Kate Sjursen
Title Reading Teacher
Lawrence,KS
Summary
Educator with 12+ years working in public education. Dedicated to building strong relationships with students, families, and staff. Compassionate, effective, and motivated with valuable classroom experience. Student-centered instructor and academic facilitator. Competent at performing independently or as a member of a team.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
Title Reading Teacher
Lawrence Public Schools-Pinckney Elementary
Lawrence, United States
08.2022 - Current
- Provide targeted skill instruction in small group setting to students in grades K-3
- Administer diagnostic assessments to at risk students to better evaluate their areas of need
- Based on results from diagnostics, create intervention plans for students that includes direct instruction in specific skill deficit areas
- Monitor student progress on weekly basis using FastBridge; use results to further guide instruction
- Collaborate with classroom teachers and review data during PLC time to best meet the needs of mutual learners
Academic Interventionist
Lawrence Public Schools-Pinckney Elementary
Lawrence, KS
08.2021 - 05.2022
- Planned reading and math activities and implemented strategies to improve student performance.
- Worked with small groups of students to provide research based Tier II and Tier III interventions.
- Collaborated with teachers to assess needs, set objectives, and discuss strategies.
- Assessed and documented student progress with established goals.
- Gathered, organized and analyzed data on student needs and progress.
Parent Involvement Facilitator
Lawrence Public Schools-Pinckney Elementary
Lawrence, KS
08.2019 - 05.2021
- Provided parents with academic materials/support
- Increased parent engagement (communication, attending school sponsored events, teacher conferences)
- Provided resources to families with regard to basic needs (shelter, food, clothing, utility help)
- Established community connections with goal of building relationships, community engagement in education, and soliciting donations of time/money/supplies for school/students
- Provided interventions for students to increase reading/math/social skills
- Planned school literacy/math nights
- Created/Organized Distance Learning kits for virtual learners during Covid
- Worked closely with building administrator and counselor to create behavior plans and provide behavioral support to students
Substitute Teacher
Morgan Hunter Education
Overland Park, KS
08.2016 - 05.2018
- Provided instruction for students in core subject areas.
- Upheld classroom routines to support student environments and maintain consistent schedules.
- Kept students on-task with proactive behavior modification and positive reinforcement strategies.
- Maintained day-to-day classroom management and discipline to promote learning initiatives.
- Followed classroom plans left by class teacher to continue student education and reinforce core concepts.
- Kept accurate and current attendance records and assignment sheets to maintain file compliance.
- Repeatedly requested as substitute teacher by teachers based on excellent past referrals and trusted performance.
Long Term Substitute
DODEA-West Point Elementary School
West Point, NY
09.2014 - 06.2016
- LTS positions in Special Education, Spanish, STEM, and Kindergarten
- Created and implemented engaging lesson plans to accommodate various learning styles.
- Maintained day-to-day classroom management and discipline to promote learning initiatives.
- Adapted lesson plans and student activities to meet needs of all learners.
- Incorporated technology into learning to enhance student engagement and learning.
- Monitored student progress and provided feedback to students, parents and school administrators.
Paraprofessional Educator
Lawrence Public Schools-Langston Hughes Elementary
Lawrence, KS
11.2012 - 05.2014
- Delivered curriculum in both one-on-one lessons and group learning environments.
- Oversaw students in classroom and common areas to monitor, enforce rules, and support lead teacher.
- Monitored student classroom and outdoors activities to promote student safety.
- Maintained inclusive learning environment to enable students to gain maximum benefit from lessons.
- Delivered personalized educational, behavioral, and emotional support to individual students to enable positive learning outcomes.
Middle School Teacher-6th/7th Grade Teacher
Stoughton Public Schools
Stoughton, MA
11.2010 - 06.2011
- Drove student learning by establishing clear classroom plans and group objectives, as well as actionable strategies to achieve each goal.
- Prepared and implemented lesson plans covering required course topics.
- Utilized multimedia strategies and technology to convey information in fresh and interesting ways.
- Cultivated relationships with parents for complete support network.
- Worked with administrators on behavioral issues to support needs of students.
Family Readiness Group Leader
US Army
Fort Riley , KS
04.2009 - 05.2010
- Cav, 1st Infantry Division: Developed systems to release information and provide educational programs, welcome and orient new families, promote involvement, and prevent isolation during deployment.
- Assisted families in navigating the social services system, including applying for benefits, accessing resources and connecting with other family support services.
- Coordinated fundraisers and volunteers to raise money for unit activities
- Completed comprehensive assessments of families to identify needs and develop support plans.
- Disseminated pertinent information to families regarding unit news, activities, and deployment updates through emails, monthly newsletters and in person meetings.
- Facilitated groups to address specific needs such as grief and loss, anger management and social skills.
- Intervened in crisis situations and counseled children experiencing emergencies and disruptive incidents.
Classroom Teacher-6th Grade
Stoughton Public Schools
Stoughton, MA
08.2004 - 06.2005
- Prepared and implemented lesson plans covering required course content.
- Evaluated academic skills of each student through assessments and graded assignments.
- Completed in-service and additional training to maintain professional growth.
- Worked with administrators on behavioral issues to support needs of students.
- Devised and implemented classroom management strategies, maintaining safe and pleasant learning environment.
- Established positive rapport with students and parents through home calls, emails, and Parent Teacher Club.
- Administered assessments and standardized tests to evaluate student progress.
- Supported student skill development in alignment with personal and academic goals.
Classroom Teacher-6th Grade
Stoughton Public Schools
Stoughton, MA
08.2000 - 06.2001
- Drove student learning by establishing clear classroom plans and group objectives, as well as actionable strategies to achieve each goal.
- Designed and implemented integrated lessons in reading, language arts, and science to meet national standards.
- Differentiated instruction to meet needs of all learners.
- Collaborated with parents, administrators and counselors to develop improvement plans for struggling students.
- Incorporated exciting and engaging activities to achieve student participation and hands-on learning.
- Established and enforced rules of behavior to drive social development and maintain positive interactions.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Education and Sociology
Bridgewater State College
Bridgewater, MAMasters Program - Special Education
University of Phoenix
Phoenix, AZSkills
Collaboration
Assessment
Classroom management
Building strong student and family relationships
Public Speaking
Effective Communication
Problem Solving
Team Work
Timeline
Title Reading Teacher
Lawrence Public Schools-Pinckney Elementary
08.2022 - Current
Academic Interventionist
Lawrence Public Schools-Pinckney Elementary
08.2021 - 05.2022
Parent Involvement Facilitator
Lawrence Public Schools-Pinckney Elementary
08.2019 - 05.2021
Substitute Teacher
Morgan Hunter Education
08.2016 - 05.2018
Long Term Substitute
DODEA-West Point Elementary School
09.2014 - 06.2016
Paraprofessional Educator
Lawrence Public Schools-Langston Hughes Elementary
11.2012 - 05.2014
Middle School Teacher-6th/7th Grade Teacher
Stoughton Public Schools
11.2010 - 06.2011
Family Readiness Group Leader
US Army
04.2009 - 05.2010
Classroom Teacher-6th Grade
Stoughton Public Schools
08.2004 - 06.2005
Classroom Teacher-6th Grade
Stoughton Public Schools
08.2000 - 06.2001
Bachelor of Science - Education and Sociology
Bridgewater State College
Masters Program - Special Education
University of Phoenix