Professional educator skilled in creating dynamic, inclusive classroom experiences that drive student success. Adept at leveraging diverse instructional strategies to meet varied learning needs, ensuring comprehensive understanding of material. Known for collaborative approach and adaptability in ever-evolving educational settings, with focus on critical thinking and communication.
Hi, I’m
Shaandi Priester
San Jose,CA
Summary
Overview
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Luther Burbank Elementary School
Teacher
08.2021 - Current
Job overview
- 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.
- 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.
- Organized and led educational field trips that complemented classroom learning, broadening students' real-world understanding.
- Designed curriculum materials for special education students, facilitating inclusive learning.
- Fostered student curiosity and interest through creative hands-on activities.
- Modified lessons and curriculum to accommodate diverse learners by using strategies such as peer-assisted learning and group work.
- Completed student progress reports mid-term to notify students and parents of strengths and areas of improvement.
- Adapted teaching methods and materials to meet students' varying needs.
- Boosted cultural awareness by incorporating children's literature from world cultures.
Rocketship Spark Academy
ELA Teacher
08.2018 - 06.2021
Job overview
- Company Overview: Rocketship Public Schools
- Classroom management: taught and managed a class of 30 students with a total load of 60 students throughout the day while creating a classroom culture of excellence and delivering rigorous instruction daily
- Built relationships and partnered with all students and families through frequent communication, and upholding high expectations for learning
- Completed 100% of home visits of all students taught to 60 students
- Internalized content and dissected common core standards to deliver high-quality humanities content
- Personalized student learning experiences through daily guided reading and workstations with work at students' learning levels
- Backwards lesson planned and collaborated on reading comprehension plans with grade-level partners
- Provided differentiated lesson plans to students during guided reading, Language Board, and Emergent Bilingual Instruction to target skills for all students
- Participated in MTSS sessions to identify at-risk students and partnered with the MTSS team to highlight opportunities for academic success and improvement
- Participated in 460+ hours of professional development throughout the summer, school year and on professional development days
- Collaborated with special education staff so students who identified as needing extra support were meaningfully included and able to meet educational goals
- Rocketship Public Schools
Rocketship Spark Academy
Paraprofessional Educator
11.2016 - 06.2018
Job overview
- Provided small group and push-in services in STEM for all 3rd-5th grade students with IEPs
- 42% of students on caseload met their STEM goal for SY 16-17 and 57 % in SY 17-18
- As a result of this work 6 students on caseload graduated from their IEPs
- Served as a social skills group mentor to develop students interactions with one another and build self-confidence in students at school and at home
- Collaborated with the special education and general education team to enhance instructional supports for all students
- Track development through monthly progress monitoring and shared with key stakeholders
- Offered students both emotional and social support in and outside of the classroom
- Tailored lessons to small groups or specific students which allowed them to meet their IEP & other educational goals
Gimme-A-Break
Owner, Respite Care Specialist
01.2013 - 01.2018
Job overview
- Company Overview: Boutique on-call family assistance and support agency within the Bay Area that focused on quality personalized service
- Delivered short notice and emergent care services 24/7 to 25 families
- Recruited and trained providers to be experienced and educated in special needs services
- Specialized in following and implementing established educational and social routines
- Offered additional services that included personal assisting, childcare, cooking/meal prep, household management, travel arrangements, and more
- Boutique on-call family assistance and support agency within the Bay Area that focused on quality personalized service
- Developed and maintained strong relationships with clients, resulting in repeat business and referrals.
- Managed day-to-day business operations.
Kramer Weis Family
Governess/Family Assistant/Nanny/Household Manager
11.2004 - 06.2014
Job overview
- Supported families of special needs teenagers through cultivating healthy routines that focused on executive function, educational skills, and self-advocacy in regards to Autism Spectrum Disorder, OCD and ADHD
- Served as a liaison between school, teachers, educational therapists and parents to ensure continuous routine is implemented in all spaces as well as the proper development of social interaction with other children was met
- Maintained family calendars to meet the physical and emotional needs of the children
- Advocated for the implementation of strategic educational activities that enhanced learning within the classroom while partnering with teachers
- Maintained family privacy and security by handling sensitive information discreetly and respecting confidentiality boundaries.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge on child development practices to provide appropriate guidance during critical growth periods.
- Devised creative learning opportunities for children with engaging indoor and outdoor activities tailored to their interests and developmental needs.
Education
National UniversityLa Jolla, CA
Master of Education Inspired Teaching And Learning from Social Emotional Learning
01-2025
University Overview
The Master of Education in Inspired Teaching and Learning with a Multiple Subjects Teaching Credential is designed for candidates who are dedicated to inspiring all K-12 learners by emphasizing: social emotional thriving, meaningful academic achievement, and equitable and inclusive learning communities.
William Jessup UniversityRocklin, CA
Bachelor of Science from Psychology
01.2018
University Overview
Mission Community CollegeSanta Clara, CA
Certificate in Hospitality Management
01.2013
University Overview
Transferred
Skills
- Ability to connect with students
- Guiding students through curriculum requirements
- Creating achievable goals
- Establishing trust and influence
- Developing educational plans
- Excellent oral communication skills
- Excellent written communication skills
- Relationship building
- Classroom management
- Critical thinking
- Motivating students
- Student engagement
- Parent-teacher communication
- Lesson planning
- Behavior management
- Growth mindset
- Conflict resolution
- Student-centered learning
- Small group instruction
Timeline
Teacher
Luther Burbank Elementary School
08.2021 - Current
ELA Teacher
Rocketship Spark Academy
08.2018 - 06.2021
Paraprofessional Educator
Rocketship Spark Academy
11.2016 - 06.2018
Owner, Respite Care Specialist
Gimme-A-Break
01.2013 - 01.2018
Governess/Family Assistant/Nanny/Household Manager
Kramer Weis Family
11.2004 - 06.2014
William Jessup University
Bachelor of Science from Psychology
Mission Community College
Certificate in Hospitality Management
National University
Master of Education Inspired Teaching And Learning from Social Emotional Learning
Awards
Awards
- Deans' List, West Valley-Mission Community College District
- 2012
- 2013
- Member: MVP Mission Women's Tennis Team, Spring 2013
- President of Hospitality Management Club, Spring 2012
Certification
Multiple Subject Credential
Locations
Locations
- San Jose, San Jose, CA
- Rocketship Spark Academy, San Jose, CA
- Gimme-A-Break!, San Jose, CA
- Bay Area, Bay Area, CA
- William Jessup University, Rocklin, CA
- Mission Community College, Santa Clara, CA
- YWCA Silicon Valley, San Jose, CA
- Ningbo Foreign Language School, Ninghai, China
Quote
“No significant learning can occur without a significant relationship.”
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