Maria B. Swisher
Tully,NY
Summary
Dynamic educator with extensive experience, specializing in mathematics intervention, questioning to access content, and relationship-building. Proven ability to motivate students and implement effective assessment strategies, resulting in significant academic growth. Skilled in tailoring instruction to diverse learning styles, and fostering an inclusive and engaging classroom environment.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Special Education Teacher, Roxboro Road Middle School
North Syracuse Central School District
01.2025 - 04.2025
- Assisted two fifth grade teams in fulfilling English Language Arts requirements.
Tailored materials to support accessibility for students with IEP goals.
Evaluated student progress and ensured stakeholder communication remained effective.
Partnered with colleagues to align instructional approaches efficiently.
Instructed resource class using The Really Great Reading program.
Academic Interventionist-Mathematics
Roxboro Middle School
03.2024 - 12.2024
- Worked with fifth through seventh grade students in a small group setting targeting Tier II and Tier III level needs, as identified by Aims Web. Worked with a team of interventionist to guide AIS programming and support building needs. Regular progress monitoring, documentation, and communication of growth to all stakeholders. Facile in use of Math 180 as an intervention program. Built stamina and a love for mathematics.
Fourth Grade Math Classroom Teacher
Salem Hyde Elementary School
09.2022 - 06.2023
- Executed NY State math curriculum across all fourth grade sections, collaborating within a team-oriented framework utilizing departmentalized instruction.
Quantitative Reasoning Room Instructor
Salem Hyde Elementary School
09.2021 - 06.2022
- Delivered targeted mathematics interventions daily using research-based strategies and hands-on resources.
- Administered and interpreted assessments including screening, diagnostic, and progress monitoring.
- Collaborated with school and district personnel to assess student needs and guide program direction.
- Set short- and long-term goals for targeted instruction aligned with student requirements.
- Maintained accurate records of student attendance, interventions, and progress updates.
- Utilized effective formative assessment strategies during lessons, providing timely corrective feedback.
- Developed intervention schedules in partnership with school and district staff.
- Communicated regularly with parents regarding student progress per SCSD RTI Guidance Document.
Third Grade Classroom Teacher
Dr. King Elementary School
09.2019 - 06.2021
- Administered instruction based on NYS Curriculum, SCSD Curriculum, Common Core State Standards, assessment data, and research on best practices for teaching and learning
Academic Interventionist, Mathematics
ED Smith k-8 School
09.2015 - 06.2019
- Coordinated development and delivery of school's math intervention program.
- Collaborated with instructional coach and teachers for effective lesson planning.
- Collected and analyzed assessment data to inform instructional strategies.
- Maintained accurate records on student achievement, noting specific progress and concerns.
- Communicated student progress to teachers, administrators, and parents as needed.
- Delivered explicit, evidence-based math instruction to small student groups.
- Utilized software and materials to support students in math programs.
- Participated in professional development to enhance pedagogical knowledge.
Instructional Lead- Ed Smith After School Program
Ed Smith K-8 School
Syracuse, NY
10.2017 - 05.2019
- Led academic programming and teacher planning for school-wide after school program.
- Collaborated with program staff to align instructional planning with desired outcomes.
- Supported delivery of thematically based instruction to enhance student engagement.
- Worked directly with program director to uphold program integrity and achieve outcomes.
Third Grade Classroom Teacher
Franklin Magnet Elementary School
09.2012 - 06.2015
- Mathematics Instructional Coach- Lincoln Middle School
- Support whole staff through professional development on best practices, common core curriculum, data driven instruction, and domains 1 and 3 of Danielson
- Leadership work- School Based Intervention Team- School Leadership - Positive Behavior Intervention Team
- Coordinated Family Math Night at Lincoln
- Facilitated writing of Lincoln’s Theory of Action for Mathematics
- Planned for and delivered content specific PD to math teachers on use of school data, changes in scoring policies and rubrics for NYS testing, Common Core shifts and mathematical practices, allowing for struggle in mathematics, modeling concepts, the workshop model, and supporting Ramp-up students while remaining aligned to the CCLS
- Collaborated with school and district staff to develop schedules for intervention
- Conferred with classroom teachers regarding specific student needs for success in Tier 1 instruction.
