Georgellen Heard
Centreville,VA
Summary
Dynamic and dedicated Learning Coach and educator with expertise in individualized learning plans and collaborative teaching. Proven track record in fostering student growth through tailored support and effective communication. Skilled in student assessment and relationship building, enhancing academic success and self-awareness among diverse learners. Committed to creating inclusive and engaging educational environments.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Learning Coach
George Mason University
Fairfax, VA
08.2025 - Current
- Manage a caseload of adult students ranging in sophomore to graduate level guiding them through goal setting exercises that fostered a growth mindset and increased self-awareness of their strengths and areas for improvement.
- Connected students to campus resources such as the writing center, Learning Services Center workshops, Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), Professor office hours, and Fenwick Library.
- Created opportunities for students to develop productive and intentional work habits that lead to success by developing plans for work completion.
- Composed parent narrative reports in collaboration with the student to describe student strengths, areas of growth, skills/strategies, study skills, organization and time management skills, and self-awareness and social skills. Once agreed upon, the student sent to their parent for an informed update on their overall college progress within the program.
- Motivated students with accurate feedback and positive reinforcement.
- Monitored student progress and provided feedback and support.
- Worked closely with students on specific class struggles, closely reviewing materials and assignments to offer targeted help.
- Supported students in development of critical thinking skills and perseverance to persist with challenging tasks.
- Boosted students'' confidence and motivation through continuous positive reinforcement and constructive feedback.
- Routinely completed all necessary administrative tasks such as weekly student follow-up emails, weekly logs, attendance, timesheets, and regular trainings to support growth in my role
- Engaged in regular meetings with my supervisor to discuss concerns or resources needed for individual cases.
Substitute Teacher and High Impact Tutor
Fairfax County Public School
Fairfax, VA
08.2024 - 06.2025
- Adapted instructional materials for diverse learning styles and needs.
- Collaborated with school staff to address student concerns and promote engagement.
- Monitored student progress and provided feedback to support academic growth.
- Demonstrated flexibility by successfully transitioning between various grade levels and subjects.
- Followed classroom plans left by class teacher to continue student education and reinforce core concepts.
- Developed strong rapport with students through consistent encouragement and support, fostering a positive learning atmosphere conducive to academic growth.
- Maintained accurate records of student attendance, grades, and progress reports, ensuring timely submission to administration for reporting purposes.
Special Education Teacher
Oakwood School
Annandale, VA
08.2003 - 03.2024
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to support student progress and development.
- Collaboratively team taught
- Managed a classroom of diverse learners adapting plans accordingly to meet their needs.
- Created plans in collaboration with support staff such as OT, speech, both on-site and off-site counselors, and RN to best support individual students with a variety of disabilities: vision impairment, Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, Language processing, Auditory processing, Dyscalculia, mental health related disorders, and severe allergies or diet protocols.
- Completed progress reports (similar to IEP's) for each student to reflect updates and document them in adjusted plans moving forward, especially when difficult situations arose with individuals. Reviewed complex cases with the educator team for connectivity and consistency in care.
- Conducted assessments to evaluate student performance and adjust instructional methods accordingly.
- Completed forms on students’ performance and challenges for outside professionals as needed (e.g. ADHD, anxiety scales, academic updates, etc.).
- Presented the scope of the academic instructional program to large groups of parents at Back-to-School Night.
- Engaged in weekly problem-solving meetings with colleagues and supervisors to brainstorm and share information.
- Prepared thoughtful and thorough presentations for parent conferences, providing detailed and factual information about current instruction and informed proposed plans or changes to their child’s academic plan. Listened and incorporated feedback from parents to finalize plans with buy-in from all.
- Improved student behavior management by implementing consistent routines, clear expectations, and positive reinforcement strategies.
- Established strong, consistent communication with families through emails, phone calls and meetings to build an effective and collaborative team approach.
- Built a K-2 writing curriculum outline for teachers as part of a summer cohort collaboration project.
- Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities focused on evidence-based practices in special education teaching methodologies.
- Organized field trips and community-based experiences that enriched students'' understanding of real-world applications for their skills.
Crisis Counselor and Teacher Assistant
Leary School
Annandale, VA
08.1999 - 06.2001
- Worked on a team of professionals to intervene and manage behaviors that interfered with the daily success of each student.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to coordinate care and resources.
- Documented important events or situations to be shared with the students' multi-disciplinary team to include supervisors, parents, counselors, and colleagues.
Education
Master of Education - Special Education, K-12, SLD, ED
George Mason University
Fairfax, VA06-2011
Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education
George Mason University
Fairfax, VA05-2003
Skills
- Learning styles
- Collaborative teaching
- Project-based learning
- Student Assessment
- Transitional support
- Individualized learning plans
- Student-parent-teacher collaboration
- Establishing learning goals
- Time management
- Organizational skills
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Relationship building
- Professionalism
- Differentiated Instruction
- Technology: Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Smartboard, Google, Outlook, Adobe Acrobat
- Student Information Systems: Schoolology, CANVAS, StudentVue, ParentVue
Certification
- Licensed Virginia Special Education Teacher K-12, SLD and ED, expires June 30, 2031
- Mental Health First Aid Adult 8-hour certification, completed November 2025
- Science of Reading Certificate, Part 1, completed February 2023
- Discovering Dsycalculia Certificate, Completed October 2023
- Brainspring Orton-Gillingham Phonics First/Structures instruction
Timeline
Learning Coach
George Mason University
08.2025 - Current
Substitute Teacher and High Impact Tutor
Fairfax County Public School
08.2024 - 06.2025
Special Education Teacher
Oakwood School
08.2003 - 03.2024
Crisis Counselor and Teacher Assistant
Leary School
08.1999 - 06.2001
Master of Education - Special Education, K-12, SLD, ED
George Mason University
Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education
George Mason University