Donna Steese
San Pedro,CA
Summary
Motivated and enthusiastic educator with strong background as Sixth Grade Teacher. Dedicated to ensuring students transition well from elementary school to middle school and are prepared with strong foundational academic skills and practices in Science, ELA, and Enrichment before moving on to the seventh grade. Establishes and maintains inclusive, respectful, and collaborative classroom norms. Utilizes latest technology and various types of media to promote and enhance students’ learning experience.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Sixth Grade Teacher
Bert Lynn Middle School
08.2020 - Current
- Attended professional meetings, educational conferences or teacher training workshops to improve professional competence, especially in the areas of Fountas and Pinnell Benchmark Reading Assessment training, Guided Reading and Writing Groups training, Students, Torrance Unified School District's Signature Practices, book clubs, science lesson planning sessions (all grade levels), ELA planning sessions (secondary level), Gizmos trainings, DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion), technology training sessions, culturally responsive training sessions, and trauma response training sessions
- Taught sixth grade Earth Science, Biology, English Language Arts, Enrichment (currently Robotics and previously Art History and Art)
- Served on school committees, including Shared Leadership, dedicated to school functioning review and enhancement, contributing expertise in teacher involvement in extracurricular activities while advocating for innovative approaches to increased student involvement in and enhancement of school experience
- Led Guided Reading and Writing groups to increase student literacy and writing skills before school hours
- Contributed to school-wide improvements in standardized test scores by aligning lesson plans with curriculum standards and objectives
- Improved students' analytical skills by introducing state-of-the-art computer program technologies, especially while teaching online during the Covid-19 pandemic
- Continuously refined curriculum content to ensure alignment with state standards and relevance for sixth-grade students
- Developed course syllabi to clearly communicate student expectations, curriculum, learning platforms, and contact information
- Developed engaging curriculum that aligned with state standards and promoted mastery of essential scientific concepts
- Participated actively in departmental meetings and collaborated with colleagues to continually improve instructional practices within the science program
- Enhanced learning experiences by incorporating specialized tools and resources tailored to scientific research, such as beakers, food dyes, microscopes and slides, and dissecting instruments
- Encouraged student participation in laboratory experiments to enhance scientific knowledge
- Developed comprehensive and innovative lesson plans to engage students in English language learning, resulting in improved student comprehension and writing skills
- Collaborated with ELA team to develop monthly Common Formative Assessments (CFAs) regarding essential standards in order to target student strengths and weaknesses and provide tiered instruction to those who did not meet the essential standards
- Created informative, narrative, inquiry, and argumentative essay prompts in order to evaluate student comprehension of mastery of standards taught while reading core novels
- Helped students to develop time management and self-assessment skills during Enrichment by utilizing and implementing Project Lead the Way strategies into the Robotics Program
- Used fair and equitable approaches when grading assignments and evaluating completed Spike Lego Robot Unit Mission projects by conducting one-on-one conferences with Enrichment students to discuss their self-assessment of their overall contributions to teamwork, time management, and meeting engineering and coding requirements, and provide constructive feedback of where improvements can be made
- Implemented differentiated instruction techniques to accommodate diverse learning styles and ensure all students' success
- Promoted collaborative learning through think pair sharing and group work, cultural awareness through chosen texts and materials, and student dialogue through discussions to help students apply content taught to their lives and the world
- Formally and informally assessed student progress regularly, providing timely feedback and adjusting instruction as needed for optimal learning
- Evaluated student performance using formative assessments to provide targeted feedback while concurrently adjusting lesson plans based on data-driven insights
- Led tutoring sessions during school hours for students needing extra support or enrichment opportunities, resulting in improved academic outcomes
- Identified struggling students early on and provided additional support through tutoring sessions and accommodating lesson plans
- Communicated openly with parents, administration, counselors, and other teachers about lapses and patterns of struggle in a student’s learning resulting in a quick response to intervention
- Attended individualized educational plan (IEP) and 504s meetings for students with learning disabilities and special needs with parents, administrators, counselors, other teachers, and therapists to discuss effective learning strategies and how to best implement them in the classroom
- Provided one-on-one support for students with learning disabilities, enabling them to excel in their coursework
- Supported students with special needs by implementing accommodations as needed to promote equitable access to the curriculum
- Managed classroom behavior effectively by establishing clear expectations, modeling appropriate conduct, and consistently enforcing established rules and consequences
- Developed a positive rapport with students, parents, administration, and colleagues by meeting deadlines, being collaborative, communicating in clear and timely manner, and supporting each as much as possible
- Took students on field trips to the California Science Museum the end of each school year to help review, clarify, and deepen their understanding of content taught during the school year
- Recorded and communicated student progress, attendance, and behavior to inform parents about academic and citizenship progress
- Attended and participated in professional learning community (PLC) meetings and faculty meetings.
Substitute Teacher
Torrance Unified School District
02.2009 - 08.2020
- Requested as substitute teacher on a daily basis by other teachers due to assisting students and leaving detailed summaries of the day
- Experienced in all grade levels and subjects
- Followed lesson plans, assigned given class work and assessments, and met student needs while stepping in for the absent teacher
- Operated computers or audio-visual aids to supplement presentations
- Assigned, explained, and graded homework
- Assisted students in mastering subject material and preparing for tests
- Took attendance, graded assignments and assessments when requested, and completed other required tasks
- Proctored quizzes, tests, and standardized examinations
- Documented student progress and provided regular updates to teachers
- Enforced school and class rules to maintain order in classroom and while supervising lunchroom and recess activities
- Maintained day-to-day classroom management and discipline to promote learning initiatives
- Monitored student behavior and administered discipline as needed
- Worked with administration and security to address disciplinary issues when necessary
- Ensured classrooms were left clean and orderly at the end of the school day
- Established and maintained professional relationships with students, staff, parents and community members
- Sat in on classes of other teaching professionals to learn innovative methods for dispensing information to students.
Permanent Substitute for Second Grade
Hickory Elementary School
04.2017 - 06.2017
- Assessed reading student progress through Fountas and Pinnell assessments on a regular basis in order to monitor individual reading comprehension growth levels so students could be redesignated into new Guided Reading and Writing groups accordingly
- Redesignated many students to higher level Guided Reading and Writing groups after completing leveled book
- All students passed the highest level for second grade
- Collaborated with other teachers to develop Focus 45 lesson plans and assessments and discuss results to determine better teaching methods of teaching each focused standard
- Differentiated instruction to accommodate diverse learning needs, ensuring each student had an equal opportunity for success
- Utilized different types of multimedia resources in lesson plans to make content more engaging and comprehensive content
- Created and implemented hands-on activities
- Continued established classroom routines to support student to ease the transitioning of classroom teacher to permanent substitute teacher and maintain classroom norms
- Met effectively with parents, administrators, and other teachers to discuss student academic progress and better address their needs
- Communicated with families on a regular basis through conferences, the Second Grade Newsletter, phone calls, and emails
- Attended and participated in professional learning community (PLC) meetings and faculty meetings.
Permanent Substitute for Fifth Grade
Hickory Elementary School
10.2016 - 02.2017
- Conducted formal parent teacher conferences during Parent-Teacher Conference week
- Collaborated with other teachers to develop lesson plans and implement new teaching strategies for the new NGSS curriculum using STEMscopes, resulting in enhanced student engagement
- Trained by Torrance Unified School District coach to successfully plan for and effectively teach Guided Reading and Writing Groups
- Assessed reading student progress through Fountas and Pinnell assessments on a regular basis in order to monitor individual reading comprehension growth levels so students could be redesignated into new Guided Reading and Writing groups accordingly
- Redesignated many students to higher level Guided Reading and Writing groups after completing leveled book
- All students passed the highest level for fifth grade
- Developed and implemented engaging lesson plans to accommodate varied student learning styles for each subject, especially Common Core Math
- Differentiated instruction to accommodate diverse learning needs, ensuring each student had an equal opportunity for success
- Enhanced student comprehension of complex subjects using visual aids, hands-on activities, and real-world examples
- Mentored struggling students individually or in small groups, providing additional support and guidance needed to overcome academic challenges
- Upheld classroom routines to support classroom norms and maintained consistent schedules
- Kept students on-task and well-behaved with positive behavioral interventions and supports, such as having students vote for a classroom government, paid jobs with play money to purchase rewards, and table points that earned privileges
- Attended individualized educational plan (IEP) and 504s meetings for students with learning disabilities and special needs with parents, administrators, counselors, other teachers, and therapists to discuss effective learning strategies and how to best implement them in the classroom
- Attended and participated in professional learning community (PLC) meetings and faculty meetings.
