Justin Cross
Odessa,TX
Summary
I am former youth pastor and teacher that is looking to broaden my horizons with a job where I can learn management skills. With my previous job experience I feel that I would be a perfect candidate for the Enterprise management trainee program.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
AVID Coordinator
Ector County Independent School District
Odessa, TX
08.2022 - Current
- Developed and implemented AVID strategies to support student success in rigorous courses.
- Monitored student progress, identified areas of improvement, and provided targeted interventions.
- Collaborated with teachers, counselors, administrators, and parents to ensure academic success for students.
- Conducted weekly tutorials on study skills, note-taking techniques, test preparation strategies, and organizational methods.
- Provided individualized guidance to students on college and career exploration activities.
- Coordinated field trips for college visits and career exploration opportunities.
- Assisted with the development of course selection plans to meet graduation requirements.
- Created lesson plans that incorporated AVID strategies into classroom instruction.
- Maintained accurate records of student grades and attendance data using a database system.
- Supported the implementation of school-wide initiatives related to AVID programming.
- Advocated for equitable access to educational resources within the school community.
- Organized fundraising activities to support extracurricular activities for AVID students.
- Fostered an environment conducive to learning by encouraging positive relationships among students.
- Participated in district-level meetings regarding the implementation of AVID programs.
Elementary Reading Teacher
Ector County Independent School District
Odessa, TX
08.2019 - 05.2022
- Developed and implemented lesson plans to engage students in learning the fundamentals of reading.
- Conducted one-on-one and small group tutoring sessions to help struggling readers improve their skills.
- Assessed student progress through quizzes, tests, and other forms of evaluation.
- Collaborated with school administrators to ensure that all students were meeting state standards for reading proficiency.
- Utilized a variety of instructional strategies such as guided reading, phonics instruction, and literature circles to teach literacy concepts.
- Created individualized learning plans for students who required additional assistance in mastering reading skills.
- Provided feedback on student performance and incorporated best practices into daily instruction.
- Encouraged critical thinking through the use of open-ended questions during class discussions.
- Integrated technology into the classroom by utilizing online resources to supplement traditional teaching methods.
- Maintained up-to-date records of student attendance, grades, and assessments.
- Promoted positive behavior management techniques while monitoring student conduct in the classroom.
- Established an effective rapport with parents and guardians through regular communication regarding student progress.
- Adapted lessons according to the needs of diverse learners including those with special educational requirements.
- Managed library resources including ordering new books, cataloging materials, and helping students select appropriate titles.
- Integrated current events into language arts classes for improved understanding of global issues.
- Engaged students in meaningful conversations about literature topics using higher order questioning techniques.
- Led book clubs or other extracurricular activities focused on fostering a love of literature among participants.
- Established positive and engaging classroom environment that was conducive to improving literacy skills.
Middle School Reading Teacher
Ector County Independent School District
Odessa, TX
08.2019 - 05.2021
- Developed and implemented reading comprehension lesson plans to meet the needs of students with a range of abilities.
- Created and administered assessments to evaluate student progress and understanding.
- Provided individualized instruction in small groups or one-on-one sessions to help struggling readers.
- Encouraged and motivated students to read for pleasure and enjoyment.
- Integrated technology into the classroom to enhance learning opportunities.
- Collaborated with colleagues, administrators, parents, and other stakeholders on various initiatives related to reading instruction.
- Conducted informal observations of student performance in order to identify areas for improvement.
- Facilitated book clubs that fostered meaningful conversations about literature among peers.
- Organized field trips to local libraries, museums, and other educational sites as part of the curriculum.
- Assisted in developing school-wide strategies for literacy instruction across all grade levels.
- Established an effective system for tracking student attendance and grades throughout the year.
- Mentored new teachers on best practices in teaching reading skills at the middle school level.
- Incorporated hands-on activities such as scavenger hunts, skits, debates., into lessons to engage students more deeply with texts.
- Offered extra help before and after school or during lunch periods for those needing additional support in reading skills.
- Implemented differentiated instructional strategies tailored to each student's unique strengths and weaknesses.
- Advised students on how to select appropriate books based on their interests or reading level.
- Cultivated a safe environment where students felt comfortable asking questions or expressing ideas related to texts they were studying.
- Analyzed and reported on each student's progress in reading in accordance with school district's policies.
- Established positive and engaging classroom environment that was conducive to improving literacy skills.
- Used videos, lectures and moderated discussions to engage students during class.
- Attended variety of professional development workshops centered on learning goals, classroom management, student motivation and engaging learning activities.
- Built life-long learning skills and strong study habits in students to help each prepare for higher-level education.
- Used positive reinforcement method to redirect poor behavior.
- Evaluated students' academic performance, social development and behavior.
- Employed assessment tools and strategies to improve instruction methods.
Youth Pastor
First Assembly of God
Odessa , TX
02.2009 - 05.2011
- Provided spiritual guidance and mentorship to youth members.
- Developed and implemented weekly worship services for teenagers.
- Organized mission trips and retreats for students.
- Counseled teens on life issues such as relationships, peer pressure, and self-esteem.
- Taught Bible study classes to high schoolers.
- Created lesson plans for Sunday School classes.
- Lead youth group meetings with interactive activities and discussions.
- Maintained regular communication with parents of youth members.
- Encouraged participation in community service projects.
- Recruited volunteers to help with various church events.
- Assisted in coordinating special events such as holiday parties, concerts.
- Initiated fundraising campaigns for youth ministry programs.
- Conducted outreach activities in local schools and communities.
- Facilitated small groups focused on discipleship development.
- Coordinated summer camps and other recreational activities.
- Created an annual budget plan for the youth ministry department.
- Supervised interns who worked within the youth ministry program.
- Developed a comprehensive evaluation system to measure progress towards goals set forth by the church board of directors.
- Planned special recognition ceremonies for graduating seniors from the congregation's high school ministries program.
- Directed weekly youth meetings, special group events and overnight excursions.
- Instructed and mentored youth between grades 6 and 12.
- Worked with senior pastors to lead Sunday morning and mid-week worship services.
- Engaged in interfaith, community and recreational activities for religious programs.
- Visited, counseled and prayed with church members to provide pastoral care.
- Studied and interpreted religious laws, doctrines and traditions.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Youth Ministries
Evangel University
Springfield, MO12-2017
Skills
- Instructional Leadership
- Academic advising
- Student Engagement
- Policies and Procedures Enforcement
- Public Speaking
- Relationship Building
- Problem-solving aptitude
- Strong Work Ethic
- Effective Communication
- Professionalism
- Time Management
- Team building
- Interpersonal Skills
- Reliability
- Adaptability and Flexibility
- Multitasking
Certification
- Texas Eduactor Certificate- 02/05/2019
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
AVID Coordinator
Ector County Independent School District
08.2022 - Current
Elementary Reading Teacher
Ector County Independent School District
08.2019 - 05.2022
Middle School Reading Teacher
Ector County Independent School District
08.2019 - 05.2021
Youth Pastor
First Assembly of God
02.2009 - 05.2011
Bachelor of Arts - Youth Ministries
Evangel University