Sara G. Nash
Northfield,IL
Summary
Knowledgeable Diverse Learner 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. Successfully guided students to achieve academic milestones through innovative teaching methods. Expert in closely monitoring student progress while implementing modern educational techniques into daily practices. Committed to long-term student success through well-rounded educations. Demonstrated proficiency in classroom management and curriculum development.
Overview
39
39
years of professional experience
Work History
Diverse Learner Teacher
Acero, Carlos Fuentes Elementary School
08.2024 - Current
- 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.
Kindergarten Prep Teacher/Team Leader
Saint Mary of the Angels School
08.2020 - 06.2024
- Developed strong relationships with students, fostering a sense of trust and rapport that facilitated open communication about their academic struggles and successes.
- Boosted student engagement by using diverse teaching methods, including visual aids, audio tools, and interactive exercises.
- Provided constructive feedback on assignments, supporting students in their ongoing development of critical thinking skills.
- Assessed student progress regularly through formative assessments, adjusting instruction as needed to ensure understanding of key concepts.
- Established a positive learning environment by modeling respect, empathy, and open-mindedness in the classroom.
- Collaborated with fellow teachers to share resources and best practices for improving kindergarten readiness skills.
- Actively participated in professional development opportunities to remain current on trends in early childhood education research and practice.
- Implemented literacy-building strategies such as guided reading groups and phonics instruction to strengthen foundational reading skills among students.
- Mentored new teachers in effective classroom management techniques and instructional best practices to support their professional growth.
Title 1 Tutoring
United Stand
01.2023 - 06.2024
- Implemented IEPs for all Special Education students First grade to Eighth grade before and after school while teaching Kindergarten Prep full time.
Team Member for Archdiocese of Chicago Report Cards Development
Archdiocese of Chicago
01.2021 - 08.2022
- Provided exceptional support to colleagues by sharing knowledge, offering assistance, and fostering teamwork.
- Fostered positive work environment, leading by example and offering support to team members as needed.
- Held position while teaching Kindergarten Prep full time and tutoring IEP students grades First thorough Eighth before and after school.
Kindergarten Teacher
Embers Academy
08.2019 - 01.2020
- Built positive relationships with students and families for safe, trusted learning support.
- Enhanced classroom management by establishing clear expectations, rules, and routines.
- Collaborated with colleagues to share resources, brainstorm ideas, and problem-solve challenges faced in the classroom environment.
- Improved student reading skills by implementing phonics-based instruction and guided reading activities.
- Utilized assessment data to modify instruction and target areas of weakness for individual students.
- Exercised good classroom management focused on positive behavior support by clearly articulating fair and consistent expectations along with appropriate natural consequences.
- Implemented differentiated instruction strategies to meet the diverse learning needs of all students.
Preschool Teacher (Full Day 4-year-old Program)
St. Joseph School
08.2016 - 06.2019
- Developed strong relationships with parents and caregivers, providing regular updates on their child''s progress and addressing any concerns proactively.
- Developed weekly lesson plans and activities to engage children and promote learning.
- Maintained organized, fun and interactive classroom to help children feel safe.
- Monitored students' academic, social, and emotional progress and recorded in individual files.
- Observed children to identify individuals in need of additional support and developed strategies to improve assistance.
- Assisted in the assessment of each student's abilities, tailoring instruction to meet individual needs and learning styles.
Preschool Teacher (3- and 4-year-olds Mixed)
St. Joseph School
08.2015 - 05.2016
- Restarted full day preschool program.
- Developed weekly lesson plans and activities to engage children and promote learning.
- Maintained organized, fun and interactive classroom to help children feel safe.
- Developed strong relationships with parents and caregivers, providing regular updates on their child''s progress and addressing any concerns proactively.
- Gave one-on-one attention to children while maintaining overall focus on entire group.
- Monitored students' academic, social, and emotional progress and recorded in individual files.
Kindergarten Teacher
St. Joseph School
08.2012 - 05.2015
- Enhanced classroom management by establishing clear expectations, rules, and routines.
- Collaborated with colleagues to share resources, brainstorm ideas, and problem-solve challenges faced in the classroom environment.
- Implemented differentiated instruction strategies to meet the diverse learning needs of all students.
- Delivered lesson plans, implemented school curriculum and used data to create, monitor, and establish personalized learning plan for each student.
- Improved student reading skills by implementing phonics-based instruction and guided reading activities.
- Monitored and evaluated student progress through regular assessments and observations.
- Evaluated student progress regularly through formative assessments to inform instructional decisions.
