Enthusiastic and experienced educator and teacher leader. Eager to lead and assist teachers in develop engaging, relevant, culturally diverse, and rigorous curriculum that is vertically and horizontally aligned with state standards.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Mentor Teacher
Kalamazoo Public Schools-Loy Norrix High School
08.2023 - Current
Mentored approximately 14 new teachers in lesson planning and instructional strategies, improving their teaching effectiveness.
Provided assistance and guidance to new teachers struggling with classroom management, school policies, and evaluation data.
Observed teaching, upon request, to provide feedback and support.
Shared resources such as lesson plan templates, best practices, organizational strategies, to help teachers feel prepared.
English Language Arts Department Head
Kalamazoo Public Schools-Loy Norrix High School
08.2020 - Current
Planned and facilitated regular department meetings to improve communication and collaboration across grade levels.
Ordered department supplies and balanced our budget to meet needs of students and teachers.
Facilitated conversations about vertical and horizontal alignment within department.
Created documents to be shared district-wide to aide in future curriculum development planning.
Communicated with Coordinator of ELA, SS, and Library Services to brainstorm and suggest curriculum writing improvements.
Served as member of School Improvement Team, meeting monthly and focusing on school-wide goals to address needs of students, families, and staff, increasing student achievement and engagement.
English Teacher
Kalamazoo Public Schools-Loy Norrix High School
08.2007 - Current
Experience teaching grades 9-12 with varying academic abilities. Classes taught: English 9, Honors English 9, English 10, Honors English 10, Honors English 11, English 12, AP Literature and Composition, Creative Writing, African American Literature, and Novels of Choice.
Developed engaging, student-centered lesson plans, focusing on student inquiry.
Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities to remain current on educational trends and research-based strategies for instruction.
Utilized data to inform instructional decisions and personalize learning.
Collaborated with colleagues and served on curriculum writing teams. Developed curriculum to align with Common Core Standards.
Led both building and district-wide professional development to teachers about analytical writing, SAT preparation, and reading strategies across content areas.
Differentiated instruction to accommodate diverse learner needs, ensuring all students had equal access to education opportunities.
Created and implemented activities to foster critical thinking skills of students.
Assessed student progress and provided feedback to improve performance and establish academic success.
Mentored student teachers and pre-interns from both Western Michigan University and Michigan State University.
Education
Master of Arts - Education: Literacy Across The Content Areas
Walden University
Minneapolis, MN
06.2011
Bachelor of Arts - Education: English And Spanish
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI
04.2006
Skills
Experienced Educator
Teacher-Leader
Strategic Vision
Curriculum Knowledge
Student-Centered
Literacy Focused
Technology Skills
Organized
Certification
Reading Apprenticeship
Advanced Placement Educator
Coaches Advanced Placement (CAP) I and II Trained through MSHAA
Timeline
Mentor Teacher
Kalamazoo Public Schools-Loy Norrix High School
08.2023 - Current
English Language Arts Department Head
Kalamazoo Public Schools-Loy Norrix High School
08.2020 - Current
English Teacher
Kalamazoo Public Schools-Loy Norrix High School
08.2007 - Current
Master of Arts - Education: Literacy Across The Content Areas
Walden University
Bachelor of Arts - Education: English And Spanish
Western Michigan University
Reading Apprenticeship
Advanced Placement Educator
Coaches Advanced Placement (CAP) I and II Trained through MSHAA
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