Dedicated Teacher offering 7 years of experience in education. Resourceful and passionate educator with adaptable and approachable style. Expertise includes test preparation and ongoing evaluations. Committed to creating comfortable learning environments for students.
Innovative Teacher bringing 21 -year background instructing students. Expertise in classroom oversight, course planning and behavior management. Successful at collaborating with teachers, administrative leaders and support specialists to meet individual student needs. Committed to encouraging higher-order thinking to increase student performance.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
8th Grade Special Education Teacher
Portsmouth Public Schools
08.2022 - Current
Kept classroom environments consistent and focused on learning by establishing and enforcing clear objectives.
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.
Prepared instruction materials, constructed bulletin boards, and set up work areas.
Administered assessments and standardized tests to evaluate student progress.
Worked with administrators on behavioral issues to support needs of students.
Used tests, quizzes, and other assignments to gauge students' learning and determine understanding of course materials.
Provided one-on-one attention to students, while maintaining overall focus on entire group.
Assigned daily lesson plans designed to motivate students and allow for creativity.
Taught subject matter based on information compiled from textbooks, online sites, and other educational materials.
Supported student skill development in alignment with personal and academic goals.
Led interesting and diverse group activities to engage students in course material.
Scheduled appointments with parents to discuss student progress and classroom behavior.
Kept classroom organized, clean and safe for students and visitors.
Cultivated relationships with parents for complete support network.
Identified signs of emotional or developmental problems in students.
Established positive rapport with all students and parents through home calls, emails and Parent Teacher Club.
Assessed student comprehension through regular quizzes, tests, and assignments.
Communicated objectives for all lessons, units and projects to students and parents.
Planned and supervised class projects, field trips and visits by guest speakers.
Server Shift Leader
Abuelo's Restaurant
01.2021 - 07.2023
Cultivated warm relationships with regular customers.
Oversaw daily operations of service team, delegated tasks, and trained new staff.
Handled customer complaints professionally, resolving issues through diplomatic acknowledgment and commitment to service.
Displayed enthusiasm and promoted excellent service to customers, successfully increasing referrals, and walk-in business.
Bussed and reset tables to keep dining room and work areas clean.
Kept register accurate through correct billing, payment processing, and cash management practices.
Handled table service and other dining room tasks to address shortfalls due to unexpected absences or unusual service volumes.
Explained menu items and suggested appropriate options for food allergy concerns.
Recruited and trained new waitstaff personnel, providing rapid onboarding processes to integrate additional team members quickly.
Suggested menu and service policy changes based on feedback from managed waitstaff and observed customer tendencies.
Managed scheduling for Number servers, maintaining adequate staffing levels while accounting for personal employee needs.
Addressed and resolved customer complaints and issues to increase satisfaction and establish trust.
Taught staff how to deliver outstanding service to every customer without sacrificing profit objectives.
Assigned tasks and shifts to servers to manage organized schedules and provide adequate coverage.
Inspected FOH stock to identify shortages, replenish supply and maintain consistent inventory.
Observed servers to provide feedback and coaching in areas requiring improvement.
Wrote and submitted accurate end-of-shift reports to provide management with accurate information about performance of restaurant and staff.
5th Grade Science and Social Studies Teacher
Portsmouth Public Schools
08.2020 - 06.2022
Demonstrated strong knowledge of curriculum and instruction and remained current with latest professional and scientific developments.
Identified pupil needs, cooperated with other professional staff members and assessed and helped students resolve health, attitude and learning problems.
Developed and implemented science lesson plans that fulfilled requirements of district's instruction curriculum program and showed written evidence of preparation.
Devised and presented lessons that accommodated differences in student learning styles and ability levels.
Delivered variety of planned learning experiences using diverse media and methods and motivated students to learn and use time wisely.
Planned, prepared, and taught lesson plans, giving students individual support.
Communicated with students and parents regarding academic progress, assignments, and behavior.
