MELISSA HOLMAN-KURSKY
Educational Therapist And Parenting Coach
San Francisco,CA
Summary
Insightful, seasoned educator with close to 20 years working with families in and out of the classroom. Adept at creative solutions to help parents and children surmount obstacles and build loving and sustainable behavior and communication habits. Dual master's degrees in child development and education, as well as certification as an educational therapist; well-versed in assessing student and family needs and implementing methods to meet them.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
6
6
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Founder & Director
CognitionSF
San Francisco, CA
01.2014 - Current
- One-on-one and small group educational therapy sessions for Pre-K through Eighth Grade students with learning, cognitive, social, and/or emotional difficulties
- Parent/Guardian coaching and workshops for birth through high school
- Social skills groups for early childhood and elementary-aged children
- Professional development workshops for schools and nonprofits with specialties in social-emotional learning (SEL), learning differences and learning disabilities, arts integration, and applied improvisation techniques
New Teacher Supervisor & Advisor
Bay Area Teacher Training Institute/Holy Names U.
San Francisco, CA
07.2021 - Current
- Observe and advise resident teachers in multiple subject credential and masters degree program through BATTI Institute and Holy Names University
- Work with new teachers on best instructional and pedagogical practices as well as many topics that arise when starting a career in education
- Run weekly advisory meetings and regular classroom observations throughout the year
4th Grade Head Teacher
The San Francisco School
San Francisco, CA
03.2010 - 06.2020
- Responsible for all areas of curriculum development, implementation, and behavior management
- Created original interdisciplinary science, social studies, and language arts curriculum focusing on California history starting in 1840, and Bay Area marine biology and ecology
- Co-created original curriculum to teach social and emotional skills, empathy training, and effective interpersonal communication; also worked with All Kinds of Minds, Social Thinking, and Kimochis curricula.
- Co-directed 4th/5th grade holiday plays
- Strategic Plan Committee (2016-2018): Worked in conjunction with Board of Trustees and selected faculty/staff to create new strategic plan for school
- Equity Index Task Force (2012-13): Worked as part of group of faculty/staff, parents and students collaborating to examine diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) at school. In an effort to support the school’s strategic plan goals around diversity, worked to develop a tool for setting standards for equity and how to measure standards, as well as to envision an ideal future for the school in these terms.
- Teacher-Administrator Team (2012-2014): Represented elementary division on committee of teachers and administrators, which met regularly to discuss school issues, plan professional development, events, etc.
- Faculty Feedback & Evaluation Committee (2012-2014): Worked with group of teachers and administrators to develop and implement a 3-year feedback and evaluation model for all teachers at the school
- Student Learning Group (2013-2014): Member of task force to examine/evaluate student learning and support systems at the school
Director of Youth Programming/Creative Director
ImprovBoston
Cambridge, MA
06.2007 - 07.2009
- Ran youth services (curriculum development, workshop development, marketing, parent communication) for an award-winning nonprofit theater
- Copyedited/proofread additional sales and marketing materials for the theater
- Planned and conducted weekly rehearsals of the ImprovBoston Family Show, winner of the 2009 Nickelodeon Parents’ Choice Award
2nd Grade Lead Teacher
The Rashi School
Dedham, MA
06.2005 - 06.2008
- Responsible for all areas of curriculum development, implementation, and behavior management
- Supervised and mentored assistant teachers/interns
- Co-created original interdisciplinary yearlong science and social studies curriculum centering on the Charles River; received grant from Peerless Excellence Project to further develop this curriculum.
- Served as faculty trainer in Olweus Bullying Prevention Program
Education
Graduate Certificate & Preliminary Board Cert. - Educational Therapy
University of California, Riverside
Riverside, CA 06.2020 - Current
Master of Arts - M.A. Child Development/M.Ed Elementary Education
Tufts University
Medford, MA 06.2004 - 08.2005
Bachelor of Arts - Drama And English (major), Spanish (minor)
Tufts University
Medford, MA 08.1999 - 06.2003
Skills
Excellent Communication
Individual and family counseling
Active Listening
Analytical and Critical Thinking
Attention to Detail
Training and Development
Additional Information
- Company 4, Location mm/
- Tailor your experience sections to the job description. Don’t use up too much of your space detailing daily duties that aren’t relevant to the job for which you’re applying. Study the job listing to figure out what’s most important to the hiring manager. Use important resume keywords and accomplishments that speak to your ability to execute.
- - Company 3, Location mm/yyyy - mm/yyyy Work the hard skills and keywords found in the job description right into your resume. That said, simply listing the keywords in these dedicated skills sections is not enough.
Accomplishments
- Recently interviewed in U.S. News & World Report as an expert on learning disabilities: https://www.usnews.com/education/k12/articles/understanding-different-types-of-learning-disabilities
- Published several parenting articles on Scary Mommy.com: https://www.scarymommy.com/author/melissa-holman-kursky/
Timeline
New Teacher Supervisor & Advisor
Bay Area Teacher Training Institute/Holy Names U.
07.2021 - Current
Graduate Certificate & Preliminary Board Cert. - Educational Therapy
University of California, Riverside
06.2020 - Current
Founder & Director
CognitionSF
01.2014 - Current
4th Grade Head Teacher
The San Francisco School
03.2010 - 06.2020
Director of Youth Programming/Creative Director
ImprovBoston
06.2007 - 07.2009
2nd Grade Lead Teacher
The Rashi School
06.2005 - 06.2008
Master of Arts - M.A. Child Development/M.Ed Elementary Education
Tufts University
06.2004 - 08.2005
Bachelor of Arts - Drama And English (major), Spanish (minor)
Tufts University
08.1999 - 06.2003