Karen Bernanke
Educational Leader
Work History
Director of Academic Services Grades 6-12
Brimmer And May School
Chestnut Hill, MA
08.2020 - Current
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
- Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
- Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations.
- Worked well in a team setting, providing support and guidance.
- Worked effectively in fast-paced environments.
- Managed time efficiently in order to complete all tasks within deadlines.
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
- Strengthened communication skills through regular interactions with others.
- Organized and detail-oriented with a strong work ethic.
Director of Student Support Services Grades K-8
Jewish Community Day School
Watertown, MA
08.2014 - 06.2020
- Enhanced student support services by assessing needs and implementing tailored programs.
- Collaborated with faculty to identify at-risk students and develop targeted intervention strategies.
- Developed comprehensive mental health services for improved student well-being and academic success.
- Established partnerships with local organizations to provide additional resources and opportunities for students.
- Implemented effective communication channels between student support services, faculty, and administration to better serve the diverse needs of students.
- Created a welcoming and inclusive environment for all students, fostering a sense of belonging and community.
- Facilitated professional development workshops for staff focusing on best practices in student support services delivery.
- Streamlined processes within the department, improving efficiency and allowing staff to focus on direct student support tasks.
- Developed data-driven approaches to evaluate program effectiveness, leading to continuous improvement efforts in service delivery.
- Implemented robust assessment tools for identifying individual learning styles and developing personalized academic plans aligned with each student''s unique strengths and challenges.
- Managed crisis response protocols by collaborating with campus safety and emergency response teams, ensuring timely assistance for students in distress.
- Monitored student progress and implemented intervention strategies to support student success.
- Communicated with parents to encourage active parental participation in education.
- Trained teachers on effective teaching techniques, classroom management strategies, and behavior modification.
- Performed classroom evaluations to assess teacher strategies and effectiveness.
- Kept school in full compliance with established policies, legal requirements and student safety standards.
- Observed teachers, documented activities and implemented improvement plans to optimize classrooms.
- Established positive, stimulating learning environment for students and exciting education-focused setting for teachers.
Instructional Leader Grades K-2
Foxborough Regional Charter School
Foxborough,, MA
08.2009 - 06.2010
- Increased collaborative learning through the implementation of group projects and peer evaluations.
- Developed and executed comprehensive curriculum plans, resulting in improved student understanding and retention.
- Monitored student progress with regular assessments, providing timely feedback to support academic growth.
- Adapted instructional strategies to meet the unique needs of each learner, boosting overall class performance.
- Served as a mentor for new teachers, offering guidance on effective teaching techniques and classroom management strategies.
- Led professional development workshops for fellow educators on best practices in instruction and assessment design.
- Contributed to school-wide initiatives focused on enhancing educational quality and fostering a positive learning community.
- Collaborated with colleagues to develop interdisciplinary units of study, enriching the overall educational experience for students.
- Strengthened parent-teacher relationships through consistent communication about student progress and upcoming events within the school community.
- Communicated frequently with parents, students, and faculty to provide feedback and discuss instructional strategies.
- Participated in department meetings to provide input to colleagues about student achievement and improvement.
Curriculum Designer
Time To Know, Inc.
Tel Aviv/Boston/, New York
07.2007 - 08.2008
- Streamlined content development process for efficient course creation, resulting in reduced production time.
- Collaborated with subject matter experts to ensure accuracy and relevance of instructional materials.
- Developed engaging multimedia content to support diverse learning styles and facilitate knowledge retention.
- Designed comprehensive assessment tools to measure learner progress and evaluate the effectiveness of instructional strategies.
- Integrated feedback from learners and instructors into course improvements, fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous growth.
- Incorporated Universal Design for Learning principles into course development, promoting inclusivity and accessibility for all learners.
Principal Intern/Practicum Grades Pre K -5
Canton Public Schools
Canton, MA
01.2006 - 06.2006
- Improved communication between students, parents, and school administration through regular updates and meetings.
- Implemented innovative teaching methodologies for enhanced learning experiences within classrooms.
- Assisted in the development of data-driven instruction methods to track student progress and improve performance.
- Contributed to a positive school culture by fostering open communication and mutual respect among students, staff, and faculty.
- Supported the principal in conducting teacher evaluations and providing constructive feedback for professional growth.
- Organized professional development opportunities for staff to enhance their skills and stay current with educational trends.
- Collaborated with community organizations to establish partnerships that enriched student learning experiences beyond the classroom.
- Assisted in managing budget allocations, ensuring efficient use of resources for optimal student outcomes.
- Facilitated conflict resolution processes among students, fostering a safe and inclusive environment conducive to learning.
- Managed discipline referrals by implementing restorative practices that supported student growth and accountability.
- Oversaw safety protocols during emergency situations, ensuring prompt response times from all staff members involved in crisis management procedures.
- Ensured compliance with district policies by regularly reviewing curriculum materials used in classrooms.
- Provided ongoing support for special education services by assisting teachers in creating and implementing individualized education plans for students with disabilities.
Elementary School Teacher Grades K Through 5
Boston area Independent and Public Schools
, MA
08.1991 - 06.2005
- Improved student comprehension by utilizing differentiated instruction techniques customized for diverse learning needs.
- Collaborated with fellow teachers to develop interdisciplinary lesson plans, enhancing students'' understanding of various subjects.
