Laura Thompson-Small
Fairview Heights,IL
Summary
Accomplished educator with a track record of fostering student engagement and academic growth within the School District Of University City. Expert in integrating technology and digital electronics into lesson plans, enhancing learning experiences. Excelled in mentoring new teachers, improving instructional strategies through teamwork and collaboration. Achieved significant improvements in student self-regulation and participation. Articulate Computer Teacher offering 12-year background teaching computer principles to students at various levels. Motivating and encouraging educator with excellent knowledge of computer hardware and software and solid program presentation skills. Well-versed in developing course syllabus and implementing new technologies into teaching. Patient individual committed to continuous development.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
Middle School English Teacher
University City School District
08.2001 - 05.2011
- Managed classroom behavior effectively by establishing clear expectations and consistently enforcing consequences when necessary.
- Designed engaging lesson plans that addressed diverse learning styles and promoted active participation.
- Implemented behavior modification strategies, resulting in improved self-regulation and classroom participation among students.
- Developed strong relationships with students and parents, fostering a positive learning environment.
- Maintained classroom discipline and modeled correct behaviors.
- Supported students in developing social skills through structured activities and positive reinforcement techniques.
- Utilized data-driven instructional methods to identify areas of improvement for individual students, tailoring lessons accordingly to optimize academic growth.
- Evaluated and improved student reading comprehension through personalized instruction.
- Utilized multimedia strategies and technology to convey information in fresh and interesting ways.
- Prepared and implemented lesson plans covering required course topics.
- Taught students how to express ideas in detail.
- Improved student literacy levels by implementing targeted reading intervention strategies.
- Worked with administrators on behavioral issues to support needs of students.
- Supported struggling learners through differentiated instruction and individualized support plans.
- Enhanced critical thinking skills by challenging students to analyze complex texts and engage in reflective writing exercises.
- Assessed student progress regularly, providing constructive feedback and modifying instruction as needed.
Middle School Computer Science Teacher
School District Of University City
08.2012 - 05.2023
- Supported students in developing social skills through structured activities and positive reinforcement techniques.
- Created clear, engaging lessons to draw interest and develop students' to program in [Software].
- Conducted workshops on emerging technologies to promote interest in continued education within the field of computer science.
- Compiled reading lists and other relevant assignments to bolster student understanding of class concepts.
- Evaluated student progress through regular assessments, providing constructive feedback for continuous improvement.
- Fostered positive learning environments by establishing strong relationships with students, parents, and colleagues.
- Developed customized lesson plans for diverse learning abilities, leading to improved understanding of complex concepts.
- Encouraged peer collaboration through group projects and presentations, fostering teamwork skills among students.
- Implemented behavior modification strategies, resulting in improved self-regulation and classroom participation among students.
New Teacher Mentor
School District Of University City
08.2013 - 05.2022
- Assisted, new teachers in creating a safe and nurturing classroom environment that promoted emotional well-being and academic growth for all students.
- Supported new teachers in developing social skills through structured activities and positive reinforcement techniques.
- Provided one-on-one support for new teachers to help students with learning disabilities, enabling them to excel in their coursework.
- Assisted new teachers to help implement behavior modification strategies, resulting in improved self-regulation and classroom participation among students.
- Assisted new teachers to provide enhanced classroom engagement by integrating innovative technologies such as interactive whiteboards, tablets, and online resources into daily lessons.
- Attended and created content to present at professional development workshops to stay current on best practices in education, implementing new techniques as appropriate.
- Shared my experience and how I developed and mastered utilizing data-driven instruction to guide lesson planning and adjust teaching methods as needed for optimal results to the teachers I was mentoring.
- Shared how I developed and implemented project-based learning approaches that fostered problem-solving skills in students while reinforcing course content mastery with the teachers I was mentoring.
- Collaborated with colleagues to develop interdisciplinary projects, enhancing student learning experiences.
- Mentored new teachers in curriculum planning and instructional strategies, improving their teaching effectiveness.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Education
Columbia College
Columbia, MO05.1989
Master of Science - Educational Technology
Ashford University
Clinton, IA05.2011
Skills
- Human-Computer Interaction
- Coding languages: Codeorg
- Teaching web etiquette
- Digital electronics
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- Computer Networking
- Computer graphics
- Assessment Design: Project Lead the Way
- Lesson Planning
- Online Teaching
- Student assessment
- Student Engagement
Timeline
New Teacher Mentor
School District Of University City
08.2013 - 05.2022
Middle School Computer Science Teacher
School District Of University City
08.2012 - 05.2023
Middle School English Teacher
University City School District
08.2001 - 05.2011
Bachelor of Science - Education
Columbia College
Master of Science - Educational Technology
Ashford University
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