Lori Woodruff
Danbury,Connecticut
Summary
Passionate Teacher with experience developing and implementing diverse curriculums covering wide range of subjects. Highly skilled at motivating students through positive encouragement and reinforcement of concepts via interactive classroom instruction and observation. Successful in helping students develop strong literacy, numeracy, social and learning skills.
Overview
33
33
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
4th Grade (2008-present) /2nd Grade (2006-2008) Teacher
AIS Magnet School
08.2006 - Current
- Design and implement lessons using technology to support all curricular areas/departmentalized instruction in Writing, Science & Social Studies, including magnet themes of international studies and peacekeeping.
- Collaborate with grade-level partners, cross-grade-level colleagues, ESL, Special Education, and Student Support Specialists to provide students with seamless, specialized instruction while implementing IEP and 504 requirements.
- Foster strong relationships with families using various communication tools including face-to-face meetings, newsletters, emails, phone calls, text messages, and Parent Square notifications.
- Complete and utilize state and district assessments, including assessment data from data team meetings and SRBI to make instructional decisions for students.
2nd grade (2001-2006)/Kindergarten (2000-2001) teacher
Morris Street School
08.2000 - 06.2006
- Provided comprehensive instruction in Reading, Writing, and Math to students, of whom over 50% were English as a Second Language Learners.
- Collaborated with ESL teachers, SPED teachers, Social Workers, Language Arts Specialists, Literacy Leaders, grade-level partners, and various district colleagues.
Tutor/Paraprofessional
Danbury Public Schools
09.1996 - 06.2000
- Worked with self-contained teachers to provide resourceful instruction to students in all curricular areas at the high school level.
- Followed Kindergarten classroom teacher's lead in providing extra help to students in need.
Substitute Teacher, K-Eighth Grade
Immanuel Lutheran Church and School, Danbury, CT
08.1995 - 06.1996
- Upheld classroom routines to support student environments and maintain consistent schedules.
- Followed lesson plans designed by absent teachers.
- Assisted students in mastering subject material and preparing for tests.
- Enforced school and class rules to maintain order in classroom.
- Researched and selected age-appropriate materials and resources for classroom instruction.
- Developed creative instructional strategies to keep students engaged and motivated.
- Utilized variety of instructional strategies to meet individual student needs.
ESL Teacher/Missionary
Japan Lutheran Church/Lutheran Church Missouri Synod
10.1991 - 04.1995
- April 1992-April 1995: Taught English as a Second Language and held various English-speaking activities and events in Fukushima, Koriyama, Roppongi, and at Concordia College/Lutheran Language Institute in Iidabashi, Japan, while fostering trusting, lifelong relationships with Japanese students, neighbors, community members, and friends.
- October 1991-April 1992: Completed Japanese language training at the Lutheran Language Institute in Iidabashi, Japan.
- September 1991: Completed TESOL training at Concordia College, Portland, Oregon.
Education
6th-year -
Augustana University
Sioux City, South Dakota04-2022
Master of Science - Reading and Literacy
Walden University
Minneapolis, Minnesota01-2005
Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education
Valparaiso University
Valparaiso, Indiana12-1989
Skills
- Classroom Instruction
- Curriculum Implementation
- Special Needs Students
- Community involvement
- Behavior Management
- Lesson Planning
- Classroom Management
- Student rapport
- Standardized testing techniques
- Curriculum compliance with Common Core State Standards
- Data-Driven Instruction
- Positive Role Model and Mentor
- Motivating students
- Social-emotional learning
- Parental participation
- Kinesthetic Learning
Accomplishments
2025 Travelers Award for Teaching Excellence Award Winner
2024 Connecticut Education Association John McCormack for Teaching Excellence Award Winner
AIS Teacher of the Year Danbury Public Schools June 2022
Affiliations
- NEA-Danbury Building Rep, 2013-present.
- NEA-Danbury Political Action Team Member/Volunteer, 2018 to present.
- NEA-Danbury CEA RA and NEA RA Delegate, 2018 to present.
- NEA-Danbury Advisory to the Principal/Advisory to the Superintendent school representative.
- CT GreenLEAF trained teacher (2014-2015): Created and wrote case studies and extension lessons connecting to NGSS standards.
- Creative Connections ArtLink teacher (2010-present) Work together with Creative Connections staff to create and exchange artwork with children from other countries in an effort for students to learn more about the culture, and to build bridges of tolerance, respect for diversity, and broaden perspectives.
Certification
Professional Educator Certificate, 013-Elementary K-6, Valid through June 2025
Languages
Advanced (C1)
Interests
I love playing handbells, singing in my church choir with my 90 year-old mom, and performing in community theater I also love dogs, cheering for UCONN basketball teams, and routing for the Yankees, taking walks, going to the beach, spending time with family and friends, and traveling I love all things Japan (including sumo wrestling) and practice my amateur Japanese speaking and writing with my students every day
Timeline
4th Grade (2008-present) /2nd Grade (2006-2008) Teacher
AIS Magnet School
08.2006 - Current
2nd grade (2001-2006)/Kindergarten (2000-2001) teacher
Morris Street School
08.2000 - 06.2006
Tutor/Paraprofessional
Danbury Public Schools
09.1996 - 06.2000
Substitute Teacher, K-Eighth Grade
Immanuel Lutheran Church and School, Danbury, CT
08.1995 - 06.1996
ESL Teacher/Missionary
Japan Lutheran Church/Lutheran Church Missouri Synod
10.1991 - 04.1995
Professional Educator Certificate, 013-Elementary K-6, Valid through June 2025
6th-year -
Augustana University
Master of Science - Reading and Literacy
Walden University
Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education
Valparaiso University
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