Lori Knight Phair

My responsibility as the Gifted & Talented Director is to actively collaborate with District leadership, building leaders, GT Teachers, state, regional, and community stakeholders in the development of annual goals and action plans for ensuring coherence and consistency while incorporating and assimilating GT Programming. The Duties and expectations of the Director in Eastern Aroostook RSU #39 toward this goal include are listed here:

• Supporting teachers, and site leaders in developing school wide systems that ensure ALL students advance toward mastery of the RSU #39 Standards and attainment of college and career readiness including;
• Developing dynamic, innovative programming to align with student needs, current employment demands, and trends;
• Overseeing the development of instructional programs that recognize the contributions of diverse groups and foster success for all students regardless of gender, sex, and/or disability;
• Understanding and leading the use of technology in GT Programming; especially in support of performance based instructional programs;
• Collaborating and brainstorming with other departments and central office leaders to provide essential resources and support for teachers and site leaders;
• Using data to analyze the current status of student learning and to serve as a catalyst for benchmark of growth and continuous improvement.
• Working as a change leader in support of district initiatives, school innovation, and the pursuit of positive student outcomes.

As Director I serve as a role model for site leadership directly overseeing and supervising both Certified and Classified staff in accordance with RSU policies and applicable laws. In this position I am charged with applying staff development programs that recognize and supports both.

• Provided one-on-one attention to students, while maintaining overall focus on entire group.
• Completed in-service and additional training to maintain professional growth.
• Kept classroom organized, clean and safe for students and visitors.
• Assisted in creating a safe and nurturing classroom environment that promoted emotional well-being and academic growth for all students.
• Utilized various technology platforms to enhance virtual learning experiences during remote instruction periods, ensuring continued academic progress despite challenging circumstances.
• Mentored new teachers to help them acclimate to the school culture and implement effective teaching strategies.
• Assigned daily lesson plans designed to motivate students and allow for creativity.
• Enhanced classroom management and fostered a positive learning environment through consistent communication with students, parents, and colleagues.
• Identified signs of emotional or developmental problems in students.
• Supported students in developing social skills through structured activities and positive reinforcement techniques.
• Scheduled appointments with parents to discuss student progress and classroom behavior.
• Provided one-on-one support for students with learning disabilities, enabling them to excel in their coursework.
• Kept classroom environments consistent and focused on learning by establishing and enforcing clear objectives.
• Taught subject matter based on information compiled from textbooks, online sites, and other educational materials.
• Established positive rapport with all students and parents through home calls and emails.
• Established positive rapport with all students and parents through home calls, emails, and Parent Teacher Club.
• Established clear expectations for behavior and academic performance, resulting in increased accountability among students.
• Administered assessments and standardized tests to evaluate student progress.
• Implemented creative assessment tools to measure student understanding and growth throughout the academic year accurately.
• Cultivated relationships with parents for complete support network.

• Implemented differentiated instruction strategies, ensuring all students were able to access the curriculum and make progress in their learning.
• Established clear expectations for behavior and classroom management, creating a respectful and productive learning atmosphere.
• Boosted student confidence through consistent encouragement and positive reinforcement, fostering a supportive learning environment.
• Conducted small group interventions for struggling learners, providing targeted support that led to increased academic achievement.
• Developed strong relationships with parents through regular communication, promoting involvement in their child''s education.
• Assessed student progress using various assessment tools, adjusting instruction as needed to address identified areas of need.
• 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.
• Planned lessons, activities and trips to cover all required course material.
• Drove student learning by establishing clear classroom plans and group objectives, as well as actionable strategies to achieve each goal.
• Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities, staying current on best practices in education and refining instructional techniques accordingly.
• Provided timely feedback on assignments, allowing students to learn from mistakes and improve their performance.
• Collaborated with colleagues to develop cross-curricular lesson plans, increasing students'' understanding of how subjects interconnect.