- I participate in low-impact exercises to strengthen core muscles
- Music
- I enjoy sketching and drawing, which helps improve my creativity and attention to detail
- Knitting and Crocheting
- Reading
- Adventure Travel
Erica Alvarez
Havelock,NC
Summary
Dynamic educator with extensive experience at DODEA Schools, skilled in differentiated instruction and classroom management. Successfully enhanced student reading comprehension through innovative lesson planning and collaborative techniques. Fostered strong parent-teacher communication, resulting in improved student engagement and academic success. Passionate about being a team player, collaborating with colleagues, and promoting social-emotional learning in diverse classrooms.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Kindergarten Teacher
DODEA Schools
07.2023 - Current
- Built positive relationships with students and families for safe, trusted learning support.
- Enhanced classroom management by establishing clear expectations, rules, and routines.
- Collaborated with colleagues to share resources, brainstorm ideas, and problem-solve challenges faced in the classroom environment.
- Implemented differentiated instruction strategies to meet the diverse learning needs of all students.
- 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.
- Developed strong relationships with families to address any concerns or issues impacting student success.
- Recognized children's physical, emotional and social needs for personalized support.
- Monitored and evaluated student progress through regular assessments and observations.
- Utilized assessment data to modify instruction and target areas of weakness for individual students.
- Exercised good classroom management focused on positive behavior support by clearly articulating fair and consistent expectations along with appropriate natural consequences.
- Collaborated with other faculty and staff to promote rigorous learning opportunities, general well-being of school and collective interest of staff and student body.
- Fostered social-emotional growth in students through daily morning meetings, conflict resolution strategies, and character education lessons.
- Enhanced classroom behavior through implementation of positive reinforcement strategy, leading to more conducive learning environment.
- Fostered safe and welcoming classroom atmosphere, enabling students to feel valued and heard.
- Kept accurate documents about student progress for school and parent records.
- Inspired students to take ownership of learning and become autonomous thinkers.
- Monitored use of technology, enhancing student learning and technological skills.
Teacher - 2nd Grade
DoDEA PAC EAST
08.2015 - 07.2023
- Developed positive relationships with parents, communicating regularly about student progress and classroom happenings.
- Provided individualized support for struggling learners, fostering a growth mindset and boosting confidence in their abilities.
- Enhanced students'' mathematical abilities through hands-on activities and real-world examples.
- Participated in professional development opportunities to stay current on educational best practices and improve teaching effectiveness.
- Improved reading comprehension skills by implementing guided reading groups and literature circles.
- Organized engaging field trips that reinforced curriculum concepts and broadened student perspectives on various topics.
- Implemented classroom management strategies that maintained a structured yet nurturing environment conducive to learning.
- Served as a mentor for new teachers, providing guidance on effective lesson planning, assessment strategies, and classroom management techniques.
- Collaborated with colleagues to develop cross-curricular projects, enriching the overall learning experience for students.
- Promoted social-emotional learning by incorporating character education lessons into daily routines and discussions.
- Established high expectations for both academic achievement and behavior, inspiring students to reach their goals while upholding school values.
- Designed differentiated instruction techniques to accommodate diverse learning styles and ensure all students were engaged.
- Established open communication and positive relationships with students, parents, peers, and administrative staff.
- Administered various reading tests and determined student reading levels based on assessment findings.
- Designed and presented lesson plans in one or more academic subjects using variety of teaching techniques to appeal to various learning styles within assigned grade level.
- Reinforced positive behavior by encouraging efforts through affirmation statements and praising accomplishments.
- Prepared and administered grade-specific tests and examinations regulated by school district to monitor students' growth and to report progress to parents.
- Pursued professional development during summer months to maintain certification and extend skills.
- Taught lessons encompassing skill-building activities in speaking, writing, reading and listening.
- Attended students' concerts, sporting events and performances to offer support and encourage extracurricular activities.
- Adapted lessons to differentiate instruction and meet students' diverse learning needs and abilities.
- Integrated technology and multimedia tools into lessons to enhance student learning.
- Built positive relationships with parents to involve families in educational process.
