Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
References
Timeline
Generic

Samira Arias

Belleville,New Jersey

Summary

Highly effective high school English teacher who loves working with students and helping in all modes of professional development. Motivated to work in various ways to train and help new teachers become engaging and influential in the classroom as well as maintaining a highly productive classroom environment for students. Previous knowledge working in curriculum writing and development, summer programs, summer schools, and resident assistant roles. Results-driven professional successful at optimizing administrative procedures to control costs and improve operations. Experienced in building positive relationships with students and teachers to underpin sustainable policies.

Overview

12
12
years of professional experience

Work History

English Department Chair

EMPOWERMENT ACADEMY
Jersey City, NJ
09.2023 - Current
  • Designed a 9th and 10th grade curriculum for a new high school during their foundational year
  • Created and implemented unit and lesson plans aligned with English Language Arts Common Core Standards for freshmen
  • Observed and implemented coaching feedback practices using the Danielson rubric in order to encourage growth within the English and Performing Arts Departments
  • Organized cultural activities to encourage a thriving community, including homework help nights, Black History Month events, and school clubs and activities

English Teacher

EAST SIDE HIGH SCHOOL
Newark, NJ
09.2014 - 06.2023
  • Designed and implemented unit and lesson plans aligned with English Language Arts Common Core Standards for freshmen, sophomores, and juniors, and AP Literature for 90 minute block classes and 45 minute period classes
  • Collaborated with other teachers to develop universal standards, goals, objectives, and unit plans for classes
  • Observed and implemented butterfly feedback practices as a lead teacher to promote growth, effective lesson planning strategies, and behavior management systems within the classroom
  • Prepared professional development presentations on the integration of technology in the classroom and utilized new methods into my own classroom
  • Earned Highly Effective on the Newark Public Schools Framework for Effective Teaching rubric

Curriculum Writer

NEWARK PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Newark, NJ
06.2021 - 08.2021
  • Responsible for using the current HMH Collections textbook and corresponding novels to create a curriculum for 10th grade ELA
  • Independently created activities, engaging lessons, and implementation ideas for three units of the textbook with supplementary outside materials as well as designed the unit plan for the novel In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez

Corps Member Advisor

TEACH FOR AMERICA
Philadelphia, PA
06.2018 - 08.2018
  • Responsible for helping facilitate and train sixteen Teach for America corps members as they worked as summer school teacher
  • Created engaging and helpful training sessions to help teach best practices for over 100 corps members
  • Resided on Temple University's college campus with corps members in order to plan activities and maintain office hours to help with lesson planning and general guidance

Corps Member

TEACH FOR AMERICA
Newark, NJ
06.2013 - 06.2015
  • Chosen from a highly competitive pool to serve as a teacher in an urban school district for a mandated two year period
  • Adopted and utilized teaching practices earned from a rigorous summer program working in a Mastery charter school summer program

English Teacher

WEST SIDE HIGH SCHOOL
Newark, NJ
09.2013 - 06.2014
  • Designed and implemented unit and lesson plans aligned with English Language Arts Common Core Standards for sophomores for about 120 students for 50 minute period classes
  • Created highly engaging lessons in a school with more than 88% students who qualify for free and reduced lunches, 100% from diverse locations and backgrounds, and over 55% special needs students
  • Collaborated with other sophomore teachers to create a functional and engaging advisory program with lesson plans focused on college and career readiness

Education

M.A. - English Literature

MONTCLAIR STATE UNIVERSITY
Montclair, NJ
05.2021

B.A. - English Literature

WELLESLEY COLLEGE
Wellesley, MA
05.2013

Skills

  • Curriculum design
  • Lesson planning
  • Coaching feedback
  • Data analysis
  • Professional development
  • Collaboration

References

  • Yasmin Headley, Dean of Curriculum and Instruction, Empowerment Academy High School, 70 Claremont Ave, Jersey City, New Jersey, 07305, 973-705-3923, yheadley@empacad.org
  • Melissa Hodgson, Academic Dean, Empowerment Academy High School, 70 Claremont Avenue, Jersey City, New Jersey, 07305, 201-630-4799, mhodgson@empacad.org
  • Esther Sinclair, Mathematics Department Chair, Empowerment Academy High School, 70 Claremont Avenue, Jersey City, New Jersey, 07305, 201-630-4799, esinclair@empacad.org

Timeline

English Department Chair

EMPOWERMENT ACADEMY
09.2023 - Current

Curriculum Writer

NEWARK PUBLIC SCHOOLS
06.2021 - 08.2021

Corps Member Advisor

TEACH FOR AMERICA
06.2018 - 08.2018

English Teacher

EAST SIDE HIGH SCHOOL
09.2014 - 06.2023

English Teacher

WEST SIDE HIGH SCHOOL
09.2013 - 06.2014

Corps Member

TEACH FOR AMERICA
06.2013 - 06.2015

M.A. - English Literature

MONTCLAIR STATE UNIVERSITY

B.A. - English Literature

WELLESLEY COLLEGE

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