Jennifer Kerola
Overland Park,KS
Summary
Experienced early elementary teacher and curriculum developer. Talented at using backward design to develop standards-based, integrated unit plans. Skillful in creating caring classroom environments and enhancing student behavior through positive approaches. Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Long-term Substitute Teacher
Kelly Education
08.2023 - Current
- Worked as a long-term kindergarten teacher assistant in two classrooms
- Supported kindergarten classroom teachers with all students but especially ELL students.
Stay at home mom
04.2015 - Current
Instructional Coach/Intervention Teacher
Delaware Ridge Elementary School
08.2014 - 06.2015
- Developed and implemented weekly professional development as part of professional learning communities (PLCs) for kindergarten through second grade teachers
- Coached kindergarten through second grade teachers on individual instructional goals and curriculum implementation
- Developed standards-based lessons to model for mentees
- Collaborated with another instructional coach to develop building wide professional development related to the standards and best instructional practices
- Planned and taught small group literacy interventions for kindergarten through second grade students.
First Grade Teacher
Delaware Ridge Elementary School
08.2013 - 06.2014
- Developed and taught curriculum aligned to the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics and English Language-Arts
- Developed and taught curriculum as part of the Expeditionary Learning model
- Collaborated with grade level team weekly to develop interdisciplinary lessons
- Participated in weekly PLC meetings
- Participated in voluntary professional development on guided reading and primary literacy strategies.
Second Grade Teacher
EW Luther Elementary School
08.2009 - 06.2013
- Taught reading and writing using the workshop model as part of a balanced literacy program including: whole-group comprehension strategy instruction, guided reading, shared reading, and word work
- Collaborated with grade level teachers to create units focused on literacy integrating science and social studies standards
- Studied and implemented the Common Core State Standards
- Served on the district’s K-12 Literacy Leadership Team (LLT)
- Planned and led vertical team meetings as well as grade level meetings
- Participated in a district-wide mentoring program and created a professional development plan.
First Grade Teacher
Academy of Learning and Leadership
08.2007 - 06.2009
- Developed and taught first grade reading and writing curriculum based on local benchmarks and state standards
- Taught reading and writing using the workshop model as part of a balanced literacy program
- Implemented the Investigations standards-based math program
- Used backward design to plan science and social studies expeditions (semester-long integrated units) based on state standards
- Participated in grade level team planning, a phonics curriculum mapping team, math team, and a reading comprehension team.
Education
Bachelor of Science in Education - middle childhood - early adolescence education
University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse
LaCrosse, WI12.2006
Skills
- Flexible
- Organized
- Detail-oriented
- Project-based learning
- Reading and Writing Workshop model
- Literacy instructional strategies
- Positive classroom management strategies
- Common Core State Standards in Mathematics and ELA K-5
- Backward design lesson planning
- Mathematics skills progressions and instructional strategies
Certification
K-6 generalist, 5-8 mathematics
Leadership Roles
- Common Core Leadership in Mathematics project, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, WI, 2011, 2013, Multi-district project to develop teacher leaders in the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics (CCSS-M), Studied the CCSS-M for kindergarten through grade 8, Learned leadership and coaching skills, Implemented CCSS-M in my classroom, Planned and facilitated professional development
- Literacy Leadership Team (LLT), School District of South Milwaukee, WI, 2011, 2013, Participated in planning and implementing district-wide professional development in literacy, Attended monthly meetings with K-12 team members, Studied the Common Core State Standards for English-Language Arts
Professional Development
- Facilitator Training for the Wisconsin Statewide Mathematics Initiative K-2 Operations and Algebraic Thinking institute, January 2013
- Common Core Leadership in Mathematics (CCLM) project at UW-Milwaukee (8 credits), 2011-2013
- Wisconsin Statewide Mathematics Initiative K-2 Operations and Algebraic Thinking week-long summer institute, 2012
Timeline
Long-term Substitute Teacher
Kelly Education
08.2023 - Current
Stay at home mom
04.2015 - Current
Instructional Coach/Intervention Teacher
Delaware Ridge Elementary School
08.2014 - 06.2015
First Grade Teacher
Delaware Ridge Elementary School
08.2013 - 06.2014
Second Grade Teacher
EW Luther Elementary School
08.2009 - 06.2013
First Grade Teacher
Academy of Learning and Leadership
08.2007 - 06.2009
Bachelor of Science in Education - middle childhood - early adolescence education
University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse