Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Personal Information
Community Service
Teaching Highlights
Certification
Interests
Timeline
3d
Karen E. Williams

Karen E. Williams

Columbus,Ohio

Summary

Engaging, energetic teacher with experience working with students of all ages and abilities including those participating in special education programs. Proven track record developing lessons and activities that fuel maximum subject matter comprehension by relating often-complex subjects to real-world occurrences. High moral character, with a sincere desire to do the right thing, coupled with the maturity to know what the right thing is. Strong communication and interpersonal skills, facilitating team building and collaboration.

Professional with strong background in ESL education, well-versed in language instruction and cultural sensitivity. Known for fostering engaging learning environment and tailoring lessons to diverse needs. Skilled in team collaboration and adept at adapting to changing circumstances to ensure successful outcomes. Focused on student progress through effective communication, patience, and innovative teaching methods.

Overview

32
32
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Science Teacher

Fusion Ed
08.2024 - Current
  • Navigate online teaching platforms called Apex and Buzz
  • Take part in IEP meetings
  • Records management
  • Teach content in biology, environmental and physical science
  • Teach/facilitate Career Based Ed classes of Blood Borne Pathogens and Infection Control
  • Drop out recover high school ages 14-21
  • Diverse urban populations
  • Work with EL population who speak Spanish and French from Mexico, Honduras, Congo, Brazil, Senegal

ESL Teacher

PSI
01.2024 - 06.2024
  • Push-in to classes, make IEP, classroom accommodations, collaborate and communicate with staff and parents regarding student

ESL Tutor

PSI
08.2022 - 05.2023

ESL/Title I teacher

Groveport City Schools
11.2020 - 05.2021
  • Data collection, test administration, collaborate with staff and admin regarding student progress and performance
  • Records management by keeping track of 50 plus student files
  • Create lessons and implement them to help students gain the skills to help in all facets of life both academically while in school and life skills when out in the community

ESL Teacher K-2

Columbus Prep and Fitness Academy
08.2019 - 11.2019
  • Data collection, test administration, collaborate with staff and admin regarding student progress and performance
  • Records management by keeping track of 50 plus student files
  • Create lessons and implement them to help students gain the skills to help in all facets of life both academically while in school and life skills when out in the community

ESL Teacher K-8

Imagine Groveport Community School
11.2016 - 05.2019
  • Data collection, test administration, collaborate with staff and admin regarding student progress and performance
  • Records management by keeping track of 50 plus student files
  • Create lessons and implement them to help students gain the skills to help in all facets of life both academically while in school and life skills when out in the community

ESL teacher K-2

Columbus Humanities Arts and Technology
07.2016 - 11.2016
  • Data collection, test administration, collaborate with staff and admin regarding student progress and performance
  • Records management by keeping track of 350 student files
  • Create lessons and implement them to help students gain the skills to learn academic English that will help them succeed in school and society

Title I Reading Teacher

Imagine Harrisburg Pike Community School
01.2016 - 07.2016
  • Serve 11 small groups of students in 1-3 grades
  • I currently use a variety of methods to work with the many groups of students I service
  • I use Reading A-Z, as well as my own lesson plans that range from using the computer for interactive literacy games and programs to foster both literacy and computer skills
  • I also use library books to engage the students in reading about topics that they love
  • I also have them make their own learning tools such as, sight word flashcards, making their own word family house
  • In both being an ESL teacher and Title teacher, my teaching of preschool students helps me for many of the students come with limited or no early literacy skills
  • I try to make it fun, hands on so reading becomes a joy, not a chore

Elementary ESL teacher

Zenith Academy North
11.2014 - 10.2015
  • I am in the process of updating files, administering tests, collaborating with teachers about the new program I am creating
  • When this process is over I will be teacher K-5 students how to read and giving one-on-one attention to fill in the gaps so they can function more effectively in the classroom and elsewhere
  • After-afterschool tutoring and Professional development participation and can conduct PD in the SIOP model

ESL Teacher

Focus North High School
08.2013 - 02.2014
  • Work with 16-22 year old-ELL’s who are working on receiving their high school diploma
  • This includes teaching reading and writing skills that are essential to pass the OGT and other standardized tests and completion of high school course credits
  • Collaborate with staff and administration regarding the individual personal and academic needs for each and every student
  • Work with a diverse population of students from Nepal, Somalia and various west African nations
  • Modify classroom assignments via differentiated instruction
  • Records management

Preschool Teacher/Substitute Teacher

Riverside United Methodist Church Childcare Center
01.2008 - 01.2014
  • Co-led preschool teaching efforts in a very traditional, academically focused center, working in concert with two other teachers to facilitate the growth of young learners
  • Created lesson plans focused on developing students’ cognitive, social and emotional, gross and fine motor, and communication skills
  • Excelled in a ‘Step Up To Quality’ education program, focusing on ensuring the center exceeded quality benchmarks and Ohio Licensing

Site Supervisor

Ethiopian Tewahedo Social Services (Valley Forge Elementary School)
06.2012 - 08.2012
  • Summer program geared to ELL students
  • Both a recreational/educational setting for 35-50 children on any given day for 7 hours a day in a school gymnasium
  • Students represented from West Africa, Burma and Nepal
  • Support, create, taught and supervise a staff of up to 8 who taught ELL children basic English and math skills
  • Chaperoned 3 field trips
  • Maintained student and staff files
  • Communicated and collaborate with parents, community liaisons, staff and administration regarding the running of the program
  • Ran a successful program with no money
  • Materials belonged to me and other staff members

ESL Teacher

Columbus Bilingual Academy
02.2012 - 06.2012
  • Supported 115 ESL students at 2 buildings, working as a collaborative member of a student-centered team including teachers, administrators, and parents
  • Administer initial assessments—MAC II, OTELA, and OAA—to evaluate the language and literacy of each student, and maintained accurate and up-to-date records of test scores, home language surveys, and student progress
  • Facilitated inclusion and pullout lessons in a K-4 and K-8 environment, working to expand students’ academic vocabulary through a combination of teaching methodologies and instructional techniques

Aide

International Academy of Columbus
01.2011 - 01.2012
  • Worked one-on-one to facilitate the social and academic development of a 1st grade student on the Autism spectrum, teaming with the student the entire school day throughout inclusion and pullout
  • Collaborated with classroom and special education teachers, school psychologist, speech therapist, director, and parents to review student progress and create individualized education plan goals
  • Developed an effective behavior modification plan and reward system

Technical Services Aide; Library Assistant; Circulation Desk Assistant

Upper Arlington Public Library, Grandview Heights Public Library
01.2005 - 01.2007
  • Performed administrative functions to support both staff and customers, recognizing opportunities to enhance processes to save time or better respond to the needs of library patrons
  • Processed monthly invoices for books and media, reviewing invoices, purchase orders, and shipments to verify accuracy and completeness
  • Worked collaboratively with team members and volunteers to create an inviting, organized environment
  • Performed data entry tasks accurately and efficiently, maintained the cataloguing database with current data, and updated cardholder documentation and work records to ensure accuracy of information
  • Developed professional relationships with library patrons, often assisting with extensive research projects and sourcing hard-to-locate information
  • Communicated policies and procedures in a courteous manner

Preschool Teacher

The Ohio State University
01.2005 - 12.2005
  • Acted in a lead teaching role in this preschool environment founded on the Reggio Emilia approach
  • Catered to the needs and interests of 19 students, facilitating a supportive and enriching environment based on the interests of the children through a self-guided curriculum
  • Supervised student aides and worked with staff in making a brand new facility warm and inviting for young learners

Special Education Tutor

Grandview Heights City Schools
01.2003 - 01.2004
  • Initially recruited to cover a teacher’s maternity leave, but retained throughout the school year based on exceptional performance
  • Authored IEPs and worked cooperatively with teams to reach goals for special education students in middle and high school grades
  • Led students to and judged competitions to bring visibility to students’ talents and provide for additional positive reinforcement
  • Planned and coordinated programs, activities, and instruction on academic and social subjects; coordinated a weeklong Red Ribbon Week event and overnight Winner’s Choice program to promote smart choices surrounding drug and alcohol use

Substitute Teacher

Upper Arlington City Schools, Hilliard City Schools, & Clintonville Academy
01.1993 - 01.2004
  • Gained foundational teaching experience during substitute teaching engagements with the Upper Arlington School District (93-04), Hilliard City Schools (93-98), and Clintonville Academy (00), completing several long-term assignments during tenure
  • Researched and implemented lessons and activities to engage students and thwart behavior issues often plaguing substitute teachers
  • Also served as proficiency tutor with Hilliard City Schools, working with high school students in preparing for tests

