Summary
Overview
Work History
Education and Certifications
Professional Development
Presentations
Awards
Extra Curricular Responsibilities
Timeline
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Lisa J. Thorwart

Lisa J. Thorwart

Harrisburg,PA

Summary

Experienced teacher dedicated to driving collective leadership and improving instructional practices to enhance student achievement. Committed to implementing research-based strategies proven to be effective. Passionate about fostering teacher growth, confidence, and problem-solving capabilities. Expertise in facilitation, instructional practices, and teacher development to make a positive impact in the education field.

Overview

22
22
years of professional experience

Work History

English Language Arts classroom teacher

Central Dauphin School District
08.2003 - Current
  • English Language Arts classroom teacher, grade 7-CD East Middle School
  • Planned lessons, activities, and trips to cover all required course material.
  • Collaborated with parents, administrators and counselors to develop improvement plans for struggling students.
  • Developed and implemented instructional strategies to address varying student needs.
  • Helped students develop self-esteem and life skills by fostering healthy conflict-resolution, critical thinking, and communication.

Literacy Coach, Middle School

Reach Cyber Charter School
11.2023 - 07.2024
  • Mentored and coached 35 teachers with focus on developing effective instructional practice and teaching strategies to enhance student achievement.
  • 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.
  • Assessed student learning needs and provided relevant feedback and strategies to teachers to close knowledge gaps.
  • Lead group meetings to facilitate group discussion, shared leadership, and accomplishment of goals.
  • Planned, implemented and evaluated professional development in the content areas that take into account adult learning principles.

Intervention Specialist

Central Dauphin School District
08.2021 - 11.2023
  • Intervention Specialist, East Middle School
  • Established trusting and friendly relationships with parents and colleagues.
  • Improved behaviors through modeling, role-playing and other effective strategies.
  • Maintained records of ongoing assessments and documentation of updates.
  • Met with 60 teachers to establish goals for students in intervention program.
  • Completed observations of students in classroom and social situations.
  • Provided professional development training to educate faculty and staff on laws and regulations governing special education.
  • Implemented behavior modification techniques to improve student social and academic performance.
  • Mentored new teachers on student progress monitoring and legal document preparation.
  • Coordinated weekly meetings to share and analyze student performance data and success plans with colleagues and parents.
  • Conducted assessments of students to determine individual needs.
  • Utilized technology to create meaningful lessons that engage students.
  • Collaborated with other educators to develop and implement instructional strategies.
  • Worked closely with parents and guardians to address students' issues on multiple fronts.
  • Facilitated small group instruction to address individual learning needs.

Education and Certifications

  • Master of Arts in Education, The Differentiated Classroom, Gratz College
  • Bachelor of Science in Education, English Education, Shippensburg University
  • Elementary Education, Wilson College, certification
  • Elementary K-6 and English 7-12 Education, Level II, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
  • CERI Certified, Structured Literacy Classroom teacher, International Dyslexia Association

              -knowledge and skills in teaching literacy using a structured approach to language


Professional Development

  • Jim Knight Introduction to Leadership Coaching (GROWTH coaching)
  • LETRS level 1, 2 and 3 - Structured Literacy
  • CAIU Secondary Reading Network
  • Best Practices to Improve Adolescent Literacy
  • Third Quest and REWARDS reading interventions
  • Study Island and Exact Path Data Analysis

Presentations

  • Best Practices in Adolescent Literacy, professional development
  • Classroom Climate: Quick and Easy, professional development
  • Word Generation in Action, PaTTAN Literacy Symposium
  • Teacher Tips, monthly structured literacy strategies newsletter
  • Morphemes Matter, weekly video release
  • Vocabulary in Action, professional development

Awards

  • Crystal Apple Teaching Award, principal’s award, CD East Middle School, 2022
  • C.A.R.E. Commitment, Achievement, Responsibility and Excellence Award, CDSD, 2020
  • Teacher of Excellence Award, CDSD Panther Ram Foundation, 2018

Extra Curricular Responsibilities

  • New Teacher Induction, mentor teacher
  • Theatre Department EMS and SMS, director
  • Principals' Advisory Team
  • Comprehensive Planning Team

Timeline

Literacy Coach, Middle School

Reach Cyber Charter School
11.2023 - 07.2024

Intervention Specialist

Central Dauphin School District
08.2021 - 11.2023

English Language Arts classroom teacher

Central Dauphin School District
08.2003 - Current
Lisa J. Thorwart