Fatima Cousett
Stockbridge,Georgia
Summary
Passionate educator with 19 years of experience in elementary education within DCSD, aiming to join the Coach Up Pipeline Program in January 2026. Expertise in pedagogical strategies, curriculum development, and student growth, poised to mentor and support fellow educators. Committed to enhancing teaching effectiveness and driving improved student outcomes across the district. Eager to contribute to a collaborative environment that fosters professional development and educational excellence.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
4th Grade Gifted ELA/SS Teacher
Dekalb County School District
07.2025 - Current
- Developed strong relationships with students, parents, and colleagues by maintaining open lines of communication and fostering a supportive learning environment.
- Managed classroom behavior effectively by establishing clear expectations, modeling appropriate conduct, and consistently enforcing established rules and consequences.
- Assesses student performance regularly using both formative and summative assessments to inform/plan engaging lessons.
- Utilizes data-driven instruction to tailor lessons for improved academic performance.
- Helps students explore concepts with engaging, learning-focused activities that challenge their higher order thinking skills.
- Identify struggling students early on and provide them with additional support through a teacher led small group (intervention) and modified lesson.
- Differentiates instruction to accommodate diverse learning needs, ensuring each student had an equal opportunity for success, uses district resources for gifted and high achievers, facilitates stations and small groups during learning.
- Collaborates with colleagues to integrate cross-disciplinary lessons, enriching students' educational experience.
- Increases educational expertise and knowledge by participating in district/school level PLCs, Education Conferences, and Gifted Instructor-Oriented workshops.
- Communicates frequently with parents, and students to provide feedback about student's academic performance, goals, and glows.
Self-Contained 4th Grade Teacher
Dekalb County School District
08.2024 - 05.2025
- Managed classroom behavior effectively, establishing clear expectations and consequences while fostering a respectful learning environment.
- Utilized assessment data to inform instructional decisions, tailoring lesson plans to target areas needing improvement.
- Implemented differentiated instruction strategies, addressing the unique needs of each student in the classroom.
- Enhanced classroom dynamics by creating a supportive and inclusive environment for all students to thrive.
- Improved student comprehension by incorporating real-life examples and hands-on activities into lessons.
- Collaborated with fellow teachers to design interdisciplinary lesson plans, reinforcing key concepts across subjects.
- Established open communication and positive relationships with students, parents, peers, and administrative staff.
- Reinforced positive behavior by encouraging efforts through affirmation statements and praising accomplishments.
- Created supportive and inclusive learning environments, fostering positive classroom atmospheres supporting student growth and learning.
- Integrated technology and multimedia tools into lessons to enhance student learning.
- I taught 27 students who were primarily EL students and at end of the school year 13 of my Els exited and the majority of my students either met or exceeded their expected growth on the Spring Map Test in Reading and Math. I volunteered to transfer to Smoke Rise at the end of the school year as well and was re-assigned there as a 4th Grade Gifted ELA teacher.
- Participated in district and school level professional development opportunities, staying current on best practices in education and innovative teaching techniques.
ESOL Teacher 5th Grade
Dekalb County School District
07.2023 - 05.2024
- Developed strong relationships with students and parents, building trust through open communication and consistent follow-up on concerns.
- Enhanced student comprehension by incorporating visual aids and real-life examples in lesson plans.
- Conducted assessments to monitor student progress and used data-driven instruction for continuous improvement of learning outcomes.
- Taught ESOL curriculum to our newcomers' to build their conversational skills in English and help them make real world connections.
- Taught intensive English students using the 4 Domains (speaking, reading, writing, and listening) to build academic language skills, aligned with Georgia Standards of Excellence and WIDA standards, and used Lexia to develop their English Language Proficiency.
- Push-in ESOL teacher for struggling EL students working with them in small groups using the WIDA standards and the GSE primarily focusing on content area vocabulary and reading/writing.
- Enhanced student comprehension by incorporating visual aids and hands-on activities in lessons.
- Developed innovative lesson plans to engage students in English language learning, utilized SWIRL, graphic organizers, realia, multimodal resources, teacher led small reading groups and online platforms purchased for use with out ELs.
- Participated in professional development opportunities to stay up-to-date on teaching best practices and enhance educator skills and attended the ESOL Title lll Conference and PLs.
- Out of 17 ELs, I exited 13 at the end of the 2024 School Year.
ESOL Teacher, Self-Contained Classroom 1st Grade
Jolly Elementary
08.2022 - 05.2023
- Worked collaboratively with team to plan/develop effective lesson plans, assignments, and assessments to evaluate, students' growth/performance to identify gaps in skills or knowledge and set realistic goals with students.
- Administered Informal and Formal Assessments to secure data needed to plan for student learning, identify and close learning gaps, and measure academic growth.
- Provided daily small group/intervention to my ELLs in RTI and input data in Infinite Campus and uploaded Probes used to assess growth.
- Boosted student engagement and academic growth by utilizing things such as differentiation, researched based instructional strategies, PBLs, hands-on activities, realia, graphic organizers, district online learning platforms, multimodal sources, and SWIRL.
- Worked with ELs in teacher led small groups and facilitated while students worked in stations independently or in small groups.
- Used positive reinforcement and provided clear feedback to help students succeed.
- Attended district workshops, seminars, and conferences to further enhance my teaching skills by learning new strategies that allow me to align my practices with the district goals so I can improve student learning and outcomes.
