Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Work Availability
Personal Information
Awards
Community Service
Personal Information
Timeline
Awards
Community Service
Affiliations
Work Preference
Certification
Accomplishments
Software
Interests
Lisa Allen

Lisa Allen

Reading Specialist
Stuart,VA
"It is simply not true that there hundreds of ways to learn to read. When it comes to reading, all children have roughly the same brain that imposes the same constraints and the same learning sequence."
Stanistas Dehaene

Summary

Dedicated literacy coach with 27 years of experience in education, specializing in grades Kindergarten through fifth grade. Currently serving as a Reading Specialist at T. C. Miller Elementary School for Innovation within Lynchburg City Schools. Expert in data-driven instruction, skilled in developing and implementing individualized reading plans that align with the Virginia Literacy Act and include progress monitoring for high-risk students. Passionate about fostering a love for reading and enhancing literacy skills through collaborative professional development with teachers. Renowned for excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to build strong relationships with educators, students, and families to create a supportive and effective learning environment.

Overview

27
27
years of professional experience
1
1
Language
2
2
years of post-secondary education

Work History

Reading Specialist

T.C. Miller Elementary School for Innovation
Lynchburg, VA
08.2024 - Current
  • Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
  • Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
  • Worked well in a team setting, providing support and guidance.
  • Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
  • Assisted with day-to-day operations, working efficiently and productively with all team members.
  • Passionate about learning and committed to continual improvement.
  • Managed time efficiently in order to complete all tasks within deadlines.
  • Organized and detail-oriented with a strong work ethic.
  • Proved successful working within tight deadlines and a fast-paced environment.
  • Developed and maintained courteous and effective working relationships.
  • Demonstrated strong organizational and time management skills while managing multiple projects.
  • Analyzed data trends to identify areas of need and inform instructional decision-making processes related to reading interventions.
  • Implemented research-based instructional practices to improve overall reading proficiency among students.
  • Provided ongoing support for struggling readers by offering one-on-one tutoring sessions and small group instruction.
  • Enhanced reading comprehension by implementing targeted literacy interventions and strategies.
  • Developed goals and realistic plans for achieving each target.
  • Increased student engagement through the use of interactive reading materials and technology integration.
  • Performed assessments and analyzed results to spot students in need of further help.

Second Grade Teacher

Montgomery County Schools
Christiansburg, Virginia
05.2024 - 07.2024
  • Created a welcoming classroom atmosphere by establishing clear expectations and routines, promoting a sense of belonging among students.
  • Differentiated instruction to meet the unique learning needs of each student, ensuring all students were able to access the curriculum successfully.
  • Incorporated hands-on activities and interactive games into lessons, stimulating student interest and engagement in course materials.
  • Managed classroom effectively using positive discipline techniques and behavior management plans tailored to individual student needs.
  • Utilized data-driven instruction to identify areas of growth for students, implementing targeted interventions to close achievement gaps.
  • Assessed student progress by administering tests and evaluating results.

Primary Music Teacher

Patrick County Schools
08.2020 - 05.2024
  • Teaching music to students grades Pre-K-3rd
  • Working with five different administrators, faculties, and staff members and 568 students at 5 schools.
  • Organized successful concerts and recitals, showcasing students'' talents and hard work.
  • Improved student musicianship by incorporating a variety of teaching methods and techniques.
  • Implemented behavior modification strategies, resulting in improved self-regulation and classroom participation among students.
  • Used technology in classrooms to integrate technology and multimedia tools into art lessons and enhance student learning.

