KRISTA BELL
Springfield Township,NJ
Summary
Dedicated and student focused teaching professional who is committed to providing a balanced, supportive, and engaging learning environment for all students. Aptitude to remain flexible, ensuring that every child's learning style and abilities are addressed. Hardworking and trusted educator who strives to collaborate with all members of the school community to meet the needs of students and promote the philosophy of the school
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
4th Grade Teacher
Sheila Y. Oliver Academy
2024.02 - 2024.06
- Collaborated with fellow teachers to design interdisciplinary lesson plans, reinforcing key concepts across subjects.
- Supported students in developing social skills through structured activities and positive reinforcement techniques.
- Managed classroom behavior effectively, establishing clear expectations and consequences while fostering respectful learning environment.
- Implemented differentiated instruction strategies, addressing unique needs of each student in classroom.
KINDERGARTEN, 1st, and 4th Grade SPECIAL EDUCATION ICR TEACHER
Washington Community School
2023.02 - 2024.01
- Modify curriculum to differentiate instruction to meet individual needs as stated in IEP
- Successfully improved student's reading using Orton Gillingham Multisensory Approach
- Provide resources and support that increased student expectations and boosted confidence.
- Developed strong relationships with students, parents, and colleagues by maintaining open lines of communication and fostering supportive learning environment.
- Managed classroom behavior effectively by establishing clear expectations, modeling appropriate conduct, and consistently enforcing established rules and consequences.
3RD, 4TH AND 5TH GRADE SPECIAL EDUCATION RESOURCE TEACHER
Elliott Street Elementary School
2021.10 - 2022.11
- Planned lessons according to district standards to cover requirements and prepare for standardized tests
- Boosted individual perseverance and resilience by setting challenging goals and providing realistic support
- Taught students subject-specific material, learning strategies and social skills
- Promoted exploration of building blocks of learning by leading diverse, hands-on activities
- Stayed abreast of changes to school and district policies as well as new trends in education by attending professional development courses and in-service trainings
- Assessed student progress by administering tests and evaluating results
- Taught lessons encompassing skill-building activities in speaking, writing, reading, and listening
- Quickly learned new skills and applied them to daily tasks, improving efficiency and productivity.
- Coordinated with general education teachers to modify curriculum materials, ensuring accessibility for all learners in an inclusive setting.
- Maintained accurate records of student performance, attendance, and IEP objectives to ensure compliance with federal regulations and school district policies.
3rd, 4th & 5th GRADE ELA Teacher
Young Men's Leadership Academy
2018.09 - 2021.06
- SCHOOL YEAR (2021-2022) FULL REMOTE SETTING - 100% growth of 2 or more in guided reading levels for all students
- 40% of students increasing more than 5 reading levels, with 1 student increasing 9 reading levels
- Data driven instruction derived from agreed upon strategies during weekly Professional Learning Community and Instructional Model meetings
- Student Voice – student surveys to identify how student's learn best
- Teacher made assessments
- Peer Teaching – Proving that students listen and learn from their peers, gaining confidence, and re-teaching topic of their choice and interest
- Fostered and guided environment of Restorative Justice, which started each morning with talking circles to focus on Social Emotional Learning and relationship building within classroom
- Drove student learning by establishing clear classroom plans and group objectives, as well as actionable strategies to achieve each goal
- Facilitated classroom environment conducive to young men of various academic abilities - Created classroom environment that provided a learning space beneficial to diverse needs, including flexible seating, sensory areas, cool down breaks, and hand signals for certain issues that needed to be addressed
- Developed lesson plans, derived from McGraw Hill Wonders curriculum that meets needs of approaching level, on level, and advanced level students
- Student reading growth of 2 to 6 independent reading levels within 2018-2019 academic school year - Developed and implemented school wide “Reader's Café.” - Achieved significant gains by Increasing student NJSLA test scores.
- Assisted in creating a safe and nurturing classroom environment that promoted emotional well-being and academic growth for all students.
- Developed strong relationships with students, parents, and colleagues to foster a supportive learning environment.
ELEMENTARY TEACHER
Joseph H. Brensinger Elementary School
2004.11 - 2017.06
- Instill independence and confidence in each student
- Set high achievable expectations for all students
- Assess and track data to individualized and modify instruction
- Implement small group instruction in all subject areas -Hold students accountable for learning, using student-centered approaches
- Created comfortable and safe classroom environment using age-appropriate displays, student work with positive commentary, Monthly/theme bulletin boards
- Fostered safe environment for students to engage in open conversation, offer positive reinforcement, praise and encouragement
- Worked one-on-one with students to determine strengths, weaknesses and learning patterns
- Evaluated individual student abilities and created action plans based on current level and desired growth goals to support preparedness for transition to next grade level
- Maintained student portfolios to monitor learning progress and completion of work required for promotion to next grade level.
- Prepared materials for lessons, assignments, and assessments, and evaluated, corrected and graded student performance to identify gaps in skills or knowledge and set realistic goals.
- Implemented creative classroom management techniques to maintain an orderly and focused learning environment.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Fairleigh Dickinson University
Madison, NJ05.2003
Master of Arts - Teaching
Fairleigh Dickinson University
Madison, NJ05.2002
Skills
- Orton Gillingham Trained
- Promote Literacy
- Instructional Strategies
- Problem-Solving Skills
- Test Preparation
- Positive Environment Planning
- Positive Reinforcement Strategies
- Team Collaboration
- Literary Analysis
- Interpersonal Relationships
- Growth Mindset
- Project-based learning
- Collaborative learning
- Organizational Skills
- Student-Centered Learning
- Goal Setting
Training
ORTON GILLINGHAM TRAINED, The Institute for Multi-Sensory Education, 04/30/2022
Timeline
4th Grade Teacher
Sheila Y. Oliver Academy
2024.02 - 2024.06
KINDERGARTEN, 1st, and 4th Grade SPECIAL EDUCATION ICR TEACHER
Washington Community School
2023.02 - 2024.01
3RD, 4TH AND 5TH GRADE SPECIAL EDUCATION RESOURCE TEACHER
Elliott Street Elementary School
2021.10 - 2022.11
3rd, 4th & 5th GRADE ELA Teacher
Young Men's Leadership Academy
2018.09 - 2021.06
ELEMENTARY TEACHER
Joseph H. Brensinger Elementary School
2004.11 - 2017.06
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Fairleigh Dickinson University
Master of Arts - Teaching
Fairleigh Dickinson University
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