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Samara Simmerman
Instructional Coach/ Project Manager/ Teacher
New Orleans,LA
Summary
Professional Instructor, Coach, and Project Manager with 10+ years in curriculum development, leadership, and training. Looking to leverage excellent communication and problem-solving skills with expertise in education.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
6
6
years of post-secondary education
3
3
Certifications
Work History
Elementary Lead Teacher
Firstline Schools
07.2023 - Current
- Provide warm, supportive environment for developing academic, social, and emotional growth.
- Reinforce positive behavior by encouraging efforts through affirmation statements and praising accomplishments.
- Foster student curiosity and interest in learning through hands-on activities and field trips.
- Prepare and administered grade-specific tests and examinations regulated by school district to monitor students' growth and to report progress to parents.
- Meet with parents to review Individualized Education Plans for at-risk students.
Projects Director (remote)
Rural Medical Data Centers For Excellence
02.2023 - Current
- Oversee business operations and produce updated status reports outlining each project to meet milestones.
- Research grant and funding proposal opportunities in philanthropic databases to identify potential income sources.
- Write, review and edit proposals for grants, gifts and contracts
- Hire and manage consultants, contractors and sub-contractors to complete project tasks.
- Lead team meetings and develop material for staff training.
- Conduct community workshops to promote different programs and educate public on available services.
Instructional Coach/English Instructor
Los Angeles High School Of The Arts @RFK, LAUSD
08.2017 - 07.2023
- Expert in K-12 instructional design and content. Trained in Universal Design for Learning and Culturally Responsive Teaching.
- Coach teachers to increase capacity through professional development and modeling instructional strategies.
- Facilitated collaborative planning sessions for grade-level teams to establish learning goals and align curriculum across subjects.
- Meet diverse student population needs by planning and implementing lessons with wide variety of K-12 best practices and pedagogy.
- Implement PBIS and Restorative Practices to improve student behavior outcomes.
- Instructional Leadership Team Member
- English Language Arts Cadre Representative to inform district decisions on raising teachers’ performance levels and adopting common best practices.
- Expertise in Mastery Grading and Linked Learning
- Write 30+ original lessons per week, using blended model of hands-on facilitation and multi-media resources. Provide daily feedback and weekly online evaluation for 135 students.
- Write, revise, and edit official documentation for school's Western Association of Schools and Colleges accreditation.
- Coordinate recruitment and community outreach events.
- Mentor to USC and California State University student teachers.
Instructional Coach
Gompers Middle School, LAUSD
08.2016 - 07.2017
- Program Manager for $500,000+ budget.
- Facilitate engaging training for staff of 30+. Create concise, accessible, and actionable training content designed for adult learners.
- Lead training for all online assessment platforms including CAASPP, mCLass Dibels, MyPerspective
- Work closely with Dean and Restorative Practices Coach on School Climate and Culture, including revision of PBIS practices and restorative strategies.
- Write proposal and grants for STEM certification.
- Personalized, Cognitive Coaching with modeling of effective teaching, management, and leadership strategies with high success rates as indicated by staff evaluations.
- Collaborate with administrators, analyzing data and trends to develop instructional calendar, common practices, and solutions to professional development needs.
- Testing Supervisor, develop standards-based diagnostics, oversee testing schedules, and manage online testing platforms.
- Pilot new Cooperative Learning Communities Program that increased staff collaboration and implementation of best-practices by nearly 100%.
Coordinator, Elementary Lead Teacher
Estrella Elementary, LAUSD
08.2014 - 07.2016
- Manage $800,000+ budget for Title I and English Learner Programs, including, documentation and implementation as required by state and federal mandates.
- Coach and monitor teacher performance and data to ensure successful implementation of curriculum.
- Draft school’s Single Plan for Student Achievement to determine program funding.
- Lead training for all online assessment platforms including CAASPP, mCLass, Dibels, ELPAC, MyPerspective.
- Assist with student enrollment and intake. Conduct all language testing for incoming EL Students.
- Lead weekly parent meetings and workshops.
- Spearhead school's first Literacy and Math Nights to increase parent and community engagement.
- Facilitate professional development, create lessons, and demonstrate strategies to i of English learners, foster youth, and low-income students.
- Team member for PBIS intervention. Revise recess and lunch structure to improve positive student interactions.
- Assist principal in piloting new Learning Intervention Program that helped raise student state test scores by 10%.
- Coordinate all events, schedules, vendors, inventories, parent conferences, workshops, and fundraisers.
- Collaborate with all stakeholders to develop Individualized Education Plans for at-risk students.
- Hire, train and supervise all paraprofessionals.
Adult Education Instructor
Montebello Unified School District And LAUSD
07.2013 - 06.2016
- Design, develop and implement interdisciplinary content for adult education program.
- Use data to monitor set goals for students, monitor progress, and drive differentiated instruction.
- Facilitate instruction of courses both with whole group explicit instruction and modeling, and within differentiated small groups.
- Use best practices to promote student success in phonics/phonemic awareness, fluency, comprehension, and vocabulary.
- Collaborate with Adult Education team to implement strategies, analyze data, and design lessons for student success.