Lead Teacher of Summer School 2022

Patrick County High School
06.2022 - 08.2022
  • Facilitated summer school program for thirty six students in 8th and 9th grades from May, 2022 to July 3, 2022.
  • Collected and analyzed assessment data and cumulative folder data for thirty six students.
  • Created an instructional schedule and assigned teachers to classrooms for Reading and Math at the High School Level.
  • Organized and assigned duties for paraprofessionals. Communicated with parents through technology, letters, and call alert systems to inform of calendar related information during summer school.
  • Created reports on attendance, and progress monitoring and submitted to the Virginia Department of Education.
  • Assisted in creating a safe and nurturing classroom environment that promoted emotional well-being and academic growth for all students.
  • Established positive relationships with parents through regular communication regarding student progress, collaborating on strategies for academic success at home and school.
  • Supported students in developing social skills through structured activities and positive reinforcement techniques.
  • Maintained patience and level-headedness in diverse situations to support student development and personal growth.
  • Developed and implemented differentiated instruction strategies to accommodate diverse learning styles, resulting in increased student engagement and success.
  • Conferred with parents about student progress to boost family involvement and enhance student support.
  • Implemented behavior modification strategies, resulting in improved self-regulation and classroom participation among students.
  • Organized rooms in line with current educational thinking to maximize educational opportunities for students.
  • Worked one-on-one with students and student teachers to increase overall classroom success.
  • Implemented assessment tools that monitored student progress throughout the year, allowing for targeted interventions when needed to close achievement gaps.
  • Guided student teachers and teaching aides in classroom management, leading by example and thoroughly answering questions.
  • Used data-driven decision-making processes to analyze student performance trends and adjust instructional practices accordingly, leading to improved outcomes.

Reading Teacher

Patrick County Schools
06.2021 - 08.2021
  • Implemented reading lessons and math lessons for 11 Kindergarten students and 9 first students during summer school at Stuart Elementary and Patrick Springs Elementary School for Patrick County Schools the summer of 2021.

Reading Teacher in Summer Reading Academy

Johnston County Schools
02.2017 - 02.2020
  • Supported 15 struggling readers through individualized interventions and progress monitoring, leading to improved reading levels.
  • Interpreted 15 students' assessment data to ascertain best intervention methods.
  • Implemented 15 students' behavior modification strategies, resulting in improved self-regulation and classroom participation among students.
  • Planned daily activities to keep 15 students engaged and on track with learning goals.
  • Developed and implemented behavior management plans for 15 students to improve student behavior.

Benson Elementary School

Johnston County Schools
08.2014 - 08.2017
  • Implemented music education as defined by the North Carolina Department of Instruction for 500 students in grades Kindergarten through fifth.

Middle School Choral/General Music

Johnston County Schools
08.2016 - 02.2017
  • Taught approximately 150 students in grades sixth through eighth music education as defined by the North Carolina Department of Instruction.
  • Worked effectively in fast-paced environments.
  • Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
  • Worked well in a team setting, providing support and guidance.
  • Managed time efficiently in order to complete all tasks within deadlines.
  • Developed and maintained courteous and effective working relationships.

River Dell Elementary School

Johnston County Schools
08.2010 - 08.2014
  • Taught music education to 500 students in grades Kindergarten through fifth as defined by the North Carolina Department of Instruction.
  • Produced musicals and concerts with 100 students at a time once per month, featuring a grade levels.

Malpass Corner Elementary School

Pender County Schools
08.2009 - 06.2010
  • Taught 500 students in grades Kindergarten through fifth grade music education as defined by the North Carolina Department of Instruction.
  • Produced the musical, Aladdin with 100 fifth graders in the spring semester for a parent audience.

Education

Master of Science - Literacy Education

Radford University, Radford, VA
05.2023 - Current
  • Member of National Society of Leadership and Success
  • Member of the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi
  • Awarded Distinguished Service Scholarship Award, Radford University, 2023

Masters in Educational Leadership - Educational Administration

Radford University, Radford, VA
05.2023

GPA: 4

Member of Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society

B.S. in Education - Education

West Virginia State University, Institute, West Virginia
12.1992

GPA: 4.0

Graduate of Hurricane High School -

Hurricane High School, Hurricane, West Virginia
06.1987
  • Section Leader High School Band, Basketball, Volleyball
  • GPA: 3.7
  • National Honor Society

Skills

  • Verbal and written communication
  • Relationship Building
  • Lesson Planning
  • Classroom Management
  • Special needs accommodation
  • Adaptive Teaching Methods
  • Student needs assessment
  • Faculty Collaboration
  • Public Speaking
  • Scheduling Coordination
  • Microsoft Office

Work Availability

monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
swipe to browse

Personal Information

Title: Licensure in Administration and Supervision in Virginia, and North Carolina., Licensed Reading Specialist, Grades K-12, North Carolina., Licensed Music Educator K-12, Virginia, North Carolina, West Virginia., Lettrs Training Level 1, Amplify Training Grades K-2 and 3-5

