Irayah Cooper
District Heights,MD
Summary
Instructional Leader and Data-Driven Educator with 8+ years of experience leveraging assessment data to drive student achievement and instructional improvement. Proven success leading intervention systems, facilitating data cycles, coaching teachers, and translating complex student performance trends into actionable schoolwide strategies. Skilled in building capacity among educators through targeted professional development and structured progress monitoring systems.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
5
5
years of post-secondary education
Work History
8th Grade English and Language Arts Teacher
Paul Public Charter School
Washington, DC
06.2025 - Current
- Led data-driven instructional cycles using interim and benchmark assessments to monitor student mastery and adjust pacing.
- Designed and implemented a structured intervention block grounded in student performance data, resulting in measurable gains in reading proficiency.
- Developed visual data trackers to monitor student growth across standards and subgroups.
- Collaborated with school leadership to support MTSS implementation and progress monitoring systems.
- Provided coaching and modeling to colleagues on formative assessment strategies and standards-aligned lesson planning.
Verizon Innovation Learning Lab Mentor
Friendship Public Charter School–Chamberlain Middle School
Washington, United States
08.2024 - 06.2025
- Designed and implemented innovative, technology-driven learning experiences for 6th–8th graders using advanced tools, including VR headsets, 3D printers, Merge Cubes, Promethean boards, and gaming laptops.
- Developed and facilitated engaging workshops for students on topics such as 3D modeling and printing, virtual reality design, augmented reality coding, digital storytelling, and game creation.
- Managed and maintained cutting-edge educational technology, ensuring all tools and resources were accessible and functional for both students and teachers.
- Collaborated with educators to integrate technology into classroom instruction, fostering cross-curricular STEAM projects, and enhancing student engagement.
- Supervised open lab periods and elective classes provide personalized guidance to students while promoting creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
- Organized tech-focused events and showcases, highlighting student achievements in innovative technology, and fostering a culture of curiosity and exploration.
Reading Intervention Specialist
Friendship Public Charter School – Chamberlain Middle School
Washington, D.C., United States
10.2020 - 06.2025
- Administered intervention benchmark assessments, and analyzed data to inform targeted instruction.
- Collaborated with ELA, Math Coaches, and Administration to collect, organize, and analyze formative and summative data, providing actionable feedback for teacher instruction and student growth.
- Partnered with a diverse team of professionals in weekly Reading/ELA meetings to track student progress and address challenges in small group instruction.
- Successfully implemented a middle school intervention program, leading to the district-wide adoption of Language Live!
- Managed the Language Live! Program, overseeing curriculum, inventory, technology troubleshooting, and teacher coaching during the 2023–24 school year.
- Designed and delivered professional development sessions for teachers in collaboration with the Instructional Coaching Team.
- Regularly prepared and presented detailed reports on student progress and program effectiveness to school leadership and external stakeholders, securing continued funding and support.
- Achieved a 70% movement of students from Tier 2 to Tier 1 interventions, and a 60% improvement for Tier 3 to Tier 2 during the 2023–24 school year.
- Delivered individualized reading instruction to over 60 students annually, improving reading comprehension scores by an average of 15% on district assessments.
- Mentored seven teachers from 2022 to 2024 in effective intervention strategies, leading to a 30% increase in student reading outcomes across their classrooms.
English tutor
Art of Problem Solving (AoPS)
Vienna, United States
11.2022 - 06.2024
- Implemented lesson plans to improve students' reading comprehension and writing skills.
- Conducted interactive group discussions to enhance critical thinking, fostering a collaborative learning environment.
- Utilized innovative teaching techniques, including multimedia tools and educational games, to make English learning engaging and accessible for diverse learners.
- Provided detailed, individualized feedback on written assignments to help students refine their grammar, vocabulary, and communication skills.
- Facilitated engaging discussions to promote critical thinking and analytical skills among students.
Graduate Teaching Assistant
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, United States
01.2021 - 06.2024
- Served as Portfolio Coach for the Reading/Writing/Literacy (RWL) Master’s Capstone course, communicating with students and collaborating with the professor.
- Co-taught the Educational Entrepreneurship Master’s Introduction course, delivering lectures and guiding class discussions.
- Led weekly discussion sections for a graduate course on instructional and curriculum design, facilitating deeper engagement with course material.
- Held office hours to provide individualized feedback, support, and clarification of course concepts.
- Evaluated and graded exams, assignments, and papers, ensuring timely feedback and adherence to grading criteria.
- Returned all graded assignments within established deadlines to maintain academic pacing.
Literacy Apprentice Teacher
Wissahickon Charter School – Fernhill Campus
Philadelphia, United States
08.2019 - 10.2020
- Designed a trauma-informed, culturally relevant reading curriculum for fifth-grade Black girls, incorporating social-emotional learning (SEL) principles.
- Led a Black History Month task force, creating and implementing a month-long, school-wide curriculum.
- Conducted periodic reading assessments and submitted detailed progress reports, evaluating students’ English-language and critical-thinking skills.
- Designed and implemented interactive lessons that promoted cognitive, social, and emotional development, tailored to small-group instruction alongside the Lead Teacher.
- Facilitated professional development sessions on virtual learning strategies and reading interventions for middle-grade students (4th–8th).
Education
Ed.S - Curriculum and Instruction
George Washington University
Washington D.C., United States 06.2021 - 12.2025
M.S.Ed - Reading/Writing/Literacy
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, United States12-2020
B.A. - English
Clark Atlanta University
Atlanta, United States05-2019
Skills
- Digital communication skills
- Social media strategy development
- Proficient in word processing tools
- Experienced with various presentation software
- Digital design expertise
- Curriculum development specialist
- Student support specialist
Accomplishments
- Philadelphia Outward Bound School: Five-Day Peer Leadership Backpacking Expedition September 2019
- Mort Botel Fellowship in Reading University of Pennsylvania - 2019-2020
- Master’s Thesis Award of Distinction University of Pennsylvania - 2019-2020
Certification
08/2021 Strategic Leadership in Education University of Pennsylvania
Instructional Leadership & Systems Experience
- Co-led development of a structured academic intervention program, including curriculum selection, scheduling, and progress monitoring systems.
- Analyzed benchmark, formative, and summative assessment data to inform schoolwide instructional adjustments.
- Presented written and visual data analyses to teachers and leadership to guide instructional planning.
- Supported teachers in using assessment platforms and student performance dashboards to track growth.
- Designed professional learning sessions focused on standards alignment and data-driven instruction.
Timeline
8th Grade English and Language Arts Teacher
Paul Public Charter School
06.2025 - Current
Verizon Innovation Learning Lab Mentor
Friendship Public Charter School–Chamberlain Middle School
08.2024 - 06.2025
English tutor
Art of Problem Solving (AoPS)
11.2022 - 06.2024
Ed.S - Curriculum and Instruction
George Washington University
06.2021 - 12.2025
Graduate Teaching Assistant
University of Pennsylvania
01.2021 - 06.2024
Reading Intervention Specialist
Friendship Public Charter School – Chamberlain Middle School
10.2020 - 06.2025
Literacy Apprentice Teacher
Wissahickon Charter School – Fernhill Campus
08.2019 - 10.2020
M.S.Ed - Reading/Writing/Literacy
University of Pennsylvania
B.A. - English
Clark Atlanta University