Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
Receptionist
Kate Sjursen

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, MA

Masters Program - Special Education

University of Phoenix
Phoenix, AZ

Skills

Collaboration

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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
Kate SjursenTitle Reading Teacher