Elizabeth Farrell
Tenafly
Summary
Transformative educational leader specializing in curriculum advancement, educator development, and equity-centered learning. Led district-wide initiatives, designed standards-aligned curriculum, and facilitated professional learning while mentoring educators and fostering partnerships with schools and communities. Recognized as Teacher of the Year and earned an Ed.D. in K-12 Leadership from the University of Southern California.
Overview
36
36
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Leader | Mentor | Curriculum Developer | Teacher
Tenafly Public Schools
Tenafly
09.2007 - Current
- Served as district Teacher Leader supporting implementation of instructional initiatives across six schools and facilitating collaboration among administrators and educators.
- Mentored tenure-track teachers, student teachers, and interns through observation and coaching, fostering reflective practice and professional growth.
- Planned and facilitated professional development sessions for teachers across the district, improving instructional practices and student engagement.
- Led development of district-wide fifth-grade service-learning initiatives.
- Co-authored Tenafly’s social justice-centered social studies curriculum and Bergen County’s AAPI curriculum.
- Developed interdisciplinary humanities curriculum integrating literacy, social studies, inquiry, civic engagement, and service learning.
- Served as grade-level leader of a team by developing systems for lesson planning, data analysis, and communication that strengthened vertical and horizontal curriculum alignment.
- Designed standards-aligned assessments, rubrics, and instructional resources used across grade levels.
- Served on district curriculum, DEI, gifted education, technology, science, social studies, report card, and school climate committees.
Private Educational Consultant & Tutor
Self-employeed
Tenafly
09.1996 - Current
- Delivered individualized academic coaching and enrichment, enhancing learning experiences for students in grades K–12.
- Collaborated with families to foster literacy, executive functioning, and overall academic success.
- Developed customized instructional plans addressing diverse learning needs, promoting student engagement and progress.
Resource Parent
Child Protective Services
Paramus
12.2015 - 11.2016
- Collaborated with social workers, educators, and therapists to create and implement individualized care plans, enhancing emotional stability and school engagement
- Managed crisis through therapeutic support and evidence-based behavioral redirection to promote emotional safety
- Delivered consistent, trauma-informed care to individuals in need
- Administered household operations (budgeting, medical recordkeeping, appointments scheduling, and coordination of services) per agency and state guidelines, ensuring thorough documentation for agency decision-making and care continuity
Assistant
Farrell Advisory Associates
Tenafly
01.2002 - 12.2014
- Managed communication between clients and advisory teams to ensure alignment and clarity.
- Assisted in preparing presentations and reports to facilitate informed client consultations.
- Provided computer and administrative support to enhance efficiency for a leading global market analyst.
- Organized and maintained project documentation for easy access.
Teacher
Gifted Child Society
Glen Rock
09.2005 - 06.2007
- Designed engaging learning experiences emphasizing problem-solving and creativity, enhancing student engagement and understanding.
- Developed and taught enrichment courses in algebra and creative arts for gifted learners, fostering advanced skills and creativity.
- Facilitated interactive classroom discussions, promoting critical thinking and collaboration among students.
- Assessed student progress through regular evaluations and feedback sessions.
- Participated in professional development workshops to improve teaching methods.
Summer Writing Instructor & Substitute Teacher
Elisabeth Morrow School
Englewood
09.2005 - 06.2007
- Evaluated student work, providing actionable feedback that fostered improvement.
- Mentored students, enhancing writing techniques and building confidence.
- Developed engaging writing curricula that catered to diverse student needs.
Teacher, Academic Coach & Test Preparation Special
Elite Academy
Englewood Cliffs
09.2005 - 05.2007
- Facilitated SAT, ISEE, and admissions preparation courses to increase student readiness and confidence.
- Delivered individualized academic coaching in reading, writing, and mathematics, supporting academic growth for students in grades 5–9.
- Prepared students for independent school admissions interviews and academic placement assessments.
- Developed writing curriculum and enrichment programming to enhance literacy skills for middle and high school students.
Mom's Morning Out
Borough of Tenafly
Tenafly
09.2002 - 06.2005
- Directed community-based parent and child program, enhancing support for families with children ages 0–5.
- Coordinated educational programming, speaker series, and family engagement initiatives, promoting active participation, learning, and belonging.
- Established partnerships with local organizations and community stakeholders, fostering collaboration and resource sharing.
- Managed program operations, scheduling, budgeting, and communications.
- Recruited, supervised, trained, and evaluated staff members.
Co-founder/Co-Director
The Children's Improv Workshop
New York
09.1994 - 06.1998
- Developed and facilitated curriculum for children's improvisational murder mystery/scene writing and filmmaking classes at Trinity, Marymount, and St. David's after-school programs.
- Organized community events that showcased student performances, fostering a sense of community and recognition for student achievements.