- Focus on rigor and differentiated instruction to meet diverse learning needs of students, including ELD and SDAIE strategies for second language learners.
English Teacher
Bell Gardens High School, Montebello USD
08.2009 - 07.2015
- Instructor of senior college preparation courses such as Contemporary Literature, World Literature, Latin American Literature, Advanced Composition and Creative Writing. Assume all responsibilities of secondary education teacher including standards-based classroom facilitation, curriculum planning, assessment and evaluation, parent conferencing, electronic record keeping, and classroom management.
- Literacy Coach responsible for organizing Best Practices demonstrations in literacy and providing classroom support.
- Implement Scholastic Book Fair fundraiser, organize school wide literacy week event.
- Focus on rigor and differentiated instruction to meet the diverse learning needs of the students.
- Provide ELD and SDAIE strategies for second language learners.
- Coordinate with grade-level PLC groups to design standards based curriculum and assessments. Analyze data to drive instruction.
- Participate in a variety of adjunct duties including SAT preparation tutoring, college application and financial aid workshops, chaperoning school functions, and book club.
English Instructor
Ivy Tech Community College
08.2008 - 07.2009
- Instructor for Freshman Composition and Argument and Persuasion.
- Assist students with development of cognitive, organizational, and research skills, including clear expression of ideas and effectiveness of persuasive and argumentative writing.
- Teach students to analyze models of argument, use various rhetorical strategies, and employ proper MLA annotation to produce various forms of expository writing.
- Design syllabus and maintain grades and evaluations electronically using Blackboard.
- Facilitate instruction in writing/reading workshop format, with a balance of direct instruction, small group facilitation, and individual conferencing.
Elementary Lead Teacher
LAUSD
08.1999 - 07.2008
- Assume all responsibilities for both gifted and regular education classrooms.
- Work closely with Reading Coach to develop Literature Circle and Writing Workshop program.
- Partner with the LA Opera, and Disney to incorporate the arts into a standards-based curriculum.
- Grade level chairperson leading weekly meetings
- Develop standards-based curriculum that challenges and motivates students, emphasizing critical thinking, analysis, evaluation, and accountable talk.
- Testing Coordinator responsible for administration of state tests and analysis of test scores to drive instruction.
- Spearheaded technology initiatives to support student learning and academic excellence.
- Science Lead Teacher responsible for facilitating professional development on science instruction, science standards, and assessment.
- Make classroom accommodations and modifications according to students’ IEPs. Work with school psychologist and Resource Specialist to develop initial IEPs.
- Master teacher responsible for supervising student teacher.
- Share expertise as a professional writer to implement staff development regarding writing instruction.
- Teach ESL to second language learners in after school tutoring.
- Establish a positive relationship with students, parents and colleagues, fostering an environment of open communication and support.
- Fundraising Coordinator
- Exemplary evaluations from administrators each year of service.
Education
Master of Arts - Professional Writing
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA 08.2003 - 05.2005
Bachelor of Science - Psychology
Indiana University Bloomington
Bloomington, IN 08.1989 - 05.1993
Skills
Project Management- successful supervision of state and federal programs
Curriculum Design-Expert in creating engaging K-12 curriculum
Analytical and Critical Thinking-expertise in research and data analysis with the ability to solve problems through innovation and creativity
Educational leadership-self-motivated facilitator and team leader for staff of 30 with proven results
Excellent Communication-10 Years experience in public speaking and professional writing
Software
G Suite
Adobe Creative Cloud
Education Platforms (MISIS, Blackboard, Schoology)
Mondaycom
References
Liliana Narvaez, Principal, Bushnell Way Elementary, LAUSD
lnarvaez@lausd.net
Juan Melendez, Teacher, Los Angeles High School of the Arts, LAUSD
juan.melendez@lausd.net
Cathy Kwan, Principal, Los Angeles High School of the Arts, LAUSD
kwk6316@lausd.net
Jason Butler, MD/MPH, Executive Director, Rural Medical Data Centers for Excellence
jason@rmdce.org
Certification
CA Preliminary Administrative Services Credential: January 2020
Timeline
Elementary Lead Teacher
Firstline Schools
07.2023 - Current
Projects Director (remote)
Rural Medical Data Centers For Excellence
02.2023 - Current
Instructional Coach/English Instructor
Los Angeles High School Of The Arts @RFK, LAUSD
08.2017 - 07.2023
Instructional Coach
Gompers Middle School, LAUSD
08.2016 - 07.2017
Coordinator, Elementary Lead Teacher
Estrella Elementary, LAUSD
08.2014 - 07.2016
Adult Education Instructor
Montebello Unified School District And LAUSD
07.2013 - 06.2016
English Teacher
Bell Gardens High School, Montebello USD
08.2009 - 07.2015
English Instructor
Ivy Tech Community College
08.2008 - 07.2009
Master of Arts - Professional Writing
University of Southern California
08.2003 - 05.2005
Elementary Lead Teacher
LAUSD
08.1999 - 07.2008
Bachelor of Science - Psychology
Indiana University Bloomington
08.1989 - 05.1993