LISSETE PLAZA
Chicago,IL
Summary
Caring educator with 16 years of experience. Expert in closely monitoring student progress while implementing modern educational techniques into daily practices. Committed to long-term student success through well-rounded educations.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
8th Grade English Language Arts Teacher
Mosaic School Of Fine Arts
2013.08 - Current
- Teach and engage 93 8th-grade students in ELA and Civic subjects within a diverse community.
- Utilize Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) data to differentiate instruction and develop lesson plans that meet the needs of all students.
- Maintain open communication with parents/guardians to provide updates on student progress and address any concerns.
- Collaborate effectively with peers across grade levels to share resources and strategies for supporting student achievement.
- Build strong rapport with students, creating a positive and inclusive classroom environment.
- Pursue continued professional development, recently attaining EL Endorsement to enhance expertise in supporting English language learners.
- Provide tutoring and support before and after school to ensure all students have access to academic assistance.
- Serve as the school liaison and coach for the Girls on the Run (GOTR) program, promoting physical fitness and self-confidence.
- Act as one of the soccer coaches for the intramural league, fostering sportsmanship and teamwork.
- Assist in organizing various graduation events and the graduation ceremony to celebrate student achievements and transitions.
Sixth grade Instructor
Boone Elementary School- Neighborhood School
2013.09 - Current
- Responsible for teaching history, language arts and life skills for student by coming in early, being responsive with communication, talking with parents about student academic and emotional development for over 1000 students
- Implement differentiated lesson planning for several students by focusing on ability, strengths and weaknesses, evaluating test scores, and placing students into groups based on skill level with results demonstrating annual growth in MAP scores
- Score reports available upon request
- Founded Boone Cares Club via the We Day Organization in 2015 in order to encourage over 180 students to volunteer in over 48 community events such as food/clothing drives, soup kitchens, and school spirit events, which also resulted in winning an award from the local Alderman for donating over 1,700 food items and raising $1,000
- Was nominated by an 8th grade student for being supportive, developing creative lesson plans and making learning fun
- This resulted in receiving the WGN Teacher of the Month Award in 2016
- Actively communicate with staff and families on students' needs and areas for support
- Daily collaboration with grade level team on best teaching practices
- Planned and executed grade level educational trips to Boston and Washington DC.
Fifth grade instructor in Science, Arts, History and Communications
WILLIAM SEWARD ACADEMY
2011.10 - 2013.06
- Designed common core aligned lesson plans for over 150 students for sixth grade students
- Updated and implemented teaching plans for a 2nd grade classroom due to a maternity leave
- Identified struggling students and provided academic as well as socioemotional interventions
- Fostered connections with struggling students and provided tutoring to raise overall grades
- Partnered with a dance instructor to teach a group of students various styles of dance.
Ninth grade instructor in World History
MORTON FRESHMAN CENTER
2008.08 - 2011.06
- Responsible for instructing 180 students using various teaching resources such as online textbooks, role playing lessons, interdisciplinary collaborations with science, language arts and math teams on providing meaningful learning
- Facilitated a variety of cross-subject field trips for experiential learning for students
- Managed operations and logistics for an organization called The Cool Kids Club where over 20 students volunteered at twelve different events within two years
- Taught, planned lessons for and assessed students in regular and honors history
- Ensured academic growth through before and after school tutoring
- Collaborated with History department on methods to raise the level of learning including AP class teaching methods.
Education
EL Endorsement -
Northeastern Illinois University
Chicago, IL12.2023
Bachelor in Secondary Education with a focus on History -
Northeastern Illinois University
Chicago, IL12.2007
Amundsen International Baccalaureate
Chicago, IL06.2001
Skills
- Attendance monitoring
- Class Instruction
- Classroom Management
- Academic advisement
- Differentiated Instruction
- Technology Integration
- Continuous professional development
- Student Engagement
- Student rapport
- Classroom Management Techniques
Certification
Illinois State Board of Education, 12/2007, Professional Educator License - Type 09, Middle School Language Arts, Social Science, Secondary Education with focus on History, Bilingual (Spanish) Proficiency Certified. Classes for endorsement in process.
Curriculum Guidelines
- National Curriculum Standards for Social Science (NCSS)
- Common Core State Standards (CCSS)
- Response to Intervention (RTI)
- Multi-Tier System Support (MTSS)
- Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) coordination and support
Skills
Skilled in coaching the following sports: running, basketball, volleyball, Proficient in Microsoft Windows/Macintosh, Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Google Suite, Spanish - Native Proficiency
Curriculum Training
- History Literacy
- NewsELA
- History Alive
- Stanford History Education Group: Reading Like a Historian
- Balanced Literacy
- Lucy Calkins Reading & Writing Workshop
References
- Jaclyn Delaney, Boone Elementary School Principal, Chicago Public Schools, jdelaney@cps.edu, 773.534.2160
- Allison Qualkinbush, Boone Elementary School Assistant Principal, Chicago Public Schools, aqualkinbus@cps.edu, 773.534.2160
- Hannah Natividad, PhD Candidate, UIC, Boone Elementary School, hdnatividad1@cps.edu, 773.534.2160
Extracurricular Activities
Boone Cares Club, Chicago, IL, Lead Instructor, 09/2016, Present, Coordinate school-wide efforts by students to create a warm, positive and giving culture, Mentor students as a positive role model, Organized yearly clothing and food drives to benefit the local community, Partnered with We Day Organization to promote campaigns of volunteerism within the student body Girls On The Run, Chicago, IL, Site Coordinator & Instructor, 03/2014, Present, Coordinate a school-wide program to mentor young girls in self-esteem, leadership, collaboration and fitness, Lead a team of instructors on implementing learning and socioemotional goals for students, Mentor girls using socioemotional lessons to deal with problems as well as teach healthy living habits, Coordinate participation in a culminating 5K race for girls and their running buddies
Languages
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Sixth grade Instructor
Boone Elementary School- Neighborhood School
2013.09 - Current
8th Grade English Language Arts Teacher
Mosaic School Of Fine Arts
2013.08 - Current
Fifth grade instructor in Science, Arts, History and Communications
WILLIAM SEWARD ACADEMY
2011.10 - 2013.06
Ninth grade instructor in World History
MORTON FRESHMAN CENTER
2008.08 - 2011.06
EL Endorsement -
Northeastern Illinois University
Bachelor in Secondary Education with a focus on History -
Northeastern Illinois University
Amundsen International Baccalaureate
Illinois State Board of Education, 12/2007, Professional Educator License - Type 09, Middle School Language Arts, Social Science, Secondary Education with focus on History, Bilingual (Spanish) Proficiency Certified. Classes for endorsement in process.
Similar Profiles
Naomi McQuaidNaomi McQuaid
Principal at St Dominic Fine Arts Integration SchoolPrincipal at St Dominic Fine Arts Integration School
AMANDA GRANTHAMAMANDA GRANTHAM
Photography and Film Teacher at General Ray Davis Fine Arts Middle SchoolPhotography and Film Teacher at General Ray Davis Fine Arts Middle School
Lora QualizzaLora Qualizza
Yearbook Photo Editor at Langley Fine Arts SchoolYearbook Photo Editor at Langley Fine Arts School