- Served as an advocate for ESOL students within the school community, promoting cultural awareness and inclusivity among staff and peers. Maintained an open line of communication with students and parents..
- Improved classroom management by implementing clear guidelines, routines, and positive reinforcement strategies.
- Contributed to a positive school climate by actively participating in staff meetings, committees, and collaborative initiatives aimed at improving overall student achievement.
- Served on the ESOL Curriculum Writing Team in 2020 and co-wrote the 2nd grade lesson plans for ESOL Summer Enrichment Program 3 years in a row.
ESOL Teacher, Grades K -5 Push-in
Jolly Elementary School
08.2018 - 05.2022
- Responsible for completing various ESOL paperwork, uploading in EL Panel, updating students' information and filing paperwork in students' Green Folders.
- Communicated with ELL students' parents with support from Interpreters. Planned and created differentiated LPs for ELL students with grade level teams.
- Push-in and pull-out with ELLS in various grade levels working with them in small teacher led group focusing on content vocabulary/language using realia, graphic organizers, SWIRL, different multimodal sources, and lots of talk just to name a few.
- Administered different assessments to our ELLs such as the Access Test, Map Test and Ga Milestones. Also, taught 3rd grade students math during the Hour of Power which was morning tutorial designed to prepare students for Ga Milestone.
- Boosted student engagement with diverse teaching methods, including group projects, hands-on activities, and technology integration.
- Served as an advocate for ESOL students within the school community, promoting cultural awareness and inclusivity among staff and peers.
- Used positive reinforcement and provided clear feedback to help students succeed.
- Provided individualized support for students with diverse needs, tailoring instruction to accommodate varying language levels and learning styles.
- Contributed to a positive school climate by actively participating in staff meetings, committees, and collaborative initiatives aimed at improving overall student achievement.
Teacher, Grade 1
Jolly Elementary
08.2012 - 08.2018
- Worked collaboratively with team to discuss student data and identify learning gaps, then plan/develop effective lessons that promoted students' learning and academic growth.
- Utilized formative assessments to monitor student progress and adjust instruction accordingly for optimal learning outcomes.
- Developed strong relationships with parents, maintaining open communication to support student success both inside and outside the classroom.
- Adapted lesson plans to meet the needs of diverse learners, ensuring all students were challenged appropriately and supported in their academic growth.
- 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.
- Differentiated learning and used scaffolds with students struggling in the classroom so they could learn and show growth. Also, worked with students needing extra support in teacher led small groups and facilitated students while working at stations.
- Created supportive and inclusive learning environments, fostering positive classroom atmospheres supporting student growth and learning.
- Served as Grade Chair for 1st Grade from 2015 -2018.
Paraprofessional/ ISS Para
Dekalb County School District
08.2010 - 05.2012
- Covered classrooms when teachers were late or no sub picked up, provided ELL students with support needed to understand/complete assignments using SWIRL.
- Supervised students during non-instructional periods such as lunch, recess, or field trips, ensuring safety at all times.
- Provided ELL students placed in ISS with one-on-one support and/or small group instruction so students could focus on learning and applying content area vocabulary and complete assignments.
- Served as a proctor during testing and did assigned morning/afternoon bus duty.
- Oversaw students in classroom and common areas to monitor, enforce rules, and support lead teacher.
Kindergarten Paraprofessional
Allgood Elementary School
07.2006 - 05.2010
- Worked with students needing additional support in small groups.
- Helped teacher to grade students' work and assessments.
- Helped teacher prepare instructional material, copying, set help setup classroom, and displays.
- Assisted in the planning and execution of special events, including parent-teacher conferences, open houses, and school-wide activities.
- Participated in professional development workshops to gain new insights into best practices for early childhood education.
- Provided one-on-one/small group instruction for struggling students, improving their overall performance in the classroom.
- Proctored during testing and other duties such monitor students during lunch in the cafeteria and did morning/afternoon bus duty.
Education
Specialist in Education - ECE And Reading Endorsement K-12
Mercer University, Tift College of Education
Atlanta, GA12.2014
Master of Arts - Early Childhood Education
Mercer University Tift College of Education
Atlanta, GA12.2012
Bachelor of Arts - Sociology
Saint Leo University
Saint Leo, FL06.1997
Skills
- Effective parent-teacher communication
- Effective classroom management
- Continuous learning
- Active student participation
- Positive influence
- Expertise in specific topics
- Engaging instructional planning
- Data-informed teaching
- Personalized learning approaches
- Active listening skills
- ESOL Certified
- Gifted Endorsement
Timeline
4th Grade Gifted ELA/SS Teacher
Dekalb County School District
07.2025 - Current
Self-Contained 4th Grade Teacher
Dekalb County School District
08.2024 - 05.2025
ESOL Teacher 5th Grade
Dekalb County School District
07.2023 - 05.2024
ESOL Teacher, Self-Contained Classroom 1st Grade
Jolly Elementary
08.2022 - 05.2023
ESOL Teacher, Grades K -5 Push-in
Jolly Elementary School
08.2018 - 05.2022
Teacher, Grade 1
Jolly Elementary
08.2012 - 08.2018
Paraprofessional/ ISS Para
Dekalb County School District
08.2010 - 05.2012
Kindergarten Paraprofessional
Allgood Elementary School
07.2006 - 05.2010
Master of Arts - Early Childhood Education
Mercer University Tift College of Education
Bachelor of Arts - Sociology
Saint Leo University
Specialist in Education - ECE And Reading Endorsement K-12
Mercer University, Tift College of Education