Penny Harris
Van Buren,Arkansas
Summary
Versatile manager with background in coordinating diverse teams and managing complex projects. Skilled in strategic planning, operational improvement, and fostering collaborative environments. Demonstrated ability to enhance efficiency and productivity while maintaining high standards of quality. Successfully implemented innovative solutions that resulted in positive organizational changes. Highly-motivated with desire to take on new challenges. Strong work ethic, adaptability, and exceptional interpersonal skills. Adept at working effectively unsupervised and quickly mastering new skills.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Resource Teacher
Fort Smith Public Schools
08.2023 - Current
- Create and implement learning plans based on learner need compared to required standards.
- Write summaries of learners’ strengths, weaknesses, assets, and needs.
- Create and administer assessments to determine student needs.
- Maintain and correlate learner data.
- Build individual learning plans for up to 30 students per year with goals, learning accommodations, and annual reviews.
- Developed and provided student instruction to support them in reaching their goals with 80% accuracy.
- Developed and administered individualized assessments, integrating results with standardized test data to analyze each student's educational progress and identify specific learning needs.
- Schedule and direct meetings with various stakeholders with multiple outlooks to come to an agreed upon course of action.
- Coordinated and moderated regular meetings with school staff and parents, ensuring that all stakeholders’ perspectives were considered and integrated into the final plan.
- Facilitated communication between 15 teachers, 3 school administrators, and up to 30 students and their parents.
- Researched evidence-based practices to make informed decisions about teaching methods, identify areas for improvement, and adapt to new learning theories to enhance learning outcomes.
- Work closely with other supervisors to support the needs in their areas.
Director of Student Services
Future School of Fort Smith
Fort Smith, AR
05.2017 - 08.2023
- Managed compliance with State Department of Education regulations across diverse federal programs, such as Special Education, English Language Education, and Section 504.
- Developed, coordinated, and supervised all special programs comprising Special Education, English Language Learner program, and dyslexia program maintaining adherence to state and federal regulations alongside regular reports to state education department.
- Managed all compliance reporting and underwent a state audit every four years, providing documentation to demonstrate adherence to regulations.
- Identified areas of non-compliance, formulated and executed corrective action plans to achieve full compliance and enhance program effectiveness.
- Oversaw and managed school online learning management system for students requiring credit recovery classes and optional electives.
- Instructed class virtually for 12 months
- Designed and conducted training sessions for teachers utilizing both in-person and online platforms.
- Utilized oral and written communication techniques to create course material, facilitate professional development, and guide teams in developing school-wide training material.
- Used data to monitor students' progress and recommend solutions for improvement.
- Analyzed achievement and intelligence tests; consistently pinpointed individual learning difficulties through assessment data, interviews, and record reviews, and crafted standards-based IEPs.
- Partnered with Leadership Team to develop, assess, and enhance school programs.
- Prepared thorough documentation of school policies, procedures, and activities for inclusion on school website and delivery to Arkansas Department of Education.
- Assessed and recruited team members for all special programs.
- Cultivated strong relationships with students, faculty, alumni, and administration.
- Engaged with parents, school faculty, and social workers to resolve challenges and advance student success.
- Advised 250 students on academic and career paths
- Utilized negotiation and conflict resolution techniques to foster collaboration in team environment.
- Assessed company needs, researched viable solutions, and presented options to board members
- Developed and designed marketing materials enhancing student recruitment and retention
Classroom Teacher
Various High Schools
Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas
01.1998 - 05.2017
- Developed, modified, and delivered instructional content across diverse subject areas for learners ranging from kindergarten to adult
- Constructed curriculum in accordance with required state standards, executed lesson plans proficiently, sustained meticulous records, preserved confidentiality, and included stakeholders for overseeing class loads of up to 150 students per year.
- Developed curricula and enhanced courses, crafted interactive lesson presentations, and delivered remediation while generating personalized support based on constructive feedback and student input.
- Crafted distinctive learning paths with innovative content creation, team activities, role-playing, games, group dialogues, and multimedia presentations to promote personalized education plans, gather vital feedback, and raise learner satisfaction.
- Designed curriculum for year-long computer applications course covering Microsoft Word, Excel, Publisher, PowerPoint, and Internet Explorer.
- Evaluated students' academic and social growth, kept appropriate records, and prepared progress reports to gauge performance.
- Utilized an organized, methodical, and technical approach to teaching concepts.
- Engaged in various leadership committees such as school improvement, literacy task force, administrative team, and strategic improvement team.
- Created engaging lesson plans, fostered a culture of discovery, and provided a well-organized classroom structure to help students succeed.
- Established and communicated clear objectives for all educational activities.
Distance Education Instructor
Carl Albert State College
Sallisaw, OK
01.2007 - 05.2007
- Leveraged diverse technologies such as interactive presentations and video instruction to stimulate student participation in class activities and broaden instructional approaches.
- Alternated between structured and casual instructional approaches to maintain student interest.
- Tailored educational approaches and curriculum designs to meet changing student demands, increasing participation in classroom activities.
- Tailored lessons and curriculum to support varied learning styles
Education
Graduate Certification - Educational Examiner
Henderson State University
05-2023
Educational Leadership -
Southern Arkansas University
01.2022
English Language Learning (ELL) -
Arkansas Tech University
01.2019
Special Education -
Arkansas State University
01.2012
M.Ed. - School Counseling
University of West Alabama
01.2005
B.A. - English and Education
State University of New York (SUNY) At Albany
01.1996
Skills
- Google Workspace
- Learning & Development Software
- Design & Media Tools
- Project Management Tools
- LMS Administration
- Data analysis
- Effective communication
- Instructional leadership
- Organizational skills
- Microsoft office
- Adaptability
- Problem-solving aptitude
Certification
- Educational Examiner, Henderson State University, 05/01/23
- Educational Leadership, Southern Arkansas University, 05/01/22
- English Language Learning (ELL), Arkansas Tech University, 05/01/19
- Special Education, Arkansas State University, 05/01/12
Accomplishments
- Teacher of the Year 2016
Teacher Licensure
Special Education, Educational Examiner, Building Level Administrator, Guidance Counseling, English as a Second Language (ESOL), Spanish, English, Journalism, Family and Consumer Science, Business Technology, Drama/Speech
Timeline
Resource Teacher
Fort Smith Public Schools
08.2023 - Current
Director of Student Services
Future School of Fort Smith
05.2017 - 08.2023
Distance Education Instructor
Carl Albert State College
01.2007 - 05.2007
Classroom Teacher
Various High Schools
01.1998 - 05.2017
Graduate Certification - Educational Examiner
Henderson State University
Educational Leadership -
Southern Arkansas University
English Language Learning (ELL) -
Arkansas Tech University
Special Education -
Arkansas State University
M.Ed. - School Counseling
University of West Alabama
B.A. - English and Education
State University of New York (SUNY) At Albany
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