Nicole McClard
Nashville,TN
Summary
Skilled ESL Instructor versed in using effective and efficient methods of teaching while focusing on individual student needs. Experience teaching ESL at middle, high school, and adult grade levels for students from 7 different cultural backgrounds. Leverages positive, affirming approaches to encourage learning and assimilation. Has disciplined mindset combined with expertise in classroom management that yields exceptional communication skills to help students increase vocabulary, fluency, and cultural understanding.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
ESL Lead Teacher
Cumberland Heights Foundation - Arch Academy
2022.02 - 2023.09
- Assisted in creating a safe and nurturing classroom environment that promoted emotional well-being and academic growth for all students.
- Supported students in developing social skills through structured activities and positive reinforcement techniques.
- Provided one-on-one support for students with learning disabilities, enabling them to excel in their coursework.
- Implemented behavior modification strategies, resulting in improved self-regulation and classroom participation among students.
- Collaborated with teachers and therapists to develop individualized educational plans for each student, ensuring optimal progress.
- Enhanced classroom environment with visual aids, fostering students'' interest in the subject matter.
- Adapted lesson plans to accommodate diverse learner abilities, ensuring all students had access to appropriate materials for success.
- Managed classroom behavior effectively, establishing a respectful and positive learning atmosphere.
Teacher
Genesis Learning Centers
2020.12 - 2021.05
- Developed strong relationships with students, parents, and colleagues by maintaining open lines of communication and fostering a supportive learning environment.
- Worked cooperatively with other teachers, administrators, and parents to help students reach learning objectives.
- Differentiated instruction to accommodate diverse learning needs, ensuring each student had an equal opportunity for success.
- Communicated frequently with parents, students, and faculty to provide feedback and discuss instructional strategies.
- Kept students on-task with proactive behavior modification and positive reinforcement strategies.
Lead Teacher/Counselor
Youth Opportunity Investments
2018.07 - 2020.12
- Assisted in creating a safe and nurturing classroom environment that promoted emotional well-being and academic growth for all students.
- Established positive relationships with parents through regular communication regarding student progress, collaborating on strategies for academic success at home and school.
- Maintained patience and level-headedness in diverse situations to support student development and personal growth.
- Developed and implemented differentiated instruction strategies to accommodate diverse learning styles, resulting in increased student engagement and success.
- Implemented assessment tools that monitored student progress throughout the year, allowing for targeted interventions when needed to close achievement gaps.
- Designed lesson plans for teaching staff and worked closely with administration for compliance with state curricula.
Teacher
Delta-T Group
2018.01 - 2019.12
- Developed strong relationships with students, parents, and colleagues by maintaining open lines of communication and fostering a supportive learning environment.
- Worked cooperatively with other teachers, administrators, and parents to help students reach learning objectives.
- Managed classroom behavior effectively by establishing clear expectations, modeling appropriate conduct, and consistently enforcing established rules and consequences.
- Enhanced classroom engagement through the use of interactive teaching methods, such as group projects and hands-on activities.
- Supported student physical, mental, and social development using classroom games and activities.
- Differentiated instruction to accommodate diverse learning needs, ensuring each student had an equal opportunity for success.
Curriculum Designer and English Instructor
Brain-fuse
2017.09 - 2019.12
- Enhanced curriculum quality by conducting thorough research and incorporating best practices in instructional design.
- Collaborated with subject matter experts to ensure accuracy and relevance of instructional materials.
Adult Education Instructor
CoreCivic
2016.08 - 2017.02
- Recommended curriculum choices and created lesson plans to maximize effectiveness of instruction.
- Used positive reinforcement and provided clear feedback to help students succeed.
- Prepared students for tests by teaching relevant concepts and enforcing good test-taking skills.
- Utilized multimedia strategies to facilitate learning and increase student engagement.
- Conducted skills assessments to uncover performance gaps.
- Provided individual mentoring and special tutoring to struggling students.
- Employed variety of assessment tools and strategies to improve instruction methods.
Classroom Teacher
Clay County Schools
2014.07 - 2016.06
- Implemented differentiated instruction strategies, ensuring all students were able to access the curriculum and make progress in their learning.
- Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities, staying current on best practices in education and refining instructional techniques accordingly.
- Conducted small group interventions for struggling learners, providing targeted support that led to increased academic achievement.
