Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Certification
Languages
Timeline
Professional Organization Membership
Professional Educational Leadership Positions
Career Related Experience
Work Address
Activities
Work Availability
Leadership And Professional Experiences
Quote
Professional Organization Membership
Professional Educational Leadership Positions
Career Related Experience
Work Address
Activities
AdministrativeAssistant

Nicole McFarland

Educator
Perry,Iowa

Summary

Experienced educator with expertise in curriculum, professional development, communications, collaboration, technology, instruction, public relations, and leadership. Dedicated to creating a dynamic learning environment and fostering community input. Strong background in literacy and science instruction and excel at fostering collaborative learning. Known for effectively engaging students and adapting to evolving educational needs. Skillful in curriculum development, classroom management, and integrating technology to enhance the learning experience. Reliable team player focused on achieving measurable results in student performance and growth.

Overview

17
17
years of professional experience
1
1

Administration License

1
1

Masters of Arts in Education

Work History

6th and 7th Grade Science Teacher

Ankeny Community School
07.2024 - Current
  • Instructed 170 students daily, using variety of classroom methods and adapted methodology and instructional materials to meet student needs, abilities and Individualized Educational Plans.
  • Assessed student progress regularly using formative and summative assessments, adjusting instruction as needed to ensure mastery of content standards.
  • Devised and used formative and summative assessments and maintained accurate and complete records as required by laws, policies and regulations.
  • Promoted scientific literacy among students by emphasizing real-world applications of scientific concepts.
  • Collaborated with colleagues to develop interdisciplinary lesson plans that connected science content to other subject areas.
  • Developed and implemented both group and individual lesson plans for students in accordance with established science curriculum.
  • Enhanced student engagement through the use of visuals, hands-on experiments, and group projects.
  • Served as a mentor for new teachers within the building, providing guidance on effective teaching strategies and classroom management techniques.

District Curriculum Leadership Team- Literacy

Ankeny Community School
01.2023 - 07.2024
  • Bi-monthly meetings to prepare for district Professional Development
  • Mentored junior team members, fostering a culture of continuous learning and skill development.
  • Mentored and guided employees to foster proper toward full implementation of the new literacy curriculum.
  • Facilitated effective communication among team members, promoting transparency and accountability throughout the organization.
  • Cultivated strong relationships with key stakeholders, improving collaboration and fostering long-term partnerships.
  • Enhanced team productivity by initiating and implementing efficient project management processes.

7th Grade Literacy Teacher and PLC Leader/Member

Ankeny CSD
07.2014 - 07.2024
  • Leading and supporting our group in creating Common Formative Assessments
  • Establish open lines of communication with the content based PLC group and the administration
  • Research options for developing stronger and deeper learning goals for our students
  • Reinforce the districts goals for collaboration
  • Identified team weak points and implemented corrective actions to resolve concerns.
  • Mentored junior staff members, helping them develop leadership skills and advance their careers within the organization.
  • Enhanced reading comprehension levels by implementing diverse teaching strategies and individualized learning plans.
  • Mentored student teachers, providing guidance on effective instructional techniques and classroom management strategies.
  • Promoted critical thinking skills by guiding students through text-based inquiries and open-ended discussions, deepening their understanding of complex texts.
  • Strengthened writing abilities through the use of structured workshops and personalized feedback on assignments.
  • Collaborated with colleagues to develop a cross-curricular approach for reinforcing literacy skills across all subjects.
  • Instruct and collaborate with 80 students daily.
  • Met with small groups of four to five students on a regular rotation schedule.

Adjunct (Educators) Professional Growth & Development

Des Moines Area Community College
06.2019 - 01.2020
  • Lead the adjunct staff in a variety of professional developments to support their learning.
  • Work with other ELL educators to develop curriculum and testing guidelines
  • Monthly meetings with the building Provost to ensure we were promoting our building's services
  • Developed and implemented differentiated instruction strategies for diverse learners, ensuring individualized attention and success.

