Joanie Dain
Montclair,NJ
Summary
Instructional Leader: Extensive experience developing literacy curriculum, instruction, and assessment; mentoring faculty and leading professional development.
Overview
38
38
years of professional experience
Work History
Academic Interventionist
Newark Public Schools
Newark, New Jersey
06.2020 - Current
- Delivered Orton-Gillingham reading intervention to struggling 1st and 2nd grade readers. Instruction tailored to individual students and groups.
- Continually performed assessments and analyzed results to determine concepts mastered.
- Promoted memory, cognition and language development with hands-on activities and individualized instruction.
- Created spreadsheets using Microsoft Excel for daily, weekly and monthly reporting.
- Delivered instruction via WebEx and in person as needed.
Early Literacy Consultant
Children's Literacy Initiative
Newark, New Jersey
10.2018 - 03.2020
- Elevated literacy instruction and student achievement by enhancing teacher practice through collaborative relationships with school and district administrators.
- Conducted one-on-one content focused coaching sessions to 16 teachers, including bilingual classes in reading and writing strategies.
- Provided clear and direct feedback through ongoing non-evaluative classroom observations, data analysis and student work.
- Led ongoing staff development and Professional Learning Communities to bolster content knowledge and support district initiatives.
- Spearheaded the collection and analysis of K-2 data and assisted teacher in setting up intervention plans based on these results.
- Organized and presented parent workshops to empower families with knowledge and skills on fostering a positive reading environment at home.
District Literacy Professional Development Specialist
Oswego City School District
Oswego, New York
09.2002 - 08.2018
- Facilitated PreK-12 literacy education through curriculum training and appropriation of necessary resources.
- Spearheaded district writing program: secured grant monies, teacher training, keynote presenters, and curriculum resources.
- Guided teacher implementation of balanced literacy, guided reading, literacy stations, and writing workshops.
- Modeled engaging and dynamic literacy lessons to demonstrate a high-quality learning environment.
- Coached teachers and paraprofessionals within the classroom setting.
- Established instructional practices driven by statistical performance data.
Academic Interventionist
Oswego City School District
Oswego, NY
09.1999 - 06.2002
- Taught K-6 reading and writing to individuals and small groups.
- Collaborated with teachers to assess needs, set objectives, and discuss strategies.
- Gathered, organized, and analyzed data on student needs and progress.
- Used a variety of assessment tools and strategies to improve instruction methods.
Enrichment Teacher
Oswego City School District
Oswego, NY
09.1992 - 05.1999
- Encouraged students with special academic interests to fully pursue those subjects.
- Fostered team collaboration among students through group projects.
- Created and taught engaging hands-on activities.
- Developed students' computer and technology skills through demonstrations and practice.
- Designed school-wide Post Office program, an Intergenerational Theater and Writing project, and a Science Fair.
Program Analyst
New York State Council on the Arts
New York, NY
07.1987 - 08.1992
- Interacted with State Education Department and cultural organizations throughout New York State on arts-in-education programs.
- Analyzed and evaluated artistic and pedagogic abilities of over 100 applicants annually.
- Prepared narrative, financial and oral reports to panels, council members and the New York State Education Department.
- Presented seminars and informed constituents of council policies.
Ensemble Coordinator
Manhattan School of Music
New York, NY
08.1983 - 07.1987
- Supervised and organized student body in all performing groups.
- Advised students in conjunction with faculty on performance opportunities.
- Administered opera productions, orchestra concerts, student recitals, and master classes.
- Acted as a liaison between faculty and departments.
Education
Certificate K-12 - Yoga and Mindfulness
Childlight Yoga
Dover, NH2017
Master of Science - Literacy Education (K-12)
SUNY Oswego
Oswego, NY2001
Master of Science - Early Childhood Elementary Education
Bank Street College of Education
New York, NY1992
Bachelor of Arts - Music
Baldwin Wallace University
Berea, OH1983
Skills
Curriculum designer
Professional development specialist
Expert in reading instruction
Collaborative leader
Grant writer
Visionary
Professional development specialist
Expert in reading instruction
Collaborative leader
Grant writer
Visionary
Community facilitator
Data analyst
Multi-tasker
Problem-solver
Organized
Flexible
Accomplishments
- Founder of Oswego Bookmobile, a summer reading program for approximately 600 students that distributes over 5,000 free books to disenfranchised neighborhoods in the Oswego community.
- Creator of Oswego Writing Institute, a collaborative professional development experience with Teacher's College at Columbia University.
- Secured over $100,000 in grant monies to support school and community projects.
- International Reading Association grant recipient for Teacher as Researcher project titled: "Tableaux and Freezing Text: Exploring a Unique Approach to Understanding Words, Scenes, and Ideas."
- Lead presenter for numerous literacy staff development sessions.
- Presenter, New York Foundation on the Arts and New York State Council on the Arts.
References
Submitted upon request
Timeline
Academic Interventionist
Newark Public Schools
06.2020 - Current
Early Literacy Consultant
Children's Literacy Initiative
10.2018 - 03.2020
District Literacy Professional Development Specialist
Oswego City School District
09.2002 - 08.2018
Academic Interventionist
Oswego City School District
09.1999 - 06.2002
Enrichment Teacher
Oswego City School District
09.1992 - 05.1999
Program Analyst
New York State Council on the Arts
07.1987 - 08.1992
Ensemble Coordinator
Manhattan School of Music
08.1983 - 07.1987
Certificate K-12 - Yoga and Mindfulness
Childlight Yoga
Master of Science - Literacy Education (K-12)
SUNY Oswego
Master of Science - Early Childhood Elementary Education
Bank Street College of Education
Bachelor of Arts - Music
Baldwin Wallace University