Lisa Gelzer
Tampa
Summary
Experienced and passionate secondary English teacher with significant experience in developing and implementing engaging curriculum. Skilled in creating inclusive learning environments that encourage student participation, and foster academic growth. Committed to continuous professional development and collaboration with colleagues to improve school-wide educational standards. Diverse experience in lesson planning, curriculum development, and student evaluation. Strengths lie in fostering positive learning environments, integrating technology into classroom instruction, and promoting literacy across all subject areas.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
High School English Teacher
Freedom High School
Tampa
08.2023 - Current
- Company Overview: Hillsborough County Public Schools
- Hillsborough County Public Schools
- Maintained accurate records of student grades and attendance according to district policies.
- Participated in parent-teacher conferences and other meetings related to student success.
- Established and enforced clear class objectives and requirements to promote consistent education for students.
- Integrated current events into the curriculum to make lessons more relevant for students.
- Collaborated with other subject and grade-level teachers to build complementary educational frameworks for students.
- Guided students to write for varied purposes and audiences to develop writing skills.
- Prepared informative classroom lectures on literature, poetry, and historical authors to engage and educate students.
Home Tutor
Self-employed
Tampa
02.2022 - Current
- Developed and implemented individualized lesson plans to meet student learning needs.
- Collaborated with teachers and parents to align tutoring strategies with classroom objectives.
- Adapted teaching methods and materials to meet students' varying needs and interests.
- Assessed students' progress through regular quizzes and feedback sessions.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of curriculum changes and educational practices to provide current and effective tutoring.
- Conducted assessments to evaluate student progress, strengths, and areas for improvement.
- Collaborated with parents to discuss students' progress and develop strategies for success.
Student Mentor
Hillsborough County Schools
Tampa
08.2024 - 05.2025
- Conducted one-on-one meetings with students to discuss challenges, obstacles, and issues in school or life.
- Monitored the mentee's academic progress and provided constructive feedback.
- Offered personal and emotional support to mentees, fostering a supportive community.
- Served as a liaison between students, faculty, and administration.
Middle School English Teacher
Hillsborough County Schools
Tampa
08.2020 - 05.2025
- Maintained accurate records of attendance, grades, assignments, and test scores.
- Attended various professional development workshops centered on learning goals, classroom management, student motivation, and engaging learning activities.
- Collaborated closely with team members to achieve project objectives and meet deadlines.
- Differentiated instruction for students with a wide range of skill and interest levels.
Middle School Language Arts Teacher
Jennings Middle School
Tampa
08.2020 - 05.2023
- Company Overview: Hillsborough County Public Schools
- Hillsborough County Public Schools
- Collaborated closely with team members to achieve project objectives and meet deadlines.
- Devised lesson plans aligned with curriculum and met varying student needs.
- Adapted teaching methods and materials to meet students' varying needs and interests.
- Attended a variety of professional development workshops centered on learning goals, classroom management, student motivation, and engaging learning activities.
- Maintained accurate records of grades, attendance, and assessments for all students.
- Differentiated instruction for students with wide range of skill and interest levels.
Middle School Honors Language Arts Teacher
Baltimore City Public Schools
Baltimore
08.2014 - 06.2020
- Company Overview: Roland Park Middle School
- Create and plan lessons and activities that stimulate and foster student growth in vocabulary development, writing essays, analyzing literature, and language development (speaking skills)
- Communicate with parents and school administration on a regular basis
- Maintain records such as attendance, grades, growth data
- Work with a professional team to meet all students’ needs and to provide accommodations to increase student success
- Integrate technology to assist in student writing and research
- Roland Park Middle School
English Medium Teacher
Abu Dhabi Education Council
08.2013 - 07.2014
- Company Overview: Al Mottahida School for Girls
- Create and plan lessons and activities that stimulate and foster student growth in vocabulary development, writing essays, analyzing literature, and language development (speaking skills)
- Communicate with parents and school administration on a regular basis
- Maintain records such as attendance, grades, growth data
- Work with a professional team to meet all students’ needs and to provide accommodations to increase student success
- Integrate technology to assist in student writing and research
- Al Mottahida School for Girls
High School English Teacher
Howard County Public Schools
02.2007 - 06.2013
- Company Overview: Homewood Center (alternative school)
- Create and plan lessons and activities that stimulate and foster student growth in text analysis, writing essays, and language development (speaking skills)
- Communicate with parents and school administration on a regular basis
- Maintain records such as attendance, grades, growth data
- Work with a professional team and special educators/co-teachers to meet all students’ needs and to provide accommodations to increase student success
- Serve as English team leader
- Serve as Senior Advisor
- SAT Preparation teacher
- Secondary language arts curriculum writer (summer 2011)
- Homewood Center (alternative school)
Adult Educator/Lead English Teacher
Maryland House of Correction for Men and Maryland Correctional Institution for Women
Jessup
06.2000 - 02.2007
- Company Overview: Jessup, MD
- Planned individualized lessons in English, social studies, science, math, and reading to prepare students for the GED exam
- Maintained records in attendance and grades
- Responsibilities as lead teacher included implementing curriculum and attendance procedures and conducting intake testing and practice GED testing
- Communicated daily with teachers and principal regarding student behavior, activities, and progress
- Organized yearly graduation exercise
- Served as advisor to inmate editor of monthly prison newsletter
- Implemented and participated in a weekly writers’ club
- Served as dean of college freshman program
- Used technology to assist lower level students in language development
- Jessup, MD
Middle School Reading Teacher
Baltimore City Public Schools
Baltimore
08.1998 - 06.2000
- Responsible for preparing students for the Maryland Functional Reading Exam
- Implemented Baltimore City English curriculum by creating daily lessons that fostered growth and development in comprehension and language skills
- Maintained student records in attendance and grades
- Maintained ongoing contact and communication with parents and other staff
Education
Master of Arts - Secondary English Education
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, NC12.1991
Bachelors degree - English, secondary education
St. John’s University
Queens, NY05.1989
Skills
- Curriculum development
- Lesson planning
- Classroom management
- Student assessment
- Differentiated instruction
- Literature analysis
- Collaborative teaching
- Coaching and mentoring
- Test proctoring
- Licensed in Florida
- Cross-cultural communication
- Diversify instruction
- Time management abilities
- Adapting to different learning styles
- Assessment and evaluation
- Project-based learning
Certification
Advanced Professional Certificate, Secondary English, grades 7-12, 06/30/31
References
Mrs. Megan Lewandowski, Department Head, Freedom High School, Tampa, Florida, megan.lewandowski@hcps.net
Affiliations
National English Honors Society sponsor
Black Student Union sponsor
Charizzma Club sponsor
Timeline
Student Mentor
Hillsborough County Schools
08.2024 - 05.2025
High School English Teacher
Freedom High School
08.2023 - Current
Home Tutor
Self-employed
02.2022 - Current
Middle School English Teacher
Hillsborough County Schools
08.2020 - 05.2025
Middle School Language Arts Teacher
Jennings Middle School
08.2020 - 05.2023
Middle School Honors Language Arts Teacher
Baltimore City Public Schools
08.2014 - 06.2020
English Medium Teacher
Abu Dhabi Education Council
08.2013 - 07.2014
High School English Teacher
Howard County Public Schools
02.2007 - 06.2013
Adult Educator/Lead English Teacher
Maryland House of Correction for Men and Maryland Correctional Institution for Women
06.2000 - 02.2007
Middle School Reading Teacher
Baltimore City Public Schools
08.1998 - 06.2000
Master of Arts - Secondary English Education
Wake Forest University
Bachelors degree - English, secondary education
St. John’s University