Melanie Mathews
Arlington
Summary
Dynamic educator with a proven track record at Peach Elementary School, excelling in lesson planning and differentiated instruction. Successfully elevated student performance on the STAAR test, fostering a positive classroom environment that promotes engagement and growth. Adept at student assessment and committed to meeting diverse learning needs.
Overview
31
31
years of professional experience
Work History
4th Grade ELAR Teacher
Peach Elementary School
Arlington
11.2023 - Current
- Designed and delivered engaging, standards-based lessons aligned with common core objectives.
- Instructed 4th grade students in reading, writing, and social studies to foster growth across subjects.
- Prepared students for STAAR reading test through targeted instructional strategies.
- Maintained a well-managed classroom that supported meaningful learning for all student levels.
- Provided differentiation to meet diverse needs of students with IEPs and advanced learners.
4th-5th Grade ELAR Teacher
East Fort Worth Montessori Academy
Fort Worth
11.2023 - Current
- Developed engaging lessons aligned with Common Core standards for 4th and 5th grade ELAR and social studies.
- Prepared students for STAAR reading test.
- Brought 37% of students in Tier 3 at the beginning of the year, as reported on MAP, to 25% of students in Tier 3 by the end of the year.
- Maintained a well-managed classroom that fostered meaningful learning opportunities for all student levels.
- Implemented effective teaching strategies to enhance student engagement and learning outcomes.
Dyslexia Interventionist
UME Preparatory Academy
Duncanville
08.2021 - 06.2022
- Planned and implemented multisensory lessons to engage multiple brain pathways.
- Implemented Take Flight lessons for intensive reading, spelling, and handwriting interventions.
- Delivered targeted instruction tailored to individual student needs.
- Monitored student progress using DIBELS fluency passages and word lists.
- Collaborated with classroom teachers to provide strategies and feedback for support.
- Communicated with parents, offering updates on each child's academic progress.
AVT Teacher
UME Preparatory Academy
Duncanville
08.2020 - 06.2021
- Managed Google Classrooms for Kinder, 3rd and 4th grades for virtual asynchronous students during the pandemic.
- Collaborated with classroom teachers to provide instruction and support for students at home.
- Supported parents as they took on the role of educator from home.
- Held Zoom office hours to reteach material, help students stay organized with their workload, and to answer parent questions.
Reading/Social Studies Teacher
UME Preparatory Academy
Duncanville
08.2019 - 05.2020
- Taught two 4th grade classes in reading and social studies, focusing on curriculum standards.
- Developed engaging lessons with clear objectives to align with Common Core Standards.
- Facilitated a well-managed classroom that encouraged meaningful learning for all students.
- Transitioned to online instruction in March 2020, utilizing Google Classroom and Zoom for lessons.
- Created instructional videos to enhance online learning experience during the pandemic.
- Supported parents in adapting to remote education challenges with guidance and resources.
Instructional Assistant
Tarrant County College Writing Center
Fort Worth
04.2016 - 09.2018
- Tutored college students in reading to prepare for the TSI exam.
- Proofread and edited college-level English, history, psychology, and nursing papers.
- Worked with students to help them create outlines, write thesis statements, analyze writing, and to use MLA format in their writing.
- Instructed students on proper MLA formatting techniques for academic writing.
Reading Specialist
Newman International Academy of Arlington
Arlington
08.2014 - 11.2014
- Used testing to identify student’s reading levels and specific struggles.
- Planned remediation programs for small-group struggling readers.
- Provided teachers with baseline data collected on each student.
- Evaluated and interpreted students’ progress in remediation and provided data to teacher.
- Provided school-wide presentation on teaching inferential thinking.
- Kept close communication with parents by sending home weekly progress their child made.
- Implemented a school-wide reading incentive program: The 100 Books Challenge - had classes competing with one another to have the most books read in a month.
- Organized the school’s first school-wide Reading Fair.
Reading & Social Studies Teacher
Newman International Academy of Arlington
Arlington
08.2013 - 06.2014
- Taught 3 classes of 4th grade reading and social studies.
- Prepared well-planned, engaging lessons with clearly defined objectives to meet the Common Core standards.
- Prepared students for the STAAR Reading test and brought the 4th grade test score up by 20%.
- Provided a well-managed classroom with ample opportunities for students of all levels to engage in meaningful learning.
English Teacher
Logos Preparatory Academy (UME Model School)
Sugar Land
08.2012 - 05.2013
- Provided instruction for two classes of seventh-grade English at grade level.
- Developed engaging lesson plans with specific objectives for each session.
- Maintained a well-organized classroom environment, promoting meaningful student engagement.