- Evaluated and assessed student progress regularly, providing constructive feedback and adapting teaching methods accordingly.
- Established a positive classroom environment through effective classroom management strategies, fostering respect and cooperation among students.
- Implemented engaging hands-on activities to reinforce fundamental concepts, resulting in increased student motivation and participation.
- Contributed to school-wide initiatives aimed at improving overall student achievement, participating in professional development workshops and collaborating with colleagues on best practices.
- Communicated effectively with parents and guardians, maintaining open lines of communication regarding student progress and addressing concerns as needed.
- Organized extracurricular activities such as field trips and special events, enriching the educational experience for all students involved.
- Promoted a growth mindset in the classroom by encouraging students to set goals, embrace challenges, and persevere through obstacles.
- Mentored new teachers within the school community by sharing knowledge, providing guidance on instructional strategies, and offering ongoing support during their transition into the profession.
- Served as a liaison between the school administration and families during parent-teacher conferences, ensuring clear communication about expectations and areas of improvement for each child.
- Enhanced learning experiences by incorporating specialized tools and resources tailored to the needs of special education students.
- Collaborated with teachers and therapists to develop individualized educational plans for each student, ensuring optimal progress.
- Supported students in developing social skills through structured activities and positive reinforcement techniques.
- Assisted in creating a safe and nurturing classroom environment that promoted emotional well-being and academic growth for all students.
- Provided one-on-one support for students with learning disabilities, enabling them to excel in their coursework.
- Implemented behavior modification strategies, resulting in improved self-regulation and classroom participation among students.
- Provided warm, supportive environment for developing academic, social, and emotional growth.
- Established open communication and positive relationships with students, parents, peers, and administrative staff.
- Designed and presented lesson plans in one or more academic subjects using variety of teaching techniques to appeal to various learning styles within assigned grade level.
- Reinforced positive behavior by encouraging efforts through affirmation statements and praising accomplishments.
- Created and presented clever lessons to engage students and focus on core subjects necessary for personal and academic growth.
- Taught core subjects of math, science, technology, and history.
- Developed problem-solving and critical-thinking skills by presenting challenges to boost self-esteem and performance.
- Fostered student curiosity and interest in learning through hands-on activities and field trips.
- Directed class discussions to spark conversation about key concepts, complex problems and overarching themes.
- Maintained student portfolios to monitor learning progress and completion of work required for promotion to next grade level.
- Coached, mentored and evaluated student teachers for progress against program objectives.
- Built positive relationships with parents to involve families in educational process.
- Prepared materials for lessons, assignments, and assessments, and evaluated, corrected and graded student performance to identify gaps in skills or knowledge and set realistic goals.
- Communicated student progress, academic difficulties, or behavioral concerns to parents, guardians and administration using tact and professionalism to improve student academic performance.
- Worked one-on-one with students to determine strengths, weaknesses, and learning patterns.
- Helped students develop self-esteem and life skills by fostering healthy conflict-resolution, critical thinking, and communication.
- Drove student learning by establishing clear classroom plans and group objectives, as well as actionable strategies to achieve each goal.
- Scheduled and directed field trips and hands-on activities to foster student learning and creativity.
- Adapted lessons to differentiate instruction and meet students' diverse learning needs and abilities.
- Created supportive and inclusive learning environments, fostering positive classroom atmospheres supporting student growth and learning.
- Implemented classroom management improvements to enhance class morale and engagement.
- Provided regular feedback to students on progress and assigned grades based on performance.
- Kept classroom clean, organized, and safe for students and visitors.
- Attended students' concerts, sporting events and performances to offer support and encourage extracurricular activities.
Overview
32
32
years of professional experience
Education
Master of Education - Educational Leadership
Master in Education - Early Childhood Education
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Skills
- Digital Literacy
- Problem-Solving Skills
- Reading Coursework
- Hands-On Learning
- Special Education
- Lesson Planning
- Quality Education
- School Administration
- Time Management
- Group Leadership
- Student Records Management
- Child Development
- Group and Individual Instruction
- Team Collaboration
- Middle School Education
- Individualized Learning Plans
- Teacher Collaboration
- Organizational Abilities
- Testing Area of Study Comprehension
- Classroom Management
- Patience and Persistence
- Individualized Instruction
- Verbal and Written Communication
- Health and Wellbeing
- Serving Diverse Communities
- Class Lectures
- Standardized Testing
- Adapting to Different Learning Styles
- Learning Management Systems
- Positive Student Engagement
- Communication Expertise
- Learning Assessments
- Learning Modalities
- Instructional Materials Creation
- Creative Instruction Style
- Class Preparation
- Professional Development
- Educational Strategies
- Social Development
- Class Encouragement
- Update Records
- Team Teaching and Collaboration
- Positive Reinforcement Strategies
- Audio-Visual Aids
- Idea Brainstorming
- Program Design
- Positive Learning Environment
- Knowledge in Area of Expertise
- Develop Courses
- Instructional Leadership
- Diversity and Inclusion
- Behavior Modification Techniques
- Classroom Safety Practices
- Instruct Groups
- Tutoring
Summary
Engaging school director with over 25 years of classroom and and educational leadership experience. Student centered driven professional well-versed in educational pedagogy and neurodiversity. Thorough knowledge and experience in educational development from grades K-12. Dynamic leader with strong communication, organization and goal oriented vision.