- Developed strong relationships with parents through regular communication, promoting involvement in their child''s education.
- Assessed student progress using various assessment tools, adjusting instruction as needed to address identified areas of need.
Classroom Teacher
Sumner County Schools
2013.08 - 2014.07
- Implemented differentiated instruction strategies, ensuring all students were able to access the curriculum and make progress in their learning.
- Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities, staying current on best practices in education and refining instructional techniques accordingly.
- Established clear expectations for behavior and classroom management, creating a respectful and productive learning atmosphere.
- Boosted student confidence through consistent encouragement and positive reinforcement, fostering a supportive learning environment.
- Assessed student progress using various assessment tools, adjusting instruction as needed to address identified areas of need.
- Assisted in creating a safe and nurturing classroom environment that promoted emotional well-being and academic growth for all students.
Classroom Teacher
Macon County Schools
2000.07 - 2012.06
- Implemented differentiated instruction strategies, ensuring all students were able to access the curriculum and make progress in their learning.
- Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities, staying current on best practices in education and refining instructional techniques accordingly.
- Established clear expectations for behavior and classroom management, creating a respectful and productive learning atmosphere.
- Boosted student confidence through consistent encouragement and positive reinforcement, fostering a supportive learning environment.
- Conducted small group interventions for struggling learners, providing targeted support that led to increased academic achievement.
- Developed strong relationships with parents through regular communication, promoting involvement in their child''s education.
- Assessed student progress using various assessment tools, adjusting instruction as needed to address identified areas of need.
- Assisted in creating a safe and nurturing classroom environment that promoted emotional well-being and academic growth for all students.
- Implemented behavior modification strategies, resulting in improved self-regulation and classroom participation among students.
- Planned lessons, activities and trips to cover all required course material.
- Drove student learning by establishing clear classroom plans and group objectives, as well as actionable strategies to achieve each goal.
- Provided one-on-one support for students with learning disabilities, enabling them to excel in their coursework.
- Established and enforced rules of behavior to drive social development and maintain positive interactions.
- Enhanced student comprehension by utilizing diverse teaching methods and adapting to individual learning styles.
- Provided timely feedback on assignments, allowing students to learn from mistakes and improve their performance.
- Collaborated with colleagues to develop cross-curricular lesson plans, increasing students'' understanding of how subjects interconnect.
- Helped students develop self-esteem and life skills by fostering healthy conflict-resolution, critical thinking, and communication.
- Supported students in developing social skills through structured activities and positive reinforcement techniques.
- Collaborated with teachers and therapists to develop individualized educational plans for each student, ensuring optimal progress.
- Administered quizzes and tests to assess student understanding of material.
- Served as a team leader for grade-level initiatives, coordinating efforts among faculty members to achieve shared goals related to curriculum and instruction improvement.
- Mentored new teachers entering the profession and provided constructive feedback on their teaching methods, promoting growth within the school community.
- Championed inclusionary practices within the classroom setting by accommodating diverse needs of students with special education plans or language barriers, enabling them to succeed alongside peers in mainstream classrooms.
- Organized engaging extracurricular activities that complemented classroom lessons, strengthening students'' connection to the subject matter.
- Collaborated with parents, administrators and counselors to develop improvement plans for struggling students.
- Enhanced learning experiences by incorporating specialized tools and resources tailored to the needs of special education students.
- Developed and distributed study guides to reinforce lecture details and help students with test preparation.
- Worked cooperatively with other teachers, administrators, and parents to help students reach learning objectives.
- Incorporated multiple types of teaching strategies into classroom.
- Communicated frequently with parents, students, and faculty to provide feedback and discuss instructional strategies.
- Incorporated exciting and engaging activities to achieve student participation and hands-on learning.
- Implemented creative ways to foster curiosity for complex principles through hands-on learning and planned activities.
- Kept students on-task with proactive behavior modification and positive reinforcement strategies.
Assistant Principal & Lead Teacher
Old Union School
1998.06 - 2000.05
- Partnered with principal to administer school program in alignment with vision and goals, providing positive, high-expectation academic environment.
- Supported a positive school culture by addressing student behavior concerns promptly and effectively.
- Established intervention programs for struggling students, improving overall academic achievement levels at the school.
- Built and maintained positive relationships with diverse stakeholders, such as parents, school volunteers and outside agencies.
