Raquel Thomas
Overland Park,KS
Summary
Highly organized educator and team leader successful at managing time, collaborating and coordinating with teammates. Professional, and resourceful, up-to-date on the latest curriculum and resources to ensure active learning and academic potential. Writes and develops engaging lesson plans in all academic areas. Blending content cross-curricular to increase validity, and application learning. Implements new teaching methods, as well as, innovative platforms to engage students. Works to develop and promote positive, interactive learning within a group environment. Improves progress of struggling students and increasing class test scores, increases student participation and motivation in learning through engaging lessons and activities. Dynamic Collegiate Dance Coach with 10 years head coaching at a D1A university and 9 years Assistant Coaching at a NAIA university, strategic planning, mentor, award-winning choreographer, management and peripheral responsibilities of head dance coach.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
Work History
ESOL Teacher
Blue Valley School District
Indian Valley Elementary
08.2024 - Current
- Design and implement engaging ESOL curriculum tailored to diverse learner needs.
- Facilitate immersive language activities to enhance student communication skills.
- Assess student progress through standardized tests and individualized feedback sessions.
- Collaborate with colleagues to align instructional strategies and best practices across departments.
- Develop community partnerships to enrich cultural exchange experiences for students.
- Integrate technology tools to support interactive learning environments for English language learners.
- Led professional development workshops focused on effective ESOL teaching methodologies.
- Served as an advocate for ESOL students within the school community, promoting cultural awareness and inclusivity among staff and peers.
5th Grade Teacher
Blue Valley School District
Overland Park, KS
07.2005 - 05.2024
- Create daily lesson plans for reading, math, writing, science, and social studies, differentiated instruction for mathematics and literacy, use innovative technology to provide wealth of resources and experiences, infuse student's experiences to enrich content, establish structured routines for academic growth and success. Develop student portfolios to highlight strengths and provide format for student growth using various interactive online platforms, utilize formal, common, and summative assessments to ensure understanding of skills and content, and closely collaborate and coordinate with teammates to develop cross-curricular lessons and unit planning.
- Develop strong and trusting relationship with students, parents, grade level teammates, staff, and school community. Establish grade level PLC agendas, continuously evaluate scope and sequence based on learning styles of students, prioritize assessments to drive instruction. Create project-based lessons for independent discovery and research, support students as both instructor, facilitator, and mentor. Fulfill responsibilities as leadership team member, revisit and revise annual SMART goals, vision, and mission statements, and continually adapting teaching style to scholars of classroom. Plan lessons according to district standards to cover requirements and prepare for standardized tests. Implement classroom management improvements to enhance class morale and engagement. Build positive relationships with parents to involve families in educational process. Help students develop self-esteem and life skills by fostering healthy conflict-resolution, critical thinking and communication through conscious discipline techniques and practices. Proficient use of Google Drive, Google Classroom, Synergy, Canvas, Canva, and Microsoft Teams
- 5th grade virtual teacher for 20/21 school year, creating innovative lessons, online assessments, utilizing Canvas as remote educational platform. Class sizes 25-28 students in homeroom classes, math classes 27-32 students. Over 10 years of teaching advanced level math classes including accelerated and gifted scholars.
Head Dance Coach-University of Kansas Rock Chalk Dancers
Kansas Athletics
Lawrence, Kansas, United States
03.2012 - 07.2021
- Creating positive, motivating performance culture with dance team members, organizing practices, game day and University events, teaching new and innovative techniques and routines. Adhere to University, Big 12 Conference, Kansas Athletics, and NCAA policies and procedures. Maintain knowledge of departmental activities, sports schedules, and procedures. Foster cooperative working relationships with fellow staff members within Department. Support athletics department goals and philosophies as described by Director of Athletics and work to achieve and uphold department's mission statement and core values. Maintain positive attitude toward performing job duties and in working with other staff members. Exhibit professional decorum at all times while representing Kansas Athletics. Increased player strength, agility and dance skills through successful practices. Promoted proper stretching, warmups and conditioning exercises to prevent sports injuries.
- Working collaboratively and coordinating as "spirit squad" to enhance fan experience, working with Spirit Squad Coordinator on game day and at University events, creating high caliber innovative choreography and dance movements, organizing tryouts, clinics and Nationals, recruiting high quality student athletes to participate on Dance Team, consistently maintaining and organizing inventory of uniforms, warm-ups and equipment, controlling distribution and return of Kansas Athletics issued property, scheduling and booking appearances for members of team and building strong rapport with dancers, assistants, and KU community. Coordinated special events such as pre-season tryouts, summer camps and audition workshops to support team goals. Educated players on nutrition and positive life choices for better health and performance. Recruited student-athletes of highest caliber to elevate team performance. Maintained energy and enthusiasm in fast-paced environment. Proved successful working within tight deadlines and fast-paced atmosphere. Worked flexible hours; night, weekend, and holiday shifts. Used critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions and make decisions.
