Lora Grasso
Cranberry Twp.,PA
Summary
An extremely hard-working, dedicated, and passionate educator with who believes in educating the whole child; using data-informed, evidence-based strategies; and building strong relationships to ensure every student excels. A confident leader and collaborator, with extensive knowledge on how learning occurs, and the corresponding strategies to improve student outcomes. Experience in elementary, high school, higher education, and adult education, as well as virtual, hybrid, and in-person teaching models. A lifelong learner with a robust professional development background and continual drive for growth personally and professionally.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Elementary PE Teacher
08.2023 - 09.2023
- Increased student participation by incorporating physical fitness activities and team-building exercises.
- Improved students' physical abilities through the implementation of age-appropriate motor skill development programs.
- Enhanced students' understanding of healthy lifestyle choices through the integration of nutrition education in lesson plans.
- Collaborated with colleagues to develop interdisciplinary units, connecting physical education with other subject areas.
- Established positive learning environments for diverse student populations by fostering inclusivity and adapting lessons to meet individual needs.
- Assisted in implementing school-wide behavior management strategies, promoting a respectful atmosphere within the gymnasium setting.
- Revitalized existing PE program through the introduction of new sports, games, and equipment that catered to varying interests among students.
- Promoted lifelong fitness habits among students by educating them on the importance of regular exercise for overall wellbeing.
- Maintained accurate student records, tracking progress and providing necessary documentation to administration and parents.
- Developed strong rapport with students, fostering a sense of belonging within the physical education environment.
- Complied with state and federal standards for physical fitness benchmarks and exercise programs.
- Collaborated with other teachers to develop, implement, and assess IEP plans.
Assistant Director of Professional Development
EdisonLearning
02.2021 - 08.2023
- Implemented data-driven strategies for continuous improvement of instruction and curriculum alignment.
- Streamlined communication between teachers, parents, and administrators to foster a collaborative learning environment.
- Mentored new teachers through observation, feedback, and professional development opportunities.
- Led professional development workshops on topics such as classroom management, differentiated instruction, and assessment strategies.
- Evaluated teacher performance through classroom observations and provided constructive feedback for improvement.
- Coordinated cross-departmental collaboration to create interdisciplinary units that enriched students'' understanding of course material.
- Ensured compliance with state education standards by regularly reviewing curriculum materials and teaching practices.
- Fostered a positive school culture by promoting open communication among staff members and celebrating successes together as a team.
- Oversaw the recruitment, hiring, and onboarding process for new educators to maintain a high-quality teaching staff.
- Led team of 40 teachers in special projects and daily operations.
- Maintained positive customer relations by addressing problems head-on and implementing successful corrective actions.
- Established team priorities, maintained schedules and monitored performance.
- Defined clear targets and objectives and communicated to other team members.
- Recruited, interviewed and hired employees and implemented mentoring program to promote positive feedback and engagement, including a yearlong induction program.
- Used research and data to implement evidence-based best practices.
Central Services Teacher - Health and Physical Education
EdisonLearning
10.2020 - 02.2021
- Developed strong relationships with students, parents, and colleagues by maintaining open lines of communication and fostering a supportive learning environment.
- Enhanced classroom engagement through the use of interactive teaching methods, sr teachers to plan interdisciplinary units that
- Collaborated with other teachers to plan interdisciplinary units that connected subjects and promoted deeper understanding among students.
- Identified struggling students early on and provided additional support through tutoring sessions and modified lesson plans.
- Assessed student performance regularly using both formative and summative assessments to inform future lesson planning.
- Conducted evaluations to measure performance and progress of students, providing guidance for areas requiring improvement.
- Graded and evaluated student assignments, papers, and course work.
- Shifted between formal and informal methods of teaching to keep students engaged.
Adjunct Instructor
Community College of Baltimore County
08.2006 - 06.2007
- Enhanced student comprehension by utilizing diverse teaching methods and educational tools.
- Boosted collaboration among students with group projects and interactive activities.
- Strengthened critical thinking skills through problem-solving exercises and open-ended questions.
- Improved student engagement by incorporating multimedia presentations in lectures.
- Contributed to curriculum development by providing valuable input on relevant course content and materials.
- Tailored lesson plans to accommodate various learning styles, resulting in better understanding for all students.
- Monitored student progress through regular assessments, providing constructive feedback for improvement.
- Participated in professional development opportunities to stay current on best teaching practices and industry trends.
- Developed strong relationships with colleagues and administrators, fostering a collaborative educational community.
- Used lectures, discussions and demonstrations to increase learning and classroom success.
- Created and implemented course agendas, lesson plans and activities to successfully meet course objectives.
- Used technological equipment to enhance process of students' learning.
Safety and Physical Education Teacher
West York Area High School
06.2007 - 05.2016
- Increased student participation by incorporating engaging activities and group projects into daily lesson plans.
- Developed individualized fitness programs for students, improving overall physical health and wellness.
- Collaborated with colleagues to develop cross-curricular lessons that incorporated physical education concepts into other subject areas.
- Mentored new teachers in the implementation of effective classroom management strategies, fostering positive learning environments.
- Established a positive rapport with parents, conducting regular communication to keep them informed about their child's progress and achievements in physical education classes.
- Implemented differentiated instruction techniques, ensuring all students were challenged according to their abilities and needs.
- Served as a coach for various school sports teams, leading them to numerous victories and successful seasons.