- Monitored student behavior and enforced discipline policies.
- Built productive relationships with parents of students facing difficult situations at school or at home.
Education
Master of Education (M.Ed.) - English as a Second Language (ESL & ESOL)
Grand Canyon University
Phoenix, AZ06.2014
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - English & Allied Language Arts
Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY12.1993
Skills
- Teaching strategies
- Educational leadership
- Fluency Development
- Interactive Learning
- Cooperative Learning
- Peer Tutoring
- Intercultural competence
- Pronunciation coaching
- Project-based learning
- Literacy development
- Vocabulary expansion
Certificates Licenses
08/2003, Professional Teaching Certification exp 2029
12/2015, Oxford Seminars TESOL/TEFL Certification
Certification Licensure Tests
- 12/2016, National Teacher Examination, Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, 188, Tennessee
- 06/1993, National Teacher Examination, English Language and Literature, 560, Kentucky
- 06/1993, National Teacher Examination, General Knowledge, 651, Kentucky
- 06/1993, National Teacher Examination, Communication Skills, 658, Kentucky
- 06/1993, National Teacher Examination, Professional Knowledge, 654, Kentucky
Work Experience Education
- 02/2022, 09/2023, Arch Academy
- 12/2020, 05/2021, Genesis Learning Centers, Nashville, TN
- 07/2018, 12/2020, Youth Opportunity Investments
- 01/2018, Present, Delta-T Group, Inc.
- 01/2018, Present, Enriched Schools
- 09/2017, Present, Brainfuse, Curriculum Designer and English Instructor
- 03/2017, Present, EF –Education First, Academic Instructor
- 08/2016, 02/2017, CoreCivic, Academic Instructor, Learning & Development Coordinator
- 07/2014, 06/2016, Clay County Schools, Celina, TN, Teacher (Full-time)
- 08/2013, 07/2014, Sumner County Schools, Gallatin, TN, Teacher-Freshman Academy (Full-time)
- 01/2013, 05/2013, Jackson County Schools, Gainesboro, TN, Interim English Instructor- High School (No Contract)
- 07/2000, 06/2012, Macon County Schools, Lafayette, TN, Secondary English Instructor (Full-time), Curriculum & Instruction Supervisor
- 06/1998, 05/2000, Old Union School, Bowling Green, KY, Assistant Principal/Middle & Secondary English Teacher (Full-time)
Work Experience Other
- 05/1998, 06/2000, Service Merchandise, Jewelry Department Lead Sales
- 09/1996, 05/1998, Kinkos of Washington, Bowling Green, KY, Human Resources Assistant/Marketing
- 09/1994, 09/1996, Bowling Green Bank and Trust, Bowling Green, KY, Teller/Loan Officer in Training
- 06/1987, 12/1994, Houchen’s Market, Cashier, Office Assistant
Language Abilities
Spanish - Read and Write
Associations Affiliations
- 07/2000, Present, National Education Association, Member
- 07/2014, 06/2016, Clay County Education Association, Member
- 07/2000, Present, Tennessee Education Association, Member
- 07/2000, 2017, Macon County Education Association, Member
Professional License
07/2013, 07/2023, Tennessee Department of Education, Professional License, 407 - English (7-12), 490 – English As a Second Language, 000221478
Awards
05/2007, Coca-Cola - Educator of the Year
Timeline
ESL Lead Teacher
Cumberland Heights Foundation - Arch Academy
2022.02 - 2023.09
Teacher
Genesis Learning Centers
2020.12 - 2021.05
Lead Teacher/Counselor
Youth Opportunity Investments
2018.07 - 2020.12
Teacher
Delta-T Group
2018.01 - 2019.12
Curriculum Designer and English Instructor
Brain-fuse
2017.09 - 2019.12
Adult Education Instructor
CoreCivic
2016.08 - 2017.02
Classroom Teacher
Clay County Schools
2014.07 - 2016.06
Classroom Teacher
Sumner County Schools
2013.08 - 2014.07
Classroom Teacher
Macon County Schools
2000.07 - 2012.06
Assistant Principal & Lead Teacher
Old Union School
1998.06 - 2000.05
Master of Education (M.Ed.) - English as a Second Language (ESL & ESOL)
Grand Canyon University
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - English & Allied Language Arts
Western Kentucky University
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