Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Accomplishments
Timeline
Generic

Maria O'Connor

Irving

Summary

Caring educator with proven success in engaging diverse learners. Expertise in instructional leadership, mentorship, and community event planning, fostering collaboration among stakeholders. Strong foundation in instructional theories and best practices, ensuring equitable learning opportunities for all students. Exceptional leadership and communication skills, building trusting relationships with students, parents, and colleagues while maintaining high academic and behavioral standards.

Overview

10
10
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Program Teacher

Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Society
Dallas
09.2024 - Current

Delivered STEM-based lessons during field trips and outreach programs at Dallas Arboretum. Acted as liaison between school teachers and Arboretum’s Education Department. Maintained educational supplies and conducted periodic reviews of curriculum.

Graduate Research Assistant

Texas Christian University College of Education
Fort Worth
08.2024 - Current

Provides research support to designated faculty members through experiment design, data collection, proofreading, or copyediting written or other presentations of results, managing correspondence related to the research project, and/or scheduling, organizing, or completing library, online, or field research.

Administrator Intern

San Antonio ISD
San Antonio
08.2023 - 05.2024

Completed internship within Master of Education and principal certification program. Presented education policy research and advocacy initiatives to legislative offices for impact. Actively participated on Positive Behavioral Intervention and Support committee as campus admin representative. Mentored teachers at multiple grade levels, fostering professional growth. Led Professional Learning Community meetings to encourage collaboration among staff. Created detailed campus master schedule to improve organizational efficiency. Organized campus and community events, managing communications with stakeholders. Functioned as Campus Co-Coordinator for state assessments, ensuring adherence to protocols.

Music Teacher

San Antonio ISD
San Antonio
08.2015 - 05.2024

Developed comprehensive music curriculum for K-5 students. Organized rehearsals and performances for choir students in grades 3-5. Coordinated events fostering involvement of students, parents, and community. Delivered online and hybrid instruction via Learning Management Systems like Google Classroom. Supported diverse learners, including those with disabilities and varying English proficiency levels. Achieved two levels of Kodaly certification through intensive study and practical application. Engaged in research and peer teaching to enhance music education resources.

Education

Doctorate of Philosophy - Educational Studies: PK-12 Educational Leadership

Texas Christian University
Fort Worth, TX
05-2028

Master of Education - School Leadership

Trinity University
San Antonio, TX
08-2024

Master of Arts - Teaching

Trinity University
San Antonio, TX
05-2015

Bachelor of Music - Instrumental Music Education

Trinity University
San Antonio, TX
12-2013

Skills

  • Mentorship and coaching
  • Data analysis and needs assessment
  • Discipline and policy enforcement
  • Curriculum design and lesson planning
  • Stakeholder communication
  • Online teaching with various LMSs
  • Group collaboration
  • Differentiated instruction
  • Community engagement
  • Research implementation and evaluation

Certification

  • Music EC-12
  • Principal as Instructional Leader EC-12
  • T-TESS Appraiser

Accomplishments

  • TCU’s American Educational Research Association Scholar, 2024-present
  • Equality Texas Leadership Cohort, 2024-2025
  • Campus New Teacher/Mentor Coordinator, 2023-2024
  • Member of Campus Safe and Supportive Schools Program team, 2023-2024
  • Campus Fine Arts Chair and mentor teacher, 2019-2024
  • SAISD Fine Arts Cohort leader, 2018-2024
  • Member of the Campus Leadership Team, 2019-2024
  • Member of the PBIS team, 2015-2024
  • De Zavala Elementary Teacher of the Year, 2018-2019 and 2023-2024
  • Awarded multiple grants to fund campus programs to benefit students
  • Accepted to present at biannual conference for the Early Childhood Music and Movement Association
  • Presented various professional development sessions for campus, district, and neighboring districts
  • Started and led an annual campus Community Folk Dancing event

Timeline

Program Teacher

Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Society
09.2024 - Current

Graduate Research Assistant

Texas Christian University College of Education
08.2024 - Current

Administrator Intern

San Antonio ISD
08.2023 - 05.2024

Music Teacher

San Antonio ISD
08.2015 - 05.2024

Doctorate of Philosophy - Educational Studies: PK-12 Educational Leadership

Texas Christian University

Master of Education - School Leadership

Trinity University

Master of Arts - Teaching

Trinity University

Bachelor of Music - Instrumental Music Education

Trinity University