- Communicated regularly with parents concerning student progress as outlined in the SCSD Response to Intervention (RTI) Guidance Document
Fourth Grade Classroom Teacher
Elmwood
09.2011 - 06.2012
- Served on School Based Intervention Team helping to facilitate interventions for specific deficiencies in mathematics
- Worked to increase science proficiency of students using hands-on lessons through participation in the MSP Grant
STEM Instructional Coach
Special Education
09.2010 - 06.2011
- Provided algebra support district wide to middle school and high school, self-contained teachers
- Served as the contact person for Ramp-up to Pre-Algebra, overseeing year one implementation and coordinating national training with SCSD supports
- Communicated with directors of special education on program and teacher needs
- Visited classrooms, modeled lessons, provided content support, and created needed materials (pacing maps, planning templates, assessments, and correlations to NY State standards)
- Encouraged dialogue and sharing of materials amongst district wide math teachers and coaches
- Worked directly with the SCSD’s Mathematics Director and STEM Coach team on STEM initiatives, Common Core Standards work, necessary professional development, and testing
Instructional Support Teacher
Mathematics
09.2009 - 09.2010
- Worked with administrative staff to support increased student learning through teacher growth
- Collaborated with staff on implementation and alignment of district curriculum, NYS math standards, and NY State Assessments
- Regular analysis of data to determine instructional direction
- Responded to individual needs of teachers gleaned through cognitive coaching dialogues
- Provided professional development based on the needs of teacher teams or the building
- Used First Steps diagnostic tasks and interventions to support student growth
- Collaborated with the SCSD’s math support team to plan and implement a variety of topics to present to district staff to further mathematical content and instructional pedagogy
- Wrote curriculum with district math coaches for Fall, 2010 rollout of common core PreK-2
Third Grade Classroom Teacher
Mathematics
09.1995 - 09.2009
- Administered instruction based on knowledge on NYS curriculum, SCSD curriculum, brain research, formative classroom data, and integration of rigorous learning across content areas
- Developed cognitive skills to decode and encode patterns, both in language arts and math
Education
M.S. - Elementary with Reading
SUNY Cortland
01.1998
B.S. - Elementary Education / Secondary Math
SUNY Cortland
01.1991
A.S. - Business Administration
Onondaga Community College
01.1986
Skills
- Mathematics, programming, and intervention
- Engaging Students
- Academic Challenge and STEM
- Assessing and Advancing Questions
- Working in a Team Environment
- Professional Development- Content Laison
- Social Emotional Support and Integration
- Teaching the Whole Child
- Hands-on Inquiry Based Instruction
Certification
- Nursery, Kindergarten and grades 1-6; permanent
- Mathematics 7-9 extension; permanent
References
References available upon request.
Professional Trainings
- SOAR-Numbers, Place Value, Multiplication and division, addition and subtraction, Ratios.
- First Steps in Number
- First Steps in Measurement
- Practical Steps Foundational Fractions
- Math Solutions I & III
- Math Solutions Math and Literature
- Learning Mathematics: Visualizing and Reasoning
- Meeting the ELA and MST Standards
- SIOP- Sheltered Instruction Observational Protocol
- Differentiated Instruction
- Brain Compatible Learning
- Brain Gym
- Discipline with Dignity
- Collaborative Coaching and Learning
- Cognitive Coaching
- Teacher Leader Quality Partnership
Additional Professional Experiences
- After school teacher- Roxboro Rd. Middle School
- Scoring- NY State assessments: ELA, Math, Science, Algebra, and Geometry
- SECME Science Teacher
- Team Lead- bridge building competition: Syracuse University’s School of Science and Engineering
- Instructor-Digging Deeper Courses: Geometry I and II, Fractions I and II, and Integers
- Presenter: Syracuse Family Leadership Conference
Timeline
Special Education Teacher, Roxboro Road Middle School
North Syracuse Central School District
01.2025 - 04.2025
Academic Interventionist-Mathematics
Roxboro Middle School
03.2024 - 12.2024
Fourth Grade Math Classroom Teacher
Salem Hyde Elementary School
09.2022 - 06.2023
Quantitative Reasoning Room Instructor
Salem Hyde Elementary School
09.2021 - 06.2022
Third Grade Classroom Teacher
Dr. King Elementary School
09.2019 - 06.2021
Instructional Lead- Ed Smith After School Program
Ed Smith K-8 School
10.2017 - 05.2019
Academic Interventionist, Mathematics
ED Smith k-8 School
09.2015 - 06.2019
Third Grade Classroom Teacher
Franklin Magnet Elementary School
09.2012 - 06.2015
Fourth Grade Classroom Teacher
Elmwood
09.2011 - 06.2012
STEM Instructional Coach
Special Education
09.2010 - 06.2011
Instructional Support Teacher
Mathematics
09.2009 - 09.2010
Third Grade Classroom Teacher
Mathematics
09.1995 - 09.2009
M.S. - Elementary with Reading
SUNY Cortland
B.S. - Elementary Education / Secondary Math
SUNY Cortland
A.S. - Business Administration
Onondaga Community College