HELEN TSUCALAS
Montvale
Summary
Knowledgeable elementary school educator with proven track record in teaching. Developed engaging lesson plans and fostered nurturing classroom environment, enhancing student learning and development. Demonstrated strong communication and classroom management skills.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Kindergarten Teacher
New York City Department of Education
09.2016 - Current
- Foster a warm, nurturing and fun atmosphere conducive to learning
- Develop strong, loving relationships with both students and parents
- Serving as grade leader for second year in a row
- Creating effective and engaging lessons
- Successfully utilizes literacy and math centers
Title One Reading Grade 4
New York City Department of Education
09.2014 - 06.2016
- Provide small group reading instruction to struggling students
- Teach students test prep strategies to prepare them for the state test
- Build students' comprehension skills using a variety of strategies
- Improve the writing skills of at risk students
- Teach students how to read closely and cite evidence from the text
Second Grade Teacher
New York City Department of Education
09.2011 - 06.2014
- Created a welcoming classroom atmosphere by establishing clear expectations and routines, promoting a sense of belonging among students.
- Collaborated with colleagues to develop cross-curricular projects, fostering critical thinking skills and interdisciplinary learning.
- Differentiated instruction to meet the unique learning needs of each student, ensuring all students were able to access the curriculum successfully.
Third Grade Teacher
New York City Department of Education
09.2007 - 06.2011
- Developed lessons based on the Common Core Learning Standard
- Planned differentiated instruction lesson plans based on the Danielson Framework throughout all content areas for diverse learners and learning styles
- Participated in developing and planning the school curriculum
Second Grade Teacher
New York City Department of Education
09.2004 - 06.2007
- Created a welcoming classroom atmosphere by establishing clear expectations and routines, promoting a sense of belonging among students.
- Collaborated with colleagues to develop cross-curricular projects, fostering critical thinking skills and interdisciplinary learning.
- Differentiated instruction to meet the unique learning needs of each student, ensuring all students were able to access the curriculum successfully.
Second Grade Teacher, Saturday Academy
New York City Department of Education
01.2005 - 05.2005
- Provided academic intervention in reading, writing, and math for students at risk of not being promoted
- Planned and conducted lessons to address student's learning needs
First Grade ESL Teacher
New York City Department of Education
09.2003 - 06.2004
- Planned and conducted class lessons in all subject areas
- Applied the use of cooperative learning groups to enhance learning and social interaction among students
- Initiated creative writing activities
- Created various social studies units
- Conducted various science lessons that integrated hands-on-experiments and cooperative learning
- Fostered children's reading comprehension, proficiency and enjoyment through whole language experiences and cooperative learning
Title One Reading Teacher
New York City Department of Education
09.2001 - 06.2003
- Assessed and addressed the needs of at risk students in 1st, 2nd & 3rd grades
- Met with at risk students four times a week
- Planned and conducted daily guided reading lessons in order to enable children to use and develop reading strategies, improve comprehension and fluency in reading
- Created and presented staff development workshops on balanced literacy, writer's workshop and running records
First Grade Teacher
New York City Department of Education
09.1997 - 06.2001
- Developed challenging standards-based lessons, including literacy based centers
- Developed and conducted reading and math group lessons
- Utilized writer's workshop to teach writing
- Facilitated cooperative learning
Education
Master of Science - Reading Education
City University of New York - Lehman College
The Bronx, NY06-2000
Skills
- Differentiated instruction
- Parent-teacher communication
- Lesson planning
- Early childhood development
- Behavior Management
- Assessing and progress monitoring
- Efficient in multiple math and reading programs
- Familiar with and trained in the Science of Reading (SOR)
- Proficient in all Microsoft programs
Certification
- New York State Elementary Education
- Reading Specialist
- New Jersey Standard Certificate Elementary School Teacher
- New Jersey Standard Certificate Reading
Languages
Greek
Native or Bilingual
Accomplishments
Member of the Instructional Leadership Team
NYC Big Apple Award Finalist
Grade Leader
Model Teacher
Timeline
Kindergarten Teacher
New York City Department of Education
09.2016 - Current
Title One Reading Grade 4
New York City Department of Education
09.2014 - 06.2016
Second Grade Teacher
New York City Department of Education
09.2011 - 06.2014
Third Grade Teacher
New York City Department of Education
09.2007 - 06.2011
Second Grade Teacher, Saturday Academy
New York City Department of Education
01.2005 - 05.2005
Second Grade Teacher
New York City Department of Education
09.2004 - 06.2007
First Grade ESL Teacher
New York City Department of Education
09.2003 - 06.2004
Title One Reading Teacher
New York City Department of Education
09.2001 - 06.2003
First Grade Teacher
New York City Department of Education
09.1997 - 06.2001
Master of Science - Reading Education
City University of New York - Lehman College
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