Monica Zepeda
Teacher
Houston,Texas
Summary
Skilled Language Arts Teacher knowledgeable about building strong verbal and written communication skills in Emerging Bilingual, English speaking, Special Education and Gifted & Talented students. Familiar with curriculum selection, lesson planning and classroom management. Desiring to contribute 15 years of experience to a long-term position. Currently, because of this expertise and experience, the 7th grade scores for Map & STAAR interims exceed the other grades at the K-8 campus.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Middle School English and Language Arts Teacher
Pilgrim Academy
Houston, TX
08.2008 - Current
- Create, plan, and teach lessons and units based on TEKS and STAAR & now STAAR 2.0. As Department Chair, mentor new teachers as well as student teachers observing on campus.
- Communicate effectively with students, parents, colleagues, and administrators through face-to-face conversations, Group Me, emails, Clever, Class Dojo, and phone calls.
- Keep accurate record of student scores, grades, STAAR interim Data, NWEA (Map growth scores) using Power School, On Track & NWEA. Tutor weekly to close gaps of all students and to help students attain to mastery.
- Contribute to teams of teachers through team meetings, ELAR Department Chair meetings (including PD's virtually and face-to-face), and also weekly grade level PLCs.
- Increased student comprehension by implementing diverse instructional strategies tailored to individual learning needs
- Developed critical thinking skills in students through use of Socratic questioning and analytical writing assignments
High School English Teacher (Hourly Lecturer
Chavez High School
08.2007 - 05.2008
- Worked with 10th grade English & ESL teachers in a co-taught setting to maximize student potential.
- Contributed to building student growth and district goals and demonstrated continuous growth and inquiry through coursework in Region 4 ACP program.
- Planned and developed curriculum for various English classes with team of English teachers. Through collaboration and intense tutorial program, 10th grade passing rate was 93% that year.
Middle School English Teacher (Hourly Lecturer)
Marshall Middle School
Houston, TX
02.2005 - 05.2007
- Implemented numerous instructional strategies through Creative Writing Class & Novel Studies to meet varied learning styles of students.
- Connected student learning to real world by bringing in guest speakers such as Poets involved in Slam Poetry groups.
- Participated in Data Driven meetings regarding TAKS to identify weakest strands to scaffold & reteach and increase student growth above 85%.
- Through collaboration with ELAR teachers, engaging lesson plans were designed that addressed diverse learning styles and promoted active participation.
- Assessed student progress regularly, providing constructive feedback and modifying instruction as needed.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - English
University of Houston - Downtown
Houston, TX12.2004
Skills
- Creative questioning
- Student-centered learning
- Interpersonal skills
- Positive learning environment
- Outstanding social skills
- Age-appropriate lesson planning
- Computer proficient
- Varied lesson plans
- Excel in PD courses and GT coursework
- Well versed in Canvacom, Power Point, Word, Google Docs, etc
- Great writer for Donors Choose projects & grants from Poets & Writers
- Marathon Runner & MS 150 cyclist
Certification
English Language Arts & Reading 4-8 (8-4-2007)
English as a Second Language ESL (Supplemental) (4-23-2008)
Pedagogy & Professional Responsibilities EC-12 (7-2-2009)
English Language Arts & Reading 8-12 (2-23-2008)
Timeline
Middle School English and Language Arts Teacher
Pilgrim Academy
08.2008 - Current
High School English Teacher (Hourly Lecturer
Chavez High School
08.2007 - 05.2008
Middle School English Teacher (Hourly Lecturer)
Marshall Middle School
02.2005 - 05.2007
Bachelor of Arts - English
University of Houston - Downtown