Jo Ellen Thomas
Pittsburgh,PA
Summary
Experienced teacher, homeschooler, and non-profit leader seeking re-entry into the workforce after taking years off to dedicate myself to raising my biological children, step children, and foster children, while volunteering in educational and community leadership positions. Seeking part-time work as a substitute or assistant teacher, lunch monitor, or other educational/program assistant for the 2024-2025 school year while renewing my teaching license and completing online work in business administration and entrepreneurship.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
PTO Secretary
Fox Chapel High School
Fox Chapel School District, Pittsburgh, PA
11.2023 - Current
- Accurately recording and distributing meeting agendas and minutes in a timely manner.
- Effectively addressing concerns raised by parents, students, or staff members in a timely manner.
- Working with the team to promote community engagement by partnering with local businesses for sponsorships, donations, and activities to support PTO programs.
Communications Director
Indianapolis Muslim Community Association
Indianapolis, IN
02.2020 - 05.2021
- Oversaw social media communications, flyers, and advertisements.
- Worked with the President and School Principal to plan virtual fundraising.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop cohesive messaging for product launches and program announcements.
- Organized a team of volunteers to creatively promote brand messages.
- Conducted regular competitive analyses to identify opportunities for differentiation in the marketplace.
- Co-created and led the Muslim Task Force (MTF) to help local small businesses, single parents, and impoverished neighbors weather COVID-related challenges.
Board Secretary
IMCA/MTI School Of Knowledge
Indianapolis, IN
01.2016 - 06.2017
- Worked with the Board to significantly reorganize and govern MTI School of Knowledge (preK-12 grade day school); Masjid al-Fajr (mosque); IMCA Cemetery Project; IMCA Sunday School; and IMCA Food Pantry.
- Created and maintained board planning calendar to outline matters on board's agenda.
- Maintained full contact list of board members, board member appointment dates, term of appointments and board member biographies.
- Signed official documents and board minutes.
- Notified board members and stakeholders of meetings and kept detailed record of board attendance.
- Organized and maintained meeting agendas and minutes.
Secondary English Teacher
MTI School Of Knowledge
Indianapolis, IN
01.2006 - 06.2013
- Rotated between teaching 6th-12th grade students in regular, remedial, and honors grade level and AP English literature, American history, and art courses.
- Taught students from multiple world regions and broadly disparate socioeconomic, linguistic, and cultural backgrounds in diverse classrooms.
- Organized school participation in National History Day and annually brought multiple students to the national level in Washington, D.C., earning as high as 6th place.
- Worked with the administration to successfully navigate multiple new initiatives including building the new school website; obtaining school accreditation; restructuring the secondary art, English, and history curriculum; starting an AP and student counseling program; and opening an art department.
- Differentiated instruction for diverse learners, providing tailored support for individual student needs and objectives.
- Collaborated with colleagues to develop interdisciplinary units, fostering critical thinking and connections between subjects.
- Maintained open lines of communication with parents through newsletters, conferences, and online platforms to keep them informed of their child''s progress.
- Implemented project-based learning opportunities to encourage creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving skills in students.
- Contributed to a positive school culture by participating in committee work and collaborating with other departments on school-wide initiatives.
- Developed strong rapport with students by taking an interest in their lives beyond the classroom, supporting them academically and emotionally.
- Provided one-on-one support for students with learning disabilities, enabling them to excel in their coursework.
- Participated in professional development opportunities to stay up-to-date on teaching best practices and enhance educator skills.
- Worked with other teachers to support struggling students.
- Coordinated activities to encourage interest in reading.
- Developed and updated all secondary English and history course curricula.
- Prepared and implemented lesson plans covering required course topics and state and national standards.
- Assisted in development of college and career readiness programs.
- Assisted in development of field trips, extracurricular activities, and special events.
- Provided guidance and mentoring to students regarding academic, social and emotional issues.
- Assessed and evaluated student performance by multiple means including student-teacher meetings, personal tutoring, project and essay rubrics, peer feedback, tests and quizzes, self-assessments, and standardized testing.
Education
Master of Arts - Secondary English Teacher Certification
Indiana University Bloomington
Bloomington, INMaster of Arts - English Language And Literature
Indiana University Bloomington
Bloomington, INSkills
- Critical Thinking
- Creativity
- Collaboration
- Cultural Competence
- Emotional Intelligence
- Adaptability
- Patience and Empathy
- Strategic Development
- Project Planning
- Research and Analytical Skills
- Writing, editing, and proofreading
Timeline
PTO Secretary
Fox Chapel High School
11.2023 - Current
Communications Director
Indianapolis Muslim Community Association
02.2020 - 05.2021
Board Secretary
IMCA/MTI School Of Knowledge
01.2016 - 06.2017
Secondary English Teacher
MTI School Of Knowledge
01.2006 - 06.2013
Master of Arts - Secondary English Teacher Certification
Indiana University Bloomington
Master of Arts - English Language And Literature
Indiana University Bloomington