Megan Samples
Oswego,IL
Summary
Literacy Leader with an astute understanding of lesson planning and individualized literacy strategies. Looking to bring further success to a school district by positively engaging students and providing professional development for classroom teachers in early literacy practices.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Reading Recovery Coordinator
Valley View School District 365U
2018.08 - Current
- Conducted assessments and interpreted data to determine individual student needs and ascertain best intervention methods.
- Designed and implemented high-quality Reading Recovery lessons for students.
- Demonstrated lessons for teachers and administrators to discuss instructional strategies.
- Facilitated small group instruction to address individual learning needs.
- Monitored student performance to evaluate effectiveness of instructional strategies.
- Maintained accurate records of student progress and attendance.
- Collaborated with other educators to adapt instructional strategies and implement high-quality reading instruction.
- Prepared agendas and facilitated MTSS meetings to identify targeted instructional groups and develop instructional adjustments based on State Standards mastery.
- Coordinated regular meetings to share and analyze student performance data and success plans with colleagues and parents.
- Provided professional development training to educate faculty and staff on early literacy practices.
- Participated in workshops, conferences and in-service meetings to enhance personal growth and professional development.
Literacy Leader
Valley View School District 365U
2013.08 - 2018.08
- Attended several training sessions on various components of Reading Workshop, including Lucy Calkins, Achieve 3000 and Smarty Ants, Words Their Way and Leveled Literacy Intervention.
- Attended several training sessions on administration of AIMSweb and NWEA testing to assist teachers in analyzing test results and how to best group students.
- Provided professional development for staff with other Literacy Leaders, including Words Their Way Refreshers, Make and Take seminars based on The Reading Strategies Book by Jennifer Serravallo, Smarty Ants training, and strategies for enhancing vocabulary instruction.
- Provided Running Records training for staff members, as well as Literacy Make and Take Professional Development to enhance staff’s literacy block.
- Participated as Smarty Ants Building leader, which included assisting teachers in navigating the Teacher Dashboard to locate student progress reports.
- Coordinated a book study with fellow Literacy Leaders to strengthen strategic reading instruction and collaboration with colleagues based on The Reading Strategies Book by Jennifer Serravallo.
- Provided targeted reading intervention for students through analysis of data collected during the administration of Fountas and Pinnell Benchmark Assessment System.
- Supported teachers’ Tier I instruction through push-in time within their classrooms, as well as weekly meetings to address successes and areas of improvement.
- Participated in the Universal Leadership Team, Visible Learning Cohort, Family Reading Night Committee, Social Committee, Sunshine Committee, and Literacy Committee (co-chair), as well as coordinating events throughout the school year.
Reading Paraprofessional
Valley View School District 365U
2011.11 - 2013.06
- Customized literacy instruction to individual needs of students through use of small, flexible groups, (including guided reading) which allowed them to better understand how and when to apply particular reading strategies.
- Facilitated PALS (Peer Assisted Learning Strategies) in kindergarten classrooms to target specific literacy skills.
- Assisted students in developing deeper understanding of course concepts by providing one-on-one support.
Education
Reading Recovery Certification
National Louis University
Lisle, IL05.2019
Masters of Arts in Reading: Language & Literacy -
University of St. Francis
Joliet, IL12.2015
Reading Teacher Endorsement -
University of St. Francis
Joliet, IL05.2015
Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education - Mathematics Area of Concentration
University of Illinois
Urbana-Champaign, IL05.2003
Skills
- Early Literacy Instruction
- Differentiated Instructional Planning
- Faculty Collaboration
- Student Assessment
- Data Analysis
- Effective Communication
References
References furnished upon request
Timeline
Reading Recovery Coordinator
Valley View School District 365U
2018.08 - Current
Literacy Leader
Valley View School District 365U
2013.08 - 2018.08
Reading Paraprofessional
Valley View School District 365U
2011.11 - 2013.06
Reading Recovery Certification
National Louis University
Masters of Arts in Reading: Language & Literacy -
University of St. Francis
Reading Teacher Endorsement -
University of St. Francis
Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education - Mathematics Area of Concentration
University of Illinois
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