Created interactive activities to engage student interest and curiosity in scientific concepts.
Delivered interactive lessons to help students comprehend complex concepts.
Cultivated positive relationships with students, parents and staff to optimize instruction and support learning outcomes.
Demonstrated positive and effective classroom management skills.
Utilized diverse instructional approaches to accommodate different learning styles.
Encouraged student participation in laboratory experiments to enhance scientific knowledge.
Coordinated and collaborated with other faculty members during lesson plan development.
Used exams and standardized assessment tools to measure student progress.
Encouraged student interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and participation in middle and high school national science competitions.
Provided individualized feedback to support student learning and development.
Collaborated with other teachers to integrate science into other curricula.
Supported student comprehension of scientific principles through individualized instruction.
Server/shift Manager
Pungo Pizza And Ice Cream
01.2020 - 12.2021
Served food and beverages promptly with focused attention to customer needs.
Worked with POS system to place orders, manage bills, and handle complimentary items.
Cultivated warm relationships with regular customers.
Maintained clean and organized dining areas to uphold restaurant hygiene standards.
Set positive tone for entire dining experience as first point of contact for incoming guests.
Bussed and reset tables to keep dining room and work areas clean.
Resolved customer complaints promptly and professionally to maintain positive reputation.
Followed health and safety protocols crucial for maintaining safe and sanitary environments for customers and staff.
Explained menu items and suggested appropriate options for food allergy concerns.
Utilized communication practices with kitchen staff to deliver customer meals in timely manner.
Upsold high-profit items such as appetizers and mixed drinks to enhance sales numbers.
Learned and followed local alcohol laws to keep restaurant compliant with regulations while serving spirits.
Carried out complete opening, closing and shift change duties to keep restaurant working efficiently and teams ready to meet customer needs.
Displayed enthusiasm and promoted excellent service to customers, successfully increasing referrals, and walk-in business.
Collected payment for food and drinks served, balanced cash receipts and maintained accurate cash drawer.
Answered customers' questions, recommended items, and recorded order information.
Elementary Special Education Teacher
Virginia Beach City Public Schools
08.2018 - 12.2019
Created and managed IEPs to define student learning objectives and educational strategies, in addition to applying instructional knowledge and methods to support goals.
Modified general education curriculum for special-needs students using various instructional techniques and technologies.
Cultivated connections and strong student rapport to foster classroom engagement, in addition to recording student progress to inform parents and school administration.
Delivered effective and differentiated classroom instruction to range of neurodiverse students.
Taught students across multiple classifications and degrees of special needs.
Assisted struggling students to maintain progress levels by designing individualized lesson plans focused on areas for improvement.
Taught multiple subjects to students with intellectual or emotional disabilities.
Instructed students with physical and cognitive disabilities.
Led activities that developed students' physical, emotional, and social growth.
Redirected students using Positive Behavior Support (PBS).
Partnered with standard education teachers from across academic departments.
Worked with students with moderate to severe autism to increase life skills.
Encouraged students to take ownership of learning by providing choices.
Coordinated special education students and teacher assistant schedules with master schedule.
Provided life skills programming for students with moderate to severe autism.
Met with parents and guardians to discuss children's progress and determine priorities and resource needs.
Used state and district assessments to determine student abilities and track academic progress.
Maintained accurate and complete student records to prepare reports on children and activities.
Created strategies to meet needs of mentally and physically disabled students.
Enforced classroom rules to encourage positive behavior and distributed rewards for good conduct.
Modified general education curriculum for special-needs students based on variety of instructional techniques and technologies.
Autism Teacher
SECEP
07.2017 - 07.2018
Created and managed IEPs to define student learning objectives and educational strategies, in addition to applying instructional knowledge and methods to support goals.
Modified general education curriculum for special-needs students using various instructional techniques and technologies.
Cultivated connections and strong student rapport to foster classroom engagement, in addition to recording student progress to inform parents and school administration.
