Karen Cruz
Horizon City,TX
Summary
Energetic Academic professional driven to promote student learning outcomes through engaging curriculum and innovative teaching techniques. Well-versed in coordinating in-class instruction, activities, and exams to reinforce core concepts and gauge student comprehension. Attentive to individual student requirements with expertise in adapting to varied learning modalities. I have been the cheer sponsor at Montana Vista Elementary for the past 2 and half years. I have also participated as a UIL coach for story telling.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
3rd Grade Elementary Teacher
Clint ISD
El Paso, TX
06.2024 - Current
- Provided feedback to parents on student progress during parent-teacher conferences.
- Created an atmosphere conducive to learning by establishing clear expectations for behavior in the classroom.
- Implemented various assessment tools including quizzes, tests, maps, to evaluate student performance.
- Utilized instructional strategies such as cooperative learning, inquiry-based instruction, aggressive monitoring, and problem solving techniques.
- Cultivated strong communication between home and school by maintaining an open dialogue with parents about their child's academic progress.
- Attended professional development workshops related to best practices in education.
- Integrated technology into the classroom to enhance student engagement and learning outcomes.
- Encouraged critical thinking skills among students by providing them with opportunities to explore solutions independently and cultivating productive struggle
- Collaborated with colleagues to develop grade level curriculum objectives in all subject areas Using HQIM materials such as HMH, I-ready, studies weekly, McGraw, EUREKA, Bluebonnet, Sirius
- Coordinated with special education staff to support students with special needs.
- Facilitated small-group instruction to target specific skills and concepts.
First Grade Teacher
Clint ISD
El Paso, TX
07.2022 - 06.2024
- Provided engaging instruction in reading, writing, mathematics, science and social studies to a class of 2O first graders.
- Promoted critical thinking by developing problem-solving activities that encouraged higher order reasoning skills that are aligned with HQIM materials such as HMH, EUREKA, STEM Scopes, Studies weekly, Iready, mclass
- Participated actively on school committees focused on curriculum development or assessment initiatives.
- Collaborated with special education staff to ensure appropriate accommodations were made for students with IEPs.
- Cultivated relationships with community partners such as local businesses or organizations for additional learning opportunities outside the classroom.
- Maintained accurate records of student progress throughout the school year.
- Assessed student performance through formal testing and informal observation.
- Attended professional development workshops related to best practices in teaching pedagogy or instructional strategies.
- Encouraged parental involvement by communicating regularly through phone calls, emails, class dojo and parent conferences.
- Created classroom environment that promoted positive behavior expectations and respect for diversity.
- Utilized differentiated instruction techniques including cooperative learning groups and flexible grouping arrangements.
- Planned and facilitated small group activities to enhance student understanding of material presented in whole-class setting.
- Implemented evidence-based interventions designed to improve academic achievement among all learners.
- Maintained accurate records of student progress throughout the year using data tracking systems such as Mclass, iready
LEAD LPAC Clerk
Clint ISD
El Paso, TX
05.2019 - 06.2022
- Entered data into computer systems accurately and efficiently.
- Organized and maintained filing systems for confidential documents.
- Performed data entry tasks to update customer accounts records.
- Collaborated with team members to complete tasks efficiently and meet deadlines.
- Verified accuracy of all paperwork prior to submission for processing.
- Utilized computer software programs to create reports, labels, forms.
- Created memos, letters, emails, reports, presentations as requested by management.
- Communicated with administrators and other clerks to answer questions or explain information.
- Supported office clerical functions using word processing and other software, email and office machines.
- Maintained and updated filing, inventory and database systems, manually or using computer.
- Prepared meeting agendas, attended meetings and recorded and transcribed minutes.
- Monitored and directed work of lower-level clerks.
LPAC Clerk
Clint ISD
El Paso, TX
12.2018 - 05.2019
- Organized physical files on an ongoing basis to ensure efficient retrieval times.
- Utilized computer software programs to create reports, labels, forms.
- Organized and maintained filing systems for confidential documents.
- Performed data entry tasks to update student accounts records.
- Scanned documents into digital formats ensuring accuracy of content.
- Entered data into computer systems accurately and efficiently.
Claims Representative
Fred Loya Insurance
El Paso, TX
02.2015 - 02.2016
- Checked level and type of coverage and evaluated contracts
- Interviewed policyholder's to verify information and obtain additional details
- Modeled exceptional customer service skills and appropriate diagnostic sales techniques
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
The University of Texas At El Paso
El Paso, TX12-2021
Associates - Psychology
El Paso Community College
El Paso, TX01.2018
Associates Degree - Multidisciplinary Studies
El Paso Community College
El Paso, TX01.2018
Skills
- Communicates well
- Calm under pressure
- Reliable
- Organized
- Time management
- Data entry
- Social-emotional learning
- Assessment strategies
- Project-based learning
- Literacy development
- Mathematics instruction
- Writing instruction
- Reading comprehension
- Science instruction
- Collaborative learning
- Multimedia instruction
- Elementary education
- Positive reinforcement
- Team collaboration
Accomplishments
- Rookie of the year 2022-2023 at Montana Vista Elementary
Certification
- EC-6 fully certified
- GT hours
- Reading Academies
Languages
English
Professional
Spanish
Professional
Timeline
3rd Grade Elementary Teacher
Clint ISD
06.2024 - Current
First Grade Teacher
Clint ISD
07.2022 - 06.2024
LEAD LPAC Clerk
Clint ISD
05.2019 - 06.2022
LPAC Clerk
Clint ISD
12.2018 - 05.2019
Claims Representative
Fred Loya Insurance
02.2015 - 02.2016
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
The University of Texas At El Paso
Associates - Psychology
El Paso Community College
Associates Degree - Multidisciplinary Studies
El Paso Community College
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