Teacher, Second Grade
DoDEA Europe, Bavaria District
08.2003 - 05.2013
- Integrated art projects into core subjects to enhance creativity while reinforcing key concepts within lessons.
- Increased student reading comprehension by incorporating a variety of engaging texts and literature circles.
- Developed assessment tools to monitor student progress, inform instructional decisions, and provide targeted interventions when necessary.
- Maintained open communication with parents through regular conferences, newsletters, and email updates on student progress.
- Provided differentiated instruction for diverse learners, meeting individual needs and ensuring academic success.
- Improved classroom management techniques, resulting in fewer disruptions and more focused learning time.
- Served on school committees focused on improving curriculum alignment, school climate, and community engagement initiatives.
- Established a safe learning environment that promoted mutual respect among students fostering positive classroom culture.
- Prepared and administered grade-specific tests and examinations regulated by school district to monitor students' growth and to report progress to parents.
- Pursued professional development during summer months to maintain certification and extend skills.
- Coached, mentored and evaluated student teachers for progress against program objectives.
- Adapted lessons to differentiate instruction and meet students' diverse learning needs and abilities.
Education
Master of Science - Curriculum And Instruction
University of Phoenix Online
OnlineBachelor of Science - Elementary Education
University of North Carolina At Greensboro
Greensboro, NC12-2001
Skills
- Classroom management
- Differentiated instruction
- Lesson planning
- Data analysis
- Social-emotional learning
- Behavior management
- Parent-teacher communication
- Collaboration techniques
- Technology integration
- Student progress monitoring
- Mentoring new teachers
- Mathematical concepts
- Positive reinforcement
- Classroom organization
- Classroom instruction
- Creative teaching strategies
- Group and individual instruction
- Elementary education
Accomplishments
- Served as Co-Chair CSI leader Hohenfels Elementary 2011-2012
- Served on QAR team for Ramstein Elementary School Accreditation 2012
- Teacher of Quarter Fall 2010 Hohenfels Elementary
- DODEA Pacific Teaching Cadre member 2015-2016
- Served as Math Teacher Leader in DODEA Pacific 2016-2018
- Presented at Inter-Complex Professional Development in 2018, Yokosuka Japan
- Co-Chaired the Inter-Complex Professional Committee and helped coordinate the event
- Chaired CSI Committee on Best Practices 2017-2019
- Trained in Focused Collaboration practices, Blended Learning practices, and Learning by Discourse, 2017
- Chaired CSI subcommittee on Discourse, 2018
- 2nd grade Team Leader during Remote and Regular School years- SY 20-21, 21-22
- Mentored Long Term substitute in 2nd grade, 21-22
- 22-23 Teacher Leader in Collaboration and presenter of professional development
- Received two 5's on Performance Appraisal for Implementing at-home phonics and reading supplement for foster literacy fluency for ESOL and regular ed students
- Created rigorous and differentiated long-term substitute plans for substitute to implement to give students in a different second grade class, an educationally sound year and to be prepared for upcoming year in 3rd grade
- Instructional Leader for CCR Professional Training for 22/23 school year
- Presented to various grade level teacher peers on how to fully understand and engage students in an ever changing world
- Received three 5's on 22/23 Performance Appraisal
Certification
- DODEA Teaching Certificate
Teacher of the Quarter 2012 Hohenfel Elementary, Germany
I was chosen by peers, parents, and students to be the Teacher of the Quarter in Hohenfels, Germany in 2010. The award was presented in front of my 2nd grade students and parents, by the Commander of the Post. It was one of the best and most humbling days of my life. To be recognized, not only as a great teacher, but as a person who loves students and the joy of teaching, really validates everyday that I chose the right career path.
Interests
Timeline
Kindergarten Teacher
DODEA Schools
07.2023 - Current
Teacher - 2nd Grade
DoDEA PAC EAST
08.2015 - 07.2023
Teacher, Second Grade
DoDEA Europe, Bavaria District
08.2003 - 05.2013
Master of Science - Curriculum And Instruction
University of Phoenix Online
Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education
University of North Carolina At Greensboro
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