Pamela Matusz Arroliga
Turnersville
Summary
Dynamic educator with a proven track record excelling in curriculum development and classroom management. Passionate about fostering social-emotional learning, I successfully reduced behavioral referrals while mentoring students. My innovative lesson planning and collaborative teaching approach create engaging, student-centered environments that inspire academic and personal growth.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Teacher
Chestnut Ridge Middle School and Orchard Valley Middle School
Sewell
08.2021 - Current
- As a teacher in Washington Township, I implemented lessons that met our state and national standards while infusing hands-on activities that engaged and moved students.
- Additionally, we covered writing and reading contextualized in current events and diverse texts.
- I maintained feedback-based grading that better exposed my students’ strengths and weaknesses as a more accurate tool to guide them in their learning.
- I maintained my classroom management while working with my building administrators to diffuse social media and other forms of bullying.
- I built a rapport with my students that extended beyond the classroom and forged relationships that allowed them to confide in me as a mentor.
- Collaborated with colleagues to create a safe and uplifting atmosphere.
- Worked alongside my building principal as a member of the MTSS Committee with Dr. Alexander.
- Reviewed data from state assessments to inform my lessons better.
Social Emotional Title 1 Mentor
Washington Township School District
Sewell
08.2021 - Current
- Developed a program at Orchard Valley Middle School to support at-risk students in feeling seen, building camaraderie, realizing their capabilities, and feeling safe.
- Established trust with students to address school or home life issues, providing accountability and support.
- Reduced behavioral referrals.
- Developed a criteria in collaboration with my administration to assist in teacher referrals for the program.
- Organized and recruited other teacher mentors.
- Assigned students to mentors.
- Volunteered my lunch period and after school to provide emotional support to students.
Teacher
Creativity Collaboratory Charter School
Elmer
09.2019 - 06.2021
- Transitioned the students into new school norms and expectations.
- Continuously communicated with parents and regularly met with guardians to keep the line of communication open for a smooth transition.
- Redesigned the classroom curriculum with more project-based learning and integrated lessons containing multiple disciplines.
- Incorporated art and many cross-curricular lessons that supported S.T.E.A.M. education.
- Collaborated with students to choreograph and perform in the school-wide talent show.
- Judged Poetry Out Loud for the regional finalists in the campus theater.
- Instituted and facilitated the Student Community Project requirement for graduating 8th graders.
Social Studies Teacher
Woodstown Middle School
Woodstown
10.2018 - 06.2019
- Developed lesson plans to teach students about world cultures, religions, and political systems.
- Collaborated with other teachers to plan interdisciplinary projects and activities.
- Incorporated primary source materials into lessons whenever possible, including documents from archives or interviews with experts.
- Provided feedback on student work through rubrics or checklists designed according to specific criteria.
Teacher
Freedom Democracy Prep Charter School
Camden City
07.2017 - 03.2018
- Maintained a very detailed merit system that was updated daily and disbursed weekly.
- Kept an orderly classroom according to the school’s code of behavior.
- Made daily accommodations to my lessons for ESL students that were inclusive.
- Engaged students in class discussions and diverse material.
- Built a positive rapport with students and the community.
- School Community Outreach and Citizenship Coordinator.
Creator
Community Outreach
Millville
09.2016 - 06.2017
- Collaborate with the Millville Alliance to manage a community outreach program called 'The Front Door Project'.
- Partner with local news to appear on local broadcasts to build public awareness for my program.
- Built and maintained relationships with city-planning and local congregations to broadcast information about the program and apply for grants.
- Designed my own website for my program that allowed residents to book services online.
- Encouraged teachers to get out of the classroom and interact with the outside community.
- Was featured on SNJ News promoting the program.
- Updated the appearance of several doors in the inner city.
- Recognized by the Mayor's Council, and asked to partner with the restoration team by the Commerce Commissioner.
District Equity and Diversity Staff Developer
Millville BOE
Millville
07.2014 - 06.2017
- Lead the development and implementation of proactive diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.
- Champion the importance and value of a diverse and inclusive environment in schools.
- Engage administrators, staff, families, and students to build a welcoming and inclusive culture.
- Trained the entire school building staff on tolerating and respecting diversity in their classes.
- Instrumental in reducing the number of behavioral referrals.
Teacher
Millville BOE
Millville
10.2012 - 06.2017
- Developed lesson plans following the Common Core curriculum and state curriculum standards.
