Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Timeline
Generic

Justin McLennan

Middle Village

Summary

Certified elementary and physical education teacher with over 20 years of classroom and athletics experience, in both inner-city and international schools. Proven success in building innovative programs, developing school-wide initiatives, and leading students to academic, social-emotional, and athletic achievement. Experienced in both elementary and middle schools classrooms and physical education/athletics leadership, with global teaching experience.

Overview

20
20
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Physical Education Teacher & Athletic Director

Excellence Girls Middle Academy (Uncommon Schools)
01.2020 - Current
  • - Expanded athletics program from 3 to 13+ teams, with 50% student participation.
  • - Founded and coached the first all-girls wrestling team in U.S. history, winning the NYC Championship (2023).
  • - Designed innovative PE teaching models for middle school girls, integrating SEL, leadership, and democratic choice.

Physical Education Teacher (K–8)

Excellence Boys Charter School (Uncommon Schools)
01.2013 - 01.2020
  • - Designed and taught K–8 PE curriculum with focus on teamwork, fitness, and SEL.
  • - Founded the school’s wrestling program; also served as soccer coach.
  • - Directed weekly school assemblies for 500+ students and families, integrating music, theater, and SEL.
  • - Created school-wide incentive systems to promote academic and behavioral achievement.

ELA & Math Tutor (Grades 3–8)

Private Tutoring
01.2013 - 01.2020
  • - Provided tutoring in literacy and math with focus on state test preparation.
  • - Developed personalized learning plans that boosted student achievement.
  • - Helped students meet or exceed proficiency benchmarks.

Founding Director & Coach

Destination Imagination – New York City Chapter
01.2015 - 01.2018
  • - Brought Destination Imagination to Brooklyn, founding and coordinating the first chapter.
  • - Coached student teams through global STEAM-based challenges, building collaboration, innovation, and public speaking skills.
  • - Organized a DI sleep-away camp for high-need youth, extending program impact.

Kindergarten Teacher

Excellence Boys Charter School (Uncommon Schools)
01.2010 - 01.2013
  • - Taught all core subjects in an award-winning, high-performing charter network recognized for academic excellence.
  • - Differentiated instruction for diverse learners and supported ELL students.
  • - Integrated arts and music into lessons to increase engagement and achievement.
  • - Built strong parent partnerships and progress monitoring systems.

Elementary Teacher (Grade 2)

Colegio Nueva Granada
01.2006 - 01.2010
  • - Taught core academic subjects in English and Spanish at an international school.
  • - Led curriculum development team and integrated arts into instruction.
  • - Coached Destination Imagination teams, advancing multiple times to national/global finals.

Education

Master of Education -

Lehigh University
Bethlehem, PA

Skills

  • Elementary classroom teaching
  • PE curriculum & athletics leadership
  • SEL integration
  • ELA & Math tutoring
  • Program founding & school culture initiatives
  • Destination Imagination leadership
  • Music & creative arts in education
  • Bilingual Spanish-English (developing French)
  • Global teaching experience (Colombia, US)

Certification

  • New York State Teacher Certifications:
  • - Early Childhood Education (Birth–Grade 2)
  • - Childhood Education (Grades 1–6)

Timeline

Physical Education Teacher & Athletic Director

Excellence Girls Middle Academy (Uncommon Schools)
01.2020 - Current

Founding Director & Coach

Destination Imagination – New York City Chapter
01.2015 - 01.2018

Physical Education Teacher (K–8)

Excellence Boys Charter School (Uncommon Schools)
01.2013 - 01.2020

ELA & Math Tutor (Grades 3–8)

Private Tutoring
01.2013 - 01.2020

Kindergarten Teacher

Excellence Boys Charter School (Uncommon Schools)
01.2010 - 01.2013

Elementary Teacher (Grade 2)

Colegio Nueva Granada
01.2006 - 01.2010

Master of Education -

Lehigh University

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