Sarnia Thompson
Summary
Committed and results-driven educator with over 16 years of experience designing and delivering instruction that fosters academic growth, critical thinking, equity, and student engagement. Demonstrated success in instructional leadership as an Academic Dean, facilitating teacher collaboration, coaching educators, and leading data-driven curriculum design to improve student outcomes. Skilled in using traditional and alternative assessments aligned with WCPSS standards to plan, implement, and evaluate effective, student-centered instruction. Implements inclusive, culturally responsive practices, integrates technology, and collaborates with families and stakeholders to support the holistic development of all learners while engaging in continuous professional growth.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
<ul><li>Facilitate collaboration with Grades 3–5 teachers to design and adapt instructional plans and materials that meet students’ diverse cultural, developmental, and academic needs.</li><li>Conduct classroom observations and provide actionable, strengths-based coaching—offering real-time and post-observation feedback to enhance teaching practices and student engagement.</li><li>Lead schoolwide curriculum initiatives, planning and implementation of a standards-aligned curriculum, model best instructional practices through demonstration lessons, and facilitate data-driven intervention meetings, resulting in a 3% increase in EOG scores across Grades 3–5.</li><li>Collaborate with administrators on weekly instructional walk-throughs, staff development, and continuous schoolwide academic improvement.</li><li>Promote professional growth by facilitating training and reflective practices aligned with school and district goals.</li><li>Assist in selecting and implementing instructional materials and resources in line with school improvement and strategic plans.</li><li>Collaborate with administrators, teachers, families, and community partners to foster instructional alignment and academic improvement.</li></ul>
Durham Charter School
Durham Charter School
01.2024 - Current
- Facilitate collaboration with Grades 3–5 teachers to design and adapt instructional plans and materials that meet students’ diverse cultural, developmental, and academic needs.
- Conduct classroom observations and provide actionable, strengths-based coaching—offering real-time and post-observation feedback to enhance teaching practices and student engagement.
- Lead schoolwide curriculum initiatives, planning and implementation of a standards-aligned curriculum, model best instructional practices through demonstration lessons, and facilitate data-driven intervention meetings, resulting in a 3% increase in EOG scores across Grades 3–5.
- Collaborate with administrators on weekly instructional walk-throughs, staff development, and continuous schoolwide academic improvement.
- Promote professional growth by facilitating training and reflective practices aligned with school and district goals.
- Assist in selecting and implementing instructional materials and resources in line with school improvement and strategic plans.
- Collaborate with administrators, teachers, families, and community partners to foster instructional alignment and academic improvement.
<ul><li>Designed and delivered culturally responsive, differentiated lessons using digital tools (Google Apps, online platforms) to support diverse learning styles and backgrounds.</li><li>Utilized formative and summative assessments to drive instruction, resulting in a 49% DIBELS gain, a rise in math proficiency from 37% to 90%, and EOG Reading growth that exceeded projections through targeted small-group and literacy interventions.</li></ul>
Durham Charter School
Durham Charter School
01.2021 - 01.2024
- Designed and delivered culturally responsive, differentiated lessons using digital tools (Google Apps, online platforms) to support diverse learning styles and backgrounds.
- Utilized formative and summative assessments to drive instruction, resulting in a 49% DIBELS gain, a rise in math proficiency from 37% to 90%, and EOG Reading growth that exceeded projections through targeted small-group and literacy interventions.
<ul><li>Fostered a positive, well-managed classroom environment that encouraged cooperative learning, critical thinking, and student motivation through implementation of Teach Like a Champion strategies and SEL integrations.</li><li>Led schoolwide professional development on data analysis and instructional strategies, and built strong partnerships with families and stakeholders to support whole-child development.</li><li>Delivered Virginia SOL-aligned instruction using traditional and alternative assessments to personalize learning for diverse students, resulting in a 69% improvement in PALS and Benchmark scores, while supporting academic growth, self-regulation, and collaboration through data-informed planning, flexible grouping, and developmentally appropriate practices.</li></ul>
River Oaks Elementary School
River Oaks Elementary School
01.2016 - 01.2021
- Fostered a positive, well-managed classroom environment that encouraged cooperative learning, critical thinking, and student motivation through implementation of Teach Like a Champion strategies and SEL integrations.
