Dynamic educator with extensive experience in reaching young scholars through work that builds on multiple intelligences, specializing in differentiated instruction and fostering student inquiry. Proven ability to boost student engagement and academic achievement through innovative lesson design for deep critical thinking and multimodal assessment. Leader with strong communication skills, valuing stakeholder collaboration, shared vision, problem solving, and respect, honoring diverse cultures and perspectives. Certified in Grades 6-12 English Language Arts, with a passion for Great Books in Classical Education, a focus on supporting the whole child through character development and academic success, and a mission of fostering a love for literature and lifelong learning.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
Classroom Teacher, Grades 10 - 12
Decatur County School Board
07.2019 - Current
Implemented differentiated instruction strategies, ensuring all students were able to access the curriculum and make progress in their learning.
Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities, staying current on best practices in education and refining instructional techniques accordingly.
Established clear expectations for behavior and classroom management, creating a respectful and productive learning atmosphere.
Boosted student confidence through consistent encouragement and positive reinforcement, fostering a supportive learning environment.
Conducted small group interventions for struggling learners, providing targeted support that led to increased academic achievement.
Developed strong relationships with parents through regular communication, promoting involvement in their child''s education.
Created lessons and online testing materials to facilitate remote learning.
Evaluated students' understanding of course material through examinations and in-depth essay writing.
Adapted teaching methods and materials to meet students' varying needs.
Teacher and Media Specialist, Grades 9 - 12
Calhoun County Schools
07.2016 - 06.2019
Spearheaded initiatives to expand digital resources available to students, including eBooks and online databases.
Managed budgets effectively, ensuring adequate funding for new materials, equipment upgrades, and special programs.
Maintained accurate records of library materials, including circulation statistics and inventory data, for regular reporting to school administrators.
Implemented innovative strategies to improve information literacy among students through workshops and instructional sessions.
Collaborated with teachers to develop interdisciplinary projects that fostered critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Adapted quickly to changes in educational technology trends by continually updating personal knowledge and skills through professional development opportunities.
Increased library usage by promoting reading programs and hosting engaging events for students.
Trained and supervised library staff, volunteers and other personnel.
Spearheaded new programming like Student Nights in the Library (games, food, book shares, and music)
Brought a Lit Club to 2nd place in state wide Battle of the Books
Served on the FL Teens Read Committee
Classroom Teacher, Grades 10 - 12
Jackson County Schools
07.2015 - 06.2016
Enhanced student comprehension by incorporating diverse teaching methods and strategies.
Implemented project-based learning activities to connect literature concepts with real-world applications, enhancing student engagement.
Maintained accurate records of student attendance, grades, and performance data for administrative purposes.
Utilized assessment data to inform instructional practices and ensure student success in mastering learning objectives.
Evaluated student work using rubrics to provide clear expectations for success and constructive feedback on areas needing improvement.
Classroom Teacher, Grades 6 - 12
Robert F. Munroe Day School
07.2014 - 01.2015
Built variety of formative and summative assessments to measure student progress.
Encouraged students to take active role in learning and academic success.
Produced engaging lesson plans and activities to help students master learning objectives.
Helped organized regional spelling bee
Partnered the upper level and lower levels of the school for Book Buddies program
Developed strong relationships with parents through regular communication, promoting involvement in their child's education.
Virtual Teacher, Grades 11 - 12
Florida Virtual School
07.2013 - 06.2014
Enhanced student language skills by focusing on reading, writing, speaking, and listening activities.
Tutored students through challenges and issues in project and assignment completion.
Implemented innovative strategies for assessing students'' progress, resulting in improved academic performance across the board.
Streamlined communication with parents through regular updates, ensuring they were informed about their child''s progress and achievements.
Utilized various online platforms for efficient lesson delivery, creating engaging virtual classroom environments that accommodated diverse learning styles.
Promoted digital literacy among students by integrating relevant software tools into coursework, preparing them for future educational or career pursuits in the digital age.
Adapted quickly to unexpected changes in technology or scheduling while maintaining high-quality instruction for all students involved.
Part of panel developing Social Media for Change course
Managed roster of hundreds of students on rolling enrollments
Worked with departmental teams to arrange office hours so that students had access to an ELA teacher daily from 8 am to 8 pm.
Virtual Teacher, Grades 9 - 12
Bridgewater Academy and Alpha Omega Academy
07.2010 - 07.2013
Developed strong relationships with students, parents, and colleagues by maintaining open lines of communication and fostering a supportive learning environment.
Differentiated instruction to accommodate diverse learning needs, ensuring each student had an equal opportunity for success.
Fostered positive learning environment that encouraged student curiosity and critical thinking.
Helped students explore concepts with engaging, learning-focused activities.
Communicated frequently with parents, students, and faculty to provide feedback and discuss instructional strategies.
Developed and implemented classroom routines to address varying student needs.
Conducted ongoing professional development in educational technology, keeping teaching approach current and effective.
Maintained accurate records of student progress, attendance, and behavior to facilitate ongoing communication with parents about their child's educational journey.
Teacher and School Librarian, Grades 11 - 12
Citrus County Schools
07.2008 - 06.2009
Managed classroom behavior effectively by establishing clear expectations, modeling appropriate conduct, and consistently enforcing established rules and consequences.
Assessed student performance regularly using both formative and summative assessments to inform future lesson planning.
Promoted digital literacy by integrating technology into curriculum.
Revamped school's library system, making it more accessible and user-friendly for students and staff.
Guided students through college application process, increasing number of students accepted into their first-choice institutions.
Utilized data-driven instruction to tailor lessons for improved academic performance.
Implemented reading and writing workshops to increase student literacy and support school reading programs.
Assisted in budget management by carefully selecting new materials based on educational value, cost-effectiveness, and alignment with school goals.