Education

TESOL endorsement - K-12

Otterbein University
Westerville, Ohio
01.2012

No Degree - Elementary Education

Ohio State University
Marion, Ohio
06-2000

Bachelor of Science - Education

The Ohio State University
Columbus, Ohio
01.1993

Skills

  • Lesson Development
  • Parent-Teacher-Student Collaboration
  • Information Research
  • Program Coordination
  • Relationship Cultivation
  • Internal & External Communication
  • Faculty collaboration and support
  • Empathy and patience
  • Vocabulary building
  • Motivating students
  • Teacher collaboration
  • Classroom organization
  • Written and oral communication
  • Reliability and punctuality
  • Effective communicator
  • Classroom management

Personal Information

Title: Teacher and Educational Attainment Specialist

Community Service

Upper Arlington Historical Society-Jones 100th Birthday Slide Show 

Upper Arlington-Written 3 historical before and after stories that have appeared in historical society magazine

Hastings Middle School-History and Veterans plaque-ON MY OWN 

Honor Flight Guardian July 12, 2008-WW II Veterans  

Honor Flight Ground Crew at John Glenn International Airport-2018-2019-2024 UA 4th of July parade 

Ohio Fallen Heroes Memorial-Board member 2010-2011

Marine Corps Family Support Community-Packing night, UA 4th of July Parade 

Teaching Highlights

  • Designed and implemented lesson plans for students of all ages and abilities.
  • Excelled in relating often-complex topics to real-life situations.
  • Independently managed all administrative processes surrounding teaching roles.
  • Facilitated proactive communications with administrators and parents.
  • Administered tests to determine qualification for special education services.

Certification

  • Safe Schools Training Certificate - Various Safety Organizations.
  • Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) Certificate - TESOL International Association.
  • English as a Second Language (ESL) Certification - [State] Department of Education.
  • Social Studies Teacher Certification (Elementary Level) – [State] Department of Education.
  • Elementary Education Certification - [State] Department of Education.

Interests

  • Writing-I am writing a book
  • Reading non-fiction about Marine, American, World and Biblical history
  • Researching about all of the above
  • Creating historical presentations about topics from above-currently working on one about Jones Middle School, Hastings and Hastings Veterans from 1960-present day
  • Walking, swimming
  • Listening to music-I love Big Band music, classical rock and Christian/Spiritual music


Timeline

Science Teacher

Fusion Ed
08.2024 - Current

ESL Teacher

PSI
01.2024 - 06.2024

ESL Tutor

PSI
08.2022 - 05.2023

ESL/Title I teacher

Groveport City Schools
11.2020 - 05.2021

ESL Teacher K-2

Columbus Prep and Fitness Academy
08.2019 - 11.2019

ESL Teacher K-8

Imagine Groveport Community School
11.2016 - 05.2019

ESL teacher K-2

Columbus Humanities Arts and Technology
07.2016 - 11.2016

Title I Reading Teacher

Imagine Harrisburg Pike Community School
01.2016 - 07.2016

Elementary ESL teacher

Zenith Academy North
11.2014 - 10.2015

ESL Teacher

Focus North High School
08.2013 - 02.2014

Site Supervisor

Ethiopian Tewahedo Social Services (Valley Forge Elementary School)
06.2012 - 08.2012

ESL Teacher

Columbus Bilingual Academy
02.2012 - 06.2012

Aide

International Academy of Columbus
01.2011 - 01.2012

Preschool Teacher/Substitute Teacher

Riverside United Methodist Church Childcare Center
01.2008 - 01.2014

Technical Services Aide; Library Assistant; Circulation Desk Assistant

Upper Arlington Public Library, Grandview Heights Public Library
01.2005 - 01.2007

Preschool Teacher

The Ohio State University
01.2005 - 12.2005

Special Education Tutor

Grandview Heights City Schools
01.2003 - 01.2004

Substitute Teacher

Upper Arlington City Schools, Hilliard City Schools, & Clintonville Academy
01.1993 - 01.2004

TESOL endorsement - K-12

Otterbein University
  • Safe Schools Training Certificate - Various Safety Organizations.
  • Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) Certificate - TESOL International Association.
  • English as a Second Language (ESL) Certification - [State] Department of Education.
  • Social Studies Teacher Certification (Elementary Level) – [State] Department of Education.
  • Elementary Education Certification - [State] Department of Education.

No Degree - Elementary Education

Ohio State University

Bachelor of Science - Education

The Ohio State University
Karen E. Williams