Karen Balfour-Tutein
North Lauderdale
Summary
Innovative educator with a strong background in instructional coaching, implementing tailored strategies to improve educator effectiveness and student outcomes. Skilled in curriculum development and professional development facilitation. Proficient in developing instructional strategies to enhance teaching effectiveness using data-driven approaches. Proven track record of supporting educators' professional growth through consistent guidance and support.
Overview
33
33
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Science Instructional Coach
School Board Of Broward County
08.2023 - Current
- Improved instructional strategies for diverse learners by conducting classroom observations and providing constructive feedback to teachers.
- Developed successful interventions for struggling students by creating targeted instructional plans based on their unique needs.
- Planned and implemented lessons utilizing variety of teaching strategies to meet diverse student needs.
- Supported data-driven instruction by assisting teachers with analyzing assessment results and adjusting lesson plans accordingly.
Teacher
School Board of Broward County
08.2006 - 06.2023
- Dedicated teacher of sixteen years committed to using the Sunshine State Standards in order to develop innovative lessons plans while creating a classroom atmosphere that is stimulating, encouraging and supportive for all students.
- Also providing quality instruction and fostering a positive learning experience based on the needs and interests of all students.
- Established clear objectives for all lessons and projects and communicated with students, achieving a total understanding of grading rubric and overall class expectations.
- Served as student mentor and counselor for students when academic problems and personal adjustments arose, meeting with guardians to reach solutions.
- Observed and assessed student performance while keeping thorough records of progress.
- Implemented a variety of teaching methods and demonstrations.
- Established clear objectives for units of study.
- Encouraged students to be persistent with challenging tasks.
- Set, communicated, and maintained ground rules for the classroom based on respect and personal responsibility.
Substitute Teacher
School Board of Broward County
10.2005 - 06.2006
- Effectively managed classrooms of 18 to 22 students during the absence of assigned teachers.
- Enforced classroom routines to keep students on schedule and operating at a consistent level.
- Implemented lesson plans assigned by classroom teacher to educate students about key concepts.
- Provided notes and reports on school day activities to primary teacher.
Call Center Supervisor
Life Extension
10.2001 - 08.2005
- Recommended and assisted customers with the selection of merchandise based on their needs.
- Confirmed appropriate changes were made to resolve customers' problems.
- Exercised sound judgment in issuing credits and making exceptions to customer policies in order to maintain high levels of customer satisfaction.
- Extended customer discounts and promotions to ensure high customer retention rates.
- Informed customers about sales and promotions in a friendly and engaging manner.
Secretary
Office of the Lieutenant Governor of the VI
01.1999 - 01.2001
- Lieutenant Governor Office of the Lieutenant Governor, St.
- Croix, VI Drafted daily meeting agendas, supplied advance materials and executed follow-up for meetings.
- Planned travel arrangements for Lieutenant Governor, Chief of Staff, and security detail.
- Handled media and public relations inquiries.
- Managed the front office, including greeting visitors and responding to telephone and in-person requests for information.
- Organized files, developed spreadsheets, faxed reports and scanned documents.
- Managed daily office operations and maintenance of equipment.
Assistant Business Office Manager
Virgin Islands Racing Corporation
12.1997 - 12.1998
- Managed the business office, including greeting visitors and responding to telephone and in-person requests for information.
- Designed and maintained files.Handled numerous media and public relations inquiries.
- Maintained an up-to-date department organizational chart.
- Greeted visitors with friendly and professional demeanor and provided direction to appropriate party.
- Assisted in general accounting procedures and monitored accounts receivable, accounts payable and account reconciliation.
Social Worker
Germantown Settlement, United Way Agency
09.1992 - 08.1997
- Assessed court committed juvenile delinquents and delivered comprehensive case management services.
- Interviewed clients in their home for home study assessments to assist the courts with custody decisions.
- Interviewed clients and their families in order to determine what services would best address their needs.
- Advised parents about community resources, made referrals and devised attainable goals.
- Communicated with welfare agencies to obtain and provide information.
- Presented case history material for review and discussion with other staff members.
- Maintained a caseload of ten to twelve clients who needed to be seen either weekly or bi-weekly while working under strict deadlines.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Criminal Justice, Sociology
St. Joseph's University
Philadelphia, PA05.1992
Skills
- Tailored learning approaches
- Behavioral/cognitive skills development
- Standardized assessment methods
- Collaborative teaching methods
- Student support services
- Mediation and advocacy talent
- Academic tutoring
- Emergent curriculum
- Adaptive teaching methods
- Strong verbal communication
- Student assessment and achievement
- Discovery education familiarity
- Performance assessments
- Effectively work with parents
- Positive atmosphere promotion
- Excellent classroom management
- Knowledge of effective organizational development strategies
- Motivating students
- Student rapport
- Innovative lesson planning
- Effective instructional strategies
- Interactive teaching/learning
- Reporting and documentation
- Parent and student communication
Certification
- Social Worker Certification
- Teacher Certification
- English for Speakers of Other Languages Endorsement
- Gifted Endorsement
- Reading Endorsement
Timeline
Science Instructional Coach
School Board Of Broward County
08.2023 - Current
Teacher
School Board of Broward County
08.2006 - 06.2023
Substitute Teacher
School Board of Broward County
10.2005 - 06.2006
Call Center Supervisor
Life Extension
10.2001 - 08.2005
Secretary
Office of the Lieutenant Governor of the VI
01.1999 - 01.2001
Assistant Business Office Manager
Virgin Islands Racing Corporation
12.1997 - 12.1998
Social Worker
Germantown Settlement, United Way Agency
09.1992 - 08.1997
Bachelor of Science - Criminal Justice, Sociology
St. Joseph's University
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