Created partnerships with the community for student special events such as poetry slams and open mic nights including music and stories
Instructional Librarian and Teacher, Grades 9 - 12
Buckeye Union High School District
07.2002 - 06.2006
Researched and acquired new library materials to maintain updated library collection.
Delivered personalized reader's advisory services based on individual preferences, fostering a love of reading among patrons.
Promoted library services and resources through public relations initiatives and community outreach.
Facilitated community engagement by planning and executing various educational programs, workshops, and events.
Designed comprehensive training program for new librarians, improving service quality and efficiency.
Increased digital literacy among library users through creation and execution of computer workshops.
Served as faculty advisor for the school's literary club, inspiring students to pursue their passion for reading and writing beyond the classroom setting.
Led workshops for parents on supporting their children's literacy development at home, strengthening the home-school connection.
Organized extracurricular events such as author visits and book fairs, enriching students' exposure to various literary genres.
Evaluated student work using rubrics to provide clear expectations for success and constructive feedback on areas needing improvement.
Mentored new teachers in effective instructional strategies, fostering a supportive professional community within the department.
Encouraged students to take active role in learning and academic success.
Helped design and promote new library then helped train other media specialists in new programs and technologies
Led educational technology workshops for other teachers and attended special conference sessions for continued learning to share
Secondary Classroom Teacher, Grades 11 - 12
Angleton Independent School District
07.2001 - 06.2002
Selected for highly coveted spot in a post degree paid internship as sole teacher of record bypassing traditional student teaching based on record of excellence and professor recommendation
Promoted student success by offering targeted one-on-one support during office hours or after school sessions.
Implemented differentiated instruction methods, accommodating diverse learning styles and abilities within the classroom setting.
Boosted students' critical thinking skills through engaging group activities and problem-solving exercises.
Organized extracurricular activities such as clubs or tutoring sessions, enhancing students'' overall educational experience beyond the classroom context.
Led professional development workshops for colleagues, sharing best practices in instructional techniques and classroom management strategies.
Evaluated students' academic and social growth, kept appropriate records, and prepared progress reports to gauge performance.
Contributed to school community initiatives by participating in committee work, event planning, and parent-teacher conferences, fostering strong relationships among stakeholders.
Planned, developed, and executed lessons reflecting high school curriculum and core educational standards.
Established and maintained professional relationships with students, staff, parents and community members.
Created new literary club that forged partnerships with the community drawing crowds for local authors, student writers, and performance showcases
Education
Master of Arts - Curricululum & Instruction, Online Learning Focus
University of Phoenix - Tempe Campus
Tempe, AZ
Bachelor of Arts - Literature, American Lit And British Lit Focus
University of Houston - Clear Lake Campus
Houston, TX
Associate of Arts - General Studies, Humanities And Philosophy Focus
Tallahassee State College
Tallahassee, FL
Skills
Certification: Grades 6 - 12 English Language Arts
Certification: Grades K - 12 Media Specialist
Certification: K-12 ESOL
Endorsement: Online Teaching
Endorsement: Personalized Learning
Pending Endorsement: Gifted Education
Pending Exam Results: Educational Leadership 1
Specialized Professional Development in ESE education and Autism Studies
Specific Research in Child and Adolescent development
Educational Technology, Microsoft Suite, Google Suite for Education
Classroom, Project, and Organizational Management
Trauma Informed Teaching and Social Emotional Learning
Teaching Experience in grades 6 - 12 ELA areas of: Advanced Reading, Creative Writing, Film as Lit, American Literature, British Literature, World Literature, Speech and Debate, Journalism, Performance Poetry
Affiliations
International Honor Society in Education: Kappa Delta Pi
International English Honor Society: Sigma Tau Delta
National Education Association
Accomplishments
Sponsored literary clubs focused on performance poetry and creative writing
Co-sponsored drama club, book club, and student run literary e-zine
Helped organize annual fundraisers, support, or supplies for student selected charities, such as Make-a-Wish Foundation, Samaritan's Purse, or Wigs for Kids
Interests
Spending time in nature - trail walking, front porch swinging, picnics by the lake, boating on the river, swimming in the springs, s'mores by the campfire, going to the beach
All things bookish - silent reading through an endless "to be read" pile, journaling, creative writing, read-alouds with my family, attending open mics and poetry readings
Fun facts:
My husband and I are college sweethearts.
We have five dogs and nine leopard geckos!
I have settled down in my parent's hometown after traveling for 20 years.
One of my lifelong goals is to learn to play guitar.
Timeline
Classroom Teacher, Grades 10 - 12
Decatur County School Board
07.2019 - Current
Teacher and Media Specialist, Grades 9 - 12
Calhoun County Schools
07.2016 - 06.2019
Classroom Teacher, Grades 10 - 12
Jackson County Schools
07.2015 - 06.2016
Classroom Teacher, Grades 6 - 12
Robert F. Munroe Day School
07.2014 - 01.2015
Virtual Teacher, Grades 11 - 12
Florida Virtual School
07.2013 - 06.2014
Virtual Teacher, Grades 9 - 12
Bridgewater Academy and Alpha Omega Academy
07.2010 - 07.2013
Teacher and School Librarian, Grades 11 - 12
Citrus County Schools
07.2008 - 06.2009
Instructional Librarian and Teacher, Grades 9 - 12
Buckeye Union High School District
07.2002 - 06.2006
Secondary Classroom Teacher, Grades 11 - 12
Angleton Independent School District
07.2001 - 06.2002
Master of Arts - Curricululum & Instruction, Online Learning Focus
University of Phoenix - Tempe Campus
Bachelor of Arts - Literature, American Lit And British Lit Focus
University of Houston - Clear Lake Campus
Associate of Arts - General Studies, Humanities And Philosophy Focus