Octavia Ivy-Strickland

My current responsibilities encompass both academic instruction and character development, aligning with NCA's mission to cultivate intelligent and virtuous citizens.

• Design and implement lesson plans for a classroom of approximately 18–24 students, adhering to NCA’s classical curriculum and pedagogical approaches
• Instruct students in core virtues such as courage, courtesy, honesty, humility, perseverance, self-government, and service, ensuring these principles are integrated into daily classroom activities.
• Develop and implement interventions for students as needed, collaborating with intervention specialists to support the creation and execution of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs)
• Utilize appropriate technological tools for instruction, record-keeping, assessment, and performance analysis to support student learning outcomes.

Responsible for overseeing and guiding all aspects of support for neurodiverse learners within the school setting

• Developed and executed a revamped strategic plan for the department, resulting in significant growth and improved performance metrics.
• Created an onboarding process to identify students with learning differences, provide those students with in-class support, and outlined the process for additional DS support.
• Provide ongoing professional development and training related to learning differences and instructional strategies.

Provided specialized instruction and support to students who are struggling with reading, aiming to improve their literacy skills and help them catch up to grade level expectations.

• Provided individualized instruction to neurodiverse students to help them achieve grade-level proficiency
• Implemented accommodations based on psychoeducational evaluations in coordination with the guidance counselor
• Modified curriculum, instructional pacing, and assessment protocols to meet individual learner needs

• Fourth Grade ('16), Third Grade ('14-'15) Plan and teach lessons designed for students with dyslexia and other learning differences, including reading, writing, math, Orton-Gillingham language instruction, social skills, science, and social studies.
• Served as Fifth Grade Chair 2018 and 2019 school years
• Coordinate homeroom responsibilities.
• Communicate student progress, school events, and initiatives to students, parents, colleagues, and administrators.
• Provide small group, direct, multi-sensory instruction.
• Develop instruction in Executive Function skills.
• Developed scope and sequences for new math.
• Assessed student learning progress and comprehension with routine tests and standardized examinations.
• Helped students develop self-esteem and life skills by fostering healthy conflict-resolution, critical thinking and communication.

• Received Achievement Award three consecutive years (2010-2013) for students attaining highest ITBS test scores school-wide
• Organized and established organizing first ever school-wide Art Show
• Planned first Science Fair for First Graders in school history
• Created multi-cultural week by partnering with a local Japanese school culminating in a day of shared education and experiences for students
• Design and implement common-core curriculum using brain based research instructional strategies that promote high-order cognitive skills while engaging students in new and exciting ways
• Assess student abilities using data to improve and modify curriculum