizon Middle School
Additional Information
- Part of LPAC committee for the past 20 years.
- Head of the English department for 16 years.
- Participated in creating curriculum for the Air Force.
- Instructed Workshops for ESL, English, AVID, and Cross-curriculum for 16 years
- Part of the Campus Improvement Committee for 10 years
- Grade Level leader for 3 years
Timeline
6th-8th Grade English/ESL Teacher
Socorro ISD
07.2022 - Current
7th Grade English/ESL Teacher
Clint ISD
08.2004 - 05.2022
8th Grade English/7th Grade English/ESL Teacher
Tornillo ISD
08.2000 - 05.2004
Masters - Curriculum And Instruction
The University of Texas At El Paso
Bachelor's - Interdisciplinary Studies
The University of Texas At El Paso