Highly qualified Teacher with 30 years of experience teaching. Generates student enthusiasm for learning through individual connections and motivators. Empowers students through interactive learning, offering fun and educational lessons and exciting science demonstrations. Uses variety of research-based, integrative instructional practices and current resources to support instructional goals and student needs.
Hi, I’m
Jen Lacy
Certified coach
Kalamazoo,MI
Summary
Overview
31
years of professional experience
14
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Sonoma Elementary, Harper Creek Community Schools Battle Creek, MI
New Teacher Mentor
01.2026 - Current
Job overview
- Mentors novice teachers, providing guidance on classroom management and instructional strategies.
- Collaborates with administration to identify professional development needs within the teaching staff.
Battle Creek YMCABattle Creek, MI
Group Exercise Instructor
01.2011 - Current
Job overview
- Interacts with individual participants in group fitness settings to cultivate and maintain positive relationships.
- Leads high-energy and restorative group exercise sessions.
Prairieview Elementary, Lakeview School District Battle Creek, MI
Resilience Coach
08.2023 - 06.2025
Job overview
- Facilitated workshops on effective coaching/teaching techniques and communication skills for staff.
- Established a positive team culture promoting motivation, discipline, and teamwork among professionals.
7/8 Academy, Lakeview School District Battle Creek, MI
7th Grade Life Science Teacher
08.2019 - Current
Job overview
- Demonstrates advanced competency and teaching proficiency in life science core academic subject area.
- Creates classroom environment conducive to scientific learning and appropriate to intellectual, physical, social and emotional development of students.
- Works cooperatively with special education teachers and staff to modify curricula for special education
- Demonstrates positive and effective classroom management skills.
- Communicates with students and parents regarding academic progress, assignments and behavior.
Lakeview School District
Volleyball Coach
10.2018 - 10.2025
Job overview
- Implemented exercise programs and training strategies to bolster individual and team performance.
- Educated athletes on nutrition and positive life choices for better health and performance.
- Evaluated individual knowledge, skills and strengths and assigned team positions to maximize talent areas.
5/6 Academy, Lakeview School District Battle Creek, MI
5th Grade ELA/SS Teacher
06.2015 - 08.2017
Job overview
- Prepared and implemented lesson plans covering required course topics.
- Promoted effective verbal and written communication through listening, speaking, reading and writing practice.
- Helped students develop academic, social and emotional skills for long-term success.
Praireiview Elementary, Lakeview SchoolBattle Creek, MI
Kindergarten Teacher
01.1995 - 01.2017
Job overview
- Delivered lesson plans, implemented school curriculum and used data to create, monitor and establish personalized learning plan for each student.
- Identified characteristics, needs, abilities and problems of each child through personal interaction and progress reports to optimize approaches.
- Exercised good classroom management focused on positive behavior support by clearly articulating fair and consistent expectations along with appropriate natural consequences.
- Applied evidence-based practices for classroom management to enhance learning results.
Education
Saybrook UniversityPasadena, CA
Ph.D. from Integrative Wellness
08.2020 - Current
University Overview
Michigan State UniversityEat Lansing, MI
Master of Arts from Education
08.1998 - 12.2002
University Overview
Western Michigan UniversityKalamazoo, MI
Bachelor of Science from Education
08.1990 - 12.1994
University Overview
Skills
- Verbal and Written Communication
- Biological Science
- Instructional Practices
- Positive Learning Environment
- Different Learning Styles
- Behavioral Skills Development
- Differentiated Instruction
- Emergent Curriculum
Quote
To raise new questions, new possibilities, to regard old problems from a new angle, requires creative imagination and marks real advance in science.
Timeline
New Teacher Mentor
Sonoma Elementary, Harper Creek Community Schools
01.2026 - Current
Resilience Coach
Prairieview Elementary, Lakeview School District
08.2023 - 06.2025
Saybrook University
Ph.D. from Integrative Wellness
08.2020 - Current
7th Grade Life Science Teacher
7/8 Academy, Lakeview School District
08.2019 - Current
Volleyball Coach
Lakeview School District
10.2018 - 10.2025
5th Grade ELA/SS Teacher
5/6 Academy, Lakeview School District
06.2015 - 08.2017
Group Exercise Instructor
Battle Creek YMCA
01.2011 - Current
Michigan State University
Master of Arts from Education
08.1998 - 12.2002
Kindergarten Teacher
Praireiview Elementary, Lakeview School
01.1995 - 01.2017
Western Michigan University
Bachelor of Science from Education
08.1990 - 12.1994