Awards

  • Teach Grant Scholarship, Radford University, 2024
  • Service Award Scholarship, Radford University, 2023
  • Teaching with the Heart Award at Benson Elementary School 2014
  • Employee of the Month Award at River Dell Elementary 2009-2010
  • Teacher of the Year at Malpass Corner in Pender County, North Carolina 2008-2009
  • Teaching with the Heart Award at Four Oaks Middle School, Johnston County, NC 2007

Community Service

  • Red Bank Ruritan Club, Claudville, Va, 2017, True, Charlie Bowman, 276-694-5398, charlie.bowman2014@gmail.com
  • Mountain View Pentecostal Holiness Church, 2020, True, Tony Goins, 336-469-8800, pastortgoins@gmail.com
  • Glad Tidings Assemblies of God, Fairground Road, Dunn, NC, 28334, 2005, 2019, Belinda Cruse, (919) 820-3600, bcruse@gtcdunn.org

Personal Information

Title: Licensure in Administration and Supervision in Virginia, and North Carolina., Licensed Reading Specialist, Grades K-12, North Carolina., Licensed Music Educator K-12, Virginia, North Carolina, West Virginia., Lettrs Training Level 1, Amplify Training Grades K-2 and 3-5

Timeline

Reading Specialist - T.C. Miller Elementary School for Innovation
08.2024 - Current
Second Grade Teacher - Montgomery County Schools
05.2024 - 07.2024
Radford University - Master of Science, Literacy Education
05.2023 - Current
Lead Teacher of Summer School 2022 - Patrick County High School
06.2022 - 08.2022
Reading Teacher - Patrick County Schools
06.2021 - 08.2021
Primary Music Teacher - Patrick County Schools
08.2020 - 05.2024
Reading Teacher in Summer Reading Academy - Johnston County Schools
02.2017 - 02.2020
Middle School Choral/General Music - Johnston County Schools
08.2016 - 02.2017
Benson Elementary School - Johnston County Schools
08.2014 - 08.2017
River Dell Elementary School - Johnston County Schools
08.2010 - 08.2014
Malpass Corner Elementary School - Pender County Schools
08.2009 - 06.2010
Radford University - Masters in Educational Leadership, Educational Administration
West Virginia State University - B.S. in Education, Education
Hurricane High School - Graduate of Hurricane High School,

Awards

  • Teaching with the Heart Award at Benson Elementary School 2014
  • Employee of the Month Award at River Dell Elementary 2009-2010
  • Teacher of the Year at Malpass Corner in Pender County, North Carolina 2008-2009
  • Teaching with the Heart Award at Four Oaks Middle School, Johnston County, NC 2007

Community Service

  • Red Bank Ruritan Club, Claudville, Va, 2017 to present.


Affiliations

  • International Literacy Association
  • Virginia Literacy Association

Work Preference

Work Type

Full Time

Work Location

On-SiteRemoteHybrid

Certification

Licensed Reading Specialist, North Carolina

Licensed Administrator Virginia and North Carolina

Accomplishments

  • Member Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, Radford University.
  • Awarded "Service Award Scholarship" for years of service as an Educator by Radford University, 2023.
  • Recipient of Literacy Grant, 2024-2025, Radford University.
  • Member, Virginia Literacy Association.

Software

Microsoft Office

Google Suite

Lexia Core 5

Dibels

VALLS

Canvas

Interests

Conservation

Music

Reading

Literacy

Equity Practices

Similar Profiles

  • Stephanie Jankowski

    Stephanie JankowskiStephanie Jankowski

    School Social Worker at C E Miller Elementary School, CUSD 201School Social Worker at C E Miller Elementary School, CUSD 201

    View Profile
  • Kayla Horne

    Kayla HorneKayla Horne

    Paraprofessional at Miller County Elementary SchoolParaprofessional at Miller County Elementary School

    View Profile
  • Catlin Phillips

    Catlin PhillipsCatlin Phillips

    Teacher's Assistant at Miller County Elementary SchoolTeacher's Assistant at Miller County Elementary School

    View Profile
Lisa AllenReading Specialist