Sabrina Witt
Portland,OR
Summary
My purpose as an educator is to develop students' voices, alongside their confidence, so they see themselves as the unique game-changers that they are. Through positive relationships and thoughtfully designed lessons, I provide a thorough foundation in literacy and grammar, so students have the tools and skills to engage deeply in their academic pursuits. I draw upon a variety of resources and connect learning to real-world applications. My strength is in growing students beyond their perceived potential, and opening new doors of opportunity and self-discovery.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
2
2
Certifications
Work History
Substitute Teacher, K-12
Various Districts of Portland
Portland, OR
01.2025 - Current
- Effectively keep students safe, seen, and heard.
- Maintain a calm and supportive learning environment.
- Utilize head teacher systems and protocols throughout the day as well as school support systems.
ELD Teacher/ ELA Teacher
Forest Grove High School
Forest Grove, OR
03.2021 - 12.2024
- Created thoughtful lesson plans for multiple levels of language learners with hands-on assessments that integrated learning into real life application and use.
- Utilized technology to advance student learning.
- Collaborated within PLC communities and counseling team, offering recommendations that support social-emotional and/or academic needs of students.
- Proactively communicated with guardians regarding student attendance, behavior, and performance.
- Tailored classroom norms to a culturally diverse student population with student collaboration and open dialogue.
- Integrated research-based instructional strategies including SIOP, GLAD, TPR, as well as a variety of other research-based strategies such as AVID.
- Worked closely with school administration to develop curriculum that meets state standards for ELD instruction.
Middle School ELA Teacher
Punahou School
Honolulu, HI
03.2020 - 12.2020
- Successfully crafted engaging online learning lesson plans as a long-term substitute teacher during COVID.
- Assessed students often with prompt feedback, encouraging a growth mind-set and metacognition.
- Maintained motivation, rigor, and community spirit during a trying and scary time in all our lives.
- Connected historical context of our reading To Kill a Mockingbird to Hawaii in the 1930s and present day events (The Scottsboro Affair alongside the Massie trial and George Floyd protests/ Black Lives Matter).
- Offered a variety of summative assessment choices that reflect learners' diverse strengths and interests.
- Communicated frequently with colleagues, counselors, and parents to discuss the needs of all students and implement supports.
- Re-hired as a semester long substitute in the fall of 2020 on a different 8th grade team in a hybrid learning environment.
High School English Teacher
Mid Pacific Institute
Honolulu, HI
01.2019 - 04.2019
- Delivered nuanced instruction of The Odyssey to 9th graders after discovering students struggled with comprehension.
- Created grammar lessons as a means of reading comprehension alongside vocabulary instruction and close reading exercises.
- Developed meaningful student engagement of themes and the text via their own odyssey/ hero's journey narrative in verse.
- Instructed students on literary analysis and the writing process with guided direct instruction and timely feedback of each step.
- Supported students academically before and after school, offering constructive feedback and encouragement.
- Received positive feedback from students, counselors, and colleagues.
Private ELA Tutor
Self-Employed
Andover, MA
03.2016 - 12.2018
- Developed an instructional program for middle schoolers preparing for SSAT and private school applications who were looking for rigor alongside skill development.
- Taught cohorts of 3-6 students after school focusing on reading for meaning, close textual analysis, vocabulary in context, and appreciation of writer's craft and style.
- Emphasized writing for all purposes including developing an individual voice, experimenting with language, and practicing new vocabulary.
- Reenforced the writing process in producing quality formal papers with nuanced ideas, clear expression, and sophisticated understanding of relating ideas to each other using accurate, unambiguous language.
- Most importantly, instilled confidence, resiliency, and deep appreciation for reading as an exploration of human experience, personal interests, as well as a better understanding of self and others.
Cafe Manager/Small Business Owner
Cafe Velo
Colorado Springs, CO
01.2014 - 12.2018
- Through analyzing monthly P&Ls and researching industry standards, prepared a cost analysis to drive cafe business to profitability.
- Researched the craft coffee industry to identify differentiating characteristics of a craft coffee or 3rd wave coffee shop and trained as a barista.
- Redesigned our display board and adjusted the prices of our top-selling acai bowls, causing an increase in sales, customer promotion on social media, and a doubling of acai bowl sales.
- Interacted daily with customers and gathered feedback, increasing customer retention and growing new customer base even from a distance after moving to MA.
- Developed an employee manual and performance review rubric to provide feedback, set goals, and equitably increase wages.
- Maintained position as owner/operator, managing staff from a distance after moving to MA, analyzing P & L reports, ensuring consistency, quality, and service.
Middle School ELA Teacher
Coolidge Middle School
North Reading, MA
08.2017 - 06.2018
- Instructed 8th graders in a team setting, driving impact in state test scores, students demonstrating overall student growth from the previous year.
- Successfully utilized district wide programs such as Lucy Calkins' Writing Workshop and Great Books reading circles.
- Facilitated activities that promoted growth mindset, metacognition, emotional regulation, community building, and social responsibility.
- Selected by students as the teacher of most influence at end of year Awards Assembly.
High School English Teacher
Liberty High School, District 20
Colorado Springs, CO
08.2009 - 06.2015
- Taught literature and composition courses in all grade levels, with a concentration of freshmen and sophomore classes.
- Organized the freshmen team as the course leader for two years, developing grammar, short story, and novel units via Backward Design that aligned to state standards.
