Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Certification
Timeline
Generic

Karen Seckel

CALEDONIA

Summary


Education professional with strong commitment to fostering academic growth and student development. Adept at designing and implementing curricula that meet diverse learning needs while promoting collaborative classroom environment. Known for reliability and adaptability, with focus on team collaboration and achieving educational goals through effective classroom management and communication skills.

Overview

23
23
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Agricultural Educator

River Valley Local Schools
07.2015 - Current


  • Collaborated with colleagues to develop and revise curriculum, enhancing learning experience.
  • Established strong relationships with parents through regular communication, fostering a supportive network for student success.
  • Developed and implemented differentiated instruction strategies for diverse learners, ensuring individualized attention and success.
  • Collaborated with colleagues to develop cross-curricular projects, enhancing student learning through interdisciplinary connections.
  • Utilized data-driven instruction to target areas of weakness and continuously improve student performance throughout the school year.
  • Met regularly with team of teachers to discuss best practices and develop innovative teaching strategies.
  • Mentored new educators in best practices for teaching, leading to increased confidence and effectiveness within the school community.
  • Facilitated student-led, inquiry-based activities in classroom to enhance learning experience.
  • Assessed student performance and provided feedback to facilitate student success.
  • Improved student comprehension by incorporating visual aids and real-life examples into lesson plans.
  • Served on various school committees focused on improving policies or procedures related to academics, safety, or equity issues – driving positive change at an institutional level.
  • Led professional development sessions for fellow teachers on topics such as technology integration or assessment design, contributing to a culture of ongoing improvement within the school community.
  • Enhanced student critical thinking skills through problem-based learning activities.
  • Collaborated with colleagues to align curriculum and share best teaching practices, improving overall department effectiveness.
  • Coordinated with special education staff to ensure accommodations were effectively implemented for students with IEPs.
  • Fostered community connections to support the students and our FFA program.

Intervention Specialist

Mt. Gilead Schools- The Tomorrow Center
07.2008 - 07.2015
  • Built strong relationships with parents and guardians, fostering open communication regarding student progress and needs.
  • Promoted a positive learning environment by incorporating social-emotional learning strategies into daily activities.
  • Facilitated small group instruction for targeted skill development, enhancing academic growth for all participants.
  • Provided ongoing assessment of student progress, adjusting interventions as needed to optimize results.
  • Increased student engagement through the use of differentiated instruction tailored to individual learning needs.
  • Empowered students by teaching self-advocacy skills and promoting independence within the classroom setting.
  • Improved overall classroom performance by providing targeted support for struggling students in various subjects.
  • Supported students with diverse needs, ensuring their academic progress aligned with IEP goals.
  • Streamlined the intervention process by developing and implementing efficient systems for tracking student data, progress monitoring, and documentation.
  • Served as an advocate for students with disabilities during eligibility meetings, IEP reviews, and parent conferences.
  • Maintained accurate records of student progress, interventions implemented, and modifications made to ensure compliance with regulations and best practices.
  • Established trusting and friendly relationships with parents and colleagues.
  • Coordinated with other professionals such as speech therapists, occupational therapists, and school psychologists to address comprehensive student needs.
  • Developed data-driven intervention plans based on thorough analysis of assessments and observations.

Horticulture Instructor

Buckeye United S.D -Ohio Department of Corrections
11.2001 - 07.2008
  • Implemented classroom management techniques that fostered a positive and inclusive learning environment for all students.
  • Monitored student progress and adjusted instruction to meet individual needs.
  • Collaborated with adults and students to provide safe and educational experience.
  • Chose materials and developed lesson plans to enhance skills for individual students.
  • Utilized innovative teaching strategies to effectively engage students in learning.
  • Engaged in continuous professional development to stay current with educational research and pedagogical strategies.
  • Guided students in setting and achieving personal and academic goals.
  • Led professional development workshops, sharing innovative teaching strategies with peers.
  • Helped students explore concepts with engaging, learning-focused activities.
  • Created and developed lesson plans to meet students' academic needs.

Education

Master of Science - Education

Ashland University
Ashland, OH

Bachelor of Science - Agriculture Education

The Ohio State University
Columbus, OH

Skills

  • Community partnership development
  • Team collaboration
  • Relationship management
  • Public speaking
  • Agricultural communications
  • Subject matter expertise in agriculture education
  • CFAES involvement
  • County 4-H advisory role

Accomplishments

    Two time nominee for the Golden Own Award for Ohio Agricultural Educators

Certification

The Science of Reading Endorsement

National Center for Agricultural Literacy Endorsement

Youth Mental Heath First Aid Certification

College Counseling for students from Rural Settings Certificate- In Progress

Timeline

Agricultural Educator

River Valley Local Schools
07.2015 - Current

Intervention Specialist

Mt. Gilead Schools- The Tomorrow Center
07.2008 - 07.2015

Horticulture Instructor

Buckeye United S.D -Ohio Department of Corrections
11.2001 - 07.2008

Master of Science - Education

Ashland University

Bachelor of Science - Agriculture Education

The Ohio State University