Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Awards
Certification
Timeline
Generic

Portia Lawrence

North Chesterfield

Summary

Portia Lawrence is an experienced educator, curriculum specialist, and family engagement strategist with a Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Virginia. Her expertise lies in literacy development, culturally responsive education, and building authentic partnerships between families and educators in marginalized communities. Portia has led impactful professional development for teachers, developed research-based tools to enhance literacy outcomes, and supported individualized learning as a tutor, consultant, and classroom teacher in Title I schools. As a university-based teacher educator, she prepares future teachers for effective literacy instruction and meaningful family engagement. Passionate about bridging the gap between home and school, Portia brings a strong foundation in curriculum design, research, and educational leadership to every role she undertakes.

Overview

20
20
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Family Engagement Coordinator

ExCELL
01.2005 - 05.2025


  • Design and facilitate workshops, training sessions, and interactive events that empower families with effective literacy strategies.
  • Organized successful events to foster positive relationships among families, students, and staff members.
  • Promoted a welcoming environment at school events by providing translation services when needed and ensuring the accessibility of materials for all attendees.
  • Evaluated the effectiveness of family engagement initiatives using data-driven methods and adjusted strategies accordingly for continuous improvement.
  • Collaborate with schools, community organizations, and stakeholders to enhance family involvement in education.
  • Created resources to assist educators in enhancing their understanding of diverse cultural backgrounds to improve communication with families.

University-Based Teacher Educator

Virginia Commonwealth University
01.2025 - 05.2025
  • Supervise and mentor graduating student teachers, providing observations, feedback, and coaching to support instructional growth.
  • Facilitate reflective discussions and debrief sessions to help preservice teachers develop effective teaching practices.
  • Serve as a liaison between the university, student teachers, and placement schools to ensure high-quality field experiences.
  • Guide student teachers in implementing research-based literacy instruction and culturally responsive teaching strategies.
  • Assess and evaluate student teacher performance, offering constructive feedback to support their professional development.
  • Support preservice teachers in bridging the gap between theory and practice through ongoing mentorship and coaching.

Private Tutor and Educational Consultant

Seeds of Hope LLC
07.2019 - 12.2024
  • Conduct full literacy evaluation to ensure 'one-on-one' and small group individualized learning sessions for each student needing remediation or enrichment.
  • Provide systematic phonics and phonological/phonemic awareness to build fluency and confidence.
  • Home-school support and parent-friendly assessment explanations provided to empower parents/guardians to be able to advocate and support their child effectively at home and in school settings (conferences, IEP meetings, etc.).
  • Parent Coaching sessions addressing topics specific to parent needs: Productive homework routines, Power of Positive Discipline, Birth to Preschool Activities for Literacy Development, Interpreting Student Test Scores
  • Preschool-Kindergarten readiness and summer slide prevention services provided to support Richmond Metro area, North Carolina and Tennessee students have increased success entering into Fall school year.
  • Deliver virtual literacy tutoring via Zoom to PreK-6th grade students, offering personalized one-on-one and small group sessions for families outside the Richmond area or those seeking online instruction.

Facilitated Professional Development

Mountain View Elementary
08.2024 - Current
  • Led school-wide preservice sessions focused on empowering teachers to build authentic partnerships with families, addressing racial discrepancies between staff and families to foster trust and meaningful engagement.
  • Utilized key tools from my recently completed capstone to address communication and engagement needs identified at the school, ensuring that strategies were both research-based and effective.
  • Demonstrated expertise in guiding educators to implement culturally responsive strategies that promote collaborative family-school relationships.
  • Advocated for inclusive practices and equitable communication between schools and marginalized communities.

Coder for Tools for Equitable Reading Instruction for Foundational Skills

University of Virginia
05.2022 - 05.2024
  • Supported the development and implementation of an observational tool aimed at enhancing instructional practices in foundational reading skills for grades PreK – Third.
  • Conducted extensive testing and refinement cycles, ensuring the observation tool’s efficacy and alignment with best practices in early childhood literacy education.
  • Demonstrated strong project management skills in overseeing the entire lifecycle of the observation tool development, from conception to deployment, within established timelines.
  • Collaborated closely with the coding team to understand observed teachers’ instructional methodologies and requirements, translating them into actionable features within the observation tool.

Kindergarten Classroom Teacher

Nations Ford Elementary
08.2015 - 06.2018
  • Served as teacher in a predominantly E.S.O.L. Title I school.
  • REACH Teacher 2017-2018: provided mentorship with selected teachers, backward backward-mapped instruction to ensure high expectations for each student while creating a classroom community of excellence and respect.
  • Delivered holistic education with a foundation of Social/Emotional development woven into each of the academic areas.
  • Provided literacy unit using Guided Reading practices and whole group literacy model grounded in Fountas and Pinnell and CMS district literacy mandates.
  • Based instruction on data collected from AMC Anywhere, DIBELS/TRC, Common Assessment, and continuous teacher observation.
  • Served on the Student Activities Committee where I assisted in organizing numerous activities that bridged the home-school connection.

