Jaala Smith
Wendell,NC
Summary
A teaching position that utilizes innovative and energetic qualities from teachers. Hands-on Gifted and Talented Teacher committed to encouraging creativity and higher-order thinking to increase student performance. Resourceful and energetic professional with seven years of experience preparing class activities, monitoring academic performance, and developing lesson plans. Well-versed in observing over 17 students simultaneously and evaluating performance to bring improvement to learning.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
3rd Grade Teacher
Wake County Public Schools
08.2022 - Current
- Enhanced student comprehension by utilizing diverse teaching methods and incorporating visual aids in lessons.
- Boosted students'' critical thinking skills through group activities and problem-solving exercises.
- Developed strong relationships with parents, fostering open communication and collaborative partnerships for student success.
- Maintained positive classroom environments by enforcing consistent discipline and promoting respectful behavior among students.
- Implemented effective classroom management strategies to maintain order, promote learning, and ensure safety for all students.
- Collaborated with colleagues to develop interdisciplinary units of study, enriching the overall curriculum.
- Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities to stay current on educational trends and best practices.
- Assessed student progress regularly using formative and summative assessments, adjusting instruction as needed for optimal results.
- Differentiated instruction to accommodate diverse learning needs, ensuring that all students experienced academic growth.
- Mentored new teachers in effective instructional strategies and classroom management techniques, contributing to a supportive school culture.
- Served on various committees focused on curriculum development, teacher evaluation, and school improvement initiatives.
- Organized engaging field trips and guest speaker events to enhance the curriculum and provide real-world connections for students.
- Utilized data-driven instruction to inform lesson planning and target areas needing additional focus or intervention.
- Enhanced learning experiences by incorporating specialized tools and resources tailored to the needs of special education students.
- Collaborated with teachers and therapists to develop individualized educational plans for each student, ensuring optimal progress.
- Supported students in developing social skills through structured activities and positive reinforcement techniques.
- Assisted in creating a safe and nurturing classroom environment that promoted emotional well-being and academic growth for all students.
- Provided one-on-one support for students with learning disabilities, enabling them to excel in their coursework.
- Built positive relationships with parents to involve families in the educational process.
- Boosted students'' critical thinking skills through group activities and problem-solving exercises
2nd Grade Teacher
Olive Chapel Elementary
01.2022 - 06.2022
- Planned lessons according to district standards to cover requirements and prepare for standardized tests.
- Kept classroom clean, organized, and safe for students and visitors.
- Collaborated with administrators on classroom policies, management strategies and discipline.
- 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.
- Built positive relationships with parents to involve families in educational process.
- Implemented classroom management improvements to enhance class morale and engagement.
Academic and Intellectually Gifted Teacher
Fuller Elementary School, Wake County Public SchoolsAIG
02.2016 - 06.2021
- Developed lesson plans based on ISPs, reading levels, EOG scores, and Case 21 data
- Developed and implemented fluid and effective grouping to meet needs of all students.
- Developed lessons based on TIER UP complexity modules, Socratic seminars, and other models to effectively teach students who were in the Academically and
- Intellectually gifted program
- Collaborated with teachers and other academic specialists weekly to ensure the needs of students in the program were being met
- Provided enrichment for K-2 students who needed the acceleration and the complex not provided in the classroom
- Utilized Wake County enrichment documents in math to meet the needs of those students
- Used PETS and Jacobs Ladders lessons to help supplement and provide avenues for students to think and solve problems critically
- Taught AIG electives allowing students to learn more about concepts of interest
- Developed and collaborated with classroom teachers to create Development Educational Plans at the end of the year.
Kindergarten Teacher
Farmington Woods Elementary School, Wake County Public Schools
08.2014 - 06.2015
- Develop lesson plans for PLC and classroom
- Developed guided reading to interventions
- Create International Baccalaureate units for the IB programme for the school
- Create global connections and awareness among the students
- Collaborate with specialists and other coworkers to build lessons and thematic units for the students
- Participate in professional development workshops to broaden knowledge based on concepts being taught
- Build relationships with peers, parents, and students to produce academic success for the students
- Use data to maximize the effectiveness of instruction and pinpoint students' strengths and weaknesses
- Differentiate instruction according to assessments such as common assessments, cumulative assessments, and benchmark assessments.
