Lara Eklund
New Braunfels,TX
Summary
Dedicated educator and servant leader committed to global collaboration, culturally responsive teaching, and student empowerment. Proven expertise in creating innovative programs, leading professional development, and fostering inclusive, relationship-centered classrooms. Exceptional skills in cross-cultural communication and project-based learning design, complemented by a collaborative approach to coaching and planning with colleagues. With international teaching experience and a passion for building meaningful partnerships, eager to contribute to the Fulbright Teacher Exchange through reciprocal learning and sharing effective practices that enrich the educational community.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Grade 6 Math Teacher
Advanced Learning Academy
07.2017 - Current
- Create innovative and inspiring math lessons based on Texas State Standards (TEKS)
- Led data‑driven, differentiated math instruction and designed rigorous, standards‑aligned learning experiences, which resulted in consistently high passing percentages (greater than 70%) on state math assessments.
- Middle School Math Department Head: attend department head meetings with members of the administration and act as a liaison between senior leadership and my team by facilitating bi-monthly meetings with the math department to disseminate academic data and school information to my team as necessary.
- Grade Level Leader: facilitate weekly team planning meetings, act as a liaison between senior leadership and classroom teachers, mentor new teachers, participate in and coordinate community events.
- Led professional development workshops focused on innovative teaching methods and technology integration.
- Established strong relationships with parents to support student learning and address concerns promptly.
- Integrated real‑world mathematical applications into the curriculum and used data‑driven analysis of student performance to inform lesson planning and differentiation, resulting in more meaningful learning experiences for diverse learners.
Grade 1 Teacher, Grade 4 Teacher
Sheikh Zayed Private Academy for Girls
08.2013 - 06.2017
- Taught all subjects (Literacy, Writing, Math, Social Studies, Science, Computer Technology and Art) in English to non-native English speaking students using CCSS and NGSS (two years in Grade 1 and two years in Grade 4) at a globally accredited top private school in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates.
- As Grade Level Lead and a member of the middle leadership team (for all four years) I facilitated weekly team planning meetings, acted as a liaison between senior leadership and classroom teachers, mentored new teachers, participated in and coordinated community events.
Student Achievement Teacher
Larry C. Kennedy School – Creighton School District
08.2012 - 08.2013
- Coordinated the administration of formative assessments for 750+ students, grades K-8.
- Analyzed student data and worked with teachers to create re-teacher and enrichment plans to ensure student learning and growth of the essential performance objectives.
- Coached teachers on instructional and behavioral methods to improve or enhance their current instruction to increase student learning and achievement.
- Planned and taught model lessons for teachers as exemplars of quality instruction.
- Member of the school leadership team; duties included but not limited to involvement in making educational decisions for the school; creating and presenting professional development on a wide variety of subjects; assisting principal and assistant principal with student disciplinary procedures; and facilitating grade level meetings using the Response to Intervention (RtI) model.
- Created and implemented a school wide recognition program, recognizing students in each classroom in the areas of Academics, Effort and Citizenship.
- Researched, organized and coordinated with local community, Phoenix Police Department, and school district personnel to implement a new school safety program ensuring student safety from arrival to dismissal.
Grade 1 Teacher
Biltmore Preparatory Academy – Creighton School District
07.2007 - 08.2012
- Achieved highest scores in an inner-city school district on year-end summative benchmark exams in reading and math 2009 and 2011.
- Taught integrated thematic units focusing on using multiple intelligences and a wide variety of student engagement strategies to ensure a deep level of learning
- Piloted and implemented the Academic Parent Teacher Team model for improved parent / teacher / student communication through structured academic, data driven discussions with parents and students resulting in increased student academic achievement and parental involvement.
Education
Masters of Education - Education
University of Oregon
Eugene, Oregon06-2007
Bachelor of Science - Education
University of Oregon
Eugene, Oregon06-2016
Skills
- Cross‑cultural communication and collaboration with culturally responsive and inclusive instructional practices
- Ability to build relationships across diverse backgrounds and perspectives
- Project‑based learning design and facilitation
- Student voice and choice integration
- Technology and AI‑enhanced instruction
- Standards‑aligned curriculum development
- Collaborative leadership and team facilitation
- Teacher coaching, mentoring, and professional learning support
- Program creation, implementation, and evaluation
- Community and school partnership development
- Adaptability in new cultural and instructional environments
- Reflective practice and continuous improvement
- Empathy‑driven communication and relationship building
Certification
- Licensed - Texas State Board of Education 2017 - Present
- Core Subjects Grades EC-6, State of Texas, 2017 - Present
- Core Subjects Grades 4-8, State of Texas, 2017 - Present
- English as a Second Language Grades EC-8, 2017 - Present
- Early Childhood Education Certificate – July 2012
Timeline
Grade 6 Math Teacher
Advanced Learning Academy
07.2017 - Current
Grade 1 Teacher, Grade 4 Teacher
Sheikh Zayed Private Academy for Girls
08.2013 - 06.2017
Student Achievement Teacher
Larry C. Kennedy School – Creighton School District
08.2012 - 08.2013
Grade 1 Teacher
Biltmore Preparatory Academy – Creighton School District
07.2007 - 08.2012
Masters of Education - Education
University of Oregon
Bachelor of Science - Education
University of Oregon
LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE
- 2017 - Present Middle School Math Department Head
- 2017 - Present 6th Grade Team Lead / Liaison
- 2015 – 2017 BLOOM Behavior Team Committee Head
- 2013 – 2017 Grade Level Lead for Grades 1 (2013-2015) and Grade 4 (2015-2017)
- 2013 – 2017 Science Content Lead for Grades 1 (2013-2015) and Grade 4 (2015-2017)
- 2013 – 2017 Professional Development developer and presenter based on the needs of staff and admin
- 2013 – 2016 GEMS Leadership Academy Participant
- 2012 – 2013 Student Achievement Teacher
RELATED EXPERIENCE
- 2013 – Present Teacher Mentor: mentor and advise new teachers on curriculum, school policies and promoting school core principles.
- 2013 – 2017 Curriculum Committee: Collaborated with peers and administration to analyze, plan and map grade-level content using CCSS and NGSS
- 2007 – Present Committee Member / Faculty Advisor: Served on various school and community committees; Community Council Representative, Parent Teacher Organization Member, Creighton Education Association Union site steward, Student Council Faculty Advisor, Yearbook Faculty Advisor, Student Retention Committee.
- 2007 – 2011 Sports Coach: Taught the fundamentals of basketball, volleyball and softball to 5th – 8th grade girls resulting in improved athletic skills, team unity and positive self-image.