Kindergarten Classroom Teacher

Bruns Academy
07.2014 - 01.2015
  • Served 23 talented students with diverse learning needs (academic impairments, emotionally challenged, and gifted learners) in a Title I urban environment.
  • Implemented morning meetings based on the Responsive Classroom model and infused school-wide approach to discipline with Character Development lessons.
  • Initiated grade-level outreach project to increase parent involvement via APTT (Academic Parent Teacher Team).
  • Lessons created on the foundation of Common Core Standards and built off students’ specific learning needs and goals.

Kindergarten Classroom Teacher

Clark Elementary
08.2012 - 06.2014
  • Implemented Responsive Classroom management techniques during morning meetings and daily behavior management.
  • Managed diverse classrooms with various levels of ability, accommodating each student''s unique strengths while addressing their challenges effectively.
  • Incorporated partnerships through parent involvement to support thematic units.
  • Created a Pen-Pal program within the neighboring school to bring authentic purpose to writing skills.
  • Collaborated in planning, organizing and implementing instructional programs to facilitate academic, intellectual, and social development.
  • Encouraged and prepared diverse learners to become independent readers through systematic, multi-sensory instruction in phonemic awareness and decoding skills.

1st Grade Classroom Teacher

Clark Elementary
08.2011 - 06.2012
  • Worked with Title I, gifted students, students identified with learning disabilities, and English Language Learners in an urban school environment.
  • Collaborated with Paraprofessional and Reading Specialist to design a Structured Literacy Framework.
  • Administered and analyzed assessment data including PALS, and QRI to appropriately differentiate instruction and meet the academic needs of all students.
  • Increased student collaboration by implementing group projects and team-building activities.

Preschool Classroom Teacher

Ginter Park Elementary
08.2009 - 06.2011
  • Designed instruction with the assistance of a Paraprofessional. Supplemented instruction with Virginia Preschool Standards and Houghton-Mifflin curriculum.
  • Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities, staying current on best practices in education and refining instructional techniques accordingly.
  • Designed small literacy groups that were fluid and ability-based. Literacy block consisted of daily rotations between teachers and independent areas focused on the development of alphabet and print knowledge, phonological features, fine motor, and oral language.
  • Orchestrated 'play' with specific academic and social goals based on thematic units and the current quarter’s goals.
  • Conducted formal (PALS, CORE, and VPI Screening) and informal assessments to create lesson plans and guide weekly goals.

2nd Grade Classroom Teacher

Mary Carr Greer Elementary
08.2008 - 01.2009
  • Worked with Title I, gifted students, emotionally challenged, and English Language Learners in an urban school environment.
  • Implemented the Being A Writer writing program as per school initiative.
  • Orchestrated math instruction to reach below and on-grade level students through centers, differentiated instruction with the use of Investigations supplemented with the quarter’s Standards Of Learning requirements and student needs.
  • Lessons centered on real-life applications of topics gained through home-school connections and peer teaching to create motivation and confidence.
  • Implemented data-driven instruction by regularly assessing student performance to inform instructional decisions, leading to higher achievement levels across the board.
  • Encouraged the development of essential life skills such as problem-solving, time management, and self-discipline through various class activities and assignments.

Education

Doctor of Education - Curriculum and Instruction

University of Virginia
Charlottesville, VA
01.2024

Master of Teaching - Elementary Education

University of Virginia
Charlottesville, VA
01.2008

Bachelor of Arts - African-American Studies

University of Virginia
Charlottesville, VA
01.2008

Skills

  • Friendly, positive attitude
  • Teamwork and collaboration
  • Family Engagement
  • Data Analysis
  • Virtual Learning Spaces
  • Problem-solving

Accomplishments

  • Irreplaceable Teacher Award, 2017
  • Teacher of the Year Runner-Up, 2017 & 2018

Awards

Teacher of the Year Runner Up 2017 and 2018., Irreplaceable Teacher Award 2017

Certification

Certified Teacher PrK-6 - Virginia

Reading Specialist Endorsement

Timeline

University-Based Teacher Educator

Virginia Commonwealth University
01.2025 - 05.2025

Facilitated Professional Development

Mountain View Elementary
08.2024 - Current

Coder for Tools for Equitable Reading Instruction for Foundational Skills

University of Virginia
05.2022 - 05.2024

Private Tutor and Educational Consultant

Seeds of Hope LLC
07.2019 - 12.2024

Kindergarten Classroom Teacher

Nations Ford Elementary
08.2015 - 06.2018

Kindergarten Classroom Teacher

Bruns Academy
07.2014 - 01.2015

Kindergarten Classroom Teacher

Clark Elementary
08.2012 - 06.2014

1st Grade Classroom Teacher

Clark Elementary
08.2011 - 06.2012

Preschool Classroom Teacher

Ginter Park Elementary
08.2009 - 06.2011

2nd Grade Classroom Teacher

Mary Carr Greer Elementary
08.2008 - 01.2009

Family Engagement Coordinator

ExCELL
01.2005 - 05.2025

Master of Teaching - Elementary Education

University of Virginia

Bachelor of Arts - African-American Studies

University of Virginia

Doctor of Education - Curriculum and Instruction

University of Virginia

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