1st Grade Teacher
Bethesda Elementary School, Durham Public
08.2012 - 06.2014
- Developed lesson plans for PLC and classroom
- Developed guided reading and intervention lessons for small group
- Instruction
- Served as teacher council representative for my grade level
- Served as the PTA representative for the school
- Communicated with parents about student progress as needed or on a weekly basis
- Facilitated instruction and provided opportunities for students to showcase talents and gifts through engaging activities
- Collaborated with other resource teachers about students' progress in receiving resources for student interventions
- Communicated and reflected on IEP goals and students when thinking about instruction
- Used data to maximize the effectiveness of instruction and pinpoint student's strengths and weaknesses
- Differentiate instruction according to assessments such as common assessments, cumulative assessments, and benchmark assessments
- Provided opportunities for students to collaborate and discuss their thinking in all content areas
- Taught students different comprehension strategies in all content areas
- Allowed students time to think and write answers to questions provided by the teacher or themselves
- Provided a safe and nurturing environment for students
- Provided a conducive atmosphere for learning
- Built a community where children are safe to make decisions, and mistakes,and communicate their answers
- Received two grants through donors who chose to provide better resources and materials for my students
2nd Grade Teacher
Global Scholars Academy
08.2011 - 06.2012
- 2nd-grade teacher
- Produced lesson plans and thematic units for students
- Orchestrated classroom management sufficient for a safe learning environment
- Addressed student's individual needs by developing relationships with students and parents, immediate feedback, and familiarizing myself with
- IEPs and taking the initiative to understand different cultural backgrounds
- Utilized manipulatives, Labs, technology, Rhythm, and projects to keep students engaged in learning in all content areas
- Use the Arts to meet all of the students' learning styles
- Used data to maximize the effectiveness of instruction and pinpoint student's strengths and weaknesses
- Differentiated according to assessments such as performance indicators, tests, and quizzes
- Collaborated with different colleagues about classroom instruction and students in the classroom
- Communicated with parents about student progress
- Received a science grant through the Burrows Wellcome Fund providing a school-wide recycling system and opportunities for students to study plants and soils
- Designated coordinator for the Arts Plus committee at school
- Balanced budgets for school functions and activities
- Served on student activity committees
2nd Grade Teacher
Phoenix Community Learning Center
08.2010 - 06.2011
- Went by a set curriculum guide to keep in alignment with the pacing guides, but brought flexibility to the curriculum guide when having to reteach key concepts, and differentiate the lessons taught
- Prepared, administered, and corrected assessments
- Taught rules of conduct and maintained order in the classroom and on the playground
- Discussed pupils' academics, as well as behavioral attitudes and achievements with parents
- Customized learning by providing a workshop environment tailoring instruction for the individual needs of the students
- Went by thematic units to teach standards and content making sure that lessons had enduring understandings and essential questions for higher orders of thinking
- Allowed opportunities for students to use power verbs to enhance comprehension and vocabulary skills
- Influential in creating a curriculum for Language Arts based on the standard core curriculum
- Served on the Book club committee, Black History Committee, and the "Culturama" committee for the school
2nd Grade Teacher
WEB Dubois Academy
08.2009 - 06.2010
- Taught second-grade Language Arts and Social Studies
- Created lessons based on thematic units to create cross-curricular instruction
- Provided guidance during learning stations and small group instruction
- Assessed regularly to check students' fluency and comprehension skills
- Supervised children to ensure a safe and nurturing environment
- Provided great classroom management to ensure that all students were engaged and on task
- Allowed opportunities for hands-on learning activities
- Collaborated with other colleagues to talk about classroom instruction and other pertinent issues related to the students
- Communicated with parents about their child's progress
- Provided a daily communicator for parents
Education
Ph.D. - Educational Leadership
University of Phoenix
Phoenix, AZ01.2024
Licensure Program -
Duke University
Durham, NC08.2015
Master of Arts - Elementary Education
University of Phoenix
Phoenix12.2008
Bachelor of Science - Political Science
Central State University
Wilberforce, OH06.2004
Skills
- Student records management
- Conflict resolution techniques
- Special education
- Parent-Teacher Collaboration
- Lesson Planning
- Classroom management
- Differentiated instruction
- Group and individual instruction
- Inquiry-Based Learning
Certification
- Google Certified
Timeline
3rd Grade Teacher
Wake County Public Schools
08.2022 - Current
2nd Grade Teacher
Olive Chapel Elementary
01.2022 - 06.2022
Academic and Intellectually Gifted Teacher
Fuller Elementary School, Wake County Public SchoolsAIG
02.2016 - 06.2021
Kindergarten Teacher
Farmington Woods Elementary School, Wake County Public Schools
08.2014 - 06.2015
1st Grade Teacher
Bethesda Elementary School, Durham Public
08.2012 - 06.2014
2nd Grade Teacher
Global Scholars Academy
08.2011 - 06.2012
2nd Grade Teacher
Phoenix Community Learning Center
08.2010 - 06.2011
2nd Grade Teacher
WEB Dubois Academy
08.2009 - 06.2010
Ph.D. - Educational Leadership
University of Phoenix
Licensure Program -
Duke University
Master of Arts - Elementary Education
University of Phoenix
Bachelor of Science - Political Science
Central State University