Lisa Woodward
Annapolis,U.S.A
Summary
Smart Learning Specialist and Special Educator with substantial experience facilitating students academic and social-emotional success. Detail-oriented team player with strong organizational skills. Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously with a high degree of accuracy. Proven track record of success in delivering instruction and providing individualized support to students with diverse learning needs. Committed to fostering students with growth mindset, strong social-emotional and self advocacy skills, and devoted to giving students agency and roles as change makers. Strong communication and interpersonal skills and dedicated to fostering positive learning environment and strong, positive, effective relationships between teachers, students, and families.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
Work History
Interim Head of Middle School
Friends Community School
06.2023 - 06.2024
- As the Interim Head of Middle School it is my responsibility to support students, families, and faculty
- Duties Include: Introducing and conducting a teacher evaluation program based on Danielson’s Framework
- Supporting Curriculum Co-ordinators to ensure curriculum scope and sequence is aligned
- Setting norms through well-crafted workshops
- Writing and delivering an advisory program based on Developmental Designs
- Communicating effectively and consistently with families
- Communicating effectively with faculty
- Writing letters of recommendation for our eighth graders
- Reading and editing progress reports
- Overseeing curriculum in all classes
- Supporting teachers in improving and growing their instructional delivery, curriculum development, and progressive practice
- Supporting teachers in their professional growth through professional development opportunities.
- Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
Middle School Learning Specialist
Friends Community School
06.2018 - 06.2023
- As the Middle School Learning Specialist, my key role was supporting 122 middle schoolers in their social-emotional and academic well-being and success
- I support middle schoolers who have a variety of differences to achieve success in all subject areas, working in partnership with faculty to provide accommodations as needed
- I support students’ social-emotional well-being with our tailored Habits of Being Program at every grade level
- I provide additional small-group support sessions and push in/pull out in classes for academic and executive function support
- Duties Include: Leading Whole School and Middle School workshops on Neurodiversity, Differentiation, Learning Modification, and Executive Function for a variety of learning styles
- Responsible for all students with Individual Specialized Plans ensuring accommodations and specific strategies and scaffolding are implemented within every lesson
- Regular collaboration with teachers to support students
- Oversee implementation of accommodations such as modified assignments or specialized support
- Scheduling regular parent conferences with families to evaluate student performance
- Hosting direct instruction of Time Management, Executive Function, Academic Organization, and study skills in small-group sessions
- Push in/pull out micro-teaching and support across all subject areas
- Coordinating, planning, and administering the CTP/Milestones testing program
- Overseeing the Learning Ally Program
- Teaching SEL HOB program to 5 – 8 grade
- Creating our Learning Lab Tutoring Program – responsible for the hiring and overview of tutors’ and their work with students
- Meeting regularly with parents and families to discuss student learning support
- Liaising with HSPT and SSAT board to approve testing accommodations
- Supporting 8th graders in the high school essay writing program
- Attending IEP meetings when students with ISP’s transition to high school
- Providing academic and neurological screening for all potential new students applying to the Middle School Program
- Liaising with educational and neuropsychological service providers to read, assess, and write ISP’s for students
- Administering Mind Print Educational Assessment screening as an indicator of the need for a full neuro-psychological evaluation
- Recommending assessment agencies to parents and families.
- Maintained inclusive learning environment to enable students to gain maximum benefit from lessons.
- Supported struggling students with targeted interventions, resulting in improved academic performance.
- Utilized data-driven instruction to identify areas of improvement and adjust teaching strategies accordingly, enhancing student outcomes.
- Championed a growth mindset within the classroom, instilling a belief in students that they have the ability to overcome challenges and achieve their goals through hard work and perseverance.
- Delivered personalized educational, behavioral, and emotional support to individual students to enable positive learning outcomes.
Language Arts/Humanities teacher
Friends Community School
01.2012 - 01.2018
- Duties Include: Lead mentor teacher for new faculty
- Mentor to a second year teacher
- Fifth and Sixth Grade Advisor
- Teacher of Fifth Grade Social Studies and Sixth Grade Language Arts
- Taught students who were highly talented in each subject area as well as differentiating programs for students with a range of learning differences
- Curriculum was created and was innovative, progressive, rigorous, and met the needs of every child
- Aligned curriculum for students both with learning differences and those that are gifted and talented
- Curriculum was interdisciplinary and made connections with real-world, inquiry learning
- Language Arts Curriculum Coordinator – worked collaboratively with colleagues across the grades to identify key knowledge and skills areas for each grade
- Worked on a committee to create dynamic Social and Emotional Curriculum for Middle Schoolers
- Led workshops in Developmental Designs and Responsive Classroom.
Teaching Fifth Grade Language/Arts, Math, and Social Studies
Chesapeake Academy
01.2011 - 01.2012
- Duties Included: Specific skills included teaching students of wide learning styles, interests and abilities
- Technology-savvy in the use of multi-media and Smart Board applications
- Taught the Singapore Math program
- Facilitated a creative, innovative and diverse Language/Arts and Social Studies program.
Consultant in Special Education
Montessori International Children’s House
01.2010 - 03.2010
- Writing and implementing adaptive learning programs for the Primary Program.
- Delivered outstanding service to clients to maintain and extend relationship for future business opportunities.
- Evaluated client needs and expectations, establishing clear goals for each consulting engagement.
Teacher of Grade 3 Class and Grade 5 Class
Hebron Christian College
01.2006 - 12.2008
- Specific Learning Differences Specialist
- Designed and implemented a range of programs to meet needs using a range of Learning and Teaching Styles, Perceptual Motor Programs, Literacy (Language/Arts) and Numeracy (Mathematics) Programs and Blooms Taxonomy generated planning styles
- Developed strong relationships with students, parents, and colleagues by maintaining open lines of communication and fostering a supportive learning environment.
