Sarah Mead McKinney
Westminster,MD
Summary
Dynamic educator and instructional designer with extensive experience in differentiated instruction. Successful in utilizing innovative training techniques to increase workforce efficiency. Skilled in training program creation and implementation.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Advanced English 6 and 7 Teacher
Montgomery County Public Schools
08.2023 - Current
- Create and implement engaging and challenging lessons using the Common Core State Curriculum, while providing differentiated instruction
- Engage in professional development cohorts and take continuing education classes to stay current in educational expectations
- Continually aggregate student data to reflect on learning and teaching and improve teaching
- Grade and reflect on student work and achievement, modifying and altering materials as needed
- Improve student engagement by incorporating interactive learning technologies into lesson plans
- Communicate frequently with parents, students, and faculty to provide feedback and discuss instructional strategies
- Serve on school committees focused on curriculum development, teacher evaluations, or community outreach initiatives to contribute positively to the overall school climate
- (2023-2024 SY) Created individualized plans for Alternative 1 students in a Related Studies class to help them improve their executive functioning, emotional wellness, study skills, and work completion: with a goal of exiting the class to continue taking an elective course
English 7/8 Teacher, Grade 8 Team Leader
Montgomery County Public Schools
08.2021 - 06.2023
- Created and implemented engaging and challenging lessons using the Common Core State Curriculum, while providing differentiated instruction
- As a Grade 8 Team Leader: ran an Emergent Multilingual Learner (EML) High School readiness focus group with Linkages to learning, triangulated student data and monitor student performance, organized school events and fundraisers, attend ILT meetings and helped to make leadership decisions, coordinated teacher and student/parent communication when needed
- (2021-2022 SY) Acted as the Schools Assistant Testing Coordinator for state testing- aiding in administering the state test
- Evaluated and provided feedback to teachers based on state teaching standards and school wide initiatives determined by the Instructional leadership team
- As the Positive Behavior Intervention and Support (PBIS) Leader coordinated school-wide events (Holiday Bazaar, incentive parties), organized incentives for students, created positive reward systems, attended team leadership meetings and helped make school wide behavior management decisions
- Engaged in professional development cohorts and took continuing education classes
- Maintained accurate records of student progress, attendance, and behavior to facilitate ongoing communication with parents about their child's educational journey
- Graded and reflected on student work and achievement, modifying and altering materials as needed
- Differentiated instruction to accommodate diverse learning needs, ensuring each student had an equal opportunity for success
- Collaborated with other teachers to plan interdisciplinary units that connected subjects and promoted deeper understanding among students
- Assessed student performance regularly using both formative and summative assessments to inform future lesson planning
- Identified struggling students early on and provided additional support through tutoring sessions and modified lesson plans
- Organized extracurricular activities such as field trips that enriched students' learning experiences outside traditional classroom settings
- Fostered positive learning environment that encouraged student curiosity and critical thinking
- Conducted ongoing professional development in educational technology, keeping teaching approach current and effective
Special Ed English & Reading Intervention Teacher
Montgomery County Public Schools
08.2019 - 06.2021
- Supported struggling readers through individualized interventions and progress monitoring, leading to improved reading levels
- Enhanced reading comprehension by implementing guided reading groups and targeted literacy instruction
- Increased student motivation by incorporating diverse texts and engaging activities in lesson plans
- Assessed student progress regularly using various assessment tools, adjusting instructional strategies as needed to maximize learning outcomes
- Interpreted student assessment data to ascertain best intervention methods
- Utilized data-driven instruction to differentiate lessons based on individual student needs, ensuring all learners had access to appropriate resources and support
- Created and implemented lessons using the Common Core State Curriculum, while providing differentiated instruction
- Case managed 14-18 students with IEPs
- Analyzed and triangulated student data to maximize achievement
- Helped RTSE with Educational testing and write ups (Spring 2019)
- Newspaper Sponsor (August 2018- June 2020)
- Helped students with special needs integrate into general classroom environments by advocating for individual requirements and helping teachers solve problems
- Developed Individual Education Plans for students with special needs
Special Ed English & Reading Intervention Teacher
Montgomery County Public Schools
08.2013 - 06.2019
- Supported struggling readers through individualized interventions and progress monitoring, leading to improved reading levels
- Enhanced reading comprehension by implementing guided reading groups and targeted literacy instruction
- Increased student motivation by incorporating diverse texts and engaging activities in lesson plans
- Assessed student progress regularly using various assessment tools, adjusting instructional strategies as needed to maximize learning outcomes
- Interpreted student assessment data to ascertain best intervention methods
- Utilized data-driven instruction to differentiate lessons based on individual student needs, ensuring all learners had access to appropriate resources and support
- Created and implemented lessons using the Common Core State Curriculum, while providing differentiated instruction
- Case managed 14-18 students with IEPs
- Analyzed and triangulated student data to maximize achievement
- 2014-2015 school year- mentored, guided and supervised a student teacher intern
- Cross Country Coach for 3 school years
Education
Master of Arts - Special Education
Towson University
Baltimore, MD05.2013
Bachelor of Arts - English Literature
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA12.2009
Skills
- Group and individual instruction
- Conflict resolution techniques
- Data aggregation and analysis
- Evidence-based assessment
- Collaborative Teamwork
- Progress Monitoring
- Student needs assessment
- Problem-solving abilities
- Workforce efficiency
- Training program improvement
- Implementation support
- Team member development
- Course material creation
- Adaptive learning
- Virtual classroom
- Curriculum design
Certification
- Advanced Professional Certification - Administrator 1 Certification, Maryland State Department of Education, 2022
- Teaching Certification - Special Education Pre-K-12, English Language Arts 5-12, Maryland State Department of Education, 2013
Timeline
Advanced English 6 and 7 Teacher
Montgomery County Public Schools
08.2023 - Current
English 7/8 Teacher, Grade 8 Team Leader
Montgomery County Public Schools
08.2021 - 06.2023
Special Ed English & Reading Intervention Teacher
Montgomery County Public Schools
08.2019 - 06.2021
Special Ed English & Reading Intervention Teacher
Montgomery County Public Schools
08.2013 - 06.2019
Bachelor of Arts - English Literature
James Madison University
- Advanced Professional Certification - Administrator 1 Certification, Maryland State Department of Education, 2022
- Teaching Certification - Special Education Pre-K-12, English Language Arts 5-12, Maryland State Department of Education, 2013
Master of Arts - Special Education
Towson University
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