Gillyan Marrero Flax
Simpsonville
Summary
Dynamic English Language Arts Teacher with a proven track record at Legacy Early College Middle School, skilled in differentiated instruction and fostering student engagement. Expert in utilizing Google Classroom and data-driven strategies to enhance learning outcomes, significantly improving student performance while maintaining over 90% parent communication.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
English Language Arts Teacher, 7th Grade
Legacy Early College Middle School
Greenville
08.2022 - Current
- Delivered engaging, standards-aligned lessons using the SC 2024 ELA Standards and the Gradual Release of Responsibility model.
- Used data-driven strategies and DOK-level questioning to improve SC READY performance.
- Differentiated instruction to meet the needs of diverse learners, including both ML and IL.
- Maintained a positive, well-managed classroom through culturally responsive practices and proactive behavior strategies.
- Fostered strong family engagement, maintaining over 90% parent communication logs.
- Collaborated with colleagues on curriculum planning and shared effective ELA resources and anchor charts.
- Integrated Google Classroom and digital tools to enhance instruction, assessment, and student engagement.
- Participated in professional development and supported curriculum pilots to drive continuous improvement.
English Language Arts Substitute Teacher, 7th Grade
Lakeview Middle School
Greenville
02.2021 - 11.2021
- Created and maintained a welcoming, friendly, engaging, and nurturing classroom environment where all students felt comfortable.
- Fulfilled short-term and long-term (Feb 6 - June 4) substitute teaching requirements for subjects in K-12 age groups.
- Navigated the needs of a diverse number of classrooms, seamlessly transitioning from grades and subjects on a day-to-day basis.
- Updated lesson plans to reflect changes in curriculum; received positive feedback from teachers and students on engaging and detailed lessons.
English Language Arts Teacher, 6th Grade
Williston-Elko Middle School
Williston
08.2018 - 08.2020
- Created engaging, multifaceted lessons, and research-based literacy strategies in alignment with English curriculum standards.
- Reinforced reading, writing, and language arts skills by challenging students to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate individual and multiple texts.
- Established effective and consistent communication with parents and students through digital technologies, including Google & Microsoft Suite.
- Identified classroom challenges and developed action plans tailored to support individual student success.
- Integrated digital learning strategies through Google Classroom, successfully adapting to student needs for virtual learning.
- Differentiated instruction for varying academic levels specific to students with IEPs, classified gifted, and students at risk.
- Enhanced Balanced Literacy Lessons with engaging texts.
- Fostered Higher Order Thinking (HOT) methodology and skills through dedicated discussion of class material.
Theatre Teacher, 6th-11th grades
High Point Academy
Spartanburg
08.2016 - 08.2017
- Developed engaging and creative lesson plans based on the SC Standards of Theatre and S.T.E.A.M.
- Discovered and enhanced the talent and imagination of students by promoting self-expression through performance methods.
- Created and implemented PBLs, enabling all students to succeed through hands-on activities focused on fostering critical and creative thinking skills.
- Worked in conjunction with both Arts and Core teacher to produce successful S.T.E.A.M events such as a school-wide arts showcase.
Substitute Teacher
Greenville County School Systems
Greenville
08.2014 - 08.2016
- Created and maintained a welcoming, friendly, engaging, and nurturing classroom environment where all students felt comfortable.
- Fulfilled short-term and long-term substitute teaching requirements for subjects in K-12 age groups.
- Navigated the needs of a diverse number of classrooms, seamlessly transitioning from grades and subjects on a day-to-day basis.
- Updated lesson plans to reflect changes in curriculum; received positive feedback from teachers and students on engaging and detailed lessons.
Owner & Chief Executive Officer
Carolina Conservatory of Music and the Arts
Greer
01.2007 - 12.2012
- Directed a team of 12 employees, encouraging leadership, idea collection, and operation strategies to grow the business by 50%.
- Coordinated performance events for community organizations such as nursing homes and groups, developing critical relationships with key arts stakeholders throughout the region.
