Karen James
Auburn,AL
Summary
Early childhood education professional with history of creating and implementing comprehensive lesson plans that cater to diverse learning styles. Known for fostering collaborative environments and achieving educational milestones through adaptive teaching methods. Demonstrates reliability and flexibility to meet changing classroom needs while maintaining strong organizational and communication skills.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Kindergarten Teacher
Richland Elementary School, Auburn City Schools
08.2011 - 06.2024
- Built positive relationships with students and families for safe, trusted learning support.
- Enhanced classroom management by establishing clear expectations, rules, and routines.
- Collaborated with colleagues to share resources, brainstorm ideas, and problem-solve challenges faced in the classroom environment.
- Implemented differentiated instruction strategies to meet the diverse learning needs of all students.
- Promoted a positive learning environment with the use of collaborative group work and hands-on activities.
- Delivered lesson plans, implemented school curriculum and used data to create, monitor, and establish personalized learning plan for each student.
- Improved student reading skills by implementing phonics-based instruction and guided reading activities.
- Developed strong relationships with families to address any concerns or issues impacting student success.
- Recognized children's physical, emotional and social needs for personalized support.
- Utilized assessment data to modify instruction and target areas of weakness for individual students.
- Reported to parents and administration about student progress.
- Served as a mentor for new teachers, providing guidance on lesson planning, classroom management, and instructional strategies.
- Promoted culture of reading and learning by setting up classroom library accessible to all students.
- Monitored use of technology, enhancing student learning and technological skills.
- Encouraged and prepared students to become independent readers through systematic, multi-sensory instruction in phonemic awareness and decoding skills.
- Delivered structured lessons on readiness skills by emphasizing phonics, language skills, literature, and handwriting.
- Provided regular feedback to parents on their child's progress and areas for improvement through detailed report cards and parent-teacher conferences.
- Increased students' vocabulary and language skills with daily interactive language games.
- Implemented technology in classroom to aid learning, using educational apps and interactive whiteboards.
- Cultivated love for reading among students by integrating interactive storytimes into daily routines.
Education Specialist
State Of Alabama Department Of Education
01.2010 - 05.2011
- Mentored new teachers in effective instructional strategies, contributing to a supportive professional community within the school.
- Developed curriculum materials that aligned with state standards, ensuring comprehensive coverage of required content.
- Collaborated with other teachers to share best practices and implement effective teaching strategies across the school.
- Developed solutions to improve performance.
- Reviewed teacher performance and suggested improvements.
- Built relationships with external stakeholders, community organizations and donors to increase program scope.
- Liaised between faculty, staff and administrators to coordinate educational program delivery.
- Worked with staff members and teachers to design comprehensive and individualized plans to optimize student education.
- Increased educational expertise and knowledge by participating in instructor-oriented workshops.
- Participated in department meetings to provide input to colleagues about student achievement and improvement.
- Communicated frequently with parents, students, and faculty to provide feedback and discuss instructional strategies.
Kindergarten Teacher
Auburn Early Education Center, Auburn City School
08.2002 - 05.2010
- Built positive relationships with students and families for safe, trusted learning support.
- Enhanced classroom management by establishing clear expectations, rules, and routines.
- Collaborated with colleagues to share resources, brainstorm ideas, and problem-solve challenges faced in the classroom environment.
- Implemented differentiated instruction strategies to meet the diverse learning needs of all students.
- Delivered lesson plans, implemented school curriculum and used data to create, monitor, and establish personalized learning plan for each student.
- Improved student reading skills by implementing phonics-based instruction and guided reading activities.
- Developed strong relationships with families to address any concerns or issues impacting student success.
- Recognized children's physical, emotional and social needs for personalized support.
- Utilized assessment data to modify instruction and target areas of weakness for individual students.
- Increased parent involvement through regular communication, parent-teacher conferences, and workshops.
- Monitored and evaluated student progress through regular assessments and observations.
- Reported to parents and administration about student progress.
- Served as a mentor for new teachers, providing guidance on lesson planning, classroom management, and instructional strategies.