- Led schoolwide professional development on data analysis and instructional strategies, and built strong partnerships with families and stakeholders to support whole-child development.
- Delivered Virginia SOL-aligned instruction using traditional and alternative assessments to personalize learning for diverse students, resulting in a 69% improvement in PALS and Benchmark scores, while supporting academic growth, self-regulation, and collaboration through data-informed planning, flexible grouping, and developmentally appropriate practices.
<ul><li>Served as Senior Teacher, leading curriculum planning and data-driven, differentiated instruction using research-backed literacy strategies and culturally responsive pedagogy, achieving a 100% pass rate on Grade 3 Reading and 80% on Grade 4 national exams.</li></ul>
Portsmouth Primary School
Portsmouth Primary School
01.2004 - 01.2016
- Served as Senior Teacher, leading curriculum planning and data-driven, differentiated instruction using research-backed literacy strategies and culturally responsive pedagogy, achieving a 100% pass rate on Grade 3 Reading and 80% on Grade 4 national exams.
Education
M.Ed. - Literacy Studies
Literacy Studies
B.Ed. - Elementary Education
Elementary Education
Diploma - Elementary Education
Elementary Education
Skills
- Student-Centered Management
- EdTech Integration (Google Apps, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Professional Development Facilitation
- Student-Centered Management
- EdTech Integration (Google Apps, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Professional Development Facilitation
Certification
- NC Professional Educator License – Elementary Education (K–6)
- NC Reading Specialist Certification (K–12)
- NC English Language Learners (ELL) Certification
- Want More, Do More – Double-Gold Certification in Observation Feedback and Data Meetings
Timeline
<ul><li>Facilitate collaboration with Grades 3–5 teachers to design and adapt instructional plans and materials that meet students’ diverse cultural, developmental, and academic needs.</li><li>Conduct classroom observations and provide actionable, strengths-based coaching—offering real-time and post-observation feedback to enhance teaching practices and student engagement.</li><li>Lead schoolwide curriculum initiatives, planning and implementation of a standards-aligned curriculum, model best instructional practices through demonstration lessons, and facilitate data-driven intervention meetings, resulting in a 3% increase in EOG scores across Grades 3–5.</li><li>Collaborate with administrators on weekly instructional walk-throughs, staff development, and continuous schoolwide academic improvement.</li><li>Promote professional growth by facilitating training and reflective practices aligned with school and district goals.</li><li>Assist in selecting and implementing instructional materials and resources in line with school improvement and strategic plans.</li><li>Collaborate with administrators, teachers, families, and community partners to foster instructional alignment and academic improvement.</li></ul>
Durham Charter School
01.2024 - Current
<ul><li>Designed and delivered culturally responsive, differentiated lessons using digital tools (Google Apps, online platforms) to support diverse learning styles and backgrounds.</li><li>Utilized formative and summative assessments to drive instruction, resulting in a 49% DIBELS gain, a rise in math proficiency from 37% to 90%, and EOG Reading growth that exceeded projections through targeted small-group and literacy interventions.</li></ul>
Durham Charter School
01.2021 - 01.2024
<ul><li>Fostered a positive, well-managed classroom environment that encouraged cooperative learning, critical thinking, and student motivation through implementation of Teach Like a Champion strategies and SEL integrations.</li><li>Led schoolwide professional development on data analysis and instructional strategies, and built strong partnerships with families and stakeholders to support whole-child development.</li><li>Delivered Virginia SOL-aligned instruction using traditional and alternative assessments to personalize learning for diverse students, resulting in a 69% improvement in PALS and Benchmark scores, while supporting academic growth, self-regulation, and collaboration through data-informed planning, flexible grouping, and developmentally appropriate practices.</li></ul>
River Oaks Elementary School
01.2016 - 01.2021
<ul><li>Served as Senior Teacher, leading curriculum planning and data-driven, differentiated instruction using research-backed literacy strategies and culturally responsive pedagogy, achieving a 100% pass rate on Grade 3 Reading and 80% on Grade 4 national exams.</li></ul>
Portsmouth Primary School
01.2004 - 01.2016
M.Ed. - Literacy Studies
Literacy Studies
B.Ed. - Elementary Education
Elementary Education
Diploma - Elementary Education
Elementary Education
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