Maria Toledo
Connect - Share - Grow
Minneapolis,MN
Summary
Self-motivated educator and forward-thinking leader. An experienced team member who played a wide variety of roles in the field of education bridging K-12 students with post-secondary options. 6th-grade team lead, instructional coach supporting colleague's professional development. Cultivated long-lasting relationships with students, staff, and colleagues to achieve state and school-community goals. Developed, participated, and implemented program evaluations to make effective and feasible recommendations, measure academic growth, and support organizational change.
Successful at selecting and developing curriculum to fulfill instructional student-center focus. Detail-oriented planner and problem-solving approach.
Experienced Bilingual classroom facilitator and instructional teacher coach committed to achieving beyond expectations. Organized, disciplined, and a team player. Creative and competent user of technology tools to communicate with students and families. Driven but compassionate, storyteller, but a listener. A mother, a Latina, a researcher, and a caring citizen who has demonstrated how resiliency, determination, and passion for education can make a difference in somebody's life.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
2
2
Certification
Work History
Spanish Teacher
Minneapolis Public Schools
Minneapolis, MN
08.2019 - Current
- Designed, implemented, evaluated, and assessed effectiveness of Spanish curriculum based on state standards.
- Implemented fun, creative, and engaging activities.
- Used empowerment/serving and student-centered approach.
- Provided English and Spanish teaching to students in their native language.
- Collaborate with teachers in French and Japanese disciplines to identify and adopt successful instructional strategies.
- Helped students develop important learning skills and good study habits useful in trade school or college education.
- Created a supportive learning environment for foreign students and nurtured budding language development.
- Conducted foreign language exams to determine fluency and comprehension.
- Developed and wrote curricula in both Spanish and English, often sharing curriculum with other teachers.
6th Grade Social Studies Teacher
Minneapolis Public Schools
Minneapolis, MN
08.2016 - 06.2018
- Created, developed, and delivered Minnesota Social Studies curriculum in Spanish that included respectful, valued, an empowered perspective of Native Americans.
- Developed monthly objectives to address students' needs.
- Established a consistent class routine to assess students' formative and summative allowing effective feedback for students and teacher.
- Effectively collaborated with Spanish team, Social Studies team, School Community, Admin, and Office Staff to influence students to achieve beyond expectations.
- Designed a Language Arts curriculum in Spanish to influence the discovery of students' self-identity.
- Created spaces for community growth in the classroom where students had the opportunity to share their voices.
- Implemented learning strategies based on students' bodies to support their growth.
- Researched, collaborated, and implemented youth development theories to enhance student learning.
- Communicated and invited parents and families to become active members of our classroom community.
Spanish Language Arts Teacher
Minneapolis Public Schools
Minneapolis, Minnesota
05.2016 - 06.2018
- Developed and wrote curricula in both Spanish and English, often sharing curriculum with other teachers.
- Conducted foreign language exams to determine fluency and comprehension.
- Explored and implemented innovative use of technology in language education.
- Explained concepts and assignments in both native and non-native languages.
- Created a supportive learning environment for foreign students to nurture budding language development.
Ethnic Studies Instructional Coach
Minneapolis Public School
Minneapolis, MN
06.2016 - 06.2017
- Supported and influenced MPS Social Studies Teachers through a partnership with Metropolitan State University and the University of Minnesota to embrace an inclusive curriculum reflected in MPS student body
- Effectively collaborated with teams to find answers to current social studies classroom issues
- Researched current Social Studies literature reflective of students' voices of at MPS
- Provided teachers with strategies to address some of issues students of color face when their voices are omitted in the classroom
- Collaborated with partners to provide free resources, funded field trips, and opportunities for students to experience history through hands-on approach
- Supported teachers by listening to their challenges while brainstorming best possible outcomes
Spanish Teacher
TELL Academy Charter School
Minneapolis, Minnesota
2012.08 - 2016.06
- Developed and wrote curricula in both Spanish and English, often sharing curriculum with other teachers.
- Conducted foreign language exams to determine fluency and comprehension.
- Explored and implemented innovative use of technology in language education.
- Explained concepts and assignments in both native and non-native languages.
- Created supportive learning environment for foreign students to nurture budding language development.
Latino College Advisor
Hennepin Technical College
Brooklyn Park, MN
07.2012 - 07.2013
- Assisted Hispanic/Latino students and other students of color, and international students to successfully obtain their educational/ career goals.