ELL Teacher

Des Moines Area Community College
05.2014 - 01.2020
  • Promoted cultural sensitivity in the classroom by incorporating diverse materials and discussions into lessons.
  • Evaluated student performance regularly through assessments and observations, offering constructive feedback to promote growth.
  • Enhanced communication skills among ELL students with focused speaking and listening exercises.
  • Contributed to school-wide initiatives aimed at supporting ELLs'' academic success and social integration.
  • Maintained accurate records of student progress, using data-driven analyses to inform future instructional decisions.
  • Supported student growth in English language acquisition through targeted instruction and assessments.
  • Collaborated with fellow educators to create a cohesive curriculum that addressed the unique needs of ELL students.
  • Adapted instructional strategies to meet the varying needs of each learner, ensuring equitable access to content for all students.
  • Established a safe learning environment by promoting inclusion, respect, and empathy among students.

CLT* Integration of Technology

Ankeny School District
01.2016 - 08.2019
  • Curriculum Leadership Team meets monthly to ensure the goals of the team are being met
  • Work with administration and staff of the Ankeny School District, to establish technology standards, align our standards with the 21st Century Skills, and establish a timeline for the implementation of the district's technology
  • Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
  • Worked effectively in fast-paced environments.
  • Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
  • Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.

SINA Team Member

Greene County Public Schools
01.2015 - 06.2017
  • Create building goals for the implementation of the SINA plan
  • Complete building SINA plan
  • Analyze district and building assessment data
  • Establish parent-school activities
  • Developed strong cooperative relationships with coworkers and managers.

Classroom Teaching

East Greene/ Greene County Schools
07.2010 - 06.2014
  • Grades 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8. Along with Title 1 Reading.
  • The courses were Reading, writing, interventions, and Social Studies.
  • Engage students in reading strategies specifically designed to infuse the Common Core in the Literacy and Social Studies content areas.
  • There is an emphasis students' cooperative grouping, higher order thinking skills, and student-directed management of the daily schedule
  • Created lesson plans aligned to standards and delivered instructional activities designed to enhance classroom teaching, support optimal learning and develop new skills.
  • Enhanced classroom engagement through the implementation of diverse teaching methods tailored to individual student needs.


Scheduling Building Team Member

Greene County Public Schools
07.2012 - 10.2013
  • Create building and grade level schedules
  • Analyze the varied levels of extracurricular classes in the building
  • Collected, arranged, and input information into database system.

Building Leadership Team Member

Greene County Public Schools
08.2011 - 06.2013
  • Establish building goals
  • Assess the district's needs
  • Determine building intervention system
  • Led change management efforts, successfully navigating organizational transitions while maintaining employee morale and engagement.
  • Facilitated effective communication among team members, promoting transparency and accountability throughout the organization.
  • Cultivated strong relationships with key stakeholders, improving collaboration and fostering long-term partnerships.

Child Study Team Member

Greene County Public Schools
08.2009 - 06.2013
  • Designed RtI checklist for classroom teachers
  • Create a Tiered system of interventions for classroom teachers
  • Refer students to AEA for Special Education Services
  • Monitor 504 plans
  • Communicate with staff and families
  • Share vision for student success

5th Grade Teaching/ Resource Room Teacher

Sacred Heart School
07.2008 - 06.2009
  • Emphasis on reading strategies to be utilized also in language arts, social studies, and computers
  • Focus on cooperative grouping and differentiation of daily lessons
  • My classes ranged from one student to a class for 25.

Education

License - Educational Administration

Viterbo University
La Crosse, WI
05.2015

Master of Arts - Professional Educator

Morningside College
Sioux City, IA
05.2012

Bachelor of Arts - Elementary Education

Buena Vista University
Storm Lake, IA
12.2007

Skills

  • Student engagement
  • Scientific literacy
  • Curriculum development
  • Collaborative learning
  • Project-based learning
  • Assessment strategies
  • Inquiry-based learning
  • STEM education
  • Classroom management
  • Verbal and written communication
  • Instructional planning
  • Learning style accommodations

Accomplishments

  • Collaborated with team of elementary, middle school, and high school teachers to evaluate, pilot, and select the new curriculum for the district.
  • Documented and resolved issues within the building during our Curriculum Review Process, which led to all of the teachers feeling like they were actually "heard" during the review this time around.
  • Supervised team of ten staff members to create a Professional Development Presentation for grades 6 - 12 on a PD day.

