Lorena Walker
Buena Vista,CO
Summary
Having grown up as a multilingual learner with limited services and support to assist me in navigating my educational experience, evaluating and creating programming for multilingual learners is the reason I left my profession as an associate lobbyist. I believe that having boots on the ground allows me the opportunity to make greater changes for students. Through this career change, I have had the opportunity to hold a number of professional positions ranging from working in the classroom to directly serving students in developing state-wide multicultural programming with outcomes that created sustainable LIEP programs in schools throughout the state of Arkansas. I am focused and passionate about creating programming that focuses on growth of students and teacher professional development to improve the academic experiences of our multilingual learners.
Results-driven development professional with proven experience in designing and implementing impactful programs. Skilled in project management, strategic planning, and stakeholder engagement. Strong team collaborator, adaptable to changing needs, and focused on achieving measurable outcomes. Highly reliable, with commitment to fostering productive partnerships and driving successful initiatives.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
English Language Development Specialist/Equity Director
Lake County School District
02.2022 - Current
- Create and manage an English Instruction Education Program to support academic success and language acquisition of multilingual learners
- Created and maintained a data management system for LCSD LIEP and student data
- Conducted building level coaching and professional development for three ELD teachers and all core content teachers.
- created for the district a compensatory service plan for students not serviced in the previous school year per the district acknowledgement with OCR( Office of Civil Rights).
- Wrote and published LCSD district Language Instruction Education Program that was submitted to OCR( Office of Civil Rights).
- Creation of a district wide curriculum audit team to research and adopt a new curriculum for the district to support our LIEP.
- Ensure compliance with State and Federal regulations related to services for students of minority race and ethnicity whose primary language is other than English.
- Conduct LIEP community information sessions for parents, community stakeholders and teachers.
- These help support families and stakeholders understand LCSD LIEP
- Identify areas of inequities within the LCSD system and create a plan to bring equity in all our students' experience.
- Led stakeholders in the district's equity audit.
- Contracted with an outside equity project group to conduct an external audit.
- With this partnership LCSD was able to provide equity professional development for our campuses.
- Used equity audit data to prepare meaningful action steps for the district.
English Language Development Coordinator and Teacher
Eagle County Public Schools
07.2021 - 12.2021
- Supported 100% of the 85 English as a Second Language (ESL) students in setting and reaching their individualized academic goals
- Led professional development for 129 teachers and staff on: Scaffolding in the classroom for the English Learner
- Integrated newcomer ESL students within Battle Mountains ESL program
- Planned instruction and assessment aligned with District learner outcomes and State achievement standards
- Supervised assigned students and maintained a positive learning environment
- Adapt instruction to meet the individual learning needs of all students resulting in an increased probability of advancing their achievement
- Maintained positive interpersonal relationships with students, parents, staff, and community members
- Administered WIDA screener to all new enrolled students
- Scheduled and administered all Access testing for ELD students
ELD Educator
Jefferson County Public Schools
10.2019 - 02.2021
- Prepared lesson plans and conducted activities to enhance confidence, vocabulary building, pronunciation practice, and grammar for students
- Introduced innovative lesson plans and teaching tools that increased student success
- Collaborated with faculty members to advise on ESL curriculum
- Collaborated with teachers on ELD student goals and plans
- Providing support in maintaining these goals and plans for the classroom teacher
- Administered and scheduled WIDA screener for all incoming ELD students upon enrollment
- Communicated with families on testing, school and classroom support
- Administered and scheduled WIDA Access for ELL testing on Listening, Reading, Speaking, and Writing
- Kept careful records of student language progress
- Obtained a body of evidence for all Multilingual students
- Monitored all exited students from the LIEP.
Director of Studies
Language Link China
08.2018 - 07.2019
- Arrange and conduct regular teacher observations as stipulated in the director of studies handbook
- Ensure and maintain academic quality through systematic recording and reporting of student and teacher progress, including teacher appraisals
- Wrote or assisted in writing and arranged or approved all mid and end-of-term exams
- Taught classes as needed
- Efficient and punctual scheduling of classes and teachers according to school needs
- Ensure teacher administration/class folders are up-to-date and in place
- Completion, submission, and recording of standard monthly teacher observation reports
- Correction of tests and production of individual student reports as required
- Conduct evaluations and appraisals of academic staff in accordance with Language Link policy
- Send electronic copies of all observations and appraisals to the Academic Director of Teaching Centers on a monthly basis as required and covered in the DOS Manual
Family Advocate/ Multicultural Specialist
The Center for Exceptional Families
08.2017 - 06.2018
- Provide targeted outreach in the community to Hispanic, homeless, and military families and the professionals that work with them
- Worked closely with TCFEF staff to connect resources to families and professionals
- Provide training to families and professionals about TCFEF services and programs
- Provided training to rural districts on teaching students from diverse cultures
- Creating and implementing ESL professional development for teachers in rural districts
- Assist families in communicating their needs with local education/school system personnel including the provision of localized interpretation and translation services when arranged by TCFEF
- Assist in marketing and promotion of the availability of TCFEF services and support families, local school system personnel, and other relevant partners/agencies
- Act as a point person in the development of regional conferences specifically for Hispanic families
- Coordinate with community liaison in developing monthly Hispanic workshops on different educational presentations for families with children that have a disability
Parent Engagement Liaison
Arkansas Department of Education
11.2015 - 08.2017
- Create a parent engagement toolbox using Epstein's Model with a team of consultants
- Conduct Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports and Response to Intervention (RTI) training for school parent coordinators
- Create parent surveys and assessments and conduct weekly parent skills classes
- Research different evidence-based practices on parent engagement to implement in schools
- Completed financial reporting for the Grant
- Worked on literacy and behavior initiative plans for the Grant
Associate Lobbyist
The Beer Industry League of Louisiana
02.2009 - 08.2012
- Associate lobbyist that worked to influence political decisions on behalf of individuals and organizations
- Researching and examining legislation and regulatory proposals
- Attending events and meetings such as congressional hearings
- Educating government officials and corporate officers
- Helped organize grassroots efforts to support or oppose legislation that could affect the industry
- Contributed to multiple special interest groups as a contract lobbyist
Education
Master of Arts - Teach English to Speakers of Other Languages
Arkansas Tech University
Russellville, AR08.2021
Bachelor of Arts - Communication
Arkansas Tech University
Russellville, AR05.2005
Skills
- Monitoring and evaluation
- Adaptive learning
- Data collection
- Training facilitation
Languages
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
English Language Development Specialist/Equity Director
Lake County School District
02.2022 - Current
English Language Development Coordinator and Teacher
Eagle County Public Schools
07.2021 - 12.2021
ELD Educator
Jefferson County Public Schools
10.2019 - 02.2021
Director of Studies
Language Link China
08.2018 - 07.2019
Family Advocate/ Multicultural Specialist
The Center for Exceptional Families
08.2017 - 06.2018
Parent Engagement Liaison
Arkansas Department of Education
11.2015 - 08.2017
Associate Lobbyist
The Beer Industry League of Louisiana
02.2009 - 08.2012
Bachelor of Arts - Communication
Arkansas Tech University
Master of Arts - Teach English to Speakers of Other Languages
Arkansas Tech University
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