Delivered effective and differentiated classroom instruction to range of neurodiverse students.
Assisted struggling students to maintain progress levels by designing individualized lesson plans focused on areas for improvement.
Taught multiple subjects to students with intellectual or emotional disabilities.
Instructed students with physical and cognitive disabilities.
Led activities that developed students' physical, emotional, and social growth.
Provided life skills programming for students with moderate to severe autism.
Collaborated with other educators to develop instructional strategies.
Facilitated small group instruction to address individual learning needs.
Planned daily activities to keep students engaged and on track with learning goals.
Special Education Paraprofessional
Chesapeake Public Schools
01.2002 - 06.2017
Delivered personalized educational, behavioral, and emotional support to individual students to enable positive learning outcomes.
Offered student support through special accommodations, extra assistance, and assessments.
Interacted physically and verbally with students throughout each day.
Maintained positive attitude and affirmatively communicated with each student.
Documented student behaviors, interventions, and outcomes to enable lead teacher to address pertinent issues.
Oversaw class of students in absence of instructor.
Monitored student classroom and outdoors activities to promote student safety.
Supported teacher in development of individual learning strategies.
Set up visual aids, equipment, and classroom displays to support teacher's lesson delivery.
Alerted instructor to student behavior or issues requiring intervention.
Encouraged students to participate in school activities and programs to promote well-roundedness and increase confidence.
Developed tailor-fit lesson plans to cater to individual needs of each student.
Liaised one-on-one with learners to provide additional support tailored to specific learning needs.
Supported faculty in implementing behavioral intervention plans to address challenging student behaviors.
Observed students' performance and recorded relevant data to assess progress.
Observed individuals or groups of students in variety of settings to maintain safe and positive learning environment.
Delivered efficient instruction by assisting with lesson planning and materials preparation.
Understood and acclimated to teacher's routine to provide classroom coverage.
Education
Ph.D. - Educational Leadership And Reform
Union University
Jackson, TN
01.2026
Master of Science - Educational Leadership
Grand Canyon University
Phoenix, AZ
05.2022
Bachelor of Arts - Special Education
Grand Canyon University
Phoenix, AZ
05.2017
High School Diploma -
Oscar F. Smith High School
Chesapeake, VA
06.1999
Skills
Time Management
Positive Reinforcement Strategies
Schedule Creation
Educational Strategies
Hands-On Learning
Behavior Management Systems
Learning Assessments
Curriculum Development
24 Years of Coaching Experience
Head Coach:
Wrestling 21 Years (Varsity, JV, Middle School, AAU Club)
Volleyball 10 Years (Varsity, JV, Middle School)
Track 4 Years (Middle School)
Softball (5 years)
Assistant Coach:
Football 6 years (Middle and JV)
Wrestling 3 years (Middle and Varsity)
Soccer 3 years (Middle School)
Track 4 years (Middle and Varsity)
Timeline
8th Grade Special Education Teacher
Portsmouth Public Schools
08.2022 - Current
Server Shift Leader
Abuelo's Restaurant
01.2021 - 07.2023
5th Grade Science and Social Studies Teacher
Portsmouth Public Schools
08.2020 - 06.2022
Server/shift Manager
Pungo Pizza And Ice Cream
01.2020 - 12.2021
Elementary Special Education Teacher
Virginia Beach City Public Schools
08.2018 - 12.2019
Autism Teacher
SECEP
07.2017 - 07.2018
Special Education Paraprofessional
Chesapeake Public Schools
01.2002 - 06.2017
Ph.D. - Educational Leadership And Reform
Union University
Master of Science - Educational Leadership
Grand Canyon University
Bachelor of Arts - Special Education
Grand Canyon University
High School Diploma -
Oscar F. Smith High School
Similar Profiles
Gianna Marie LOCKERGianna Marie LOCKER
Secondary Science Teacher at Portsmouth Public SchoolsSecondary Science Teacher at Portsmouth Public Schools