- Supported HTC retention of students including academic advising,
personal and career advising, student advocacy, assessment, placement and other related tasks to assure student met his/her educational and/or career goals. - Conferred with educators to identify current classroom concerns to diversify instructional strategies.
- Optimized student educational strategies with clear advice on course choices, progression and career options.
- Received training and certification from HTC to explain technical functions and guide students regarding all HTC available student services and support.
- Communicated effectively with team members, other staff and administrators to accomplish department goals.
MPS Family Advocate
Minneapolis Public Schools
Minneapolis, MN
01.2010 - 06.2012
- Facilitated more than 250 college readiness presentations for students and families.
- Created and implemented an after-school student writing workshop for college application essays.
- Created new lesson plans based on course objectives.
- Contributed to the positive academic and social tone of the school by demonstrating professionalism and enthusiasm for the academic community.
- Instructed students in career development including college visits, school-teacher communication, and community involvement.
- Visited more than 300 schools in the state of Minnesota to talk about how to get ready for college.
Substitute Teacher
Minneapolis Public Schools
Minneapolis, MN
09.2008 - 06.2011
- Assisted students of all ability levels develop life-long learning skills and good study habits.
- Collaborated with teaching staff to devise and implement coordinated educational strategies and student support networks.
- Used range of instructional approaches and classroom activities to draw students into material and enhance understanding.
- Kept students on-task with proactive behavior modification and positive reinforcement strategies.
- Followed classroom plans left by class teacher to continue student education and reinforce core concepts.
College Readiness Associate
Minnesota Office Of Higher Education
Saint Paul, MN
05.2006 - 05.2008
- Collaborated with 20 Minnesota Colleges and Universities bridging between K-12 and Higher Education.
- Planned and cooperated in College Goal Sunday Initiative.
- Worked with Minnesota Education Equity Partnership in supporting students of color toward post-secondary attainment
- Built strong relationships between the K-12 system, Higher education institutions, college readiness programs, and the Minnesota Office of Higher Education.
- Visited more than 250 schools and community organizations promoting college readiness.
- Researched literature on college readiness for students of color to influence post-secondary options.
- Developed team communications and information for state meetings.
- Managed quality assurance program including on-site evaluations, internal audits, and customer surveys.
- Delivered college-planning presentations to inform students, families, and community members about the Minnesota college options and opportunities.
- Provided bilingual support for communities of color across Minnesota
Education
Ed.D. Leadership -
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, MN06.2023
Ed.D -Transferred - Leadership
Bethel University
Saint Paul, MN2020
Master of Arts - Education & Leadership
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, MN2015
Bachelor of Arts - Urban Education Program
Metropolitan State University
Saint Paul, MN2011
Skills
- Emotional Intelligence Leadership Competencies
- ENVOY Classroom Training
- Responsive Classroom Training
- Career counseling
- Excellent oral and written communication
- Coach and mentor
- Fluent in Spanish
- Course planning and organization
- Consulting
- Project management
- Creative
- Instructional design
- Strategic partnerships
- Educational research
- Student progress reporting
- Individualized instruction
Certification
K-12 Spanish
5-12 Social Studies
Professional Development
- 2022 - International Baccalaureate Training (20 hrs)
- 2021 - Language Attitude (20 hrs)
- MCA Training (2 hrs)
- 2020 - Developmental Designs
- 2019 - Zoom Meeting Training (6 hrs.)
- 2018 - Google Classroom Training (6 hrs.)
- 2018 - Blackboard (6 hrs.)
- 2019 - Voice Thread Training (6 hrs.)
- 2019 - Flipgrip Training (6 hrs.)
- 2019 - Lucidchart for Quality Improvement (6 hrs.)
- 2019 - Instructional Design Training (6 hrs.)
- 2018 - ENVOY: The 7 Gems of Classroom Management (12 hrs.)
- 2018 - Responsive Classroom Training (28 hrs.)
- 2016 - Consensus Training - Beyond Conflict to Consensus (12 hrs.)
References
- Paul Spies, Urban Education Department Faculty, Metropolitan State University, (651) 999-5929, Paul.Spies@metrostate.edu
- Katy Linne, Equity and Engagement Team Lead, Minneapolis Public Schools. Katy.Linne@mpls.k12.mn.us
- Joy Misselt, Instructional Specialist, Minneapolis Public Schools. Joy. Misselt@mpls.k12.mn.us
- Linda Palmquist, Science Teacher, Minneapolis Public Schools. Linda.Palmquist@mpls.k12.mn.us
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