Merlene Jones Barlow

Dedicated, experienced educator with over 28 years of commitment to student growth and achievement. Competent in developing and implementing diverse curriculums covering wide range of subjects and working collaboratively with a team. Highly skilled at motivating students through positive encouragement and reinforcement of concepts via interactive classroom instruction and observation. Successful in helping students develop strong literacy, numeracy, social and learning skills. Seeking employment in educational leadership.

• Received the Annette Eskind Inspiring Educator Award for 2024 by the Nashville Public Education Foundation and name will be place in the Public Schools Hall of Fame.
• Received the Ida B. Wells Teacher Spotlight for having the highest Benchmark Scores for Fall 2023 in math.
• Selected as Teacher of the Year (MNPS, 2017) and (Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, 2015).
• Received 4's and 5's (exceptional) on all evaluation domains of the Tennessee TEAM Rubric for multiple years.
• For the 2012-2013 school year, 83 % of my students were proficient in math, literacy, science, and social studies.

• Professional Teacher License: Active Endorsement-Elementary 1-8
• ILL Administrator: Active Endorsement-PreK-12

• Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, NAACP, March of Dimes, American Cancer Society, Eldercare, Foster Parent, St. Jude, Salvation Army Bell Ringer and participant in a 150-mile bike ride for Multiple Sclerosis (1999 and 2000)

Ida B. Wells Leadership Team Member (Current)

• Attend monthly meetings and play an essential role in school-based decision-making.
• Develop and evaluate school-wide procedures and programs.
• Collaboratively analyze and use data to determine school-wide instructional priorities for students each academic year.
• Promote the school’s vision and help to make the school culture more collaborative.
• Assist administrators in interviewing prospective teachers.

Team Leader-4th Grade (Current)

• Serve as a mentor to new teachers by acclimating them to the school and advising them about instruction, curriculum, procedures, and best practices.
• Share instructional resources and teaching strategies to ensure student academic success and personal well-being.
• Arrange meetings with colleagues to analyze student data, discuss student progress, and address their needs.
• Promote a collaborative, positive work environment for my colleagues.
• Assist colleagues with problem-solving when issues arise.

AVID (Individual Via Individual Determination) Site Team Member (Current)

• Encourage teachers to create an environment that promotes college and career readiness for students.
• Encourage students to dream big and develop vital study and organizational skills.
• Promote the use writing, inquiry, collaboration, organization, and reading skills to support students’ academic success.
• Create goals, collect data, and build an AVID Site Plan.

• Tutor, ACT Academy Member, Supervising Teacher for a student teacher, School Improvement Plan Committee Member, Beta Club Sponsor, Assistant Manager in retail
• Completed Reading 360 Course for the state of Tennessee and Wit and Wisdom literacy training for Metro Nashville Public Schools.
• Led training on Wit and Wisdom literacy at my school during its initial launch.

• Available upon request.