Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
HIGHLIGHTS
Timeline
Generic

Kirsten Daffron

Newport Beach,CA

Summary

Caring teacher with strong communication skills and drive to excite students about learning. Specializing in creating stimulating opportunities that help students achieve full potential and enjoy learning. Communicates effectively and maintains strong relationships with students, families and colleagues.

Overview

29
29
years of professional experience

Work History

7th Grade ELA & History Summer School Teacher

K12 CAVA
Simi Valley, CA
06.2023 - 08.2024
  • Virtually teach students subject-specific material, learning strategies and social skills.
  • Cultivate and develop inclusive and equitable working relationships with students, families and staff.
  • Build strong relationships with parents and students, driving investment in academics.
  • Developed and implemented lesson plans, activities and assessments to support student learning.

Lower School K-5 Teacher

K12/Stride Private Academy
Verndon, VA
10.2020 - 11.2022
  • Experienced in Zoom, Newrow, Blackboard platforms
  • Designed curriculum, lesson plans and instructional materials for virtual teaching.
  • Developed lessons, activities and materials to cover required course material.
  • Adapted teaching methods and instructional strategies to promote learning in students of differing skill levels.
  • Worked outside normal hours to be available to answer parent and student questions.
  • Established positive relationships with students, parents, fellow teachers and school administrators.

Long-term Full-time 8th Grade Substitute Teacher

CAVA
Los Angeles, CA
12.2019 - 03.2020
  • Created and executed 8th grade algebra and geometry curriculum for students.
  • Developed and implemented 8th grade US history lessons for students.
  • Responsible for taking and recording attendance, virtually attending trainings and staff meetings, communicating with parents and learning coaches.
  • Accountable for creating curriculum, teaching virtual lessons, grading tests, keeping track of attendance, communicating with students and their families, and ensuring students success and progress.

K-6 Intervention Specialist

Newport-Mesa Unified School District
Newport Beach, CA
04.2011 - 06.2014
  • Collaborated with main teachers to plan and schedule lessons promoting learning and student engagement
  • Performed student background reviews to ascertain learning deficiencies and strengths to develop tailored lessons based on student needs
  • Created science-based lessons and units in accordance with state curriculum and school-wide curriculum standards for my K-3rd grade students
  • Created math-based lessons and units in accordance with state curriculum and school-wide curriculum standards for my 4th and 5th grade RSP and remedial students
  • Created language arts-based lessons and units in accordance with state curriculum and school-wide curriculum standards for my 6th grade GATE grade students
  • Created computer-based, age-appropriate skills lessons in accordance with state curriculum and school-wide curriculum standards for my K-6th grade students
  • Promoted student learning by providing individualized and small group support to reinforce classroom topics
  • Taught students to exercise problem solving methodology and techniques during tests
  • Combined discipline plan with effective measures and lesson plans to increase concentration, participation and progress student accountability
  • Established positive relationships with students, parents, fellow teachers and school administrators

6th and 7th Grade Language Arts Teacher

St. Joachim School
Costa Mesa, CA
08.2010 - 03.2011
  • Noted for creating lessons and units that incorporated reading comprehension, grammar, essay writing, and public speaking
  • Specialized in the instruction of creative writing and grammar
  • Motivated students to become passionate about reading and writing
  • Helped develop strong verbal and written communication skills by leading students through listening, speaking, reading and writing activities
  • Educated students on spelling, grammar and language rules with an age-appropriate curriculum
  • Explored deeper meanings behind texts through lively classroom discussions and challenging assignments
  • Adapted teaching strategies to learning styles of students with different skill levels
  • Selected and revised course curricula to meet current instructional demands
  • Developed lesson plans and units to teach course materials according to schedule

4th Grade Long Term Substitute Teacher

Pegasus School
Huntington Beach, CA
10.2009 - 04.2010
  • Instructed students in standardized subjects, as well as general learning strategies and skills for social development and character
  • Identified student needs and collaborated with faculty to resolve social, cognitive or behavioral challenges
  • Administered and graded class tests to evaluate student progress and comprehension
  • Improved student engagement by implementing student-centered classroom management techniques to foster academic curiosity
  • Explored foundational learning concepts with students through hands-on activities, videos and class discussions
  • Effectively translated lesson plans into learning experiences and routinely evaluated student progress and social development
  • Directed individualized instruction in various subjects to achieve educational goals and drive curriculum requirements
  • Maintained positive classroom environments by reinforcing rules for behavior and relationship-building actions

