Matt McMillan
Summary
Recently retired Gifted and Talented/Elementary School Instructor from New Jersey, providing 27 years of instruction to students in the Teaneck Public School District. Seeking a position where I can continue to utilize my experience as a teacher, mentor, curriculum writer, and advisor in a new, exciting setting.
Upbeat educator devoted to promoting student learning and enhancing individual potential. Skillful in directing classroom environments and enhancing student behavior through positive and forward-thinking approaches. Caring relationship-builder with analytical mindset and good decision-making skills.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Elementary School Teacher
Thomas Jefferson Middle School
09.2023 - 06.2024
- Served as a Fifth Grade teacher for the school year 2023-2024
- Implemented lessons and curriculum promoting critical thinking skills and independent learning
- Trained students in using technology to create podcasts based on their interests
- Experience in using video/audio editing programs to create presentations
- Trained in and implemented the Junior Great Books program to promote critical reading and shared inquiry
- Worked with my in-class support teacher to ensure proper implementation of IEP goals and modifications
- Implemented project-based learning to achieve learning goals
- Worked with Opera Learning Network to use opera-based learning as an avenue to promote critical reading, writing, and performance skills
- Used standardized, formal, and informal data to adapt my instruction to student needs
- Experience in adapting curriculum and lessons to state and district standards and Common Core Standards
- Successfully communicated expectations to parents and maintained positive relationships with them
- Maintained positive relationships with a diverse group of students, staff, parents, and administrators.
Gifted and Talented Instructor
Thomas Jefferson Middle School
09.2014 - 06.2023
- Provide enriched/advanced instruction in Language Arts and Humanities for Grades 5-8
- Grades 5 and 6: Advanced/Enriched Language Arts via the Junior Great Books Program
- Students analyzed and interpreted texts through the use of the Shared Inquiry Model
- Grades 7 and 8: Advanced/Enriched Humanities Electives: Odyssey of the Mind, Global Concerns, Biodiversity, Utopia and Video Documentary
- These courses are research-based and project-based and focused on developing process and critical thinking skills
- Member of TAG (Teaneck Academically Gifted) Student Selection Committee for Grades 3-8
- Tasked with collecting data and using multiple measures to choose students for Gifted/Enrichment classes in Math, Language Arts, Science and Social Studies
- Co-wrote curriculum for Advanced/Enriched Language Arts for 5th and 6th Grades and Advanced Math for Grades 3 and 4 (2022)
- Co-wrote Advanced/Humanities Elective Curriculum for Grades 7 and 8 (2023)
- Assisted Enrichment Instructors in Grade 7 in developing strategies and projects to address the needs of the advanced students
- Creator and Chair of the TAG/Enriched/Advanced Math Committee at Thomas Jefferson Middle School for the 2022-2023 school year
- Discussion was based around how to best meet the needs of our advanced/gifted students and how to provide more equitable access to these programs
- Member of ScIP Committee 2019-2022
- Served on interview committees for Supervisor of Social Studies and Humanities and Middle School Vice-Principal
- Co-Advisor for the National Junior Honor Society (2019-2024)
- Advisor for the Kids' Chronicle Student Magazine (2014-2024)
- Teaneck Chamber of Commerce Teacher of the Year (2019).
- Promoted a positive learning environment by establishing clear expectations and maintaining consistent classroom management techniques.
Elementary School Teacher
Whittier and Longfellow Schools
12.1997 - 06.2014
- Served as Fourth Grade teacher (one year in Third Grade) 1997-2014
- Implemented lessons and curriculum promoting critical thinking skills and independent learning
- Trained students in using technology to create podcasts based on their interests
- Experience in using video/audio editing programs to create presentations
- Trained in and implemented the Junior Great Books program to promote critical reading and shared inquiry
- Worked with my in-class support teacher to ensure proper implementation of IEP goals and modifications
- Implemented project-based learning to achieve learning goals
- Worked with Opera Learning Network to use opera-based learning as an avenue to promote critical reading, writing, and performance skills
- Used standardized, formal, and informal data to adapt my instruction to student needs
- Experience in adapting curriculum and lessons to state and district standards and Common Core Standards
- Successfully communicated expectations to parents and maintained positive relationships with them
- Maintained positive relationships with a diverse group of students, staff, parents, and administrators
- Worked for 5 years (2008-2012) as lead teacher in the After School Math and Literacy program collecting data, organizing schedules, and working with other teachers and administrators to maintain safety and smooth operation of the program.
- Created lesson plans to correlate with state curriculum standards and devised educational programs to meet educational objectives.
- Evaluated and assessed student progress regularly, providing constructive feedback and adapting teaching methods accordingly.
- Adapted state standards for Social Studies to create learning objectives and units of study
- Worked successfully with the Social Studies supervisor, other teachers, and district consultants to ensure the units of instruction integrated 21st century skills
- Edited and revised the curriculum in 2012, including writing an additional unit on Personal Finance.
Cooperating Teacher
Teaneck Public Schools
09.2004 - 06.2014
- Mentored 11 student-teachers from Montclair State University, Fairleigh Dickinson University, and St. Thomas Aquinas College
- Assisted them in implementing curriculum and managing student behavior
- Used cooperative teaching as a tool to help achieve learning goals.
- Assisted in creating a safe and nurturing classroom environment that promoted emotional well-being and academic growth for all students.
Curriculum Writer
Teaneck Board of Education
01.2011 - 01.2012
- Adapted state standards for Social Studies to create learning objectives and units of study
- Worked successfully with the Social Studies supervisor, other teachers, and district consultants to ensure the units of instruction integrated 21st century skills
- Edited and revised the curriculum in 2012, including writing an additional unit on Personal Finance.
Education
Master of Science in Education (Reading Specialty) -
St. Thomas Aquinas College
05.2001
Bachelor of Arts in History -
Fordham University
05.1995
Skills
- Differentiated Instruction
- Collaborative Teamwork
- Problem-solving skills
- Classroom Management
- Organizational Skills
- Relationship Building
- Lesson Planning
- Parent-Teacher Communication
- Oral communication
- Project-based learning
- Group and individual instruction
- Proficient in Google Education Suite, Google Applications, Microsoft Office Suite, Video and Audio Editing
Certification
New Jersey Elementary Education Certificate, K-8, 1997
Timeline
Elementary School Teacher
Thomas Jefferson Middle School
09.2023 - 06.2024
Gifted and Talented Instructor
Thomas Jefferson Middle School
09.2014 - 06.2023
Curriculum Writer
Teaneck Board of Education
01.2011 - 01.2012
Cooperating Teacher
Teaneck Public Schools
09.2004 - 06.2014
Elementary School Teacher
Whittier and Longfellow Schools
12.1997 - 06.2014
Master of Science in Education (Reading Specialty) -
St. Thomas Aquinas College
Bachelor of Arts in History -
Fordham University
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