LaVora Gadison
Shaker,OH
Summary
Passionate program manager believes that change happens when young people are motivated and organized around the issues they care about. So, founded and directs Civics 2.0, a grant funded initiative designed to provide young people with opportunities to learn and develop knowledge, beliefs, behaviors and skills necessary to effectively participate in civic life. The program's objectives: create a new generation of voters by providing opportunities to learn about and engage with the electoral process, utilize a protocol to advocate for or against issues important to young people and their communities; to create a new generation of activists, reinforce the principle that a free press and civil discourse are the fourth pillar of American democracy. Unsilenced Voices of CMSD is a student blog that amplifies student voice. Civics 2.0 is in its third year.of existence
Overview
53
53
years of professional experience
Work History
Social Studies Program Manager
Cleveland Metropolitan School District
08.2006 - Current
- Provides direction and leadership in development of social studies curriculum for all schools.
- Promotes effective instructional practices and communication that support high levels of instruction through research-based data driven best practices, effective classroom consultation and program evaluation
- Assists in reviewing and evaluating results of District-wide assessment programs and recommends appropriate modifications to social studies curriculum
- Monitors District data to determine trends and in turn develops and implements most effective strategies for meeting and exceeding District and state achievement goals
- Leads in evaluation, selection, and acquisition of instructional materials, supplies, equipment and textbooks to support social studies curriculum
- Assists administrators and teachers in improving social studies instruction
- Assists in planning and development of District and school-wide professional development for teachers to assist in raising levels of instructional performance and student achievement in social studies
- Coordinates professional development for elementary, middle school and high school social studies teachers
- Represents the District or the Curriculum Department on selected committees and/or at selected meetings
- Establishes and maintains cooperative relationships with parents and community to support District goals and program objectives
- Engages in continuous learning through professional reflection and active collaboration with colleagues
- Founded and Manages Civics 2.0-an afterschool program that provides opportunities for civic engagement to high school students in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District
Ohio Graduation Teacher Coach
Cleveland Metropolitan School District
01.2004 - 07.2006
- Improved student communication skills by incorporating group activities and presentations into social studies curriculum.
- Aided with development of individualized learning plans to address diverse student needs and support academic growth.
- Provided ongoing training and professional development to support social studies instruction .
- Assisted fellow teachers in developing strategies to improve instructional practices, resulting in improved student performance.
- Mentored new teachers to help them successfully navigate their first years in the profession, contributing to higher teacher retention rates.
- Led professional development workshops for peers on topics such as differentiated instruction techniques, enhancing overall school-wide instructional quality.
- Prepared instructional materials for group and one-on-one use to comply with established curriculum
- Modeled best practices for social studies instruction
Social Studies Teacher
Cleveland Metropolitan School District
08.1971 - 06.2002
- Improved student comprehension by utilizing diverse teaching methods and materials tailored to individual learning styles.
- Enhanced critical thinking skills for students through engaging debates and inquiry-based activities.
- Developed positive classroom environment by fostering open communication, respect, and collaboration among students.
- Increased student success rates with regular assessments and timely feedback on assignments and performance.
- Cultivated strong relationships with parents, maintaining open lines of communication to support student progress at home.
- Assisted struggling students through targeted one-on-one tutoring sessions, resulting in improved academic performance.
- Collaborated with colleagues to develop interdisciplinary lesson plans that connected social studies content to other subject areas.
- Managed extracurricular activity programs such as Mock Trial or History Day, fostering passion for social studies beyond classroom setting.
- Served as a mentor for new teachers, offering guidance and support in the development of effective teaching practices.
- Participated in professional development opportunities, staying current on best practices in social studies education and incorporating new strategies into lessons.
- Organized field experiences and guest speakers to supplement classroom learning experiences, providing real-world context for course topics.
- Served on textbook adoption committees
- Boosted student interest by incorporating diverse teaching methods and engaging activities in the curriculum.
- Enhanced critical thinking skills through debates, group projects, and problem-solving exercises.
Education
Master of Arts - Education
Kent State University
Kent, OH06.1976
Bachelor of Arts - American History And Political Science
Cleveland State University
Cleveland, OH06.1970
High School Diploma -
Holy Name High School
Cleveland, OH06.1966
Skills
- Professional writing
- Team training and development
- Program Leadership
- Decision-Making
- Public Speaking
- Team Leadership
- Relationship Building
- Project Coordination
- Attention to Detail
- Good Judgment
Timeline
Social Studies Program Manager
Cleveland Metropolitan School District
08.2006 - Current
Ohio Graduation Teacher Coach
Cleveland Metropolitan School District
01.2004 - 07.2006
Social Studies Teacher
Cleveland Metropolitan School District
08.1971 - 06.2002
Master of Arts - Education
Kent State University
Bachelor of Arts - American History And Political Science
Cleveland State University
High School Diploma -
Holy Name High School