Accomplished elementary literacy coordinator, evaluator, coach, and educator with a proven ability to develop and implement strategic teacher growth plans to positively impact student achievement. Respected member of district and school-wide teams, able to create detailed plans for achieving curricular and instructional goals. Articulate, results-focused, detail-oriented, and insightful.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Third Grade LEAD Teacher
ARLINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
08.2016 - 06.2022
Implemented and executed third grade curriculum within each school calendar year including Teacher's College Units of Study for Reading and Writing and math workshop for twenty-five students
Developed strong classroom management skills with daily objectives, positive reinforcement, respect, and expectations
Engaged each child through hands-on learning, centers, small group activities, utilization of data, one-on-one interaction, guided reading, and structured literacy groups
Prepared differentiated materials, equipment, and technology suitable for various student learning styles to enhance the learning process (Canvas, SmartBoard, Seesaw, BitsBoard, Math applications, Google Classroom, and others)
Participated in district and self-selected professional development that further refined existing skills and developed new teaching strategies
Operated as third grade lead teacher, facilitated weekly CLT meetings with stakeholders, and participated on the Instructional Lead Teacher team
Collaborated with other teachers and families to design individualized education plans for special needs students.
Office Of Instructional Practice, Master Educator
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PUBLIC SCHOOLS
12.2014 - 06.2016
Conducted over 100 individualized teacher observations for general education and special education teachers
Utilized complex rubric and instructional feedback template to provide high leverage resources to teachers
Conducted one-on-one post-observation conferences with teachers to model and practice strategies which engage students at all levels
Created highly organized structures for maintaining detailed records of observations and contact with teachers
Provided intensive professional development to teachers about the Teaching and Learning Framework, including ideas for highly effective implementation
Attended monthly Master Educator meetings to participate in calibration activities about effective practices
Supported new hires by providing co-observation opportunities and feedback on evidence-based reports.
Office Of Specialized Instruction, Coordinator
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PUBLIC SCHOOLS
01.2014 - 12.2014
Conducted individualized coaching cycles for special education teachers at high need 40/40 schools throughout the district
Supported teachers in increasing student achievement and performance on IEP goals and statewide assessments
Facilitated the creation of high-quality IEPs aligned to the Common Core State Standards
Created and deliver professional development trainings for teachers throughout the district
Developed detailed lesson plans to incorporate the Universal Design for Learning
Provided whole class and individualized behavior strategies to increase student access to learning
Collaborated with school administrators to foster a positive school culture and climate
Created modification documents and resources to support the implementation of the literacy unit plans in inclusion classrooms
Coordinated a four-week extended school year program for students with special needs and supervise nine teachers and twenty instructional aides
Participated in an Instructional Cabinet initiative to evaluate and create a sustainable coaching model within the DCPS Office of Specialized Instruction.
Reading Specialist
FRIENDSHIP PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS
10.2013 - 01.2014
Provided individualized and small group literacy instruction to students in grades kindergarten through four
Utilized formal and informal data from multiple sources to create lesson plans that targeted students' literacy needs
Maintained frequent communication with school leadership and teachers regarding students' literacy growth
Participated in Student and Staff Support Team (SSST) meetings to provide remediation resources and accommodations
Contributed to the School Leadership Team (SLT) by attending weekly meetings, taking part in instructional walkthroughs, and joining leadership retreats
Assisted in the analysis of school-wide literacy trends and formulated action plans to improve student achievement and teacher effectiveness
Prepared for and facilitated a professional development series on balanced literacy with a focus on research-based best practice for interactive read aloud, shared reading, and guided reading.
English Language Arts Coordinator And Coach
ACADEMY FOR URBAN SCHOOL LEADERSHIP
07.2008 - 08.2013
Prepared for and facilitated several professional learning communities during the school day including Reading Intervention for Grades 6-12 and Writing to Learn for Grades K-8
Created a series of standards-based curriculum tools for the network including unpacked benchmarks and diagnostics for reading and writing, a NWEA alignment tool, and a 38-week reading pacing guide for grades K-8
Administered monthly professional development to principals and assistant principals around balanced literacy topics and facilitated 'Literacy Lunches' with resident teachers at National Louis University
Co-led differentiated professional development to schools' staff on curriculum, tools, and literacy best practices
Observed classroom instruction with Academic Directors to develop effective K-8 reading instructional practices
Coached teachers using a cognitive coaching model at several network schools
Provided onboarding professional development to principals and assistant principals of six new turnarounds
Created and led two weeks of summer literacy professional development to new hires each school year
Reviewed and made recommendations for Chicago Public Schools 2013 curriculum selection.
Master Teacher
UNO CHARTER SCHOOL NETWORK
07.2007 - 07.2008
Improved the standard and quality of educational operations at a K-8 elementary school as assistant principal.
Second Grade Teacher
CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
10.2001 - 06.2007
Rated as a highly effective teacher who fulfilled all relevant duties and exceeded expectations by volunteering for after school activities and leadership opportunities.
Supervising Teacher
CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
03.2004 - 06.2004
Hosted a student teacher and facilitated regular meetings to discuss progress, provide constructive criticism, and foster development.
Education
POLK Brother's Math Education Program In Mathematics And Science -
University of Chicago
Chicago, IL
08.2013
Master's In Education In Curriculum And Instruction With An ESOL Focus -
National Louis University
Chicago, IL
05.2008
Bachelor Of Science In Elementary Education -
Indiana University
Bloomington, IN
05.2001
Skills
Co-teaching models to support second language learners
Evidence-based observations using rubric metrics
Positive classroom management
Instructional strategies and curriculum development
Teacher and administrative training
Team collaboration
Instructional leadership
Organizational skills
Certification
Virginia State Standard Elementary Teaching License
References
Tammy LaMantia, Reading Specialist, (703) 201-0998, Arlington Public Schools
Kimberly Lefkowitz, 3rd Grade Teacher, (609) 304-6085, Arlington Public Schools
Heidi Smith, Principal, (571) 329-4827, Arlington Public Schools
Timeline
Third Grade LEAD Teacher
ARLINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
08.2016 - 06.2022
Office Of Instructional Practice, Master Educator
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PUBLIC SCHOOLS
12.2014 - 06.2016
Office Of Specialized Instruction, Coordinator
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PUBLIC SCHOOLS
01.2014 - 12.2014
Reading Specialist
FRIENDSHIP PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS
10.2013 - 01.2014
English Language Arts Coordinator And Coach
ACADEMY FOR URBAN SCHOOL LEADERSHIP
07.2008 - 08.2013
Master Teacher
UNO CHARTER SCHOOL NETWORK
07.2007 - 07.2008
Supervising Teacher
CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
03.2004 - 06.2004
Second Grade Teacher
CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
10.2001 - 06.2007
POLK Brother's Math Education Program In Mathematics And Science -
University of Chicago
Master's In Education In Curriculum And Instruction With An ESOL Focus -
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