- Managed budget of over $60K, successfully managing the production and distribution of all marketing materials and producing 2 public performances a year at 100% audience capacity.
Theatre Teacher, 4th-6th Grades
Beech Springs Intermediate School
Duncan
07.2001 - 07.2012
- Developed engaging and creative lesson plans based on the SC Standards of Theatre and S.T.E.A.M.
- Directed the after-school musical theatre program for 12 years, which grew from 20 to 120 students.
- Facilitated consistent communication with parents and administration, discussing proposed projects and student progress.
- Implemented theatre educational techniques to promote confidence and creativity through S.T.E.A.M games, role-playing, and storytelling.
Theatre, Speech & Journalism Teacher
Lee Central High School & Middle School
Bishopville
08.2000 - 06.2001
- Evaluated speeches and language function of students and made suitable recommendations.
- Executed holistic learning exercises for students of mixed ability levels.
- Directed two annual school-wide productions.
- Managed the production of student-run yearbook.
Education
Masters of Educational Technology - Technology in Education
Lesley University
Cambridge, MA05-2005
Skills
- Teamwork
- Classroom management
- Behavior management
- Gradual release of responsibility method
- Parent and guardian communication
- Knowledge of SC 2024 ELA Teaching Standards
- Google and Microsoft Suite
- Project-based learning
- Classroom management
- Differentiated instruction
- Student engagement
- Assessment strategies
- Curriculum development
- Lesson planning
- Student-centered learning
- Differentiated instruction
- Assessment and evaluation
- Instructional design
- Educational technology integration
- Standardized testing familiarity
- Learning objective alignment
- Counseling
- Tutoring
- Creative writing
- Proofreading and editing
- Public speaking
- STEAM Teaching
- Fountas & Pinnell Leveled Literacy Intervention System (LLI)
- Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS)
Affiliations
Palmetto State Teachers Association, 08/12 - Present
Certifications And Coursework
- English Language Arts (ELA), Middle School
- Theatre & Speech, Grades K-12
- Gifted & Talented Certified, SC Department of Education
- Read to Succeed Endorsed, SC Department of Education
- Middle School SCCCRS, Literacy for Learning LLC
Accomplishments
- Excellent In Teaching Recipient 2024
Certification
Educator ID - 158948
License - 193292
Areas - 1E Middle Level ELA HQ
Club Sponsers
- Afterschool Theater Club
- Lego (not robotic) Club
- Pokemon Club
Timeline
English Language Arts Teacher, 7th Grade
Legacy Early College Middle School
08.2022 - Current
English Language Arts Substitute Teacher, 7th Grade
Lakeview Middle School
02.2021 - 11.2021
English Language Arts Teacher, 6th Grade
Williston-Elko Middle School
08.2018 - 08.2020
Theatre Teacher, 6th-11th grades
High Point Academy
08.2016 - 08.2017
Substitute Teacher
Greenville County School Systems
08.2014 - 08.2016
Owner & Chief Executive Officer
Carolina Conservatory of Music and the Arts
01.2007 - 12.2012
Theatre Teacher, 4th-6th Grades
Beech Springs Intermediate School
07.2001 - 07.2012
Theatre, Speech & Journalism Teacher
Lee Central High School & Middle School
08.2000 - 06.2001
Masters of Educational Technology - Technology in Education
Lesley University
Similar Profiles
Darrell TateDarrell Tate
Assistant Principal at Lakeview Middle SchoolAssistant Principal at Lakeview Middle School
Brionah PrideBrionah Pride
Classroom Teacher at Legacy Early College Elementary Charter SchoolClassroom Teacher at Legacy Early College Elementary Charter School
Tysheika BoydTysheika Boyd
Teacher - 2nd Grade at Legacy Early College Elementary SchoolTeacher - 2nd Grade at Legacy Early College Elementary School
Connor McConnellConnor McConnell
CNC Machinist at Rugged SuppressorsCNC Machinist at Rugged Suppressors
Gage VenableGage Venable
LT. City of Simpsonville Fire Department at City of SimpsonvilleLT. City of Simpsonville Fire Department at City of Simpsonville