Jennifer VanZant
Doylestown,PA
Summary
Professional educator with 30 years of classroom experience and deep expertise in elementary instruction, curriculum design, and teacher mentorship. Experienced in teaching and supporting adult learners through graduate-level courses, professional development, supervision, and reflective practice. Seeking an adjunct faculty role teaching undergraduate and graduate-level education courses aligned with teacher preparation and instructional excellence.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
General Education Teacher
Central Bucks School District
08.2004 - Current
- Developed and implemented engaging lesson plans aligned with state standards second through fourth grades
- Fostered a positive classroom environment that encouraged student participation and collaboration.
- Utilized differentiated instruction techniques to accommodate diverse learning styles within the classroom setting.
- Assessed student performance through various evaluation methods to inform instructional strategies.
- Collaborated with colleagues to enhance curriculum development and instructional practices.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to enhance student learning outcomes.
- Implemented behavior management strategies to foster positive classroom environments for general education and special education students.
- Advocated for resources and services to improve educational access for all students.
- Attended professional development workshops to stay current on best practices in special education teaching methodologies.
Mentor and Student Teacher
Central Bucks School District
08.2016 - 08.2025
- Mentored and supervised new and pre-service teachers within a teacher preparation framework, supporting the development of research-informed instructional practices.
- Provided individualized instructional coaching focused on lesson design, assessment, and responsive teaching.
- Conducted systematic classroom observations to evaluate instructional effectiveness and professional growth.
- Delivered constructive, evidence-based feedback that fostered reflective practice and continuous improvement.
Professional Development Instructor
Central Bucks School District
08.2010 - 08.2018
- Designed and taught several professional development courses for Central Bucks School District: Nonfiction Text: Reading with Meaning, Passion, and Purpose; Book Conferencing; The Comprehension Toolkit; Motivation: Within and Beyond the Classroom; Persuasive Writing; The Well Balanced Teacher
- Designed all instructional materials to support learning and engagement, including multimedia resources.
- Evaluated program effectiveness through participant feedback and continuous improvement strategies.
- Consistently received positive feedback from participants on course evaluations due to engaging presentation style and ability to bridge theory and practice.
Instructor in Master of Education Program
Regional Training Center; Gratz College
08.2006 - 08.2012
- Taught graduate-level course, Teaching Readers to Think (K-8), focused on evidenced-based reading instruction for K-6 educators, including phonics, comprehension, and assessment.
- Taught graduate-level course, Motivation: The Art and Science of Inspiring Classroom Success, focused on motivation and engagement, emphasizing strategies to support persistence, engagement, and growth.
- Supported adult learners in connecting educational theory to classroom practice.
- Facilitated interactive and reflective discussions to enhance critical thinking and engagement.
- Assessed graduate student work using established course objectives and rubrics.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Susquehanna University
Selinsgrove, PAMasters of Education - Elementary Education
Saint Joseph's University
Philadelphia, PAProfessional Development in Literacy -
Columbia University, Teacher's College
New York, NYSkills
- Instruction: Delivery and Design
- Communication
- Collaboration
- 'Assessment and Feedback
- Professional Development
- Mentoring and Coaching
- Experience with Canvas, TEAMS
Professional Recognition
- Selected to have classroom instruction professionally filmed and used as exemplar video highlighting effective literacy instruction to support staff development for novice teachers in Central Bucks School District (2015-2020)
- Classroom instruction professionally filmed and showcased in community-facing media "Classroom in Focus" promoting positive learning environments (2022)
Timeline
Mentor and Student Teacher
Central Bucks School District
08.2016 - 08.2025
Professional Development Instructor
Central Bucks School District
08.2010 - 08.2018
Instructor in Master of Education Program
Regional Training Center; Gratz College
08.2006 - 08.2012
General Education Teacher
Central Bucks School District
08.2004 - Current
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Susquehanna University
Masters of Education - Elementary Education
Saint Joseph's University
Professional Development in Literacy -
Columbia University, Teacher's College