Permanent Substitute for PE, History, & Economics
North Torrance High School
01.2016 - 06.2016
- Proctored quizzes, tests, and standardized examinations
- Taught nutrition, basic anatomy of muscle and bone structures, weight training, and fundamental sports skills, including soccer, tennis, and football, to tenth grade students of diverse athletic ability levels during Physical Education
- Prepared objectives and outlines for courses of study by following curriculum guidelines or requirements of states and schools
- Researched and selected age-appropriate materials and resources for classroom instruction
- Developed and implemented differentiated lesson units and plans aligned with grade-level standards and objectives and were interactive, promoted research and real-world connections, and frequent use of technology by students
- Promoted critical thinking skills through engaging problem-solving activities and challenging assignments designed to stimulate intellectual curiosity
- Assessed student progress regularly through formative and summative evaluations, adjusting instructional methods as necessary to maximize learning potential
- Assisted students in mastering subject material and preparing for tests
- Improved classroom management by implementing consistent discipline strategies and clear expectations for student behavior
- Monitored student performance and provided feedback to inform instruction
- Attended and participated in professional learning community (PLC) meetings and faculty meetings.
Sixth Grade Homeroom Teacher
Mary Star of the Sea Elementary
08.2012 - 06.2015
- Taught Ancient World History, Medieval World History, United States History, Earth Science, Grammar, Religion, and We the People as an elective
- Coordinated field trips to Washington, DC and museums that aligned with curriculum objectives, broadening students' understanding of subject material through experiential learning
- Organized extracurricular activities and clubs to enhance student engagement in the school community beyond academics by coordinating the middle school History Fair and Eighth Grade 'We the People' Elective Formal Hearing event
- Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities to stay current on educational trends and improve teaching methods
- Created engaging, collaboratively hands-on, and differentiated lessons and assessments for each subject that accommodate to the diverse learning styles of students and meet academic needs
- Implemented differentiated instruction techniques so all students can succeed academically
- Fostered student curiosity and interest through creative hands-on activities
- Supported student physical, mental, and social development using classroom games and activities
- Enhanced critical thinking skills by challenging students with thought-provoking questions during class discussions
- Developed and administered quizzes, tests and examinations to gauge how well students were learning
- Evaluated students' understanding of course material through examinations and in-depth essay writing
- Participated eighth-grade students in the national Daughters of the American Revolution Essay Contest, earning first place, second place, and third place within the Los Angeles School District for three years
- Organized and proctored state testing to students
- Supported student physical, mental, and social development using classroom games and activities
- Promoted a safe and positive learning environment by establishing clear expectations and enforcing consistent discipline
- Developed strong relationships with students, parents, and colleagues to foster an open and supportive school community
- Collaborated with teachers and therapists to develop individualized educational plans for each student, ensuring optimal progress
- Scheduled conferences with parents to discuss students' progress and classroom behavior
- Scheduled parent teacher conferences to discuss academic developments of students and to further increase behavioral support
- Quickly and regularly communicated data collected from formal and informal assessments with parents, students, administration, and other teachers in order to deepen comprehension of content taught and target areas needing improvement
- Participated in department meetings to provide input to colleagues about student achievement and improvement.
Permanent Substitute for World & US Histories
Magruder Middle School
01.2011 - 06.2011
- Enhanced student comprehension of complex subjects using visual aids, hands-on activities, and real-world examples
- Developed and implemented engaging lesson plans to accommodate varied student learning styles
- Assessed student progress regularly through formative and summative evaluations, adjusting instructional methods as necessary to maximize learning potential
- Promoted critical thinking skills through engaging problem-solving activities and challenging assignments designed to stimulate intellectual curiosity
- Implemented classroom management techniques to maintain a positive learning environment
- Collaborated with colleagues to develop and prepare units and lesson plans based on previously made curriculum maps
- Documented student progress and provided regular updates to parents
- Quickly and regularly communicated data collected from formal and informal assessments with parents, students, administration, and other teachers in order to deepen comprehension of content taught and target areas needing improvement
- Participated in department meetings to provide input to colleagues about student achievement and improvement.
Permanent Substitute for 7th Grade History & ELA
Jefferson Middle School
03.2010 - 06.2010
- Proctored quizzes, tests and standardized examinations
- Developed lesson plans to align with grade-level standards and objectives
- Assessed student progress regularly through formative and summative evaluations, adjusting instructional methods as necessary to maximize learning potential
- Differentiated instruction to accommodate diverse learning needs, ensuring each student had an equal opportunity for success
- Enhanced student comprehension of complex subjects through the use of visual aids, hands-on activities, and real-world examples
- Upheld classroom routines to support student environments and maintain consistent schedules
- Fostered a positive learning environment by maintaining open lines of communication with students, parents, and fellow educators
- Distributed textbooks, workbooks, papers, and pencils to students
- Worked cooperatively with other teachers, administrators, and parents to help students reach learning objectives
- Quickly and regularly communicated data collected from formal and informal assessments with parents, students, administration, and other teachers in order to deepen comprehension of content taught and target areas needing improvement
- Participated in department meetings to provide input to colleagues about student achievement and improvement.