Kansas City Command Dancers- Head Coach
Sprint Center
1407 Grand Boulevard / Kansas City, MO 64106
11.2010 - 07.2011
- Choreographed dancer opening number, quarter routines, appearance performances.
- Evaluated individual knowledge, skills, and strengths, and assigned team positions to maximize talent areas.
- Increased overall team proficiency through weekly practices, technique, skills drills, and exercise science.
- Promoted performance confidence in a professional atmosphere.
- Organized and led practices to increase fan engagement and dance skills.
- Cultivated team player dedication and loyalty by fostering sportsmanship and commitment.
- Motivated dancers to become stronger, more agile, and more effective through training habits and proper nutrition.
- Worked alongside Sprint Center marketing team to develop a talented, professional dance program to build and support the ultimate KC Command Fan experience.
Co-Founder and Assistant Dance Coach- Avila University
Avila Athletics
Kansas City, Missouri
07.2000 - 04.2009
- Created and established first curriculum for spirited and competitive dance program of 16-24 dancers. Actively recruited athletes and offered scholarships to build and maintain and talented and competitive dance team each year. Developed team unity and mentorship with athletes. Acted as positive role model for team participants and in community.
- Built strong rapport with athletes and assistants before, during and after coaching seasons. Assisted in dancer's strength and conditioning, choreographed numerous routines and material for competitions and games. Created practice agendas, built strong dance team foundation.
7th Grade Math and 6th Grade English Language Arts Teacher
Blue Valley School District
Pleasant Ridge Middle School
01.2001 - 05.2005
- Created 5 daily lessons, specifically in areas of mathematics and literacy, taught curriculum standards and content, developed thematic units and mini-lessons to target reading strategies, comprehension skills, expression and fluency, and expand vocabulary. Explored multiple pieces of text focusing on relationships, conflicts, and how to change relationships with others using real-world connections, examined different types of written, verbal, and non-verbal communication skills technologies, and discussed importance of expressing point of view through live interviews and debates.
- Utilized Connected Mathematics to increase problem solving, critical thinking and discovery skills, engaged students in math clubs and tutoring to foster success. Integrated technology into classroom to support instruction and innovative connections.
Education
Master of Arts - Teaching and Learning
Avila University
11901 Wornall Rd, Kansas City2008
Bachelor of Arts - Education
Avila University
11901 Wornall Rd, Kansas City, MO 641452000
Skills
- Fast learner
- Excellent attention to detail
- Able to multi-task
- Highly organized and efficient
- Strong collaborator
- Engaging presenter
- Task-oriented
- Establish clear objectives and agenda items
- Set and maintain high expectations
- Open and strong communicator
- Expertise in coaching and building relationships
- Strong mentor and cooperating educator
- Flexible And Adaptable
- Problem-Solving Skills
- Time Management
ENDORSEMENTS
04/22/2003 PROF: ELEMENTARY K-9
07/01/2013 PROF: ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS 5-8
04/08/2015 PROF: ENGLISH FOR SPEAKERS OF OTHER LANGUAGES K-6
Accomplishments
Virtual Educator- 1 year
Runner-Up for Blue Valley Teacher of Year- 2 years
Supervising Cooperating for Student Teachers- 5 years
Leadership Team- 17 years
Grade Level Team Leader- 17 years
Innovative Spaces Educator- 2 years
Title 1 Leader Representative- 1 year
Student Council Leader- 4 years
Excellence in Education- October Teacher of the Month 2014
Top Teacher/Classroom Fundraiser- Apex Fun Run 2016
Kansas City Chiefs Cheerleader 1998-2005
Pro Bowl Representative-Kansas City Chiefs 2001
USO Tours/Variety Show Choreographer- Kansas City Chiefs 2003, 2004, 2005
National Champion Choreographer- Avila University 2005
Timeline
ESOL Teacher
Blue Valley School District
08.2024 - Current
Head Dance Coach-University of Kansas Rock Chalk Dancers
Kansas Athletics
03.2012 - 07.2021
Kansas City Command Dancers- Head Coach
Sprint Center
11.2010 - 07.2011
5th Grade Teacher
Blue Valley School District
07.2005 - 05.2024
7th Grade Math and 6th Grade English Language Arts Teacher
Blue Valley School District
01.2001 - 05.2005
Co-Founder and Assistant Dance Coach- Avila University
Avila Athletics
07.2000 - 04.2009
Bachelor of Arts - Education
Avila University
Master of Arts - Teaching and Learning
Avila University