Gretchen Israel
Honesdale,PA
Summary
Detail-oriented team player with strong organizational skills. Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously with a high degree of accuracy. Currently an Elementary Librarian with a strong ELA background.
Overview
33
33
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Elementary School Librarian
Wayne Highlands School District
08.2020 - Current
- Assisted students in locating and using library resources and assisted teachers with materials needed to enrich classroom instruction.
- Created programs and activities to promote library usage and literacy.
- Located requested books on shelves and in library database and fetched items for patrons.
- Researched, planned, and set up attractive and informative library exhibits.
- Collaborated with teachers and school administrators to develop library resources for students.
- Researched and acquired new library materials to maintain updated library collection.
- Maintained library databases to support accuracy and availability in circulation systems.
- Trained and supervised library staff, volunteers and other personnel.
- Created programs and activities to promote library usage and literacy
Fourth Grade ELA Teacher
Wayne Highlands School District
08.2008 - 08.2020
- Promoted effective verbal and written communication through listening, speaking, reading and writing practice.
- Evaluated academic skills of each student through verbal assessments, graded assignments and standardized tests.
- Helped students develop academic, social and emotional skills for long-term success.
- Prepared and implemented lesson plans covering required course topics.
- Utilized multimedia strategies and technology to convey information in fresh and interesting ways.
- Completed in-service and additional training to maintain professional growth.
- 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.
- Kept classroom organized, clean and safe for students and visitors.
- Built positive relationships with parents to involve families in educational process.
- Adapted lessons to differentiate instruction and meet students' diverse learning needs and abilities.
- Created supportive and inclusive learning environments, fostering positive classroom atmospheres supporting student growth and learning.
- Taught lessons encompassing skill-building activities in speaking, writing, reading and listening.
First Grade Teacher
Wayne Highlands School District
08.2001 - 08.2008
- Built positive relationships with parents to involve families in educational process.
- Taught students subject-specific material, learning strategies, and social skills.
- Helped students develop self-esteem and life skills by fostering healthy conflict-resolution, critical thinking, and communication.
- Implemented classroom management improvements to enhance class morale and engagement.
- Organized classroom supplies and decorated walls to create fun, nurturing settings, and meet learning needs.
- Drove student learning by establishing clear classroom plans and group objectives, as well as actionable strategies to achieve each goal.
- Established and enforced rules of behavior to drive social development and maintain positive interactions.
- Stayed abreast of new trends in education by attending professional development courses and in-service trainings.
- Promoted exploration of building blocks of learning by leading diverse, hands-on activities.
- Stayed abreast of changes to school and district policies as well as new trends in education by attending professional development courses and in-service trainings.
- Chaperoned field trips to maintain safety and encourage learning.
- Prepared materials for lessons, assignments, and assessments, and evaluated, corrected and graded student performance to identify gaps in skills or knowledge and set realistic goals.
Insurance Auditor
Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield
09.1990 - 05.1993
- Researched claims and incident information to deliver solutions and resolve problems.
- Handled complaints and grievances using negotiating and problem-solving skills.
- Finalized medical files for insurance claim payment release.
- Investigated and processed medical insurance claims for policyholders.
- Corrected CPT codes to properly classify medical claims.
- Delivered exceptional customer service to policyholders by communicating important information and patiently listening to issues.
- Examined claims forms and other records to determine insurance coverage.
- Read over insurance policies to ascertain levels of coverage and determine whether claims would receive approvals or denials.
- Conducted day-to-day administrative tasks to maintain information files and process paperwork.
- Managed and trained over 100 claims adjusters.
- Customer service troubleshooting and claims adjustment.
- Finalized medical claims for insurance claim payment release
Education
Master of Science - Education Administration
Wilkes University
Wilkes-barre, PA05.2008
Master of Science - Elementary Education
Wilkes University
Wilkes-barre, PA05.1999
Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education/English
Marywood University
Scranton, PA05.1997
Associate Of Arts And Sciences - Early Childhood Education/Nursery Education
Sullivan County Community College
Loch Sheldrake, NY12.1995
Skills
- Project Coordination
- Data Collection
- Data Analysis
- Collection Development
- Work Well Independently
- Guiding Students
- School Administration
- Experienced with Follett Destiny
- Library Instruction
- Literacy Skills
- Staff Training
- Instructional Strategies
- Reading and Teaching
- Strong Oral and Written Communication Skills
Certification
- Current PA Certifications
- Instructional II Elementary K-6
- Administrative I Principal PK-12
- Instructional II English 7-12
- Instructional II Library Science PK-12
Timeline
Elementary School Librarian
Wayne Highlands School District
08.2020 - Current
Fourth Grade ELA Teacher
Wayne Highlands School District
08.2008 - 08.2020
First Grade Teacher
Wayne Highlands School District
08.2001 - 08.2008
Insurance Auditor
Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield
09.1990 - 05.1993
Master of Science - Education Administration
Wilkes University
Master of Science - Elementary Education
Wilkes University
Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education/English
Marywood University
Associate Of Arts And Sciences - Early Childhood Education/Nursery Education
Sullivan County Community College
- Current PA Certifications
- Instructional II Elementary K-6
- Administrative I Principal PK-12
- Instructional II English 7-12
- Instructional II Library Science PK-12
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