Sara Austad
Littleton,CO
Summary
Dynamic educator with a proven track record at Cherry Creek Schools, excelling in innovative lesson planning and fostering student engagement. Skilled in classroom management and relationship building, I effectively differentiated instruction to meet diverse learning needs, enhancing student performance and promoting a supportive learning environment. Passionate about integrating technology to enrich educational experiences.
Professional educator with strong background in developing and implementing engaging curriculum. Adept at fostering collaborative learning environment that encourages student growth and achievement. Skilled in classroom management, lesson planning, and adapting to diverse educational needs. Known for reliability and flexibility, ensuring smooth and effective teaching operations.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Teacher
Cherry Creek Schools
08.1999 - Current
- Developed engaging lesson plans aligned with curriculum standards.
- Implemented innovative teaching strategies to enhance student learning experiences.
- Facilitated collaborative projects to promote teamwork and communication skills.
- Assessed student progress using various evaluation methods for continuous improvement.
- Led initiatives to integrate technology into the classroom for improved engagement.
- Organized professional development workshops to enhance instructional practices among staff.
- Mentored new teachers, providing guidance on classroom management techniques.
- Developed strong relationships with students, parents, and colleagues by maintaining open lines of communication and fostering a supportive learning environment.
- Managed classroom behavior effectively by establishing clear expectations, modeling appropriate conduct, and consistently enforcing established rules and consequences.
- Enhanced classroom engagement through the use of interactive teaching methods, such as group projects and hands-on activities.
- Maintained accurate records of student progress, attendance, and behavior to facilitate ongoing communication with parents about their child''s educational journey.
- Differentiated instruction to accommodate diverse learning needs, ensuring each student had an equal opportunity for success.
- Assessed student performance regularly using both formative and summative assessments to inform future lesson planning.
- Collaborated with other teachers to plan interdisciplinary units that connected subjects and promoted deeper understanding among students.
- Identified struggling students early on and provided additional support through tutoring sessions and modified lesson plans.
- Organized extracurricular activities such as clubs or field trips that enriched students' learning experiences outside traditional classroom settings.
- Integrated cultural awareness into lessons by incorporating diverse perspectives and materials into the curriculum.
- Led professional development workshops for peers on effective classroom management techniques.
- Improved student engagement by incorporating interactive learning technologies into lesson plans.
- Fostered positive learning environment that encouraged student curiosity and critical thinking.
- Promoted digital literacy by integrating technology into curriculum.
- Helped students explore concepts with engaging, learning-focused activities.
Swim Coach
Foothills Recreation
02.2003 - 03.2019
- Developed individualized training programs to enhance swimmer performance and technique.
- Conducted regular assessments to evaluate swimmer progress and adjust coaching strategies.
- Mentored junior coaches, fostering professional development and teamwork within coaching staff.
- Implemented safety protocols during training sessions to ensure a secure environment for swimmers.
- Demonstrated all swimming strokes and observed athletes carefully to correct technique and form.
- Developed strong relationships with swimmers and their families, creating open communication channels for feedback and goal setting.
- Collaborated with other coaches to develop effective team training strategies and practice schedules.
- Collaborated with swim team coaches to develop successful training plans.
Education
Master of Arts - Educational Technology
Adams State University
Alamosa, COBachelor of Science - Physical Education, Health Education, Spanish
University of South Dakota
Vermillion, SDSkills
- Classroom management
- Relationship building
- Critical thinking
- Lesson planning
- Motivating students
- Student engagement
- Behavior management
- Parent-teacher communication
- Positive role model and mentor
- Growth mindset
- Classroom instruction
- Differentiated instruction
- Collaborative learning
- Student-centered learning
- Group and individual instruction
- Curriculum implementation
- Student assessment
- Learning strategies
- Innovative lesson planning
- Technology integration
- Classroom technology
- Project-based learning
- Student needs assessment
- Performance assessments
- Student rapport
- Cooperative learning experience
- Cultural sensitivity
- Community involvement
- Testing and grading
- Data-driven instruction
- Alternative learning methods
- Faculty collaboration
- Special needs students
- Instructional methods
- Assigning and grading work
- Serving diverse communities
- Inquiry-based learning
- Learning style assessment
- Test proctoring
- Empathy and patience
- Verbal and written communication
- Lesson delivery
- Team building
- Task prioritization
- Student motivation
- Educational activities
- Visual aids utilization
- Digital literacy
- Interactive teaching and learning
- Excellent classroom management
- Kinesthetic learning
- Skilled with animoto and prezi
- IEP planning
- Parental participation
- Reporting and documentation
- Quizzes, tests, and exams
- Homework assignment
- Parent and teacher conferences
Certification
- Licensed Physical and Health Education
- Licensed in Educational Technology
Timeline
Swim Coach
Foothills Recreation
02.2003 - 03.2019
Teacher
Cherry Creek Schools
08.1999 - Current
Master of Arts - Educational Technology
Adams State University
Bachelor of Science - Physical Education, Health Education, Spanish
University of South Dakota