Kathleen Ferguson
Pell Lake,WI
Summary
Passionate educator and motivational leader who facilitates quality improvements in all academic and organizational processes. Adept in Literacy Instruction and Educational Leadership with key strengths in team building pursuits delivering measurable progress in student and staff performance objectives.
Overview
33
33
years of professional experience
Work History
Title 1 Reading Specialist
Waterford Graded School District
Waterford, WI - Wisconsin
08.2022 - Current
- Provided direct instruction to students in small groups and one-on-one settings utilizing research-based reading strategies.
- Developed lesson plans to meet the needs of individual students based on data analysis of assessments.
- Assessed student progress using a variety of tools, such as running records, fluency probes, and comprehension checks.
- Collaborated with teachers and administrators to design interventions for struggling readers.
- Coached teachers on best practices for developing phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension skills in their students.
- Selected appropriate texts for use in guided reading lessons according to student levels of literacy development.
- Established an environment conducive to learning through positive reinforcement strategies.
- Maintained current knowledge of instructional trends in the field of literacy education.
- Participated in school site committees focused on improving literacy achievement outcomes.
- Served as a resource person for parents seeking advice about how best to support their child's reading development at home.
- Developed goals and objectives that aligned with district standards for Title 1 Reading Specialists programs.
- Maintained accurate records regarding assessment results, intervention plans, attendance data.
- Attended conferences and professional development seminars related to current topics in literacy education.
Elementary School Principal
Harvard CUSD 50
Harvard, IL
07.2019 - Current
- Developed positive relationships with school students, teachers and local community.
- Reviewed standardized test results to assess student progress and academic performance.
- Monitored student discipline actions and worked with teachers to standardize behavior requirements across school.
- Oversaw and guided school employees while giving friendly and focused feedback for performance improvements.
- Interacted positively with staff to demonstrate professional conduct expectations of teaching and administrative personnel.
- Managed school administration operations and organized teacher schedules, student registration processes and class orientation sessions.
- Instructed teachers on classroom management, behavior and instructional strategies.
- Visited classrooms to evaluate teacher instructional techniques as part of annual evaluation cycle.
- Presented resources and opportunities to teaching staff for further professional development and curriculum training courses.
- Resolved various situations to cultivate strong student and parent relationships.
- Guided instruction by mentoring teachers to improve leadership and teaching effectiveness.
- Facilitated staff meetings to convey policy changes and hear employee input.
- Managed group of 120 staff members including 70 certified teachers.
Reading Specialist
Burlington Area School District
Burlington, WI
07.2011 - 06.2019
- Prepared and utilized materials for one-on-one and group instruction.
- Developed and deepened successful relationships with teachers in order to provide optimal support.
- Established clear plans with each student and collaborated closely to achieve targets.
- Completed and reviewed assessments to developed customized improvement plans.
- Implemented literacy instructional techniques to accomplish intervention goals.
- Maintained student records in accordance with district standards.
- Evaluated student needs to provide helpful resources and support.
- Adapted instructional techniques to appropriate ages and skill levels of supervised students.
- Worked successfully with diverse group of coworkers to accomplish goals and address issues related to our products and services.
- Worked closely with team members to deliver project requirements, develop solutions and meet deadlines.
- Prioritized and organized tasks to efficiently accomplish service goals.
- Collaborated with other educational personnel to provide inclusive activities or programs for children with disabilities.
Seventh and Eighth Grade Classroom Teacher
Old Fort School District
Old Fort, OH
07.1998 - 06.2001
- Adapted teaching methods and instructional strategies to promote learning in students of differing skill levels.
- Met with parents and guardians to discuss student progress and areas for improvement.
- Managed consistent, learning-focused classroom environments by establishing and communicating clear objectives for students.
- Assessed student progress with course material through routine quizzes, final examinations and standardized assessments.
- Conferred with specialists to support needs of students with individualized educational plans.
- Used positive reinforcement method to redirect poor behavior.
- Evaluated students' academic performance, social development and behavior.
- Devised lesson plans aligned with curriculum and met varying student needs.
- Facilitated activities that developed students' physical, emotional and social growth.
- Employed assessment tools and strategies to improve instruction methods.
Fifth Grade Classroom Teacher
Gibsonburg School District
Gibsonburg, OH
07.1991 - 06.1998
- Maintained positive classroom environments by reinforcing rules for behavior and relationship-building actions.
- Maintained safe, clean, and organized classroom environment.
- Attended in-service training and professional development courses to stay on top of policy and education changes.
- Established and communicated clear learning objectives to foster student progress and academic performance.
- Improved student engagement by implementing student-centered classroom management techniques to foster academic curiosity.
- Oversaw class field trips to keep students safe and educate about related topics.
- Cultivated classroom environment focused on inclusion and growth, fostering both social and academic development.
- Formed deep relationships with parents and students by engaging groups through conferences, emails, texts and phone calls.
- Created collaborative environment in classroom where students worked together to support everyone's learning.
- Embraced teaching children of diverse educational, cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
Education
Master of Science - Educational Administration
Concordia University
Mequon, WI08.2018
Master of Arts - Reading Instruction
Aurora University
06.2011
Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education
Bowling Green State University
Bowling Green, OH12.1990
Skills
- New student orientation
- Teaching and learning assessments
- Data-driven instruction
- Technology integrations
- Annual reviews
- Student performance data
- Curriculum development and oversight
- School community relations
- Employee performance evaluations
- Standardized testing and scoring
- School culture
- Staff and educator guidance
- Program evaluation
- Discipline
- Organizational leadership
- Organizational Management
- Interpersonal strengths
- Team collaboration
Timeline
Title 1 Reading Specialist
Waterford Graded School District
08.2022 - Current
Elementary School Principal
Harvard CUSD 50
07.2019 - Current
Reading Specialist
Burlington Area School District
07.2011 - 06.2019
Seventh and Eighth Grade Classroom Teacher
Old Fort School District
07.1998 - 06.2001
Fifth Grade Classroom Teacher
Gibsonburg School District
07.1991 - 06.1998
Master of Science - Educational Administration
Concordia University
Master of Arts - Reading Instruction
Aurora University
Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education
Bowling Green State University
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