6th Language Arts & History Teacher

Los Alamitos Unified School District
Los Alamitos, CA
06.2000 - 04.2003
  • Established and communicated clear learning objectives to foster student progress and academic performance
  • Directed individualized, small group and whole class instruction in language arts and history to achieve educational goals and drive curriculum requirements for 6th grade students
  • Effectively translated lesson plans into fun learning experiences and routinely evaluated student progress and social development
  • Prepared, administered and graded evaluative materials such as exams and quizzes, and created and maintained accurate student records
  • Referred to district standards to plan lessons and prepare students to take standardized assessments
  • Met with parents to communicate students' progress, achievements and classroom issues
  • Maintained positive classroom environments by reinforcing rules for behavior and relationship-building actions
  • Attended in-service training and professional development courses to stay on top of policy and education changes

Summer School K-12 Creative Writing Teacher

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA
07.1997 - 09.2001
  • Created and implemented age-appropriate creative writing lessons for K-12th grade summer school students
  • Promoted student growth by encouraging independent thinking, judgment and thought expression
  • Explored a variety of creative writing themes in different poems, songs, and books, enhancing motivation and incentive
  • Educated students on spelling, grammar and language rules with an age-appropriate curriculum

3rd Grade Teacher

Los Alamitos Unified School District
Los Alamitos, CA
06.1996 - 06.2000
  • Created collaborative environment in classroom where students worked together to support everyone's learning.
  • Utilized diverse teaching methods and included all modalities to address curriculum objectives.
  • Organized the classroom to include easy access to all subject area resources, including art, pe, and musical supplies, to foster a creative and welcoming classroom environment.
  • Integrated variety of educational programs such as literature circles and writers workshop to develop strong academic foundation.
  • Built relationships with students and parents through active communication and positive feedback
  • Offered hands-on learning opportunities to develop student self-esteem and life skills.
  • Instructed students in standardized subjects, as well as general learning strategies and skills for social development and character.

2nd Grade Teacher

Huntington Beach City School District
Huntington Beach, CA
06.1995 - 06.1996
  • Devised lesson plans in alignment with state curriculum standards and created balanced instructional programs, demonstrations and class work time to meet educational and instructional goals
  • Improved student engagement by implementing fun and exciting lessons and techniques to foster academic curiosity
  • Established and communicated clear learning objectives to foster student progress and academic performance
  • Identified student needs and collaborated with faculty to resolve academic, social, cognitive or behavioral challenges
  • Taught students subject-specific material, learning strategies and social skills
  • Administered and graded class tests to evaluate student progress and comprehension
  • Maintained positive classroom environments by reinforcing rules for behavior and relationship-building actions

Education

Bachelor of Arts - Communications

University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA
12.1990

Master of Arts - Education

Pepperdine University
Malibu, CA
05.1995

Multiple Subject Teaching Credential - K-8 Educational Studies

Pepperdine University
Malibu, CA
05.1995

CLAD Certificate - English Language Learners

National University
Costa Mesa, CA
05.1995

Skills

1 Technology savvy

2 Experience in brick and mortar and virtual teaching

3 Structured Word Inquiry Certified

4 Patient and nurturing

5 Organized

6 Team player

HIGHLIGHTS

~ SWI (Structured Word Inquiry) Certified

~ Classroom chosen for Governor Pete Wilson to announce 20-1 class size reduction plan; 1996

~ Awarded Exceptional Teacher of the Year by Huntington Beach City School District; 1996

~ Member of National Blue Ribbon Committee for Rossmoor Elementary; 1997

~ Member of California Distinguished School Committee for Rossmoor Elementary; 1999

Timeline

7th Grade ELA & History Summer School Teacher

K12 CAVA
06.2023 - 08.2024

Lower School K-5 Teacher

K12/Stride Private Academy
10.2020 - 11.2022

Long-term Full-time 8th Grade Substitute Teacher

CAVA
12.2019 - 03.2020

K-6 Intervention Specialist

Newport-Mesa Unified School District
04.2011 - 06.2014

6th and 7th Grade Language Arts Teacher

St. Joachim School
08.2010 - 03.2011

4th Grade Long Term Substitute Teacher

Pegasus School
10.2009 - 04.2010

6th Language Arts & History Teacher

Los Alamitos Unified School District
06.2000 - 04.2003

Summer School K-12 Creative Writing Teacher

University Of California Irvine
07.1997 - 09.2001

3rd Grade Teacher

Los Alamitos Unified School District
06.1996 - 06.2000

2nd Grade Teacher

Huntington Beach City School District
06.1995 - 06.1996

Bachelor of Arts - Communications

University of Southern California

Master of Arts - Education

Pepperdine University

Multiple Subject Teaching Credential - K-8 Educational Studies

Pepperdine University

CLAD Certificate - English Language Learners

National University
Kirsten Daffron