Middle School Reading Specialist
Oakland Mills Middle School
Columbia
08.2002 - 06.2006
- Developed and implemented lesson plans to enhance reading skills for students.
- Collaborated with grade-level team to adopt best teaching practices.
- Conducted parent-teacher conferences to discuss student progress and needs.
- Utilized classroom management techniques to promote positive behavior among students.
- Identified students requiring diagnostic testing and targeted remediation strategies.
- Planned individualized remediation programs based on diagnostic test results.
- Provided written reports outlining strategies for classroom support to grade-level team.
- Trained teachers on flexible grouping strategies for improved instructional effectiveness.
Assistant Club Manager of Continuities
Scholastic Inc.
New York
03.2001 - 05.2002
- Launched and managed book clubs, from the initial stages of brainstorming ideas for themes, creating a club name, and assigning writers and artists, to copy editing and proofreading manuscripts and producing a complete club package comprising of a book, activity book, and premium based around the club theme.
- Wrote back cover copy for I Am an Artist books.
- Acted as a liaison for vendors such as Crayola, Plymouth Papers, and United Media.
Reading Tutor
Northside Child Development Center
New York
01.2000 - 05.2000
- Tutored below grade-level middle school students.
- Planned and taught before, during and after reading strategies to develop prior knowledge, build vocabulary skills, and increase comprehension.
- Tailored lessons for individual student’s needs.
- Provided testing and evaluation.
Success for All Tutor
Public School 161
New York
12.1999 - 05.2000
- Worked one-on-one with first-grade reluctant readers.
- Planned and taught reading strategies.
- Provided encouragement to discouraged students.
Student Teacher
Public School 290, Manhattan New School
New York
01.1999 - 05.1999
- Prepared reading lessons and worked with small groups in reading, math, and center-time activities.
- Conducted whole-class lessons.
- Managed classroom.
Education Reporter
Times Herald
Port Huron
08.1997 - 08.1998
- Wrote about educational issues in Port Huron, Michigan.
- Developed relationships with educators, parents, and students in the community.
- Originated new story ideas and researched educational issues.
Reporter Intern & Editorial Assistant
Detroit News
Detroit
08.1995 - 08.1997
- Conducted interviews and wrote general assignment stories.
Education
CALT-in training - Take Flight Shelton Academic Reading Approach
June Shelton School
Dallas, TX06.2022
M.A. - Applied Psychology and Reading Specialist
New York University
New York, NY05.2000
B.A. - Journalism
Wayne State University
Detroit, MI08.1997
Skills
- Lesson planning
- Curriculum development
- STAAR test preparation
- Differentiated instruction
- Classroom management
- Student assessment
Honors Programs And Organizations
- Journalism Institute for Minorities, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, 01/01/96, 08/01/97, An honors and scholarship program for minority communications students.
- Rosa Parks Scholarship, Detroit News, Detroit, MI, 06/01/96, 06/01/97
- Public Relations, Indian Students Association, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, 08/01/94, 05/01/95
- Talent Show Committee, Indian Students Association, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, 08/01/92, 05/01/93
Timeline
4th Grade ELAR Teacher
Peach Elementary School
11.2023 - Current
4th-5th Grade ELAR Teacher
East Fort Worth Montessori Academy
11.2023 - Current
Dyslexia Interventionist
UME Preparatory Academy
08.2021 - 06.2022
AVT Teacher
UME Preparatory Academy
08.2020 - 06.2021
Reading/Social Studies Teacher
UME Preparatory Academy
08.2019 - 05.2020
Instructional Assistant
Tarrant County College Writing Center
04.2016 - 09.2018
Reading Specialist
Newman International Academy of Arlington
08.2014 - 11.2014
Reading & Social Studies Teacher
Newman International Academy of Arlington
08.2013 - 06.2014
English Teacher
Logos Preparatory Academy (UME Model School)
08.2012 - 05.2013
Middle School Reading Specialist
Oakland Mills Middle School
08.2002 - 06.2006
Assistant Club Manager of Continuities
Scholastic Inc.
03.2001 - 05.2002
Reading Tutor
Northside Child Development Center
01.2000 - 05.2000
Success for All Tutor
Public School 161
12.1999 - 05.2000
Student Teacher
Public School 290, Manhattan New School
01.1999 - 05.1999
Education Reporter
Times Herald
08.1997 - 08.1998
Reporter Intern & Editorial Assistant
Detroit News
08.1995 - 08.1997
CALT-in training - Take Flight Shelton Academic Reading Approach
June Shelton School
M.A. - Applied Psychology and Reading Specialist
New York University
B.A. - Journalism
Wayne State University