Work Preference
Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
Teacher
Laura Smallwood
Open To Work

Laura Smallwood

Indianapolis,IN

Work Preference

Job Search Status

Open to work
Desired start date: Open to discussion

Desired Job Title

Elementary School TeacherElementary School TeacherLife Claims Specialist

Work Type

Full Time

Location Preference

On-SiteRemote
Location: Indianapolis, IN
Open to relocation: No

Salary Range

45000/yr - 100000/yr

Important To Me

Company CultureHealthcare benefitsPersonal development programs

Summary

Teaching professional with proven ability to create stimulating and supportive classroom atmosphere. Known for crafting engaging lesson plans and fostering love for learning among students. Highly collaborative, adaptable, and consistently focused on achieving educational goals.

Overview

20
20
years of professional experience

Work History

Elementary School Teacher

Central Christian Academy
, IN
01.2023 - Current
  • Designed and implemented engaging lesson plans aligned with curriculum standards.
  • Assessed student progress through regular evaluations and adapted instructional methods accordingly.
  • Created a positive classroom environment that promoted respect, cooperation, and inclusivity.
  • Led parent-teacher conferences to discuss student development and address concerns effectively.
  • Improved student reading comprehension by implementing guided reading groups and targeted literacy strategies.
  • Supported English Language Learners by employing scaffolding techniques and visual aids during instruction, enhancing overall comprehension levels.
  • Led small group instruction in math and language arts, providing targeted support for struggling students.
  • Utilized differentiated instruction techniques to accommodate diverse learning styles, resulting in increased student engagement and success.
  • Implemented data-driven instructional practices to track student growth over time, informing future lesson planning decisions.
  • Cultivated positive relationships with administration, teaching staff, and students.
  • Monitored classrooms for safety and good behavior, offering students positive reinforcement to maintain discipline.

Elementary School Teacher

Emmaus Lutheran School
Indianapolis, IN
01.2023 - 07.2024
  • Developed problem-solving and critical-thinking skills by presenting challenges to boost self-esteem and performance.
  • Prepared and administered grade-specific tests and examinations regulated by the school district to monitor students' growth and to report progress to parents.
  • Boosted individual perseverance and resilience by setting challenging goals and providing realistic support.
  • Implemented behavior modification strategies, resulting in improved self-regulation and classroom participation among students.
  • Evaluated and assessed student progress regularly, providing constructive feedback and adapting teaching methods accordingly.
  • Established open communication and positive relationships with students, parents, peers, and administrative staff.
  • Reinforced positive behavior by encouraging efforts through affirmation statements and praising accomplishments.
  • Created lesson plans to correlate with state curriculum standards and devised educational programs to meet educational objectives.
  • Collaborated with administrators on classroom policies, management strategies, and discipline.
  • Assisted in creating a safe and nurturing classroom environment that promoted emotional well-being and academic growth for all students.
  • Helped students develop self-esteem and life skills by fostering healthy conflict-resolution, critical thinking, and communication.
  • Met with parents to review Individualized Education Plans for at-risk students.
  • Maintained student portfolios to monitor learning progress and completion of work required for promotion to the next grade level.
  • Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
  • Collaborated with parents to address student needs and improve academic performance.

Life Claims Specialist

Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance
Indianapolis, IN
10.2006 - 12.2022
  • Reviewed applications and supporting documents to verify claims eligibility and accuracy.
  • Enhanced claim processing efficiency by implementing new software and streamlining procedures.
  • Participated in various professional development opportunities to stay current on industry regulations, best practices, and emerging technologies relevant to claim processing activities.
  • Maintained strict confidentiality when dealing with sensitive information about patients' medical histories or personal details.
  • Prepared clear and concise reports for management review, showcasing insights into trends within the industry or department performance metrics.
  • Utilized excellent analytical and problem-solving skills to quickly and accurately assess 50 insurance claims a day.
  • Monitored changes in legislation that could potentially impact the way claims are processed or paid out by insurance companies.
  • Handled escalated customer concerns regarding claim denials or delays with empathy and professionalism.
  • Managed a high volume of claims, prioritizing tasks to meet deadlines without sacrificing quality.
  • Trained new employees on claims processing procedures, contributing to a well-prepared workforce.
  • Maintained detailed records of all processed claims for easy retrieval during audits or disputes.
  • Collaborated with cross-functional teams to resolve complex claims issues efficiently and effectively.
  • Conducted usability testing on software applications to identify bugs and provide feedback for improvement.
  • Developed test cases and scenarios based on user requirements and project specifications.
  • Documented and tracked issues using project management tools to ensure timely resolution.

Education

Bachelor of Arts - Elementary Education

Western Governors University
Salt Lake City, UT
12.2026

Skills

  • Differentiated instruction
  • Collaborative teamwork
  • Classroom management
  • Problem-solving skills
  • Conflict resolution
  • Lesson planning
  • Parent-teacher communication
  • Group and individual instruction
  • Curriculum development
  • Student records management

Timeline

Elementary School Teacher

Central Christian Academy
01.2023 - Current

Elementary School Teacher

Emmaus Lutheran School
01.2023 - 07.2024

Life Claims Specialist

Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance
10.2006 - 12.2022

Bachelor of Arts - Elementary Education

Western Governors University

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