Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Timeline
background-images

Shana D. Van Waters

San Antonio,TX

Summary

Experienced instructional specialist with a strong background in dyslexia intervention. Utilizes targeted strategies to enhance students' reading and writing skills, resulting in significant improvements. Skilled in developing individualized learning plans and employing multisensory teaching techniques to support diverse learners.

Overview

26
26
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Dyslexia Instructional Specialist

Northside I.S.D.
San Antonio, TX
08.2024 - Current
  • Served as a resource for teachers seeking guidance on effective pedagogical approaches or specific content knowledge expertise.
  • Performed small group and individual therapy based on client needs with focus on dyslexia and other learning disabilities.
  • Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities to stay current on best practices in dyslexia intervention.
  • Provided ongoing consultation to general education teachers regarding classroom accommodations and modifications for students with dyslexia.
  • Led professional development sessions on understanding dyslexia and effective instructional techniques for diverse learners.

Reading Specialist

Northside ISD
San Antonio, TX
08.2023 - 06.2024
  • Served as a resource for educators by providing professional development workshops on best practices in literacy instruction.
  • Analyzed data trends to identify areas of need and inform instructional decision-making processes related to reading interventions.
  • Enhanced reading comprehension by implementing targeted literacy interventions and strategies.
  • Contributed to the development of school-wide literacy initiatives aimed at improving achievement for all students.

ESL Interventionist

Richardson ISD
Richardson, TX
08.2022 - 06.2023
  • Increased student proficiency in English by creating engaging and interactive classroom activities.
  • Developed and taught ESL curriculum to improve students' conversational abilities.
  • Contributed to school-wide professional development initiatives by leading workshops on best practices for teaching ESL learners across different grade levels.

READING TEACHER

Garland I.S.D./Rowlett High School
Rowlett, TX
08.2018 - 06.2022
  • Interpreted student assessment data to ascertain best intervention methods.
  • Supported struggling readers through individualized interventions and progress monitoring, leading to improved reading levels.
  • Increased student motivation by incorporating diverse texts and engaging activities in lesson plans.

FOURTH GRADE ELA TEACHER

Dallas I.S.D./Edwin J. Kiest Elementary
Dallas, TX
08.2017 - 06.2018
  • Improved students'' reading comprehension with targeted strategies, including guided reading sessions and focused vocabulary lessons.
  • Increased writing proficiency through targeted feedback on assignments and one-on-one conferences with students.
  • Collaborated with special education specialists to develop appropriate accommodations for students with diverse learning needs.
  • Consistently met or exceeded district benchmarks for standardized testing scores in ELA through effective test preparation strategies.


FIFTH GRADE BILINGUAL TEACHER

Marble Falls I.S.D./Highland Lakes Elementary
Marble Falls, TX
08.2016 - 06.2017
  • Improved instructional methods for bilingual students using a variety of assessment tools and strategies to better accommodate their needs
  • Improved standardized math test scores from a 13% passing rate to 89% by implementing targeted intervention strategies for struggling students.
  • Implemented engaging science experiments that allowed students to explore key concepts through hands-on learning experiences.

GRADUATE ASSISTANT

Texas State University
San Marcos, TX
08.2014 - 06.2016
  • Enhanced student understanding of computer concepts by providing clear and concise explanations during tutoring sessions in all Microsoft Office Suite applications with undergraduate students.
  • Managed administrative tasks such as grading, proctoring, and record-keeping with eight C.I.S. and Statistics professors.

Elementary ESL Teacher & Elementary E.S.L. Newcomer Teacher

Austin I.S.D./Lucy Read Pre-Kindergarten Demonstration School, Cook Elementary, Walnut Creek Elementary, Hart Elementary
Austin, TX
08.2006 - 06.2014
  • Developed curriculum for English language learners, ensuring alignment with state standards and best practices.
  • Lead pull-out program for recent immigrants and refugee students.
  • Improved student reading and writing proficiency by implementing targeted ESL strategies and techniques.

PRE-KINDERGARTEN E.S.L. TEACHER

Lockhart I.S.D./Carver Kindergarten
Lockhart, TX
08.2002 - 06.2006
  • Applied play-based strategies to provide diverse approaches to learning.
  • Served as a mentor for new teachers, sharing best practices and offering guidance in classroom management techniques.


FIRST GRADE E.S.L. TEACHER

La Vega I.S.D./La Vega Primary Center
Waco, TX
08.2001 - 06.2002
  • Improved student reading comprehension by incorporating engaging phonics activities and guided reading sessions.
  • Participated in the Intel Teach to the Future Program.

KINDERGARTEN E.S.L. TEACHER

Waco I.S.D./Viking Hills Elementary
Waco, TX
08.2000 - 06.2001
  • Created positive and engaging environment in classroom that encouraged literacy skills.
  • Acquired ESL certification soon after accepting the position, so that I could service all students whose second language was English.


First Grade Teacher

Blum I.S.D./Blum Elementary
Blum, TX
08.1999 - 06.2000
  • Enhanced student literacy by implementing engaging reading and writing activities.
  • Developed a family literacy program that focused on improving parental involvement in children's education through hands-on activities.

Education

Master’s of Education - Reading Education

Texas State University
San Marcos, TX
05.2016

Bachelor of Science - Interdisciplinary Studies

Tarleton State University
Stephenville, TX
06.1999

Skills

  • Dyslexia interventions
  • Multisensory instruction
  • Instructional support
  • Student engagement
  • Intervention planning
  • Classroom management

Certification

  • Master Reading Teacher (EC-12)
  • Reading Specialist (EC-12)
  • English as a Second Language (EC-12)
  • Elementary Reading (1-8)
  • Early Childhood Development (PK-KG)
  • Elementary Self-Contained (1-8)

Timeline

Dyslexia Instructional Specialist

Northside I.S.D.
08.2024 - Current

Reading Specialist

Northside ISD
08.2023 - 06.2024

ESL Interventionist

Richardson ISD
08.2022 - 06.2023

READING TEACHER

Garland I.S.D./Rowlett High School
08.2018 - 06.2022

FOURTH GRADE ELA TEACHER

Dallas I.S.D./Edwin J. Kiest Elementary
08.2017 - 06.2018

FIFTH GRADE BILINGUAL TEACHER

Marble Falls I.S.D./Highland Lakes Elementary
08.2016 - 06.2017

GRADUATE ASSISTANT

Texas State University
08.2014 - 06.2016

Elementary ESL Teacher & Elementary E.S.L. Newcomer Teacher

Austin I.S.D./Lucy Read Pre-Kindergarten Demonstration School, Cook Elementary, Walnut Creek Elementary, Hart Elementary
08.2006 - 06.2014

PRE-KINDERGARTEN E.S.L. TEACHER

Lockhart I.S.D./Carver Kindergarten
08.2002 - 06.2006

FIRST GRADE E.S.L. TEACHER

La Vega I.S.D./La Vega Primary Center
08.2001 - 06.2002

KINDERGARTEN E.S.L. TEACHER

Waco I.S.D./Viking Hills Elementary
08.2000 - 06.2001

First Grade Teacher

Blum I.S.D./Blum Elementary
08.1999 - 06.2000

Master’s of Education - Reading Education

Texas State University

Bachelor of Science - Interdisciplinary Studies

Tarleton State University
Shana D. Van Waters