Lisa Higgins
Lakewood Ranch,FL
Summary
Organized teacher with over 10 years of experience in curriculum implementation, design, leadership and communication. Excellent reputation of improving student learning gains by modeling diverse academic knowledge in a nurturing and enthusiastic environment.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
1
1
Certification
1
1
Certification
1
1
Certification
Work History
Lead Kindergarten Teacher & K-2 Interventionist
Myakka City Elementary School
Myakka City, Florida
01.2021 - 05.2022
- Created curriculum for small & large group intervention & instruction
- Improved proficiency gains in math by 85% based on iReady Diagnostics
- Improved proficiency gains in ELA by 72% based on iReady Diagnostic results
- Delivered lesson plans, implemented school curriculum and used data to create, monitor and establish personalized learning plan for each student.
- Played games with students to increase understanding of subjects.
- Collaborated with colleagues to create and use enhanced technology and smart boards.
- Exercised good classroom management focused on positive behavior support by clearly articulating fair and consistent expectations along with appropriate natural consequences.
- Delegated tasks to teacher assistants and school volunteers.
- Reported to parents and administration about student progress.
- Applied evidence-based practices for classroom management to enhance learning results.
- Observed and assessed student performance and charted progress.
- Collaborated in planning, organizing and implementing instructional programs to facilitate academic, intellectual and social development.
- Provided guidance on policies and initiatives for kindergarten teaching team.
Third Grade Lead Teacher
Gilbert W. McNeal Elementary School
Lakewood Ranch, FL
08.2019 - 05.2020
- Created, implemented, and differentiated grade level lessons in ESE inclusion classroom to meet needs of all learners.
- Provided accommodations and enrichment when necessary for variety of learners (ELL, ADHD, ODD, SLD).
- Performed all duties of lead teacher while working in conjunction with ESE teacher & district behavior specialist to support all students.
- Planned lessons according to district standards to cover requirements and prepare for standardized tests.
- Built positive relationships with parents to involve families in educational process.
- Drove student learning by establishing clear classroom plans and group objectives, as well as actionable strategies to achieve each goal
- Established and enforced rules of behavior to drive social development and maintain positive interactions
- Built positive relationships with parents to involve families in educational process
- Boosted individual perseverance and resilience by setting challenging goals and providing realistic support
- Retained student interest and maximized receptive learning
- Assessed student progress by administering tests and evaluating results
Long Term Substitute Teacher
McNeal Elementary & St. Martha's Catholic School
Lakewood Ranch, Florida
01.2016 - 02.2019
- Taught diverse subjects for grades K-5, successfully delivering seamless teaching in absence of regular teacher.
- Followed classroom plans left by class teacher to continue student education and reinforce core concepts.
- Repeatedly requested as substitute teacher by teachers based on excellent past referrals and trusted performance.
- Maintained day-to-day classroom management and discipline to promote learning initiatives.
- Organized lesson plans using teaching software for long-term interim assignments.
- Took over class for regular classroom teacher, managing assignments, student needs and recordkeeping.
- Organized and cleaned teaching areas after daily use to maintain high standards for returning teachers or other substitutes.
- Assigned, explained and graded homework.
- Developed rules and set goals to maintain order in classroom.
- Integrated existing and new technology into classroom to help provide creative and fun learning environment.
- Administered and graded tests and quizzes and reported performance to primary teacher.
- Kept accurate and current attendance records and assignment sheets to maintain file compliance.
- Collaborated with teaching staff to implement coordinated educational strategies and student support networks.
VPK Lead Teacher
Harvest United Methodist Church, Sprouts Child Development
Lakewood Ranch, Florida
08.2014 - 06.2015
- Created and implemented lesson plans to create confident, engaged, independent learners while meeting needs of all students.
- Provided opportunities for enrichment and remediation through hands-on activities in order to create an environment of risk-takers through praise and positive reinforcement.