- Established partnerships with local organizations to enhance outreach initiatives, expanding program visibility and resources.
Teacher | District Literacy Facilitator | Coach
P.S. 24 New York City Public Schools
The Bronx
09.1995 - 01.1998
- Facilitated district professional development workshops in literacy and mathematics, improving instructional practices across schools.
- Collaborated with colleagues to design and implement interdisciplinary projects, fostering integrated learning experiences for students.
- Developed interdisciplinary curriculum enhancing engagement and learning outcomes for diverse elementary learners.
- Assessed student progress through various evaluation methods and feedback sessions.
- Engaged parents through regular communication about student performance and school activities.
- Organized school events to promote community involvement and student engagement.
- Coached school debate team to a second-place finish in district competition.
- Participated in curriculum, discipline, math, social studies, and ESL committees to influence educational policies.
Head Teacher
Ruth Summer Keller School
New York
09.1993 - 08.1994
- Facilitated student-caregiver separation process—spearheaded portfolio assessment project.
- Created and facilitated all aspects of developmentally appropriate curriculum for children ages 2-4 in a private nursery school. Curriculum focused on developing emergent literacy and socialization skills.
Management Assistant
Care, Inc.,
New York
06.1991 - 08.1993
- Created first Latin America Unit newsletter featuring project summaries to enhance stakeholder awareness
- Managed components of a $27 million international development grant for population unit.
- Facilitated communication among donors, agencies, and international partners to ensure project alignment
- Supported proposal development, reporting, and conference planning.
- Assisted in preparing reports and presentations for internal and external stakeholders.
- Tracked deadlines and followed up on deliverables to support effective project management
- Organized meetings and conferences, scheduled appointments, and managed travel itineraries for senior managers.
Administrative Assistant
The Bank of Tokyo Trust
Washington
10.1990 - 06.1991
- Provided administrative and accounting support to loan officers, managed office budget, prepared payroll to ensure financial accuracy
- Communicated with major corporations, the World Bank, and the IMF to facilitate partnerships, enhancing collaboration opportunities.
Education
Ed.D - K-12 Leadership in Urban Education
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA05-2026
Ed.M - Curriculum And Instruction
Teachers College, Columbia University
New York, NY05-2023
Master of Arts - Elementary Education
Teachers College, Columbia University
New York, NY05-1995
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science & Economics
Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA05-1990
Skills
- Curriculum Development
- Instructional Leadership
- Assessment Design
- Data-driven decisions
- Curriculum Evaluation
- Learning facilitation
- Coaching and mentoring
- Equity and Inclusion
- Project-Based Learning
- Subject Area Expertise
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Team leadership
- Community outreach
- Relationship building
- Curriculum Innovation
Accomplishments
- Tenafly Public Schools Teacher of the Year 2011 & 2021
- New Jersey State Highly Effective Teacher 2016-Present
- Maugham School Most Likely to Help New Teachers 2023
- Kappa Delta Pi National Education Honor Society, Columbia University and University of Southern California
- Praxis Recognition of Excellence
Custom Section 1
- New York Junior League
- Tenafly Education Fund
- Stillman Elementary & Tenafly Middle HSAs
- CAP Representative
- Bright Lights Committee.
Certification
- New York State Public School Certificate, Grades 1-6 (Previous)
New York City Teacher of Common Branches 1-6 (Previous)
New Jersey Elementary School Teacher (Current)
New Jersey Supervisor (Anticipated)
Timeline
Resource Parent
Child Protective Services
12.2015 - 11.2016
Leader | Mentor | Curriculum Developer | Teacher
Tenafly Public Schools
09.2007 - Current
Teacher
Gifted Child Society
09.2005 - 06.2007
Summer Writing Instructor & Substitute Teacher
Elisabeth Morrow School
09.2005 - 06.2007
Teacher, Academic Coach & Test Preparation Special
Elite Academy
09.2005 - 05.2007
Mom's Morning Out
Borough of Tenafly
09.2002 - 06.2005
Assistant
Farrell Advisory Associates
01.2002 - 12.2014
Private Educational Consultant & Tutor
Self-employeed
09.1996 - Current
Teacher | District Literacy Facilitator | Coach
P.S. 24 New York City Public Schools
09.1995 - 01.1998
Co-founder/Co-Director
The Children's Improv Workshop
09.1994 - 06.1998
Head Teacher
Ruth Summer Keller School
09.1993 - 08.1994
Management Assistant
Care, Inc.,
06.1991 - 08.1993
Administrative Assistant
The Bank of Tokyo Trust
10.1990 - 06.1991
Ed.D - K-12 Leadership in Urban Education
University of Southern California
Ed.M - Curriculum And Instruction
Teachers College, Columbia University
Master of Arts - Elementary Education
Teachers College, Columbia University
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science & Economics
Boston College