Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Certification
Timeline
Generic

JESSICA TORTOMASI

West Bend

Summary

Hardworking, highly motivated, and heartfelt professional with experience in helping students of all abilities reach educational goals. Proven ability to create a positive and encouraging learning environment to value individual differences and build strong relationships. Skilled in fostering student engagement using multisensory teaching, I leverage excellent communication skills to enhance curriculum development and progress monitoring. Operates well in both individual and team capacities. Passionate about making a positive impact on the lives of students.

Overview

25
25
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Reading Interventionist

West Bend School District
10.2021 - Current
  • Implemented research-based interventions such as guided reading instruction and reciprocal teaching techniques.
  • Progress monitored using Fountas & Pinnell and FastBridge, while also uploading data to EduClimber.
  • Collaborated with teachers, administrators, and parents to identify appropriate interventions based on student data.

8th Grade ELA Teacher

West Bend School District
08.2018 - 10.2021
  • Implemented effective classroom management practices that created an atmosphere conducive for learning.
  • Utilized technology such as computers, laptops and interactive white boards to enhance the learning experience.
  • Facilitated book clubs which allowed students the opportunity to explore classic and modern literature while discussing it with peers.
  • Integrated various instructional strategies including cooperative learning, project based learning, differentiation, scaffolding, inquiry-based learning.
  • Coached extracurricular activities such as forensics, which require strong communication skills.

8th Grade ELA and Science Teacher

Germantown School District
06.2012 - 08.2018
  • Developed lesson plans to integrate ELA and science standards together in order to teach science topics in an engaging manner.
  • Actively sought out opportunities for collaboration with other teachers on innovative projects related to science education, including organizing Skyping sessions with career experts from around the nation.
  • Pioneered a career unit emphasizing interviewing skills, including coordinating local businesses to come in and perform mock interviews with students.
  • Employed a variety of innovative teaching strategies to encourage student-centered learning, including Genius Hour.
  • Coordinated a combined book writing project with district second and eighth graders, which resulted in publishing their writing.

Director

Camp Invention
08.2000 - 08.2012
  • Recruited and trained staff and volunteers to upgrade collective team skills.
  • Oversaw budget management and financial forecasting to align with company goals and objectives.
  • Mentored junior staff, fostering professional development and enhancing team capabilities through effective training programs.
  • Scheduled and supervised staff meetings to discuss new ideas and update participants on program details and milestones.
  • Provided ongoing direction and leadership for program operations.
  • Monitored program performance to identify areas for improvement.
  • Established strong partnerships with internal and external stakeholders for collaborative problemsolving.
  • Developed and implemented marketing strategies to promote program awareness and participation.
  • Spearheaded fundraising efforts to secure resources necessary for program sustainability and success.
  • Advanced community outreach efforts by forging strong relationships with local partners.

6th-8th Grade Reading Workshop Teacher

Erin School District
08.2007 - 06.2012
  • Developed and maintained classroom environment conducive to learning and appropriate for social and emotional development of students.
  • Built a positive rapport with students to encourage them to take risks in their learning.
  • Created assessment tools including rubrics, tests, quizzes and projects to measure student progress.
  • Facilitated small group instruction sessions tailored towards specific learner needs while maintaining focus on overall class objectives.
  • Facilitated a seventh grade Read-In, a parent/student book discussion night, and an Intergenerational Book Group for eighth grade.

4th Grade Teacher

Erin School District
06.2005 - 06.2007
  • Collaborated with third through fifth grade teachers on field trips, rules and procedures, curriculum, and special activities.
  • Established open communication channels between home and school via in-person conferences, emails, or phone calls.
  • Transformed the spelling curriculum using Words Their Way.
  • Created and directed a Wax Museum for students to show case their learning of famous scientists and historians.
  • Sponsored extracurricular activities, such as Spanish club, and Chess Club.

Spanish Teacher

Erin School District
08.2001 - 06.2005
  • Developed and implemented Spanish lesson plans to teach basic language skills such as reading, writing, speaking and listening.
  • Instructed using English language at the beginning of the year and transitioned to all Spanish by the end of the year.
  • Facilitated critical thinking and advanced concepts for future levels of Spanish. Students scored exceptionally high on placement tests, placing them into Spanish II as freshman in the high school.
  • Engaged students through creative, hands-on activities, center based activities, games and songs to reinforce language concepts.
  • Encouraged student participation by creating a positive learning environment.

Title 1 Reading Specialist

Erin School District
08.2001 - 06.2005
  • Instructed students in kindergarten through third grade in a small group, pull-out program, using the Early Reading Empowerment (ERE) program.
  • Maintained records of student assessment results and other pertinent information about their progress.
  • Assessed student performance to determine instructional needs and provided feedback to teachers regarding appropriate interventions.
  • Encouraged parents and guardians to be involved in their child's educational journey by providing them with resources and opportunities for involvement in school activities.

Education

Master of Science (M.S.) - Curriculum and Instruction

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Milwaukee, WI
08.2010

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) - Elementary Education

University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
Whitewater, WI
12.1999

Skills

  • Summative Assessment
  • English Language Learners
  • Curriculum Development
  • Student Engagement
  • Relationship Building
  • Instructional Planning
  • Progress Monitoring
  • Multisensory Teaching
  • Teamwork and Collaboration
  • Excellent Communication
  • Research-based practices
  • Leadership

Accomplishments

    2024-2025 Outstanding Educator award from WEA Member Benefits. This award honors the exceptional contributions of Wisconsin public school educators.

Certification

  • Reading Teacher Certification K-12 (316)
  • Bilingual Education 1-8 (44)

Timeline

Reading Interventionist

West Bend School District
10.2021 - Current

8th Grade ELA Teacher

West Bend School District
08.2018 - 10.2021

8th Grade ELA and Science Teacher

Germantown School District
06.2012 - 08.2018

6th-8th Grade Reading Workshop Teacher

Erin School District
08.2007 - 06.2012

4th Grade Teacher

Erin School District
06.2005 - 06.2007

Spanish Teacher

Erin School District
08.2001 - 06.2005

Title 1 Reading Specialist

Erin School District
08.2001 - 06.2005

Director

Camp Invention
08.2000 - 08.2012

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) - Elementary Education

University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

Master of Science (M.S.) - Curriculum and Instruction

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

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