- Identified signs of emotional and developmental problems in children and reported to parents
- Observed children to identify individuals in need of additional support and developed strategies to improve assistance
- Supervised student teachers to provide objective feedback
- Promoted sensory development by providing access to different textures
- Applied play-based strategies to provide diverse approaches to learning
- Allowed for ample outdoor discovery time in schedule each day
- Established positive communication with parents in daily conversation and formal conferences
- Developed curriculum to advance physical, emotional, social and cognitive growth of children
Lead Kindergarten & First Grade Teacher
A. Russell Knight Elementary School
Cherry Hill, New Jersey
09.2001 - 06.2006
- Delivered lesson plans, implemented school curriculum and used data to create, monitor and establish personalized learning plan for each student.
- Guided student teachers and teaching aides in classroom management, leading by example and thoroughly answering questions.
- Oversaw work of teaching team to optimize student education.
- Collaborated with other faculty and staff to promote rigorous learning opportunities, general well-being of school and collective interest of staff and student body.
- Created after-school program to enhance student involvement in school processes.
- Planned and implemented different daily activities to enhance overall development and growth of every student.
- Worked one-on-one with students and student teachers to increase overall classroom success.
- Observed and recorded teacher methods to suggest improvements and increase student interest.
- Exercised good classroom management focused on positive behavior support by clearly articulating fair and consistent expectations along with appropriate natural consequences.
- Collaborated with colleagues to create and use enhanced technology and smart boards.
- Designed training program to teach new teachers school guidelines and increase overall success.
- Designed lesson plans for teaching staff and worked closely with administration for compliance with state curricula.
Reading and Literacy Specialist
Reading and Literacy Graduate Practicum, Pierce School
Brookline, Massachusetts
01.2001 - 05.2001
- Assessed literacy needs of school by reviewing student data and current curriculum
- Conducted ongoing evaluations of literacy improvement action and communicated results to teachers and administrators
- Guided teachers to collect and analyze data and developed action plans in response to determined student needs
- Maintained 80% pass rate for courses
- Personalized instruction based on needs, interests and capabilities of individual students
- Recommended curriculum choices and created lesson plans to maximize effectiveness of instruction
- Created curriculum and planned course content and methods of instruction
Education
Master of Science - Reading With Early Childhood Education
Boston University Wheelock College of Education
Boston, MA2001
Bachelor of Science - Early Childhood Education/Sociology
Northeastern University
Boston, MA1999
Skills
- Technology Integration
- Curriculum Planning
- Team Collaboration
- Time Management
- Relationship Building
- Classroom Management
- Progress Reporting/Data Collection
- Creating Safe Learning Environments
- Classroom Maintenance
- Detail-Oriented
- Strong Communication
- Organized Leadership
- Teacher Mentor
- Early childhood development
- Differentiated instruction
- Group and individual instruction
Accomplishments
Tenured by NJ State of Education
Chairperson of the Character Education Committee & Family Literacy Committee
2005 Nominee for "Who's Who of American Teachers"
Summa Cum Laude, Boston University Wheelock Graduate School
Certification
- Certified PreK-Third Grade Teacher in NJ (since 2001) & Florida (2019 - 2024)
- Florida ESOL Certified
- Florida Reading Endorsed
- Certified Youth Mental Health First Aid Responder
Timeline
Lead Kindergarten Teacher & K-2 Interventionist
Myakka City Elementary School
01.2021 - 05.2022
Third Grade Lead Teacher
Gilbert W. McNeal Elementary School
08.2019 - 05.2020
Long Term Substitute Teacher
McNeal Elementary & St. Martha's Catholic School
01.2016 - 02.2019
VPK Lead Teacher
Harvest United Methodist Church, Sprouts Child Development
08.2014 - 06.2015
Lead Kindergarten & First Grade Teacher
A. Russell Knight Elementary School
09.2001 - 06.2006
Reading and Literacy Specialist
Reading and Literacy Graduate Practicum, Pierce School
01.2001 - 05.2001
Master of Science - Reading With Early Childhood Education
Boston University Wheelock College of Education
Bachelor of Science - Early Childhood Education/Sociology
Northeastern University
- Certified PreK-Third Grade Teacher in NJ (since 2001) & Florida (2019 - 2024)
- Florida ESOL Certified
- Florida Reading Endorsed
- Certified Youth Mental Health First Aid Responder
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