MELISSA WILLIAMS
Chelmsford,MA
Summary
Veteran educator bringing a wealth of experience in creating dynamic and inclusive learning experiences. Proven ability to engage students and cultivate positive learning environment. Known for strong collaboration and flexibility, ensuring smooth adaptation to evolving educational needs. Skilled in curriculum development and classroom management.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Classroom Teacher Grades 2
DRACUT PUBLIC SCHOOLS
08.2019 - Current
- Collaboratively partner and supervise multiple para-educators and specialist staff within my inclusive classroom setting
- Established clear expectations for behavior and classroom management, creating a respectful and productive learning atmosphere.
- Implemented differentiated instruction strategies, ensuring all students were able to access the curriculum and make progress in their learning.
- Employ and analyze multiple assessment and progress monitoring data (Phonemic Awareness/ Phonic Screener, Benchmark Assessments, Running Records) to design for instructional needs.
- Provide a nurturing environment for students of all abilities including special populations as: EL students, cognitive delays, ADHD, ASD, medically fragile, vision impairments and students with lagging social emotional and behavioral challenges.
- Serve as a teacher representative on the SIP board and PTO teacher representative.
- Created and presented district Professional Development (March 2023) to K-2 faculty Phonemic Awareness: Critical Building Blocks for Reading Success
- Building RULER Lead providing staff training and support on district YALE Ruler Social Emotional Curriculum
- Mentored new teachers entering the district; provided constructive feedback on their teaching methods, promoting growth within the school community.
- Implemented reading and writing workshops to increase student literacy and support school reading programs.
- Created and designed complete units for Social Studies (Country Study; Bodies of Water) and Science (Life Cycle) to teach Massachusetts Framework Standards; currently designing units on Important People in History and Goods and Services.
Reading Interventionist Grades 3-5
WESTFORD PUBLIC SCHOOLS
09.2014 - 06.2019
- Provided targeted RTI to identified struggling learners in fluency, decoding strategies, comprehension and written responses to reading in a pullout model.
- Strategically employed effective strategies and techniques for English Language Learners that reflect their native language and literacy proficiency level.
- Collaborated regularly with classroom teachers and specialists regarding student needs and progress.
- Attended and presented student data and work samples to demonstrate growth and areas identified for further development at Instructional Support Team meetings with staff and parents.
- Interpreted student assessment data to ascertain best intervention methods.
- Assisted Interim Literacy Specialist (Aug.-Nov. 2017) through the processes and protocols our team uses to assess, to identify, and to establish targeted reading groups.
Classroom Teacher
CHELMSFORD PUBLIC SCHOOLS
08.1997 - 06.2006
- Second grade 2002, 2004, 2005
- Fourth grade 2003
- First grade 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 (looped to 2nd grade)
- Kindergarten 1997 (looped to 1st grade)
Education
Master of Science -
WHEELOCK GRADUATE SCHOOL
Boston, MA05.1996
Bachelor of Science - undefined
WHEELOCK COLLEGE
Boston, MA05.1995
Skills
- Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks
- Inclusion Differentiated Instruction
- Responsive Classroom
- Second Step: Social Emotional Learning
- Yale RULER: SEL
- Multi-year teaching
- Project-Based Learning
- Into Reading: HMH
- Structured Literacy
- Keys to Literacy
- DIBELS
- Words Their Way: Phonics & Spelling Instruction
- Lively Letters
- Wilson Fundations
- Heggerty
- Express Readers Decoding System
- Handwriting Without Tears
- Daily 5/CAFE
- Houghton Mifflin: Math Central & Math Expressions
- Ready Math
- Mystery Science
- Technology Integration (Google Drive, Mac/iPad/CANVA/)
- Assistive Technology for TVI
- ALICE
TEACHING QUALIFICATIONS
- Highly engaging instructor that actively involves children in purposeful learning; aligned with Massachusetts Frameworks through a multi-sensory, hands-on approach to capitalize on learner strengths.
- Differentiate instruction in all subjects for heterogeneously grouped students within an inclusive classroom; including advanced, ELLs, and students with learning disabilities.
- Extensive experience with IEP and 504 development/implementation and knowledge of special education law.
- Collaborate with parents, administrators, and interdisciplinary teams to develop RTI, 504 and IEP to maximize and support students' educational, medical and social/emotional development.
- Establish a classroom community that nurtures and empowers student employment of peaceful resolutions to achieve both academic and social/emotional success.
- Evaluate and monitor student performance through daily work and formative assessments to drive planning and instruction delivery.
- Embed MCAS testing preparation throughout the school year in conjunction with curriculum to provide students a natural exposure to techniques, skills and practice for taking standardized testing.
Certification
- Massachusetts Educator Licensure #326029
- Early Childhood, Pre-K-3 Students with and without Special Needs
- Elementary, 1-6
- SEI endorsed
Recognition
2024 Wasabi Bowl Nominee of Fenway’s Teacher Honor Roll
Continuing Education Coursework
- Keys to Literacy: Keys to Comprehension and Vocabulary for Students with Learning Disabilities
- Unlocking Informational Text: Keys to Engagement
- Successful Strategies in Literacy Moving Math: How to Use Differentiated Math Stations
- Tapping the Talent: Working with Gifted Students
- Virtual Field Tripping: Explore the World Without Leaving School
- 180 Degrees: Rethinking Classroom Management
- Explicit Writing Instruction with the Science of Reading In Mind
- Yale Ruler Lead Institute 2023
Timeline
Classroom Teacher Grades 2
DRACUT PUBLIC SCHOOLS
08.2019 - Current
Reading Interventionist Grades 3-5
WESTFORD PUBLIC SCHOOLS
09.2014 - 06.2019
Classroom Teacher
CHELMSFORD PUBLIC SCHOOLS
08.1997 - 06.2006
Bachelor of Science - undefined
WHEELOCK COLLEGE
Master of Science -
WHEELOCK GRADUATE SCHOOL
Similar Profiles
Kimberly LaBrancheKimberly LaBranche
Classroom Teacher at Dracut Public SchoolsClassroom Teacher at Dracut Public Schools
Joseph LewonJoseph Lewon
Custodian at Dracut Public SchoolsCustodian at Dracut Public Schools
Kerri GagnonKerri Gagnon
Building Based Support Staff at Dracut Public SchoolsBuilding Based Support Staff at Dracut Public Schools
Aarnav RamjiAarnav Ramji
Volunteer at Chelmsford Public SchoolsVolunteer at Chelmsford Public Schools
Ashley CondoAshley Condo
Dental Assistant/Dental Front Office Receptionist at Dr.Schofield, Martin, and SmgulaDental Assistant/Dental Front Office Receptionist at Dr.Schofield, Martin, and Smgula