Lisa Strain
Teacher
Danville,Illinois
Summary
Compassionate, creative and effective Teacher with valuable experience in classroom administration, professional development and project planning. Equipped with extensive background in versatile education environments. Student-centric instructor, academic facilitator. Competent at performing independently or as member of teaching team. Well-versed in classroom and online technologies.Passionate with experience developing and implementing diverse curriculums covering wide range of subjects. Highly skilled at motivating students through positive encouragement and reinforcement of concepts via interactive classroom instruction and observation.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
5
5
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Theater Teacher
Champaign Unit 4 Schools
Champaign, IL
08.2014 - Current
- Encouraged students to perform well and learn from failure.
- Modeled creative acting styles and techniques encompassing varied history genres and performance techniques.
- Exposed students to diverse content to build perspective in drama pedagogy.
- Planned lessons to reflect group and individual student needs utilizing creative instruction.
- Produced theatrical performances each year
- Held afterschool meetings and rehearsals in preparation for shows.
- Attended department meetings and collaborated with other fine arts teachers.
- Evaluated and graded students' class work, performances, projects, assignments and papers.
English/Theater Arts Teacher
Danville District 118
Danville, Illinois
08.2007 - 08.2014
- Taught English, Speech, Drama and Credit Recovery classes
- Prepared and implemented lesson plans covering required course topics.
- Administered assessments and standardized tests to evaluate student progress.
- Led interesting and diverse group activities to engage students in course material.
- Served as English department member and attended meetings to develop and update course curricula.
- Prepared comprehensive English curriculum for multiple classes.
- Completed in-service and additional training to maintain professional growth.
- Ran DHS Player, and sponsored Junior and Freshman Student Council
- Cultivated relationships with students for complete support network.
Theater/English Teacher
Champaign Unit 4 Schools
Champaign, IL
08.2004 - 06.2007
- Encouraged students to perform well and learn from failure.
- Modeled creative acting styles and techniques encompassing varied history genres and performance techniques.
- Exposed students to diverse content to build perspective in drama pedagogy.
- Planned lessons to reflect group and individual student needs utilizing creative instruction.
- Produced theatrical performances each year
- Held afterschool meetings and rehearsals in preparation for shows.
- Attended department meetings and collaborated with other fine arts teachers.
- Evaluated and graded students' class work, performances, projects, assignments and papers.
Language Arts Teacher
Woodland District 50
Gurnee, IL
08.1996 - 08.2003
- Evaluated academic skills of each student through verbal assessments, graded assignments and standardized tests.
- Administered assessments and standardized tests to evaluate student progress.
- Worked with administrators on behavioral issues to support needs of students.
- Taught age-appropriate spelling techniques, grammar rules and language skills.
- Helped students develop academic, social and emotional skills for long-term success.
- Increased parent satisfaction through well-organized IEP meetings and family conferences focused on improving parent-child bonding skills.
- Planned and supervised class projects, field trips and visits by guest speakers.
- Provided one-on-one attention to students, while maintaining overall focus on entire group.
English Teacher
Champaign Unit 4 Schools
Champaign, IL
08.1993 - 06.1994
- Encouraged students to perform well and learn from failure.
- Modeled creative acting styles and techniques encompassing varied history genres and performance techniques.
- Exposed students to diverse content to build perspective in drama pedagogy.
- Planned lessons to reflect group and individual student needs utilizing creative instruction.
- Produced multiple theatrical performances each year; both plays and musicals
- Held afterschool meetings and rehearsals in preparation for shows.
- Attended department meetings and collaborated with other fine arts teachers.
- Evaluated and graded students' class work, performances, projects, assignments and papers.
Education
Master of Science - Education
St. Xavier University
Chicago, IL 08.2001 - 05.2003
Bachelor of Science - Theater/ English Education
Illinois State University
Normal, IL 08.1989 - 05.1993
Skills
English and Speech understanding
Theater knowledge
Teamwork and Collaboration
Excellent Communication
Flexible and Adaptable
Rapport with Students and Staff
Works well one-on-one
Strong member of the community who volunteers with many organizations
- Active member of the DLO Musical Theater board
- Past member of the board for Red Mask Players and Arts in the Park
- Active volunteer at Fischer theater
- Directed youth and teen shows at Red Mask Players and DLO musical theater.
- Have created workshops for Youth for theater at Red Mask and is in talks with the Fischer Theater to create workshops for Youth and Teens.
- Mentor for Teen Theater Company of Danville
- Active member of multiple theater companies in Danville
- Volunteer for Midwest Classic and DHS Madrigals
Timeline
Theater Teacher
Champaign Unit 4 Schools
08.2014 - Current
English/Theater Arts Teacher
Danville District 118
08.2007 - 08.2014
Theater/English Teacher
Champaign Unit 4 Schools
08.2004 - 06.2007
Master of Science - Education
St. Xavier University
08.2001 - 05.2003
Language Arts Teacher
Woodland District 50
08.1996 - 08.2003
English Teacher
Champaign Unit 4 Schools
08.1993 - 06.1994
Bachelor of Science - Theater/ English Education
Illinois State University
08.1989 - 05.1993