Sarah Curtis
New York,NY
Summary
Experienced teacher with an M.A. in Child Development. Dedicated to serving students and collaborating with colleagues. Passionate about creating optimal learning environments that foster deep engagement and growth. Known for proactive decision-making and establishing strong, trusting relationships with colleagues, students, and parents. Committed to forging meaningful connections within the school community, driven by a deep concern for social justice. Maintains a hopeful outlook and unwavering commitment to ensuring students find joy in learning.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Teacher Specialist
St. Hilda's and St. Hugh's School
08.2023 - Current
- Developed and taught developmentally appropriate classes in comparative religion to students in grades 1-8 with focus on deepening students' natural curiosity.
- Developed and taught enrichment classes in math and reading to students in grades 4 and 6.
- Coordinated school chapel program.
- Established a positive classroom environment that promoted respect, collaboration, and a love of learning among students.
- Participated in professional development opportunities to stay current on best practices for effective teaching methods.
- Collaborated with colleagues to develop interdisciplinary units of study, providing a well-rounded education for students.
Interim Teacher, 3s Group
Sarah Lawrence Early Childhood Center
10.2019 - 06.2020
- Taught preschool children through the developmental-interaction approach.
- Navigated transition after the teacher who began the year had to leave due to a family emergency.
- Supported parents and children through what is often their first classroom experience.
- Guided and evaluated student teachers’ development through meetings and written reports.
- Supported undergraduate and graduate students conducting fieldwork for psychology classes.
- Engaged student teachers, parents, and fieldwork students with questions of best practice.
- Conducted parent-teacher conferences.
- Collaborated with colleagues to create a remote learning experience from March-June.
Head Teacher, 2nd Grade
Saint Ann's School
08.2012 - 06.2017
- Designed and taught integrated, developmentally appropriate curriculum for 2nd Grade elementary students.
- Collaborated with the learning specialist, specialty teachers, and administrators to shape broad school experience.
- Communicated regularly with parents and administrators to ensure students receive needed support.
- Created individualized action plans for students requiring special support.
- Conducted parent-teacher conferences.
- Document student learning style and progress to compose anecdotal reports in fall and spring.
- Mentored associate teachers, sharing best practices and providing constructive feedback to improve their teaching techniques
Writing and Leadership Teacher
REACH Prep
07.2007 - 08.2015
- Designed and taught a yearly summer 6-week leadership/writing course based on the intellectual underpinnings of the modern U.S. Civil Rights movement to rising 5th and 6th graders enrolled in educational program serving low-income Black and Latino families.
- Guided students to compose and deliver graduation speeches reflecting their education.
- Led a monthly writing workshop for program middle and high school aged alumni during the school year.
Assistant Teacher
Sarah Lawrence Early Childhood Center
08.2011 - 06.2012
- Served at the Early Childhood Center in a classroom for 4/5-year-old children.
- Collaborated with the head teacher to create a learning environment that fostered emotional, cognitive, social, and physical development in children.
- Supported the head teacher in maintaining a safe, inviting, and appropriate classroom environment.
- Conducted M.A. field work observing the relationship between developmental theory and practice.
- Aided in managing undergraduate and graduate students conducting field work in the classroom.
Associate Teacher
Saint Ann's School
08.2007 - 08.2011
- Encouraged creativity and self-expression among students through various art projects and writing assignments, inspiring confidence in their abilities.
- Promoted a positive classroom environment by fostering respectful, open communication between students and staff.
- Devised and incorporated materials and resources to stimulate student learning for Kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd grades.
- Recorded and maintained a portfolio to include information required to document the growth and development of each child.
- Produced and implemented individualized lesson plans to meet the requirements of the school’s curriculum.
Education
Master of Arts - Child Development
Sarah Lawrence College
Bronxville, NY09.2013
A.B. - Comparative Religion/English and American Language, and Literature
Harvard College
Cambridge, MA06.2005
Classical Diploma -
Phillips Exeter Academy
Exeter, NH06.2001
Skills
- Child Development
- Creative & Strategic Thinking
- Instructional Improvement
- Small Group/Individual Instruction
- Collaborative teaching
- Parent-teacher communication
- Inquiry-based learning
- Subject matter expertise
- Social-emotional learning
- Curriculum planning
- Verbal and written communication
- Peer coaching
Additional Work Experience
- Freelance Childcare/Caregiver for infants and toddlers 5 months-4 years, New York, NY, 05/01/06 - 08/01/07
- Store Clerk, Books of Wonder, New York, NY, 10/01/05 - 04/01/06
Speaking Engagements
- Natural Wonder: Respecting Children's Poetry, 07/01/16
- Startling Perspectives: Children's Sense of Wonder, Humor, and What If, 08/01/15
- "Can I tell you something?": Children's Questions in the Context of Relationship, 07/01/14
Publications
- Little People's Big Questions, Essay, Keeping the Faith in Education, 10/01/13
- On Keeping Goldfish, Poem, The Saint Ann's Review, 04/01/11
Professional Development
- Orton-Gillingham Reading Training
- Hochman Method Training
- Empowering Teachers ⧫ Sarah Lawrence College
- Facilitating Play and Therapeutic Aspects of Play ⧫ Sarah Lawrence College
- Teaching the Environment ⧫ Sarah Lawrence College
Timeline
Teacher Specialist
St. Hilda's and St. Hugh's School
08.2023 - Current
Interim Teacher, 3s Group
Sarah Lawrence Early Childhood Center
10.2019 - 06.2020
Head Teacher, 2nd Grade
Saint Ann's School
08.2012 - 06.2017
Assistant Teacher
Sarah Lawrence Early Childhood Center
08.2011 - 06.2012
Associate Teacher
Saint Ann's School
08.2007 - 08.2011
Writing and Leadership Teacher
REACH Prep
07.2007 - 08.2015
A.B. - Comparative Religion/English and American Language, and Literature
Harvard College
Classical Diploma -
Phillips Exeter Academy
Master of Arts - Child Development
Sarah Lawrence College
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