Ken Spear
Montgomery,AL
Summary
Team Leader experienced in directing activities of workgroups. Develops strategies, provides training, sets goals and obtains team feedback. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills. Big picture focus with excellence in communicating goals and vision to succeed. Problem solver, networker and consensus builder.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Instructor, English and Creative Writing
Montgomery Public Schools, BTW Magnet High School
2022.07 - Current
- Plan and develop instruction on traditional literary genres, creative and journalistic writing
- Analyze student performance data to plan instruction, address challenges and enrichment needs
- Tracked student progress, frequently checking in with struggling students and identifying root causes of problems
- Evaluated and revised lesson plans and course content to achieve student-centered learning
- Optimized day-to-day instruction to align educational strategies with industry best practices
- Produce content writing for school's social media, increasing Facebook followers by more than 55 percent in 2022-2023 academic year
- Teach, coach, and facilitate team of student wordsmiths in planning and production of Graphophobia literary magazine and The Washingtonian student newspaper.
- Administrate, develop, and curate engaging content to market BTW and increase following on school's Facebook page
- Serve as contact for media outlets
Writer/Media Consultant
SPEARhead Creative Solutions
2006.01 - Current
- Seek clients; produce work for entities, including 21 Dreams: Culture & Arts Collective and New Home Missionary Baptist Church
- Brainstorm ideas to create useful content for clients
- Organize material to research and complete writing tasks
- Write press releases and advise on strategies for media coverage
- Interview individuals by phone, video chat and in-person to write news stories
- Design, edit and publish newsletters; proofread novels and academic writing
- Choose cover photography or artwork, select fonts and arrange designs to attract target readership
- Write and edit high-quality content and visually impactful programs under deadline pressure with exciting, captivating, and authentic approach
Lead Learner, Honors English and Mass Media
Pike Road Schools
2019.07 - 2022.07
- Manage virtual and face-to-face instruction of 10th-grade General and Honors English, in addition to Journalism and TV Production
- Analyze student achievement data regularly to construct lesson plans tailored to varied learning styles
- Create and develop thematic units for Summit Learning digital platform
- Oversee The Revere student newspaper and One Nation - PRHS News broadcast, building staff of 40 learners
- Used critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions and make decisions
- Serve as teacher representative on PRHS Advisory Council
- Taught 10th- and 8th-grade English and Speech & Debate, 2019-2020 academic year
- Selected by Zuckerberg Initiative to attend 2019 Black Male Educator National Conference in Philadelphia
Teacher, English-Language Arts & Journalism
Montgomery Public Schools, Sidney Lanier High
2007.08 - 2019.07
- Served as chairman of English Department (2015-2019)
- Assisted Leadership Team in crafting plan for ELA instruction to successfully turn around school's academic status
- Communicated frequently with parents, students, and faculty to provide feedback and discuss instructional strategies
- Incorporated exciting and engaging activities to achieve student participation and hands-on learning
- Conducted evaluations to measure performance and progress of students, providing guidance for areas requiring improvement
- Advised and counseled students to help them develop skills and knowledge required to succeed
- Supported student teachers by mentoring on classroom management, lesson planning, and activity organization
- Achieved certification in AP Literature & Composition and Career Technical Education (TV Production)
- Conducted series of professional development workshops in instruction and technology integration for school district and region
- Named 2013 Secondary Teacher of the Year for Montgomery Public Schools
- Collaborated with select group of educators to construct ELA
Curriculum Framework and Pacing Guide
Education
Master's - Learning & Technology
Western Governors University
May 2022
Teacher Certification - Secondary Education, English-Language Arts
Alabama State University
Montgomery, AL2009
Bachelor of Science - Journalism
Troy University
1987
Skills
- Leadership and Supervision
- Training and Professional Development
- Team Management
- Community Outreach
- Internal and External Communications
- Research
Additional Information
- 2021 Honor rating from Alabama Scholastic Press Association for The Revere student newspaper, Pike Road High School | 2017 and 2016 School Newspaper Hallmark Award from Troy University's Hall School of Journalism and Communication | 2016 Certificate of Competence from NOCTI (National Occupational Competency Testing Institute) in the field of Television Production | 2016 and 2015 Top Award for Newspaper Design & Layout in Southeast Regional High School Journalism Competition | 2014 Appointed to the board of directors of the VOICES for Alabama’s Children advocacy network | 2014-15 Two-year winner of Shoptimum Rewards Essay Contest for Teacher Grants from EastChase Shoppes | 2004 Media Award and
Timeline
Instructor, English and Creative Writing
Montgomery Public Schools, BTW Magnet High School
2022.07 - Current
Lead Learner, Honors English and Mass Media
Pike Road Schools
2019.07 - 2022.07
Teacher, English-Language Arts & Journalism
Montgomery Public Schools, Sidney Lanier High
2007.08 - 2019.07
Writer/Media Consultant
SPEARhead Creative Solutions
2006.01 - Current
Master's - Learning & Technology
Western Governors University
Teacher Certification - Secondary Education, English-Language Arts
Alabama State University
Bachelor of Science - Journalism
Troy University
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