JOYCE BALLARD
White Oak,GA
Summary
Qualified responsible professional educator certified in Georgia to teach Middle School Math, Science, K-12 Special Education Adaptive and General Curriculums as well as Elementary Education K-6 all subjects. Gifted in facilitating discussions and planning hands-on activities to enhance learning. Successfully implemented individualized education plans (IEPs) to enhance student engagement and progress. Demonstrated expertise in behavior management and fostering inclusive classroom environments. With consistent improvement in test scores year after year.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Special Education Teacher (Adaptive Curriculum)
Camden County Schools / Mamie Lou Gross Elementary
277 Roberts Path #2747 Woodbine Ga 31569
07.2021 - Current
- Developed individualized education plans (IEPs) tailored to student needs and learning goals.
- Implemented evidence-based teaching strategies to enhance student engagement and understanding.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to assess and address diverse student needs.
- Monitored student progress through data collection and analysis, adjusting instructional methods accordingly.
- Provided mentorship and training for new special education staff on best practices in inclusive education.
- Fostered strong relationships with parents and guardians, maintaining open lines of communication to ensure student progress.
- Improved student behavior management by implementing consistent routines, clear expectations, and positive reinforcement strategies.
- Coordinated with general education teachers to develop accommodations or modifications necessary for successful inclusion of students with special needs in mainstream classrooms.
Middle School Math and Science Teacher
Grasp Academy
Jacksonville, FL
08.2017 - 05.2021
- Model School core values daily in interactions with students, families, administrators and fellow teachers.
- Completed in-service and additional training to maintain professional growth.
- Instructed 60 students of all skill levels in principles of Mathematics/ Science.
- Build students learning and citizenship skills to help with personal growth in addition to increasing academic knowledge.
- Reviewed latest standards to review teaching strategies for compliance with requirements.
- Administered assessments and standardized tests to evaluate student progress.
- Cultivated relationships with parents for a complete support network.
- Adjusted teaching strategies to meet diverse requirements of individualized support plans.
- Prepared and implemented lesson plans covering required course topics.
- Worked with administrators on behavioral issues to support the needs of all students.
- Maintain an inviting, organized, clean, and safe classroom for all students and visitors.
- Utilized multimedia strategies and technology to convey information in fresh and interesting ways.
- Led interesting and diverse group activities to engage students in course material.
- Integrated technology into the classroom as an instructional tool, such as Smartboard.
- Leveraged diverse learning strategies to prepare students for higher-level education requirements.
- Established positive rapport with all students and parents through home calls, emails.
- Prepared instruction materials including copying, construction of bulletin boards, grading work and setting up work areas.
- Keep classroom environments consistent and focused on learning by establishing and enforcing clear objectives.
- Assess submitted class assignments, determined grades and reviewed work with struggling students to boost success chances.
- Diversified teaching techniques and learning tools help students with differing ability levels and varied learning modalities.
- Assisted 6 to 8 children per station during small group learning periods.
- Administered and graded tests and assignments to evaluate students' progress.
- Developed and distributed study guides to reinforce lecture details and help students with test preparation.
- Demonstrated willingness to accept feedback and make corrections based on advice from peers, parents and principal.
- Provided student academic support outside class time to improve learning and performance.
- Planned and escorted student field trips relevant to current science course work.
- Demonstrated positive and effective classroom management skills.
- Coordinated and collaborated with other faculty members during lesson plan development.
- Maintained assignment grades and worked closely with students needing additional mentoring.
- Offered clear and constructive student discipline, discouraging inappropriate behavior and bullying.
Middle School Science Teacher
Landmark Middle
Jacksonville, Fl
09.2016 - 05.2017
- Developed and implemented engaging science curriculum aligned with state standards.
- Facilitated hands-on experiments to enhance student understanding of complex scientific concepts.
- Assessed student performance through varied evaluation methods, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of material.
- Collaborated with colleagues to design interdisciplinary projects that integrate science with other subjects.
- Utilized technology tools to enhance lesson delivery and foster interactive learning environments.
- Established clear classroom expectations and maintained consistent discipline to promote an orderly and focused learning atmosphere.
- Enhanced student comprehension by incorporating hands-on experiments and demonstrations into lesson plans.
- Prepared and implemented lesson plans covering required course topics.
Middle School Special Ed. (General Curriculum)
Grasp Academy
Jacksonville, FL
08.2015 - 05.2016
- Communicated nonverbally with children to provide comfort, encouragement and positive reinforcement.