- Identified students at risk of underachievement and ensured that appropriate interventions were in place.
- Maintained an orderly and disciplined classroom environment, keeping students on task and promoting student enthusiasm and mutual respect.
- Produced the lowest referrals for behavior through the whole-student teaching concept.
- Collaborated with the administration to provide a 'working' discipline plan to reduce the number of in-school suspensions.
Subject Area Leader
Millville BOE
Millville
09.2014 - 06.2016
- Enabled all teachers to achieve expertise in planning for and teaching history through example, support, and by leading and providing high-quality professional development opportunities.
- Participated in the building panel as a liaison and representative for the department.
- Directed daily meetings and professional learning communities.
- Developed the curriculum and SGOs to align with ELA standards.
National Staff Developer
AVID
Millville
03.2014 - 03.2015
- Provided educators from across the world with proven, real-world strategies to accelerate the performance of underrepresented students so that those students and all students across the campus could succeed in college, career, and life.
- Presented to hundreds of educators and administrators from all over the world on practices that would engage students in higher-level college prep ELA Curriculum, to get first-generation college students ready with rigor and high standards.
English and Social Studies Teacher
Christa McAuliffe Middle School
Jackson
03.2011 - 06.2011
- Implemented differentiated instruction techniques based on individual needs of learners in the classroom.
- Collaborated with other teachers to plan interdisciplinary projects and activities.
- Encouraged critical thinking skills by asking open-ended questions during class discussions.
- Developed class learning plans to meet district and statement requirements for instruction.
Pre-K Teacher
Red Apple
Bayville
01.2009 - 01.2011
- Encouraged parent involvement by providing feedback on student achievement at conferences or meetings.
- Implemented strategies for managing challenging behaviors among students.
- Planned and implemented developmentally appropriate activities to engage Pre-K students in learning.
- Assessed student progress through observation, documentation, and portfolio review.
Education
Certification - Social Work
Rutgers School of Social Work
New Brunswick, NJ08.2019
Bachelor of Arts - History, Religion, and Philosophy
Rowan University
Glassboro, NJ05.2006
Skills
- Curriculum development
- Classroom management
- Data analysis
- Differentiated instruction
- Social-emotional learning
- Collaborative teaching
- Cultural competency
- Conflict resolution
- Parent communication
- Mentoring students
- Interdisciplinary instruction
- Parent-teacher communication
- Student-centered learning
- Positive role model and mentor
- Innovative lesson planning
- Cultural sensitivity
Community Service
- Organizer/ Creator, The Front Door Project, 2015-2016
- Speaker, Camden Center for Family Services, 2018
- Director, Elderly L.U.V. Community Outreach, 2021
Publications
Tenaciously Teaching Teenagers; Stories and Strategies for Reaching Even the Toughest Students with Humor, Love, and Respect, Routledge Publishing, 07/11/23
Affiliations
- 2017 SNJ News Roundtable Interview for community outreach project that I created, "The Front Door Project".
Accomplishments
- 2023 Published author with Routledge Publishing July 11 2023; Tenaciously Teaching Teenagers; Stories and Strategies for Reaching Even the Toughest Students with Humor, Love, and Respect.
- 2025 Speaker at the NJ Middle School Conference outlining my classroom management and community outreach.
Certification
2019 Mindfulness and Trauma
2019 Understanding Child Development Through a Cultural Lens
2019 Mental Health and Violence Against Women
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Teacher
Chestnut Ridge Middle School and Orchard Valley Middle School
08.2021 - Current
Social Emotional Title 1 Mentor
Washington Township School District
08.2021 - Current
Teacher
Creativity Collaboratory Charter School
09.2019 - 06.2021
Social Studies Teacher
Woodstown Middle School
10.2018 - 06.2019
Teacher
Freedom Democracy Prep Charter School
07.2017 - 03.2018
Creator
Community Outreach
09.2016 - 06.2017
Subject Area Leader
Millville BOE
09.2014 - 06.2016
District Equity and Diversity Staff Developer
Millville BOE
07.2014 - 06.2017
National Staff Developer
AVID
03.2014 - 03.2015
Teacher
Millville BOE
10.2012 - 06.2017
English and Social Studies Teacher
Christa McAuliffe Middle School
03.2011 - 06.2011
Pre-K Teacher
Red Apple
01.2009 - 01.2011
Certification - Social Work
Rutgers School of Social Work
Bachelor of Arts - History, Religion, and Philosophy
Rowan University
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