Fatou Thiam
Summary
Experienced English Language Teacher adept at delivering phonics, close reading, and tailored literacy instruction to Multilingual Learners (MLs) across levels 1-5. Demonstrated proficiency in curriculum development, including CCSS-aligned materials, and providing specialized support to general education colleagues. Past engagements include roles as Curriculum Writer for DC Public Schools and Manager of Teaching and Learning at the Center for Inspired Teaching. Renowned for dynamic instructional leadership, consistently enhancing student outcomes and cultivating positive learning environments through strategic collaboration and impactful training initiatives.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
English Language Educator
Brightwood ES, DC Public Schools
08.2017 - Current
- Deliver comprehensive phonics instruction, employ close reading techniques, and conduct tailored small group literacy sessions for Multilingual Learners (MLs) spanning proficiency levels 2 through 5
- Craft ML-specific scaffolds to augment the unit and lesson plans of general education teachers, ensuring accessibility and inclusivity in the learning process.
- Forge collaborative partnerships with general education instructors to meticulously differentiate ELA, math, social studies, and science curricula, thereby accommodating the diverse needs of all students within the classroom milieu.
- Leverage a rich array of educational resources including but not limited to esteemed curricular frameworks such as Leveled Literacy Intervention, the Jan Richardson Guided Reading Model, the Bridge the Gap Phonics Program, Words Their Way, Scholastic, Lexia, IReady, RI, Readworks, and Reading A-Z, to orchestrate a holistic and tailored instructional experience.
- Act as a conduit between academic, wellness, and extracurricular support services, fostering robust engagement and facilitating holistic student development, while maintaining close communication with families to ensure alignment and support.
- Play an integral role in various school committees encompassing Family Engagement, Tutoring, Health and Wellness, Personnel, School Advisory to Administration, and the Schoolwide Positive Behavior Incentive committee, contributing nuanced perspectives and informed decision-making to enhance the educational ecosystem.
- Demonstrate pedagogical prowess by spearheading the ELSAP summer school program tailored to MLs at proficiency levels 1 through 2, thereby fostering accelerated language acquisition and academic advancement.
Curriculum Writer
Office Of Teaching And Learning, DC Public Schools
01.2014 - 12.2018
- Edited and integrated Multilingual Learner (ML) supports into the Passport to Learning DCPS curriculum for grades K-2, ensuring accessibility and inclusivity for diverse learners.
- Designed grade 2 Cornerstones, serving as foundational units within the curriculum, and spearheaded district-wide professional development sessions focused on enhancing literacy instruction.
- Crafted Common Core State Standards (CCSS) aligned literacy lessons and assessments for the Passport to Learning DCPS curriculum, fostering rigorous academic standards and student achievement.
- Participated in professional development opportunities aimed at incorporating writing, science, and social studies content alongside language-specific pedagogy into curriculum design, enriching the educational experience for all students.
Manager of Teaching and Learning
Center For Inspired Teaching
06.2016 - 07.2017
- Provided comprehensive school-based support to 1st and 2nd year Inspired Teaching Fellows, nurturing their professional growth and fostering a culture of excellence in education.
- Designed and delivered weekly professional development sessions, tailored to both new and experienced educators, to cultivate pedagogical expertise and instructional innovation.
- Oversaw the recruitment, training, and ongoing support of program mentors and lead teachers, ensuring a robust support system for fellows embarking on their teaching journey.
- Played a pivotal role in program evaluation by spearheading the collection and analysis of stakeholder data, facilitating evidence-based decision-making and continuous improvement.
- Conducted formal classroom observations utilizing the CLASSTM tool, providing constructive feedback and guidance to enhance instructional practices and student engagement.
- Orchestrated the Summer School experience for 2nd year Fellows, orchestrating a dynamic program encompassing mentorship, student learning showcases, and immersive field experiences.
- Served as an adjunct graduate professor at Trinity University, imparting expertise in courses such as Teaching for Scientific Inquiry and Advanced Seminar in Teaching, thereby shaping the pedagogy and content knowledge of aspiring educators.
- Contributed to the organization's strategic planning process and expansion endeavors for the Inspired Teacher Certification Program, driving forward its mission of empowering educators and transforming teaching practices.
Teaching and Learning Specialist
Center For Inspired Teaching
11.2015 - 06.2016
- Offered dedicated school-based support to Inspired Teaching Fellows embarking on their 1st and 2nd years within the program, serving as a guiding beacon throughout their transformative journey.