- Created and managed IEPs to define student learning objectives and educational strategies, in addition to applying instructional knowledge and methods to support goals.
- Delivered effective and differentiated classroom instruction to a diverse range of developmentally challenged students.
- Cultivated connections and strong student rapport to foster classroom engagement, in addition to recording student progress to inform parents and school administration.
- Partnered with standard education teachers from Math and English departments.
- Physically and verbally interacted with students throughout the day.
- Designed and implemented point systems to encourage positive behavior.
- Attended monthly staff training sessions.
- Developed and managed instructional materials and reports.
- Collaborated with numerous departments and 4 standard education teachers.
- Gave one-on-one attention to students, while maintaining overall focus on the entire group.
- Modified general education curriculum for special-needs students using various instructional techniques and technologies.
Middle School Math and Science Teacher
Grasp Academy
Jacksonville, Fl.
09.2014 - 05.2015
- Developed engaging lesson plans that enhanced student understanding of scientific concepts.
- Implemented innovative teaching strategies to foster critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
- Mentored new teachers, providing guidance on curriculum development and classroom management techniques.
- Utilized data-driven assessments to evaluate student progress and adjust instructional methods accordingly.
- Collaborated with colleagues to design interdisciplinary projects integrating science with other subjects.
- Planned, prepared, and taught lesson plans, giving students individual support.
- Delivered interactive lessons to help students comprehend complex concepts.
- Enhanced classroom environment for effective learning by incorporating hands-on activities and real-world applications of scientific concepts.
- Demonstrated positive and effective classroom management skills.
Paraprofessional Educator
Hilliard Elementary
Hilliard, FL
08.2010 - 09.2014
- Assisted and mentored students in groups of up to 6 by reviewing lesson teachings and using hands on techniques.
- Provided diverse assistance to teachers, including clerical support, classroom management and document coordination.
- Oversaw groups of up to 10 students at school and off-site locations, maintaining optimal safety and security.
- Supported student learning objectives through personalized and small group assistance.
- Oversaw students in the classroom and common areas to monitor, enforce rules and support the lead teacher.
- Organized classroom materials to help teachers prepare for daily instruction and activities.
- Used behavior modeling and specialized teaching techniques to share and reinforce social skills.
- Kept classrooms clean, neat and properly sanitized for student health and classroom efficiency.
- Assigned grades for coursework and tests using answer key, recorded results and informed the teacher of performance.
- Set up visual aids, equipment and classroom displays to support mentor teacher's lesson delivery.
- Kept learning environments focused, inclusive and supportive at all times.
- Worked with individual students to provide personalized educational, behavioral and emotional support.
- Delivered curriculum in both one-on-one lessons and group learning environments.
- Maintained student safety in classroom and outside environments.
Education
Associate of Science - Business Management
Florida State College At Jacksonville
Jacksonville, FL05.2012
Skills
- Age-appropriate lesson planning
- Student progress reporting
- Test proctoring
- Student records management
- Student motivation
- Group and individual instruction
- Student engagement
- Classroom management
- Standardized Testing
- Positive Reinforcement
- Common core standards
- SMART Boards
- IEP design
- Instructional design
- Differentiated instruction
- Individual education plans ieps
- Small group instruction
- Relationship building
- Data management
- Inclusion strategies
- Parent communication
- Special education
- Literacy intervention
- Behavior modifications
- Life skills instruction
Accomplishments
- Trained fellow teachers on the procedures for completing Individual Education Plans.
Certification
5 year Professional Teaching Certification In Florida for Middle Grades 5-9 Math, Middle Grades 5-9 Science, Exceptional Student Education K-12, and Elementary Education K-6.
Timeline
Special Education Teacher (Adaptive Curriculum)
Camden County Schools / Mamie Lou Gross Elementary
07.2021 - Current
Middle School Math and Science Teacher
Grasp Academy
08.2017 - 05.2021
Middle School Science Teacher
Landmark Middle
09.2016 - 05.2017
Middle School Special Ed. (General Curriculum)
Grasp Academy
08.2015 - 05.2016
Middle School Math and Science Teacher
Grasp Academy
09.2014 - 05.2015
Paraprofessional Educator
Hilliard Elementary
08.2010 - 09.2014
Associate of Science - Business Management
Florida State College At Jacksonville