Certification

  • Iowa Driver's License
  • First Aid Certification


Languages

Spanish
Elementary

Timeline

6th and 7th Grade Science Teacher

Ankeny Community School
07.2024 - Current

District Curriculum Leadership Team- Literacy

Ankeny Community School
01.2023 - 07.2024

Adjunct (Educators) Professional Growth & Development

Des Moines Area Community College
06.2019 - 01.2020

CLT* Integration of Technology

Ankeny School District
01.2016 - 08.2019

SINA Team Member

Greene County Public Schools
01.2015 - 06.2017

7th Grade Literacy Teacher and PLC Leader/Member

Ankeny CSD
07.2014 - 07.2024

ELL Teacher

Des Moines Area Community College
05.2014 - 01.2020

Scheduling Building Team Member

Greene County Public Schools
07.2012 - 10.2013

Building Leadership Team Member

Greene County Public Schools
08.2011 - 06.2013

Classroom Teaching

East Greene/ Greene County Schools
07.2010 - 06.2014

Child Study Team Member

Greene County Public Schools
08.2009 - 06.2013

5th Grade Teaching/ Resource Room Teacher

Sacred Heart School
07.2008 - 06.2009

License - Educational Administration

Viterbo University

Master of Arts - Professional Educator

Morningside College

Bachelor of Arts - Elementary Education

Buena Vista University

Professional Organization Membership

  • SAI, 2012, 2013
  • NEA, 2009 to 2017

Professional Educational Leadership Positions

  • Advisory Task Force, 2017-2018
  • Technology Integration Team, 2014-2018
  • Preschool teacher and Advisory Board Member, YOUR Inc., Webster City, Iowa, 2008
  • Building Leadership Team- Lead Facilitator, 2012-2014
  • Bully Committee- District Team- Committee Member, 2011-2014
  • Child Study Committee- Building Team- Committee Member, 2009-2014
  • SINA Team- Committee Member, 2011-2014
  • SIAC Committee- District Team- Committee Member, 2012-2013

Career Related Experience

  • Citizenship Education Class- Prepare adults for the Citizenship/ Naturalization test. Reading, vocabulary, writing, and interviewing skills that are necessary for passing the test.
  • ELL/ESL programming- Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC)- Design and implement quality instruction and materials to assure the adult students' educational needs are being met, while supporting their language barriers.
  • 7th grade Literacy, A-Team (Co-teaching setting)- Prairie Ridge Middle School- Instructing, modeling, and providing opportunities for students to succeed.
  • Technology Team- To collaborate with and provide focused feedback to fellow volunteers from within the Ankeny Community School District.
  • Advisory Taskforce- Through collaboration with leaders from the Parkview Middle school, the taskforce is creating a new perception for staff of both buildings.
  • 6th / 7th grade Drama Coach- Lead and inspire middle school students in the art theatrical presentations.
  • 6th grade teaching- East Greene/ Greene County Schools- Engage students in reading strategies.
  • Middle School teaching- East Greene School- Implement and guide students through required writing strategies.
  • Title 1 Reading teacher/ 4-5 Reading teacher- East Greene Elementary- Implement a system of interventions.
  • 4/5 teaching- East Greene Elementary- Engage students in the concepts of reading, language arts, and social studies.
  • 5th grade teaching/ Resource Room teacher- Sacred Heart School- Emphasis on reading strategies.
  • Preschool teacher-YOUR Inc. Head Start - Emphasis on school readiness skills.

