Laura Estabrooks
Canterbury,CT
Summary
Motivated Literacy Specialist delivering results-focused teaching for consistent, measurable academic achievement. Easily manages both whole group and one on one instruction using adaptable strategies that appeal to diverse personalities, backgrounds, and learning styles. Accustomed to both in-person and online instruction environments, allowing for optimal lesson engagement and schedule flexibility.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Literacy Specialist
Windham Technical High School
01.2022 - Current
- Delivering and analyzing in depth reading assessments leading to customized reading instruction based on each student’s needs
- Providing remedial reading instruction to Tier III students in Grades 9-12
- Collaborating with staff and administrators to determine faculty needs for professional development resulting in customized content building for adult learners
- Building a research based remedial reading program
- Co-planning a literacy support initiative with a neighboring elementary school to promote literacy and lifelong learning.
- Assessed literacy needs of school by reviewing student data and current curriculum.
- Provided planned objectives and instruction for struggling readers.
- Guided teachers to collect and analyze data and developed action plans in response to determined student needs.
- Conducted ongoing evaluations of literacy improvement action and communicated results to teachers and administrators.
- Personalized instruction based on needs, interests and capabilities of individual students.
- Developed and maintained effective record keeping system for tracking learner attendance, participation and progress.
- Collaborated with other professionals to develop creative solutions to challenges faced by learners.
- Used positive reinforcement and provided clear feedback to help students succeed.
- Facilitated class discussion to help students work through questions and expand understanding.
- Supplemented instruction and increased student understanding with use of audio-visual equipment and other technology.
- Maintained complete student records with accurate grades and attendance information.
- Conducted skills assessments to uncover performance gaps.
- Employed variety of assessment tools and strategies to improve instruction methods.
- Balanced instruction, demonstration and personal work time for optimal student learning.
English Teacher
Edwin O. Smith High School
08.2012 - 12.2021
- Taught remedial, general level, and advanced Language Arts courses to students in Grades 9-12
- Evaluated academic performance and student wellbeing to identify and assist struggling students
- Established and maintained rapport with staff, students, and parents to facilitate communication and to ensure academic progress
- Implemented educational technologies such as Padlet, Jamboard, Pear Deck, Lexia, and Kurzweil 3000 to engage students in class instruction and diversify approaches
- Professional knowledge of PowerTeacher, Canvas, Microsoft Suite, and Google Suite
- Collaborated with teachers and administrators to develop and evaluate school programs including the 9th grade pre-orientation program by sharing student success data and insights
- Regularly assessed students' strengths and areas of growth to provide appropriate methods and resources to address learning needs
- Co-planned after-school tutorial program for students in need of skills based instruction.
- Developed innovative lesson plans to engage students in English language learning.
- Assessed student progress and provided feedback to improve performance and establish academic success.
- Worked with other teachers to support struggling students and provide thorough help to rectify comprehension issues.
- Supported student skill development in alignment with personal and academic goals.
- Utilized multimedia strategies and technology to convey information in fresh and interesting ways.
- Coordinated activities to encourage interest in reading.
- Attended department meetings to develop and update course curricula.
- Led interesting and diverse group activities to engage students in course material.
- Promoted culture of inclusion, respect and collaboration in classroom.
- Encouraged students to take active role in learning and academic success.
- Created and maintained safe and orderly classroom environment conducive to learning.
- Built variety of formative and summative assessments to measure student progress.
Reading Lab Instructional Assistant
Edwin O. Smith High School
08.2008 - 06.2012
- Supported student learning objectives through personalized and small group assistance by providing targeted skill based instruction
- Developed and updated spreadsheets and databases to track, analyze, and report on performance data
- Identified and recommended changes to existing processes to improve accuracy, efficiency and responsiveness of the department
- Executed record filing system to improve document organization and management
- Supported the school’s Reading Specialist through personal document management, calendar organization, and collateral preparation for meetings
- Created and maintained detailed administrative processes
- Assisted with diagnostic testing and analysis using Spadafore Diagnostic Reading Test, Nelson Denny Reading Test, and Lexia.
- Created individualized literacy support lessons to supplement classroom instruction
- Managed personal work schedule outside of instruction by prioritizing student needs.
- Provided support during classes, group lessons, and classroom activities.
- Supported student learning objectives through personalized and small group assistance.
- Monitored student progress to identify areas requiring extra support and implement action plans to meet needs.
- Delivered curriculum in both one-on-one lessons and group learning environments.
- Collated classroom materials to help teachers prepare for daily instruction and activities.
English and Learning for Life and Work Teacher
Lismore Comprehensive School
08.2007 - 06.2008
- English, Learning for Life and Work, and, Assessed students' strengths and weaknesses regularly to provide appropriate methods for addressing learning needs
- Utilized curriculum which reflected diverse educational, cultural and linguistic background of student body
- Helped students develop important learning skills and good study habits useful in college education
- Planned, implemented, monitored and assessed classroom instructional program for students in Grades 5-12.
- Led activities that developed students' physical, emotional, and social growth.
- Partnered with standard education teachers from across academic departments.
- Encouraged students to take ownership of learning by providing choices.
- Met with students, parents and administrators to address and resolve students' behavioral and academic issues.
- Designed detailed learning plans for struggling students based on test, homework and assignment records.
- Created and developed lesson plans to meet students' academic needs.
Education
M.A. Curriculum - Instruction
University of Connecticut
Storrs, CT05.2024
Postgraduate Certificate in Education - English, Drama, And Media Studies
University of Ulster
Coleraine, Northern Ireland05.2007
Bachelor of Arts - English And Sociology (Honors)
Queen’s University Belfast
Belfast, Northern Ireland05.2005
Skills
- Standardized Test Results Review
- Performance Measurement
- Innovative Lesson Planning
- Creating Customized Learning Plans
- Educational Activities
- Reading Comprehension
- Progress Reports and Check-Ins
- Immersive Activities
- Providing Feedback
- Information Literacy
- Computer Proficiency and Microsoft Office
- Program Implementation
- Classroom Management
- Positive Interactions
- Curriculum Planning and Implementation
- Reinforce Knowledge
- Lesson Preparation
- Different Learning Styles
- Building Rapport and Trust
- Online Teaching
- Behavior Modification
- Emotional Support
- Cultural Awareness
- Critical Thinking
- Positive Learning Environment
- Student-Parent-Teacher Collaboration
- Interactive Learning
- Analytical Skills
- Active Listening
- Complex Problem-Solving
- Literacy Program Development
- Language Skills Development
- Literacy Strategies
- Teacher Training
- Academic Advice and Counseling
- Individual Mentoring
- Common Core Knowledge
- Literacy Support
- District Standards
Certification
Connecticut State Department of Education Provisional Educator - (102) Remedial Reading and Language Arts and (015) 7-12 English
Timeline
Literacy Specialist
Windham Technical High School
01.2022 - Current
English Teacher
Edwin O. Smith High School
08.2012 - 12.2021
Reading Lab Instructional Assistant
Edwin O. Smith High School
08.2008 - 06.2012
English and Learning for Life and Work Teacher
Lismore Comprehensive School
08.2007 - 06.2008
M.A. Curriculum - Instruction
University of Connecticut
Postgraduate Certificate in Education - English, Drama, And Media Studies
University of Ulster
Bachelor of Arts - English And Sociology (Honors)
Queen’s University Belfast
Connecticut State Department of Education Provisional Educator - (102) Remedial Reading and Language Arts and (015) 7-12 English
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