Lead Teacher, Preschool, Mixed Age - 3, 4, and 5-year-olds
Saint Mary of the Angels School
08.2011 - 05.2012
- Established positive relationships with parents through regular communication regarding student progress, collaborating on strategies for academic success at home and school.
- Maintained patience and level-headedness in diverse situations to support student development and personal growth.
- Developed and implemented differentiated instruction strategies to accommodate diverse learning styles, resulting in increased student engagement and success.
- Communicated frequently with parents about student growth and progress, recommending at-home reinforcement to support struggling students.
- Implemented assessment tools that monitored student progress throughout the year, allowing for targeted interventions when needed to close achievement gaps.
Assistant Teacher, 3-year-olds and Junior Kindergarten
Winnetka Public Nursery School
08.2010 - 05.2011
- Worked at this school and learned how to support and implement Reggio Emilia philosophy.
- Supported student physical, mental, and social development using classroom games and activities.
- Supervised recess, lunch and daily student intake and dismissal.
- Ensured a safe and supportive learning environment by enforcing classroom rules and addressing behavioral issues promptly.
- Oversaw students in classroom and common areas to monitor, enforce rules, and support lead teacher.
- Kept students on-task with proactive behavior modification and positive reinforcement strategies.
Substitute Teacher, Grades Junior Kindergarten - 8th Grade
Ss. Faith, Hope, and Charity School
03.2005 - 05.2010
- Followed classroom plans left by class teacher to continue student education and reinforce core concepts.
- Upheld classroom routines to support student environments and maintain consistent schedules.
- Developed strong rapport with students through consistent encouragement and support, fostering a positive learning atmosphere conducive to academic growth.
- Repeatedly requested as substitute teacher by teachers based on excellent past referrals and trusted performance.
- Kept students on-task with proactive behavior modification and positive reinforcement strategies.
Substitute Teacher, Grades Preschool - 8th Grade
The Joseph Sears School
09.2007 - 05.2010
- Followed classroom plans left by class teacher to continue student education and reinforce core concepts.
- Upheld classroom routines to support student environments and maintain consistent schedules.
- Provided support to special education students in inclusive classrooms, developing accommodations and modifications to meet their unique needs.
- Adapted quickly to different classroom settings and teaching assignments, demonstrating flexibility and resourcefulness.
Substitute Teacher, Grades Junior Kindergarten - 8th Grade
St. Joseph School
01.2010 - 05.2010
- Followed classroom plans left by class teacher to continue student education and reinforce core concepts.
- Upheld classroom routines to support student environments and maintain consistent schedules.
- Adapted quickly to different classroom settings and teaching assignments, demonstrating flexibility and resourcefulness.
Senior Teacher, Preschool and Junior Kindergarten
Wilmette Community Nursery School
08.2006 - 06.2007
- Established positive relationships with parents through effective communication, leading to increased involvement in their child''s education.
- Assisted with curriculum planning and materials selection.
- Developed and implemented differentiated instruction strategies for students with varying learning needs.
- Actively engaged in ongoing curriculum development efforts to ensure alignment with state standards and relevance for all learners.
- Designed inquiry-based lessons that challenged students'' critical thinking skills while addressing various learning styles.
- Modified lessons and curriculum to accommodate diverse learners by using strategies such as peer-assisted learning and group work.
Student Teacher, Second Grade
Ss. Faith, Hope, and Charity School
03.2001 - 06.2006
- Worked with classroom teacher to learn about current standards and best practices.
- Facilitated small group activities and one-on-one instruction to meet individual student needs.
- Cultivated positive relationships with administration, teaching staff, and students.
- Promoted a positive learning environment by establishing clear expectations, enforcing classroom rules, and fostering open communication.
Software Engineer
Foundation, Andersen Consulting
09.1994 - 10.1997
- Consistently met project deadlines by effectively managing time and prioritizing tasks according to importance.
- Analyzed proposed technical solutions based on customer requirements.
- Developed scalable and maintainable code, ensuring long-term stability of the software.
- Collaborated with management, internal and development partners regarding software application design status and project progress.
Systems Consultant/Developer
Coritel, Andersen Consulting
07.1990 - 09.1994
- Delivered training sessions on new systems, tools, and processes to internal staff for improved productivity.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop and implement new systems and processes.
- Streamlined workflow by automating manual tasks and integrating software solutions.
- Developed custom solutions for clients based on their unique requirements, resulting in increased client retention rates.