- Worked cooperatively with other teachers, administrators, and parents to help students reach learning objectives.
- Led extension Language Arts sessions with gifted and talented students
- Head of Maori Language
- Wrote and directed 65 strong Cultural Dance and Drama Group in competitions, theatre productions and demonstrations
- Taught Art as an elective for gifted and talented students.
Teacher of Grade 2 Class
Northcote School
01.2003 - 12.2005
- Special Education Specialist
- Language/Arts program specialist
- Created Reading Recovery based programs for low progress readers
- Music/Drama/Choir specialist
- Cultural Dance and Drama Teacher who led group of 100 in competitions
- School Production Director.
- Developed strong relationships with students, parents, and colleagues by maintaining open lines of communication and fostering a supportive learning environment.
- Worked cooperatively with other teachers, administrators, and parents to help students reach learning objectives.
Music Specialist Position
Roydvale School
01.2000 - 12.2002
- Wrote curriculum programs in music to suit needs of students’ school wide
- Taught and assessed 300 students from K – Grade 5 in Music
- Taught school choir and prepared students for both Area and Regional Competitions
- Wrote and directed school productions over a three year period to sell out audiences
- Led Junior and senior school Cultural Dance and Drama.
- Enhanced student performance by incorporating music theory and practical skills in lessons.
Grade 3 and Grade 6
Banks Avenue School
01.1995 - 12.1999
- Language/Arts specialist
- Designed a whole school Technology Curriculum
- Led staff in Professional Development in Cultural Studies
- Coordinated Senior Athletics Sports
- Cultural Dance and Drama Group Teacher.
- Assisted in creating a safe and nurturing classroom environment that promoted emotional well-being and academic growth for all students.
Beginning Teacher Position
Sockburn School
01.1994 - 12.1994
- Bilingual Cultural Class
- Reading Recovery teacher.
- Maintained attractive, well-kept classroom to encourage children to create, explore and make decisions with confidence.
- Assisted in creating a safe and nurturing classroom environment that promoted emotional well-being and academic growth for all students.
- Implemented differentiated instruction techniques to meet diverse learning needs in the classroom, enhancing overall educational experience for all students.
- Increased parent involvement by maintaining open lines of communication and hosting regular conferences to discuss student performance and needs.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Education of Individuals in Middle School Special Education Programs
Massey University
Palmerston North, New Zealand12.2011
Bachelor of Arts - Education
University of Canterbury
Christchurch, New Zealand12.1993
Skills
- Friendly, Positive Attitude
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- Excellent collaboration and communication with families
- Problem-Solving
- Teacher Support
- Coaching and Mentoring
- Interdisciplinary Team Collaboration
- Performance Improvement
Career Goals
- Committed to celebrating students who learn differently and actively supporting them and their families to be successful learners, self-advocates, and change makers
- Supporting families with their student's learning road map
- Supporting, guiding, mentoring faculty in crafting differentiated, balanced, creative, and effective units of study that result in authentic, real-world, progressive learning experiences
Accomplishments
- Introduced a teacher evaluation program and conducted evaluations for teachers
- Created block schedules to allow for cohesiveness for students and faculty
- Managed differentiation of curriculum across all curriculum areas
- Initiated Professional Learning Communities to integrate interdisciplinary learning within core subjects
- Mentored and coached new teachers and those on an improvement program
- Led workshops for teachers on how to differentiate and scaffold instruction for all students both in academics, within different learning modalities, executive function, and how to support social-emotional wellbeing
- Designed an advisory program for grades 5- 8 steeped in Developmental Designs, Quaker testimonials, and progressive education
- Cultivated a Teacher Mentor program
Affiliations
- Special Education
- Learning Disabilities of America
- National Association for the Gifted Child
- Dyslexia Foundation of New Zealand
- Member of Inclusive Schools Network
Professional Affiliations
These foundations and associations have been invaluable resources to me as I work with families, faculty, and families.
References
Katie Douglas
Head of School
The Siena School
443 804 5536
Adriana Murphy
Head of School
The Elizabeth School
Denver, CO
Adriana.murphy14@gmail.com
Neal Brown
Interim Head of School
Friends Community School
nealb@friendscommunityschool.org
Larry Clements
Retired Head of School
Friends Community School
724 433 5947
Brighid Willson
Middle School Dean of Students
Friends Community School
brighid@friendscommunityschool.org
240 778 7215
Timeline
Interim Head of Middle School
Friends Community School
06.2023 - 06.2024
Middle School Learning Specialist
Friends Community School
06.2018 - 06.2023
Language Arts/Humanities teacher
Friends Community School
01.2012 - 01.2018
Teaching Fifth Grade Language/Arts, Math, and Social Studies
Chesapeake Academy
01.2011 - 01.2012
Consultant in Special Education
Montessori International Children’s House
01.2010 - 03.2010
Teacher of Grade 3 Class and Grade 5 Class
Hebron Christian College
01.2006 - 12.2008
Teacher of Grade 2 Class
Northcote School
01.2003 - 12.2005
Music Specialist Position
Roydvale School
01.2000 - 12.2002
Grade 3 and Grade 6
Banks Avenue School
01.1995 - 12.1999
Beginning Teacher Position
Sockburn School
01.1994 - 12.1994
Bachelor of Arts - Education of Individuals in Middle School Special Education Programs
Massey University
Bachelor of Arts - Education
University of Canterbury