Google workspace
Sara Goodwin
Educator
Waterloo,IA
Summary
Seasoned educator offering 9 years of experience in educational leadership and 11 years of classroom teaching experience. Focused on building and enhancing relationships, meeting service needs and maintaining smooth administration of all department operations. Desire growth-oriented position in dynamic, fast-paced environment.
Adept at identifying optimal curricula, developing lesson plans and aligning instruction with current learning goals Good planner, problem-solver and analytical leader with strong attention to detail and sound judgment focused on continuous improvement. Decisive, practical and strategic in leading operations and teams.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
6
6
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Special Education Teacher
Waterloo Community School District
Waterloo, IA
08.2021 - Current
- Delivered effective and differentiated classroom instruction to range of neurodiverse students.
- Modified general education curriculum for special-needs students using various instructional techniques and technologies.
- Taught students across multiple classifications and degrees of special needs.
- Organized instruction material, constructed bulletin boards and set up work areas.
- Instructed students in core academic areas and specialized reading groups.
- Cultivated connections and strong student rapport to foster classroom engagement, in addition to recording student progress to inform parents and school administration.
- Designed and implemented point system to encourage positive behavior.
- Created and managed IEPs to define student learning objectives and educational strategies, in addition to applying instructional knowledge and methods to support goals.
- Redirected students using Positive Behavior Support (PBS).
- Coordinated special education students and teacher assistant schedules with master schedule.
- Partnered with standard education teachers from across academic departments.
- Assisted struggling students to maintain progress levels by designing individualized lesson plans focused on areas for improvement.
- Completed intensive leadership training and provided training to colleagues on applied behavior analysis.
Lead Teacher
Waterloo Community Schools
Waterloo, IA
08.2012 - 06.2021
- Assisted with the management of the elementary school, student activities and services, community relations, personnel and curriculum instruction
- Designed lesson plans for teaching staff and worked closely with administration for compliance with state curricula.
- Create and implement schedules, projects, and action plans
- Created and delivered virtual learning opportunities
- Facilitate meetings in person, virtually and conference call
- Guided student teachers and teaching staff in using effective teaching aides in classroom management, leading by example and thoroughly answering questions.
- Assisted staff in healthy conflict-resolution, critical thinking, communication and fostered team collaboration
- Oversaw work of teaching teams to optimize student education.
- Trained staff with new technology, web based programs, and student management systems
- Designed training program to teach new teachers school guidelines and increase overall success.
- Observed and recorded teacher methods to suggest improvements and increase student improvement
- Supervised para educators and teaching staff
- Maintained patience and level-headedness in diverse situations to support students and parents
- Maintained detailed records of attendance, test scores and assignment grades for each student to identify trends and rectify issues.
- Oversaw after-school program to enhance student involvement in school processes.
- Chose optimum curriculum for each class and devised creative daily lesson plans to meet requirements and needs of different learners.
- Worked with a variety of stakeholders to enhance the quality of our organization
Classroom Teacher
Cedar Falls Community School District
Cedar Falls, IA
08.2008 - 06.2012
- Organized classroom supplies and decorated walls to create fun, nurturing settings and meet learning needs.
- Instructed groups of up to [Number] students and provided individual support.
- Planned lessons, activities and trips to cover all required course material.
- Drove student learning by establishing clear classroom plans and group objectives, as well as actionable strategies to achieve each goal.
- Boosted individual perseverance and resilience by setting challenging goals and providing realistic support.
- Used [Software] to upload student grades and absence data into district computer systems.
- Established and enforced rules of behavior to drive social development and maintain positive interactions.
Classroom Teacher
Cedar Rapids Community School District
Cedar Rapids, IA
09.2002 - 06.2008
- Instructed groups of up to 27 students and provided individual support.
- Fostered team collaboration between students through group projects.
- Taught subject matter based on information compiled from textbooks, online sites and other educational materials.
- Planned lessons, activities and trips to cover all required course material.
- Collaborated with parents, administrators and counselors to develop improvement plans for struggling students.
- Designed dynamic lesson plans based on student interests to increase overall student GPA.
- Scheduled appointments with parents to discuss student progress and classroom behavior.
- Assessed student learning progress and comprehension with routine tests and standardized examinations.
Education
Master of Arts - Educational Administration
Viterbo University
La Crosse, WI 06.2009 - 05.2011
Bachelor of Arts - Education
University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, IA 08.1999 - 05.2002
Associate of Arts - Education
Kirkwood Community College
Cedar Rapids, IA 08.1997 - 05.1999
Skills
Detail orientated
Software
Microsoft office
Infinite Campus student information system
Tableau Software/data
Additional Information
Equity Training with West Wind Education Policy
MANDT Trainer
PBIS Building Coach
Leader In Me
Timeline
Special Education Teacher
Waterloo Community School District
08.2021 - Current
Lead Teacher
Waterloo Community Schools
08.2012 - 06.2021
Master of Arts - Educational Administration
Viterbo University
06.2009 - 05.2011
Classroom Teacher
Cedar Falls Community School District
08.2008 - 06.2012
Classroom Teacher
Cedar Rapids Community School District
09.2002 - 06.2008
Bachelor of Arts - Education
University of Northern Iowa
08.1999 - 05.2002
Associate of Arts - Education
Kirkwood Community College
08.1997 - 05.1999
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