- Regularly assessed student performance through formative and summative assessments, using data-driven methods to adjust instruction accordingly.
- Created a safe and inclusive classroom environment by establishing clear expectations for behavior and respect among students.
- Participated in school-wide initiatives aimed at promoting health awareness and encouraging lifelong fitness habits among students.
- Partnered with local community organizations to provide additional resources and opportunities for student engagement in physical activities outside of the school setting.
- Enhanced learning experiences by incorporating specialized tools and resources tailored to the needs of special education students.
- Implemented behavior modification strategies, resulting in improved self-regulation and classroom participation among students.
- Taught physical education classes covering exercise strategies, sports, and safety.
- Managed classroom behavior to maintain safe and orderly learning environments during physical activities.
- Educated on health and wellness education to help students develop holistic understanding and incorporate in everyday life.
- Assessed student physical fitness levels and adjusted objectives according to successes.
- Complied with state and federal standards for physical fitness benchmarks and exercise programs.
- Produced engaging lesson plans and activities to help students master learning objectives.
Health and Physical Education Teacher
North Point High School for Science, Technology, and Industry
08.2006 - 06.2007
- Increased student participation by incorporating engaging activities and group projects into daily lesson plans.
- Developed individualized fitness programs for students, improving overall physical health and wellness.
- Collaborated with colleagues to develop cross-curricular lessons that incorporated physical education concepts into other subject areas.
- Established a positive rapport with parents, conducting regular communication to keep them informed about their child''s progress and achievements in physical education classes.
- Implemented differentiated instruction techniques, ensuring all students were challenged according to their abilities and needs.
- Served as a coach for various school sports teams, leading them to numerous victories and successful seasons.
- Created a safe and inclusive classroom environment by establishing clear expectations for behavior and respect among students.
- Participated in school-wide initiatives aimed at promoting health awareness and encouraging lifelong fitness habits among students.
- Assisted in creating a safe and nurturing classroom environment that promoted emotional well-being and academic growth for all students.
- Implemented behavior modification strategies, resulting in improved self-regulation and classroom participation among students.
- Prepared lesson plans to teach age-appropriate exercises in alignment with school curriculum.
- Educated on health and wellness education to help students develop holistic understanding and incorporate in everyday life.
- Complied with state and federal standards for physical fitness benchmarks and exercise programs.
Education
Doctorate in Health Education -
A. T. Still University
01.2018
Master's degree in Exercise Science and Physical Education -
McDaniel College
Westminster, MD01.2009
Bachelor's degree in Health and Physical Education K-12 -
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
01.2006
Skills
- Proficient in: Microsoft Excel, Forms, SharePoint, Outlook, OneNote
- Canvas, Blackboard, Schoology, eSchoolware, Google Classroom, Moodle, Edmodo, Padlet, Canva, Kahoot!, Edpuzzle, NearPod, FlipGrid, Smore, DotStorming, among other educational apps
- REDCap, SPSS
- Web design
- Hybrid, virtual, and in-person instruction and professional development
- Leadership
- Research and data
- Verbal and Written Communication
- Problem-Solving Skills
Conference Presentations
- Educators: The most profound effect on student success, 03/01/23, CAOLACon 2023, Pocono, PA
- The power of words: How our words can affect learning and relationships, 02/01/23, Digital Learning Annual Conference, Austin, TX
- Strength in numbers: Using data inquiry teams to transform learning, 02/01/23, Digital Learning Annual Conference, Austin, TX
- Words matter: Using language to motivate, excite, and engage students in learning, 05/01/22, Webinar, edWeb
- Engaging Teens through the three r's - repetition, relevancy, and recency: Strategies based on neuroscience, 01/01/18, Ninth Annual International Conference on Health Risks of Youth, Clearwater, FL
- Sledding, likes, and sharks: Strategies for teaching the teenage brain!, 10/01/16, Annual School Health Conference, Baltimore, MD
- Cow Paths, selfies, buffets, and the teen brain, 01/01/16, Seventh Annual International Conference on Health Risks of Youth, Cancun, Mexico
Professional Service
- Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES)
- First Aid and Infant, Child, and Adult CPR Instructor
- Safety Education K-12
- Crisis Prevention Institute
- Child Abuse Recognition Training
- FERPA and Mandated Reporter Training
- ACE Certified Personal Trainer and Lifestyle and Weight Management Coach
Timeline
Elementary PE Teacher
08.2023 - 09.2023
Assistant Director of Professional Development
EdisonLearning
02.2021 - 08.2023
Central Services Teacher - Health and Physical Education
EdisonLearning
10.2020 - 02.2021
Safety and Physical Education Teacher
West York Area High School
06.2007 - 05.2016
Adjunct Instructor
Community College of Baltimore County
08.2006 - 06.2007
Health and Physical Education Teacher
North Point High School for Science, Technology, and Industry
08.2006 - 06.2007
Doctorate in Health Education -
A. T. Still University
Master's degree in Exercise Science and Physical Education -
McDaniel College
Bachelor's degree in Health and Physical Education K-12 -
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Similar Profiles
Brielle WhiteBrielle White
X-ray Clinical Student at NAX-ray Clinical Student at NA
Jason LoaJason Loa
Unemployed at NAUnemployed at NA
Maksim VinogradovMaksim Vinogradov
Software Developer at NASoftware Developer at NA