Kara Lord
Colorado Springs,CO
Summary
Dedicated teacher with proven experience providing creative instruction and caring guidance to a diverse range of students. Skilled team player adept at working with all levels of faculty, administrators and parents.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Academic/Social Emotional Support Teacher
Academy School District 20
Colorado Springs, CO
11.2019 - Current
- Collaborates with colleagues to create and implement developmentally-appropriate curriculum which addresses individual learning styles to meet diverse student needs.
- Instructs classes of K-5 students in various stages of social and emotional development.
- Promotes student collaboration and problem-solving skills by facilitating group projects and class discussion.
- Utilizes various teaching techniques such as visual aids, manipulatives, and technology-based programs to reinforce learning objectives.
- Monitors progress of identified students by collecting data on an ongoing basis and using it to inform instruction decisions.
- Engages students in activities that promote critical thinking about text content and structure.
- Facilitates small group discussions among students related to texts they are studying.
- Employs a variety of strategies to motivate students who have difficulty staying focused during lessons.
- Participates in professional development opportunities related to best practices in literacy instruction.
- Encourages love of reading and promotes literacy in students.
- Develops and implements lesson plans to engage students in learning the fundamentals of reading.
- Encourages critical thinking through the use of open-ended questions during class discussions.
- Integrates technology into the classroom by utilizing online resources to supplement traditional teaching methods.
Independent Contractor
School District 49 Gifted Education Department
Colorado Springs, CO
08.2017 - 06.2019
- Taught twice-exceptional gifted elementary students weekly at Academy for Literacy, Learning & Innovation Excellence (ALLIES)
- Coordinated with classroom teachers to create and implement Advanced Learning Plans at ALLIES, Springs Studio for Academic Excellence, and Pikes Peak Early College
Advanced Learning Facilitator
School District 49
Colorado Springs, CO
08.2014 - 05.2017
- Collaborated with gifted students, parents, and classroom teachers to develop and implement Advanced Learning Plans
- Administered CogAT testing
- Taught college readiness courses through UCCS's pre-collegiate program
- Faculty sponsor of National Junior Honor Society
Special Education Paraprofessional
School District 49
Colorado Springs, CO
06.2014 - 07.2014
- Met one-on-one with autism students, utilizing customized behavioral plans
- Provided support to the students through specialized accommodations, extra assistance and educational assessments
Volunteer Director
Gabrielle Place
Melbourne, FL
08.2011 - 06.2013
- Created and coordinated opportunities for volunteers of all ages
- Tutored/instructed women and kids in both academic schooling and life skills
- Planned/spoke at fundraising events
5th Grade Teacher
Laramie County School District #1
Cheyenne, WY
08.2007 - 06.2009
- Earned positive feedback from parents regarding classroom instruction and student learning success
- Applied proactive behavior management techniques for classroom discipline
- Planned and implemented lessons using various teaching strategies to meet diverse student needs
5th Grade Teacher
The Covenant School
Nashville, TN
08.2006 - 05.2007
- Set and communicated ground rules for classroom based on respect and personal responsibility
- Collaborated with other staff members to plan and schedule lessons promoting learning and student engagement
- Employed broad range of instructional techniques to retain students' interest and maximize learning
2nd Grade Teacher
St. Paul Christian Academy
Nashville, TN
08.2002 - 05.2006
- Built and strengthened positive relationships with students, parents and teaching staff
- Differentiated instruction according to student ability and skill level
- Modeled lesson planning strategies and classroom management techniques to student teachers
3rd Grade Teacher
Chelsea Public Schools
Chelsea, MA
11.2001 - 06.2002
- Used variety of teaching techniques to encourage student critical thinking and discussion
- Instructed high-risk students and English language learners alongside reading specialists and ESL teachers in an urban school setting
- Combined discipline plan with effective measures and lesson plans to increase concentration, participation and progress student accountability
English Teacher
Hui Jia Private School
Beijing, China
08.1999 - 06.2000
- Taught English as a second language to Chinese first and fourth grade students in a formal classroom setting
- Tutored individual students as needed
- Coached students towards English speech competitions
- Led small group extra-curricular activities
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Elementary Education
University of Wyoming
Laramie, WY2001
Master of Education - Educational Leadership
Trevecca Nazarene University
Nashville, TN2005
Skills
- Strong student, family, colleague & leadership rapport & communication
- Sensitivity to complex needs of students
- Caring student support
- Creative lesson plan development
- Interactive teaching & learning
- Data-Driven Decision-Making
- Social Skills Development
- Differentiated Instruction
- Curriculum development & mapping
- Advanced learning planning and implementation
References
- Adrienne Morey (Principal) Douglass Valley Elementary School, 719.493.0213, adrienne.morey@asd20.org
- Shannon Morris (Asst. Principal) Douglass Valley Elementary School, 719.400.9888, shannon.morris@asd20.org
- Pattie Vail (Gifted Education Regional Consultant) Colorado Dept. of Education, 719.313.8991, pvailgerc@gmail.com
- Jodi Fletcher (Assistant Principal) Tesla Education Opportunity School, 719.322.4223, jodi.fletcher@d11.org
Timeline
Academic/Social Emotional Support Teacher
Academy School District 20
11.2019 - Current
Independent Contractor
School District 49 Gifted Education Department
08.2017 - 06.2019
Advanced Learning Facilitator
School District 49
08.2014 - 05.2017
Special Education Paraprofessional
School District 49
06.2014 - 07.2014
Volunteer Director
Gabrielle Place
08.2011 - 06.2013
5th Grade Teacher
Laramie County School District #1
08.2007 - 06.2009
5th Grade Teacher
The Covenant School
08.2006 - 05.2007
2nd Grade Teacher
St. Paul Christian Academy
08.2002 - 05.2006
3rd Grade Teacher
Chelsea Public Schools
11.2001 - 06.2002
English Teacher
Hui Jia Private School
08.1999 - 06.2000
Bachelor of Arts - Elementary Education
University of Wyoming
Master of Education - Educational Leadership
Trevecca Nazarene University
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