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, CA12.1990
Master of Arts - Education
Pepperdine University
Malibu, CA05.1995
Multiple Subject Teaching Credential - K-8 Educational Studies
Pepperdine University
Malibu, CA05.1995
CLAD Certificate - English Language Learners
National University
Costa Mesa, CA05.1995
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
Similar Profiles
Katherine SafarikKatherine Safarik
Manager at K12/STRIDEManager at K12/STRIDE
Juan Carlos Medina CarrilloJuan Carlos Medina Carrillo
Online Mathematics Teacher at Elevate K12Online Mathematics Teacher at Elevate K12
Yamila L. GarciaYamila L. Garcia
Middle School Math Teacher at Franklin Academy Charter School K12Middle School Math Teacher at Franklin Academy Charter School K12