Microsoft Office
Lisa Allen
Reading Specialist
Stuart,VA
“And now here is my secret, a very simple secret: It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.”
― Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Little Prince
Summary
Experienced educator with 27 years teaching grades Kindergarten through fifth grade. Reading Specialist, T. C. Miller Elementary School for Innovation, Lynchburg City Schools. Skilled interventionist for students in high risk bands as evidenced by VALLS using data driven instruction. Experience writing individual reading plans with progress monitoring as required by the Virginia Literacy Act. Seasoned teacher with excellent people skills.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
1
1
Language
3
3
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
05.2023 - 05.2025
- 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
05.2023
GPA: 4
Member of Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society
B.S. in Education - Education
12.1992
GPA: 4.0
Graduate of Hurricane High School -
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
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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 - 05.2025
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 TimeWork Location
On-SiteRemoteHybridCertification
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
Google Suite
Lexia Core 5
Dibels
VALLS
Canvas
Interests
Conservation
Music
Reading
Literacy
Equity Practices
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