Software Engineer
XA Corporations/Peat Marwick Advanced Technology
05.1989 - 06.1990
- Collaborated with stakeholders to translate business requirements into technical specifications, ensuring alignment with business goals.
- Enhanced user experience by designing intuitive interfaces and incorporating user feedback into continuous improvements.
- Facilitated team collaboration and project management through introduction of agile methodologies, leading to more adaptable and responsive development cycles.
- Improved software performance by identifying and resolving bottlenecks in the code.
Software Programmer/Analyst
American National Bank
06.1986 - 05.1989
- Debugged and modified banking software components.
- Provided technical support using knowledge of complex technology to solve problems and support new projects.
- Built databases and table structures for various banking applications.
Education
LBS1 Endorsement - Learning Behavior Specialist
University of Phoenix
Online04.2025
Special Education Endorsement -
National-Louis University
Wheeling, Illinois06.2023
M.A.T. - Early Elementary Education - Type 04 Certification
National-Louis University
Evanston, Illinois06.2006
B.S.B.A. - Computer Information Systems
Drake University
Des Moines, Iowa05.1986
Skills
- Special Education
- IEP development and implementaton
- Classroom management Relationship building Critical thinking
- Lesson planning 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 Conflict resolution
- Student motivation
- Organizational skills
- Multitasking Abilities
Accomplishments
- Curriculum Implementation - Taught reading, language arts, social studies, mathematics, science, art and physical education to pupils utilizing course of study adopted by the Board of Education.
- Targeted Development - Met with parents and guardians to discuss children's progress and to determine priorities and resource needs.
Professional Recognition
- Outstanding Educator Award Recipient, Winnetka Alliance for Early Childhood, 12/01/10
- Illinois Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, Active Member, 03/01/16 - Current
Corporate Experience
- Software Engineer, Foundation, Andersen Consulting, Northbrook, Illinois, 09/01/94, 10/01/97
- Systems Consultant/Developer, Coritel, Andersen Consulting, Chicago, Illinois, 07/01/90, 09/01/94
- Software Engineer, XA Corporations/Peat Marwick Advanced Technology, Chicago, Illinois, 05/01/89, 06/01/90
- Software Programmer/Analyst, American National Bank, Chicago, Illinois, 06/01/86, 05/01/89
Timeline
Diverse Learner Teacher
Acero, Carlos Fuentes Elementary School
08.2024 - Current
Title 1 Tutoring
United Stand
01.2023 - 06.2024
Team Member for Archdiocese of Chicago Report Cards Development
Archdiocese of Chicago
01.2021 - 08.2022
Kindergarten Prep Teacher/Team Leader
Saint Mary of the Angels School
08.2020 - 06.2024
Kindergarten Teacher
Embers Academy
08.2019 - 01.2020
Preschool Teacher (Full Day 4-year-old Program)
St. Joseph School
08.2016 - 06.2019
Preschool Teacher (3- and 4-year-olds Mixed)
St. Joseph School
08.2015 - 05.2016
Kindergarten Teacher
St. Joseph School
08.2012 - 05.2015
Lead Teacher, Preschool, Mixed Age - 3, 4, and 5-year-olds
Saint Mary of the Angels School
08.2011 - 05.2012
Assistant Teacher, 3-year-olds and Junior Kindergarten
Winnetka Public Nursery School
08.2010 - 05.2011
Substitute Teacher, Grades Junior Kindergarten - 8th Grade
St. Joseph School
01.2010 - 05.2010
Substitute Teacher, Grades Preschool - 8th Grade
The Joseph Sears School
09.2007 - 05.2010
Senior Teacher, Preschool and Junior Kindergarten
Wilmette Community Nursery School
08.2006 - 06.2007
Substitute Teacher, Grades Junior Kindergarten - 8th Grade
Ss. Faith, Hope, and Charity School
03.2005 - 05.2010
Student Teacher, Second Grade
Ss. Faith, Hope, and Charity School
03.2001 - 06.2006
Software Engineer
Foundation, Andersen Consulting
09.1994 - 10.1997
Systems Consultant/Developer
Coritel, Andersen Consulting
07.1990 - 09.1994
Software Engineer
XA Corporations/Peat Marwick Advanced Technology
05.1989 - 06.1990
Software Programmer/Analyst
American National Bank
06.1986 - 05.1989
Special Education Endorsement -
National-Louis University
M.A.T. - Early Elementary Education - Type 04 Certification
National-Louis University
B.S.B.A. - Computer Information Systems
Drake University
LBS1 Endorsement - Learning Behavior Specialist
University of Phoenix
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