Work Address

1010 NW Prairie Ridge Drive, Ankeny, Iowa, 50023

Activities

  • Parent Volunteer for Perry Band Olympics, 2016-2019
  • Drama Coach/ Camp Leader- Prairie Ridge Middle School, 2016-2021
  • Drama Camp- Perry Recreational Center, 2016-2019
  • Greene County Community Theater Board member/ participant, 2012-2014
  • Junior Class sponsor- East Greene, 2011-2012
  • Member of Off-the-Track Players group, 2009 to 2015
  • Volunteer for Grand Junction Public Library's Summer Program, 2009 to 2014
  • Stratford Community School Board Member- Stratford Public School, 2005-2009
  • Stratford Elementary Booster Club, 2002-2009
  • Stratford Public Library Board of Trustees, 1999-2005

Work Availability

monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
swipe to browse

Leadership And Professional Experiences

  • Leader and Me Lighthouse Team, 08/01/21 to present
  • Immigration Specialist Certificate, 06/01/20
  • Cognitive Coaching Certification, 01/01/16




Quote

Know the true value of time; snatch, seize, and enjoy every moment of it. No idleness, no laziness, no procrastination: never put off till to-morrow what you can do to-day.
Philip Dormer Stanhope, Lord Chesterfield

Professional Organization Membership

  • SAI, 2012, 2013
  • NEA, 2009 to 2017

Professional Educational Leadership Positions

  • Advisory Task Force, 2017-2018
  • Technology Integration Team, 2014-2018
  • Preschool teacher and Advisory Board Member, YOUR Inc., Webster City, Iowa, 2008
  • Building Leadership Team- Lead Facilitator, 2012-2014
  • Bully Committee- District Team- Committee Member, 2011-2014
  • Child Study Committee- Building Team- Committee Member, 2009-2014
  • SINA Team- Committee Member, 2011-2014
  • SIAC Committee- District Team- Committee Member, 2012-2013

Career Related Experience

  • Citizenship Education Class- Prepare adults for the Citizenship/ Naturalization test. Reading, vocabulary, writing, and interviewing skills that are necessary for passing the test.
  • ELL/ESL programming- Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC)- Design and implement quality instruction and materials to assure the adult students' educational needs are being met, while supporting their language barriers.
  • 7th grade Literacy, A-Team (Co-teaching setting)- Prairie Ridge Middle School- Instructing, modeling, and providing opportunities for students to succeed.
  • Technology Team- To collaborate with and provide focused feedback to fellow volunteers from within the Ankeny Community School District.
  • Advisory Taskforce- Through collaboration with leaders from the Parkview Middle school, the taskforce is creating a new perception for staff of both buildings.
  • 6th / 7th grade Drama Coach- Lead and inspire middle school students in the art theatrical presentations.
  • 6th grade teaching- East Greene/ Greene County Schools- Engage students in reading strategies.
  • Middle School teaching- East Greene School- Implement and guide students through required writing strategies.
  • Title 1 Reading teacher/ 4-5 Reading teacher- East Greene Elementary- Implement a system of interventions.
  • 4/5 teaching- East Greene Elementary- Engage students in the concepts of reading, language arts, and social studies.
  • 5th grade teaching/ Resource Room teacher- Sacred Heart School- Emphasis on reading strategies.
  • Preschool teacher-YOUR Inc. Head Start - Emphasis on school readiness skills.

Work Address

1010 NW Prairie Ridge Drive, Ankeny, Iowa, 50023

Activities

  • Parent Volunteer for Perry Band Olympics, 2016-2019
  • Drama Coach/ Camp Leader- Prairie Ridge Middle School, 2016-2021
  • Drama Camp- Perry Recreational Center, 2016-2019
  • Greene County Community Theater Board member/ participant, 2012-2014
  • Junior Class sponsor- East Greene, 2011-2012
  • Member of Off-the-Track Players group, 2009 to 2015
  • Volunteer for Grand Junction Public Library's Summer Program, 2009 to 2014
  • Stratford Community School Board Member- Stratford Public School, 2005-2009
  • Stratford Elementary Booster Club, 2002-2009
  • Stratford Public Library Board of Trustees, 1999-2005

Similar Profiles

CREATE PROFILE
Nicole McFarlandEducator