Donna Lopez
East Haven,CT
Summary
Experienced educator with a diverse background in multiple educational environments. Proven ability to enhance student engagement and academic performance through effective communication and adaptability to various learning styles. Strong relationship-building skills with students, parents, and colleagues contribute to a positive learning atmosphere.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Culinary Arts/Nutrition Teacher
Milford Public Schools
Milford, CT
08.2022 - 06.2025
- Designed interactive lesson plans emphasizing nutrition,healthy eating, basics of safety in a kitchen, recipe reading, kitchen equipment/tools, basics of baking, etc.
- Evaluated student understanding through assessments and feedback sessions.
- Developed and implemented nutrition-focused lesson plans for students in grades K-5.
- Maintained detailed records of attendance at all classes taught throughout the year.
- Developed engaging lesson plans to meet diverse student needs.
- Implemented classroom management strategies to foster a positive learning environment.
- Conducted assessments to monitor student progress and adjust teaching strategies.
- Assisted in developing individual education plans for special needs students.
- Promoted a positive attitude towards learning within the classroom setting.
- Scheduled parent-teacher conferences throughout the school year to discuss student progress.
- Created an effective classroom environment conducive to learning by establishing rules, routines and expectations for all students.
- Provided individualized instruction to struggling students through differentiated instruction techniques.
- Maintained accurate records of student attendance, grades and assignments using available technology tools such as Google Classroom.
- Attended staff meetings regularly to stay informed about changes in school policies or procedures.
- Developed lesson plans and activities to ensure student engagement in learning.
- Built and strengthened positive relationships with students, parents, and teaching staff.
- Implemented behavior management strategies to maintain classroom discipline.
Culinary Arts Teacher
Greenwich Education Group/The Pinnacle School
Stamford, CT
10.2017 - 06.2022
- Collaborated with staff to develop a Culinary elective
- Designed space to implement this program effectively
- Promoted student experience by individually assigning tasks by student need
- Implemented math, reading, science (nutrition) and geography (cultures of food) into student curriculum
- Management of classroom strategies using redirection/positive reinforcement/data/ABA/RBT etc.
- Proficient in areas of baking, introduction of cooking etc.
- During my first half of the school year (2017), I was a Social/Emotional Coach where I worked with the students' challenges. Our school population serves students that have ADHD, autism, auditory and cognitive processing, school avoidance/refusal, etc.
Culinary Instructor
Boys and Girls Club of Stamford
Stamford, CT
11.2018 - 06.2019
- Collaborated with staff to develop an after school cooking pilot program that served middle school students.
- Collaborated with the organic farm in Stamford to cook what was grown on the farm.
- Designed curriculum that focused on nutrition using a farm to table approach
- Prepared nutritious recipes 3 times per week with the students and this culminated with a student/family event at the end of the program, where we prepared most of the recipes we learned throughout the course of the program
Educational Assistant
Woodhouse Academy
Milford, CT
04.2016 - 10.2017
- Diversified position for a small high school that serves students with challenges ranging from ADHD - depression/anxiety.
- Substitute for any teacher (Math, English, Science, SS, etc)
- Direct collaboration with the CEO to promote school, ie, marketing fairs, etc.
- Worked with all staff on the IEP social/emotional goals and objectives
- Developed a cooking program and taught 2-4 cooking classes per week.
- Other duties included but not limited to: worked with the office manager on any/all other tasks including phone inquiries, scheduling, event planning for graduation, handling of monies for outings/lunch, etc.
Instructor on Road/Classroom/Trainer
Fresh Green Light Driving School
Greenwich, CT
08.2010 - 12.2015
- Held proper CT licenses to open new driving school franchise for owners
- Collaborated with FGL in all areas of operating driving school. This included but is not limited to physical classroom to designing how to implement program
- Taught on road driving lessons to HS students and to adults (CT Laws)
- Taught in class material to HS students/parents and adults (CT Laws)
- Master instructor who trained new employees
- DMV contact/familiarity of paperwork and processes to obtain licenses for all students including international.
Education
Masters - Elementary Education
University of Bridgeport
Stamford, Bridgeport CTBGS Degree - Human Development
University of Connecticut
Stamford, CTBGS Degree - English major
Baruch College
NYC, NYAAS Degree - Culinary Arts, Hotel Mgmt.
NYC Technical College
Brooklyn, NYSkills
- Curriculum development
- Student assessment
- Special needs support
- Behavior management
- Differentiated instruction
- Classroom management
- Google proficiency
- Lesson planning
Certification
- CT - Grades 1-6, 305
- Family/Consumer Sciences - Pre K-12, 045
- Previously held CT Driving and Master Instructor License
Timeline
Culinary Arts/Nutrition Teacher
Milford Public Schools
08.2022 - 06.2025
Culinary Instructor
Boys and Girls Club of Stamford
11.2018 - 06.2019
Culinary Arts Teacher
Greenwich Education Group/The Pinnacle School
10.2017 - 06.2022
Educational Assistant
Woodhouse Academy
04.2016 - 10.2017
Instructor on Road/Classroom/Trainer
Fresh Green Light Driving School
08.2010 - 12.2015
Masters - Elementary Education
University of Bridgeport
BGS Degree - Human Development
University of Connecticut
BGS Degree - English major
Baruch College
AAS Degree - Culinary Arts, Hotel Mgmt.
NYC Technical College