- Collaborated in the facilitation of meticulously curated professional development workshops and courses, catering to the diverse needs of both novice and seasoned educators, igniting a collective passion for continuous learning and pedagogical refinement.
- Played an instrumental role in the training and ongoing mentorship of program facilitators, cultivating a nurturing environment where mentorship thrived, enriching the educational landscape with expertise and camaraderie.
- Engaged in the meticulous process of program evaluation, orchestrating the collection, analysis, and discerning interpretation of student data and participant feedback, fostering a culture of introspection and refinement aimed at continual program evolution and excellence.
Instructional Leader
H.D. Cooke ES, DC Public Schools
08.2012 - 06.2015
- Trained teaching staff on using Amplify technology-based tools to administer TRC/DIBELS reading assessments, analyze and interpret student data
- Managed grade level meetings to identify academic and behavioral student challenges as well as devise strategies to reduce behavioral disruptions
- Collaborated with behavioral health team and families to foster a positive learning environment for students with special needs
- Led OSSE LEA Institute providing professional development to 60+ educators, exploring the topic of creating inquiry-based math tasks using CCSS
- Supported school-wide RTI initiative by teaching literacy to 1st - 3rd grade students.
Educator
H.D. Cooke ES, DC Public Schools
08.2010 - 06.2015
- Seamlessly integrated International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program thematic units with Common Core State Standards to craft comprehensive lessons spanning math, literacy, science, and social studies disciplines.
- Spearheaded a 3rd-grade class achieving an impressive 88% mastery in math standards and an 88% proficiency level in reading comprehension, showcasing dedication to academic excellence.
- Leveraged sophisticated data analysis techniques to inform instructional strategies, employing a blend of personalized learning and enrichment curricula such as Junior Great Books, Leveled Literacy Intervention (LLI), I-Ready, Jan Richardson, and Engage NY to deliver tailored and rigorous instruction.
- Authored informative grade-level family newsletters and orchestrated engaging parent-teacher workshops, effectively communicating student progress and facilitating the seamless integration of literacy and mathematics activities within the home environment.
- Guided extracurricular initiatives including the afterschool Girls on the Run club, Science club, and Learning Showcase programs, fostering holistic student development beyond the traditional classroom setting.
- Played an active role in various school-based committees including PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports), Family Engagement, and the Local School Advisory Team, contributing to the enhancement of school culture and community involvement.
Education
M.Ed. - Curriculum, Instruction, Policy And Leadership
American University
Washington, DC05.2015
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science
Hobart & William Smith Colleges
Geneva, NY05.2009
Skills
- Classroom Management
- Curriculum Development
- Differentiated Instruction
- Assessment and Evaluation
- Technology Integration
- Lesson Planning
- Student-Centered Learning
- Multicultural Competence
- Conflict Resolution
- Data Analysis and Interpretation
- Literacy and Numeracy Instruction
- Collaborative Teaching
- Growth Mindset Cultivation
- Positive Behavior Management
- Professional Development Facilitation
- Course implementation
- Active Listening
- Classroom Technology
- Goal Setting
- Core Curriculum and Standards
- Multitasking
- Analytical Thinking
- Special Education Needs (SEN) Support
- Parent Communication and Collaboration
- Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Integration
- Classroom Innovation and Creativity
- English Language Learner (ELL) Support
Certification
- TNTP DC Teaching Fellows Licensure Program, [1-6 Regular Licensure, Washington, DC 2010]
- Equity and Excellence for Multilingual Learners [Professional Development Program (Project ELEECT) Georgetown University, Washington, DC June 2023]
Timeline
English Language Educator
Brightwood ES, DC Public Schools
08.2017 - Current
Manager of Teaching and Learning
Center For Inspired Teaching
06.2016 - 07.2017
Teaching and Learning Specialist
Center For Inspired Teaching
11.2015 - 06.2016
Curriculum Writer
Office Of Teaching And Learning, DC Public Schools
01.2014 - 12.2018
Instructional Leader
H.D. Cooke ES, DC Public Schools
08.2012 - 06.2015
Educator
H.D. Cooke ES, DC Public Schools
08.2010 - 06.2015
M.Ed. - Curriculum, Instruction, Policy And Leadership
American University
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science
Hobart & William Smith Colleges
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