Google Apps, PowerPoint, Microsoft Word, Excel
Melissa Laing
San Marcos,TX
Summary
Energetic Science Teacher with a positive, team-centered personality and a dedication to life-long learning. Proficient in utilizing various instructional strategies to facilitate higher-level thinking and development. Proven skill in TEKS utilization and IEP implementation. Offering five years of experience in biology, including on-level, honors and AP, as well as two years experience in environmental systems. Polished in providing detailed lessons to help students gain well-rounded scientific education. In-depth knowledge of active learning, cooperative learning and distance learning. Expertise in relationship building.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Substitute Teacher, K-5
San Marcos CISD
San Marcos, TX
09.2023 - Current
- Provided instruction to students in the absence of a full-time teacher.
- Monitored student behavior and maintained a safe learning environment.
- Assisted with classroom management, including disciplining students when necessary.
- Encouraged students to think critically about their work and ask questions when needed.
Landscape Designer
Gardens By Lisa
San Marcos, TX
02.2023 - Current
- Visited sites and worked with team members to evaluate locations and propose initial concepts.
- Followed planned landscaping designs to lay sod, seed grass or plant flowers and foliage.
- Maintained garden areas and landscaping greenery to enhance property appearance and plant health.
- Drew designs by hand.
Environmental Systems Teacher
Lockhart ISD
Lockhart, TX
08.2020 - 05.2022
- Assessed submitted class assignments, determined grades and reviewed work with struggling students to boost success chance.
- Taught subject matter based on information compiled from EcoRise and other educational materials.
- Leveraged diverse learning strategies to prepare students for higher-level education requirements.
- Coordinated and collaborated with other faculty members during lesson plan development.
- Served as team lead, partnering with team members, building quality curriculum and focused lessons for struggling students.
Biology Teacher
Lockhart High School
Lockhart, TX
08.2017 - 05.2022
- Trained students with tools to navigate STAAR test and to decipher scientific vocabulary.
- Established positive and encouraging relationship with students and helped to foster appreciation for biology and science.
- Developed materials for laboratory activities, homework assignments and handouts to facilitate learning.
- Adapted teaching methods and instructional strategies to promote learning in students of differing skill levels.
Landscape Designer
Self-employed
San Marcos, United States
03.2013 - 08.2017
- Collaborated with landscapers to create designs meeting customer needs.
- Consulted with customers and analyzed locations to develop concepts, highlighted appropriate plant and material choices, as well as proper maintenance practices.
- Rendered designs with manual methods.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Agriculture Business And Management, Horticulture
Texas State University
San Marcos, TXSkills
- Interdisciplinary Teaching
- Differentiated Instruction
- Schedule Management
- Positive Reinforcement
- Relationship Building
Accomplishments
- Collaborated with team of four in the development of EcoRise-light bio hybrid program to ready students for true biology.
- Achieved yearly goal through effectively implementing project-based-learning into environmental systems classes.
Software
Certification
Life Science 7-12
Affiliations
- Most importantly, I am a loving and supportive wife and mom to two amazing daughters.
- I am part care-giver to various 4-legged/hooved/winged creatures, including cats, dogs, chickens, a donkey and a goat, and geese.
- Since being back in the horticulture world, I have been planting perennial food crops on my property, as well as pollinator-friendly plants for my family to enjoy.
Timeline
Substitute Teacher, K-5
San Marcos CISD
09.2023 - Current
Landscape Designer
Gardens By Lisa
02.2023 - Current
Environmental Systems Teacher
Lockhart ISD
08.2020 - 05.2022
Life Science 7-12
07-2018
Biology Teacher
Lockhart High School
08.2017 - 05.2022
Landscape Designer
Self-employed
03.2013 - 08.2017
Bachelor of Science - Agriculture Business And Management, Horticulture
Texas State University