- Initiated and led an after school new program at Liberty: Poetry Out Loud, a national program, which promotes a love and appreciation for poetry through recitation. Liberty Students placed in state-wide competition two years in a row, followed by one student winning in states and going to DC for nationals.
- Wrote and received a grant for the purchase of materials to promote an interest in poetry and poetry slam, leading to Liberty's first ever Poetry Club.
- Organized and attended poetry slam events at Liberty HS and in the community during weekday evenings and on weekends. Invited state poet laureate Jim Ciletti to share his poetry journey and lead class in poetry writing exercises, opening doors of creativity and expression.
- Worked in grade level teams throughout the summer creating a unit for The Odyssey (using youtube videos, NPR news links, YA literature correlations-Absolute True Diary of a Part-Time Indian) and a new poetry unit using materials from Poetry Out Loud as well as innovative technology. Helped create a grammar curriculum with Slade's Short Course in Writing and Michael Clay Thompson's Magic Lens.
- Served on School Accountability Committee as faculty representative, 2014-2015.
ESL University Instructor
The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Hong Kong, China
01.2000 - 06.2002
- Taught Basic Conversation and Listening Comprehension courses.
- Developed the curriculum for two courses: Practical Oral English & Basic Listening Skills.
Private English Language Tutor
Self Employed
Hong Kong, China
01.1998 - 06.2002
- Adapted materials for individualized lesson plans addressing ESL needs for students ages 6-12.
- Monitored progression in reading fluency and improvement in writing via weekly assessment checks and designed next lessons accordingly.
- Focused on pronunciation of difficult sounds using tongue, teeth, mouth diagrams and focusing on where sounds are created in the mouth.
ESL Teacher
Town of Ikegawa
Ikegawa, Agawa, Japan
07.1997 - 07.1998
- First foreign language teacher to teach in the town of lkegawa. Taught all grade levels, Pre-K to 8th grade.
- Initiated ESL classes for adults in the community.
- Established a journalism club, "YOUTH," which published the first English school newspaper at Ikegawa Junior High.
- Integrated into the community by forming and coaching an after-school soccer program at Ikegawa Elementary School, participating in all community events and sports days, and an evening volleyball club.
- Created a variety of lesson plans, including recipe making, cooking in class, games using oral language, songs, and other interactive, hands-on experiences to engage students of all ages.
- Performed in an English play around the prefecture of Kochi, meeting and visiting with residents in surrounding towns.
Education
ESOL Endorsement - English-as-a-Second-Language Education
Pacific University
Forest Grove, OR06-2023
Professional Development - Diversity in Education, Leadership, Curriculum
Educating Children of Color Summit
Colorado College01-2015
Professional Development - Cultural Competency
Adams State University
Alamosa, CO08-2013
Master of Arts - Secondary Education
Colorado College
Colorado Springs, CO07-2010
Elementary Chinese 1 And 2 - Mandarin Chinese
The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Hong Kong05-2000
Bachelor of Arts - English And East Asian Studies
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA06-1997
Skills
- Student-centered, whole child teaching
- Leader in curriculum development, assessment, student engagement and feedback
- Extensive English grammar knowledge
- Effective communication and relationship building
- Soliciting student feedback to improve my craft
- Meeting each student where they are and differentiating instruction with appropriate scaffolds
Affiliations
- Lover of the outdoors, history, culture, and food, I enjoy traveling, meeting others and sharing experiences.
- Currently excited about continuing my Spanish language education.
- Huge soccer (futbol!) fan; I enjoy watching MLS games, in person when possible.
- Whether it's literature, movies, museums, theatrical arts, or hand made creations, I am happiest when I am witness to the magic of human endeavors in different art forms.
- Played for the Hong Kong Women's National Soccer team, 1998-1999.
Certification
- Oregon Professional Teaching License, # 527688, with endorsements in ELA and ESOL, valid until 8/26/2029.
- Previously held Colorado Professional Teaching License and Massachusetts Educator License.
Languages
Spanish
Limited
Japanese
Professional
Mandarin Chinese
Limited
Accomplishments
- Voted as the teacher of most influence by Coolidge Middle School 8th graders.
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Substitute Teacher, K-12
Various Districts of Portland
01.2025 - Current
ELD Teacher/ ELA Teacher
Forest Grove High School
03.2021 - 12.2024
Middle School ELA Teacher
Punahou School
03.2020 - 12.2020
High School English Teacher
Mid Pacific Institute
01.2019 - 04.2019
Middle School ELA Teacher
Coolidge Middle School
08.2017 - 06.2018
Private ELA Tutor
Self-Employed
03.2016 - 12.2018
Cafe Manager/Small Business Owner
Cafe Velo
01.2014 - 12.2018
High School English Teacher
Liberty High School, District 20
08.2009 - 06.2015
ESL University Instructor
The Chinese University of Hong Kong
01.2000 - 06.2002
Private English Language Tutor
Self Employed
01.1998 - 06.2002
ESL Teacher
Town of Ikegawa
07.1997 - 07.1998
ESOL Endorsement - English-as-a-Second-Language Education
Pacific University
Professional Development - Diversity in Education, Leadership, Curriculum
Educating Children of Color Summit
Professional Development - Cultural Competency
Adams State University
Master of Arts - Secondary Education
Colorado College
Elementary Chinese 1 And 2 - Mandarin Chinese
The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Bachelor of Arts - English And East Asian Studies
University of Pennsylvania
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