Kate Valles
Virginia Beach,VA
Summary
Professional educator equipped to foster deep understanding of history, social studies, and current events. Proven ability to create engaging lesson plans that cater to diverse learning styles while promoting critical thinking and historical analysis. Strong collaborative skills ensure effective teamwork and adaptability in dynamic environments. Known for delivering measurable results and fostering a supportive and inclusive classroom atmosphere.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
History and Social Studies Teacher
Cape Henry Collegiate School
Virginia Beach, VA
08.2022 - Current
- Teach AP Comparative Government in a rapidly evolving global landscape, continuously adapting curriculum to reflect current political developments and real-world case studies.
- Teach World Religions with a focus on cultural understanding, encouraging students to explore diverse belief systems through a respectful and analytical lens.
- Teach International Relations by engaging students in the analysis of global conflicts, cooperation, and shifting power dynamics.
- Teach U.S. History through an inquiry-based approach that emphasizes critical thinking, historical analysis, and interpretation of primary sources.
- Guide students in connecting past events to present-day issues, fostering a deeper understanding of continuity and change over time.
- Design engaging lessons that highlight diverse perspectives and experiences in American history.
- Support students in developing strong writing and argumentation skills through evidence-based analysis of historical events and themes.
- Develop students’ critical thinking and analytical skills through simulations, debates, and problem-solving activities centered on global challenges.
- Coordinated attendance and representation at prestigious Model United Nations conferences in Georgetown and Istanbul, fostering global engagement and collaboration.
- Oversee the Global Scholars Certificate program, ensuring adherence to thesis writing standards and coordinating defense panel proceedings.
- Facilitate interactive classroom discussions to enhance critical thinking skills.
- Implement diverse teaching strategies to accommodate varying learning styles.
- Mentor new teachers, providing guidance on instructional techniques and classroom management.
- Analyze student performance data to inform instructional adjustments and improve outcomes.
- Encourage parental involvement through regular communication about student progress and school events.
- Improve student comprehension by utilizing diverse teaching methods and materials tailored to individual learning styles.
ELA/Social Studies
Marcus Whitman Middle School
Port Orchard, WA
08.2020 - 06.2022
- Delivered equitable, student-centered instruction to a diverse population of learners in a Title I school, meeting a wide range of academic needs while maintaining high expectations.
- Successfully implemented a rigorous new ELA curriculum across both remote and in-person settings, ensuring continuity of learning during instructional transitions.
- Enhanced cultural awareness by integrating diverse children’s literature that reflected global perspectives and student identities.
- Differentiated instruction and materials to support varied learning styles, abilities, and language needs.
- Taught core subjects including English Language Arts and U.S. History, emphasizing literacy, critical thinking, and content mastery.
Social Studies
Jason Lee Middle School
Tacoma, WA
01.2020 - 06.2020
- Taught World History in a Title I school, adapting instruction to meet diverse academic needs while maintaining high expectations for all learners.
- Utilized differentiated instruction and targeted supports to ensure equitable access to rigorous historical content.
- Built strong relationships with students to foster engagement, confidence, and academic growth in an underserved community.
- Integrated primary sources and inquiry-based learning to develop critical thinking and historical analysis skills.
- Supported literacy development through structured writing, document analysis, and evidence-based argumentation.
- Created an inclusive classroom environment that valued diverse perspectives and encouraged meaningful discussion of historical and contemporary issues.
Social Studies/AVID
Iwakuni Middle School/Department of Defense Education Activity (DODEA)
Iwakuni, Japan
08.2017 - 06.2019
- Designed and implemented rigorous, project-based learning experiences that challenged students academically, intellectually, and personally.
- Developed culturally responsive, multicultural units that engaged and reflected a diverse, military-connected student population.
- Collaborated with colleagues to create and deliver interdisciplinary, thematic units that deepened student learning across content areas.
- Served on the School Advisory Committee, contributing to initiatives that strengthened school-community relationships within a military-connected school in Iwakuni, Japan.
- Taught World History, U.S. History, Eastern Hemisphere Social Studies, and AVID, emphasizing critical thinking, collaboration, and college readiness skills.
High School Social Studies
Saint Louis School
Honolulu, Hawaii
01.2003 - 01.2007
- Designed and developed engaging curriculum tailored to meet the needs of learners with diverse backgrounds and varying academic abilities.
- Guided students in comparing perspectives and analyzing cause-and-effect relationships to strengthen critical thinking skills.
- Fostered advanced communication and writing skills through structured classroom debates and thesis-driven research projects.
- Taught Modern European History, Honors Modern European History, U.S. History, World History, and Hawaiian History, emphasizing analytical reasoning, historical inquiry, and effective expression.
Education
Master of Science in Education -
Old Dominion University
Norfolk, Virginia01-2002
Bachelor of Arts - Government and History
University of Queensland
Brisbane, Australia01-2000
Skills
- Effective Classroom Management
- Dynamic Lesson Implementation
- Verbal and Written Communication
- Emotional Intelligence
- Time Management
- Student motivation and engagement
Certification
- Virginia Postgraduate Professional License
- AP Comparative Government
- AP European History
- AP US Government
- AP Human Geography
- AP US History
- AVID
Timeline
History and Social Studies Teacher
Cape Henry Collegiate School
08.2022 - Current
ELA/Social Studies
Marcus Whitman Middle School
08.2020 - 06.2022
Social Studies
Jason Lee Middle School
01.2020 - 06.2020
Social Studies/AVID
Iwakuni Middle School/Department of Defense Education Activity (DODEA)
08.2017 - 06.2019
High School Social Studies
Saint Louis School
01.2003 - 01.2007
Bachelor of Arts - Government and History
University of Queensland
Master of Science in Education -
Old Dominion University