- Collaborated with other faculty and staff to promote rigorous learning opportunities, general well-being of school and collective interest of staff and student body.
- Increased students' vocabulary and language skills with daily interactive language games.
Kindergarten Teacher
Lee County Board Of Education
08.1995 - 05.2002
- Built positive relationships with students and families for safe, trusted learning support.
- Enhanced classroom management by establishing clear expectations, rules, and routines.
- Collaborated with colleagues to share resources, brainstorm ideas, and problem-solve challenges faced in the classroom environment.
- Implemented differentiated instruction strategies to meet the diverse learning needs of all students.
- Promoted learning through play with engaging activities, games and lessons.
- Delivered lesson plans, implemented school curriculum and used data to create, monitor, and establish personalized learning plan for each student.
- Improved student reading skills by implementing phonics-based instruction and guided reading activities.
- Developed strong relationships with families to address any concerns or issues impacting student success.
- Recognized children's physical, emotional and social needs for personalized support.
- Utilized assessment data to modify instruction and target areas of weakness for individual students.
- Monitored and evaluated student progress through regular assessments and observations.
- Reported to parents and administration about student progress.
- Cultivated love for reading among students by integrating interactive storytimes into daily routines.
Kindergarten Teacher
Macon County Board Of Education
01.1994 - 05.1995
- Enhanced classroom management by establishing clear expectations, rules, and routines.
- Collaborated with colleagues to share resources, brainstorm ideas, and problem-solve challenges faced in the classroom environment.
- Promoted learning through play with engaging activities, games and lessons.
- Promoted a positive learning environment with the use of collaborative group work and hands-on activities.
- Delivered lesson plans, implemented school curriculum and used data to create, monitor, and establish personalized learning plan for each student.
- Recognized children's physical, emotional and social needs for personalized support.
- Improved student reading skills by implementing phonics-based instruction and guided reading activities.
- Utilized assessment data to modify instruction and target areas of weakness for individual students.
- Monitored and evaluated student progress through regular assessments and observations.
- Reported to parents and administration about student progress.
- Evaluated student progress regularly through formative assessments to inform instructional decisions.
- Cultivated love for reading among students by integrating interactive storytimes into daily routines.
Education
Master Of Education - Early Childhood Education
Alabama State University
Montgomery, AL01.2007
Bachelor Of Science - Early Childhood Education
University of South Alabama
Mobile, AL12.1993
Skills
- Differentiated Instruction
- Parent-Teacher Communication
- Lesson Planning
- Early Childhood Development
- Classroom Organization
- Technology Integration
- Documentation and Record Keeping
- Curriculum Planning
- Social skills
- Faculty Collaboration
- Group and individual instruction
- Language proficiency
- Early education specialist
- Reading mastery
- Communicating with Parents and Teachers
- Experience with Diverse Student Populations
- Communication and Interpersonal Skills
- Student Behavior and Progress Reporting
- Remote Instruction (during pandemic)
Certification
Class A Alabama Early Childhood Professional Educator Certification
Class B Alabama Early Childhood Professional Educator Certification
AL Certificate ID: KDJ-0032-3918
Valid dates: March 2021-June 2026
Timeline
Kindergarten Teacher
Richland Elementary School, Auburn City Schools
08.2011 - 06.2024
Education Specialist
State Of Alabama Department Of Education
01.2010 - 05.2011
Kindergarten Teacher
Auburn Early Education Center, Auburn City School
08.2002 - 05.2010
Kindergarten Teacher
Lee County Board Of Education
08.1995 - 05.2002
Kindergarten Teacher
Macon County Board Of Education
01.1994 - 05.1995
Class A Alabama Early Childhood Professional Educator Certification
Class B Alabama Early Childhood Professional Educator Certification
AL Certificate ID: KDJ-0032-3918
Valid dates: March 2021-June 2026
Master Of Education - Early Childhood Education
Alabama State University
Bachelor Of Science - Early Childhood Education
University of South Alabama
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