Student Teacher for 7th & 8th Grade Histories
Madrona Middle School
09.2008 - 01.2009
- Mentored by master teacher in effective instructional strategies and classroom management techniques, contributing to a successful school community
- Worked with master teacher to learn about current standards and best practices
- Continuously improved teaching practices through meeting and collaborating with the master teacher
- Designed detailed learning plans for struggling students based on test, homework and assignment records to be constructively critiqued by the master teacher for every lesson
- Learned how to utilize varied teaching techniques for different learning styles, ensuring all students had access to course material
- Constructive feedback provided by master teacher on progress and guidance toward improvement while building confidence in abilities
- Learned how to support diverse learners with differentiated instruction strategies tailored to individual needs and abilities
- Learned how to enhance student comprehension by incorporating visual aids and interactive activities into lessons
- Learned how to complete student progress report cards to notify students and parents of strengths and areas of improvement
- Assisted in creating a safe and nurturing classroom environment that promoted emotional well-being and academic growth for all students
- Cultivated positive relationships with administration, teaching staff, and students
- Attended and participated in professional learning community (PLC) meetings and faculty meetings.
Education
Clear Multiple Subject Credential - Education
California State University, Long Beach
Long Beach, CA06.2017
Clear Single Subject Credential - Education
California State University, Fullerton
Fullerton, CA06.2015
Preliminary Single Subject Social Studies Credential - Education
California State University, Long Beach
Long Beach, CA06.2009
Bachelor of Arts - History
California State University, Long Beach
Long Beach, CA12.2008
Skills
- Differentiated Instruction
- Literacy Development
- Collaborative Learning
- Growth Mindset
- Conflict Resolution
- Instructional Planning
- Technology Integration
- Parent-Teacher Communication
Timeline
Sixth Grade Teacher
Bert Lynn Middle School
08.2020 - Current
Permanent Substitute for Second Grade
Hickory Elementary School
04.2017 - 06.2017
Permanent Substitute for Fifth Grade
Hickory Elementary School
10.2016 - 02.2017
Permanent Substitute for PE, History, & Economics
North Torrance High School
01.2016 - 06.2016
Sixth Grade Homeroom Teacher
Mary Star of the Sea Elementary
08.2012 - 06.2015
Permanent Substitute for World & US Histories
Magruder Middle School
01.2011 - 06.2011
Permanent Substitute for 7th Grade History & ELA
Jefferson Middle School
03.2010 - 06.2010
Substitute Teacher
Torrance Unified School District
02.2009 - 08.2020
Student Teacher for 7th & 8th Grade Histories
Madrona Middle School
09.2008 - 01.2009
Clear Multiple Subject Credential - Education
California State University, Long Beach
Clear Single Subject Credential - Education
California State University, Fullerton
Preliminary Single Subject Social Studies Credential - Education
California State University, Long Beach
Bachelor of Arts - History
California State University, Long Beach
Awards
Teacher of the Year, 06/2014, Mary Star of the Sea Elementary School
References
- Mr. James Cordero, Principal, Mary Star of the Sea Elementary School, (562) 867-9410
- Mrs. Karen Sasso, Teacher, Arnold Elementary School, (310)533-4524
- Mrs. Christina Lo Grande, Teacher, Hickory Elementary School, (310) 804-8661
- Mr. Roberto Valadez, Former Vice Principal, Mary Star of the Sea Elementary School, (310) 349-7326
- Mrs. Noreen Maricich, Principal, St. James Elementary School, (310) 831-0875
Awards
Teacher of the Year
JUNE 2014 — Mary Star of the Sea Elementary School
Awards
Teacher of the Year - JUNE 2014 - Mary Star of the Sea Elementary School
References
- Mrs. Patty Girgis, Principal, Bert Lynn Middle School, (310) 533-4495 x8680
- Ms. Lynn Bedrosian, Assistant Principal, Bert Lynn Middle School, (310) 533-4495 x8690
- Mrs. Christina Lo Grande, Teacher, Hickory Elementary School, (310) 804-8661
Awards
Teacher of the Year - JUNE 2014 - Mary Star of the Sea Elementary School
References
- Mrs. Patty Girgis, Principal, Bert Lynn Middle School, (310) 533-4495 x8680
- Ms. Lynn Bedrosian, Assistant Principal, Bert Lynn Middle School, (310) 533-4495 x8690
- Mrs. Christina Lo Grande, Teacher, Hickory Elementary School, (310) 804-8661
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