Kathleen Scheffer
1860 North Damen Ave. #2W,Chicago, IL
Summary
Dedicated and compassionate elementary educator with a proven ability to build strong relationships with students, fostering a safe, supportive, and engaging classroom where all learners thrive academically and socially. Committed to grade-level and school-wide collaboration. Experienced in using student data to differentiate instruction and effectively integrate technology. Skilled in implementing best-practice instructional strategies and maintaining consistent, meaningful communication with parents to support student success.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Third Grade Teacher
Lake Bluff Elementary School
06.2001 - 06.2025
- Created a positive, supportive classroom environment fostering academic and emotional growth.
- Embedded social-emotional learning strategies into daily lessons to build empathy, self-esteem, and conflict resolution skills.
- Collaborated with grade-level team in weekly and extended planning meetings to align instruction and share best practices.
- Mentored seven new teachers on curriculum design, classroom management, and instructional techniques.
- Maintained student data binders and used formative assessments to guide student-led parent/teacher conferences and progress monitoring.
- Differentiated instruction through targeted small groups and varied methods based on assessment data.
- Integrated technology and multimedia to enhance student engagement and learning outcomes.
- Facilitated active learning via discussions, collaboration, and hands-on activities.
- Designed lessons supporting whole-child development: academic, social, and emotional growth.
- Maintained weekly communication with families.
- Contributed to the school leadership team for data review, policy adherence, PLC implementation, and maintenance of the school's mission, goals, and initiatives.
- Supported student interests by attending extracurricular events and performances.
- Built meaningful relationships with students and their families, fostering trust, engagement, and strong school-to-home connections.
- Engaged students through humor, enthusiasm, and personalized learning to make lessons memorable and fun.
- Collaborated closely with grade-level team and served as the third-grade representative on the Building Leadership Team.
- Served on Social Studies, Science, and Math Curriculum Committees, contributing to instructional planning and alignment.
- Mentored new teachers and supported professional growth across the grade level team.
- Co-led the implementation of student-led conferences at the grade level to encourage ownership of learning.
- Used NWEA MAP data and Bridges Math pre-assessments to plan and differentiate instruction for small math groups.
- Administered Fountas & Pinnell Benchmark Assessments to determine instructional reading levels and form guided reading groups.
- Differentiated math instruction using the Math Workshop model and Bridges in Mathematics curriculum.
- Planned and implemented a Balanced Literacy framework using Units of Study for Reading and Writing and Words Their Way.
- Maintained consistent parent communication through weekly newsletters, conferences, and regular check-ins.
Summer School Teacher, Third Grade
WJ Murphy School
07.2015 - 07.2015
- Implemented whole group and small group reading instruction.
- Differentiated math instruction using online Math Navigator pre & post test data.
- Incorporated Compass Learning technology program to support and individualize student learning and engagement.
Fourth Grade Teacher
Santa Maria Del Popolo School
01.1999 - 06.2001
- Led the start up of the schools Accelerated Reader Program
- Taught core subjects of reading, language arts, math, and science.
Education
Graduate Credit Courses -
Benedictine University
Interactive Courses - With Zoom 07-2021
Master of Arts - Language, Literacy, & Specialized Instruction
DePaul University
Chicago, IL06-2008
Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education
Northwest Missouri State University
Maryville, MO12-1998
Skills
- Team collaboration
- Problem-solving skills
- Relationship building
- Collaborative communication with parents
- Curriculum development
- Adaptability and flexibility
- Differentiated instruction
- Attention to detail
- Safe, positive learning environment
Certification
Illinois PEL #1860027
- Reading Specialist: Kindergarten - Grade 12
- Elementary Education: Self Contained General Education, Kindergarten - Grade 9
Timeline
Summer School Teacher, Third Grade
WJ Murphy School
07.2015 - 07.2015
Third Grade Teacher
Lake Bluff Elementary School
06.2001 - 06.2025
Fourth Grade Teacher
Santa Maria Del Popolo School
01.1999 - 06.2001
Graduate Credit Courses -
Benedictine University
Master of Arts - Language, Literacy, & Specialized Instruction
DePaul University
Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education
Northwest Missouri State University
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