SHEMEKA ELAM
Instructional Leader
Chicago,IL
Summary
A goal-oriented and well-rounded educator with 18 years of experience, dedicated to enhancing the learning experience of students. Demonstrates a proven track record of equipping teachers to enhance instructional practices to support the holistic needs of students. Excels in creating a positive climate and culture, as well as a rigorous learning environment conducive to student success and positive community relations.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Instructional Support Leader
Chicago Public School
Chicago, Illinois
10.2022 - Current
- Conducts one on one coaching to classroom teachers to build their instructional capacity.
- Provides instructional support to teachers to incorporate researched-based instructional practices into lessons.
- Developed Grading for Equity PLC to promote equitable grading practices in schools.
- Establishes professional development for administrators and teachers that provides strategies to deliver district and network priorities.
- Collaborates with school leaders and instructional leadership teams to support the implementation of CIWP goals, professional learning for teachers, and strategies to address problems of practice.
- Attends Instructional leadership team and grade-level team meetings and provide feedback and suggestions.
- Provides academic resources to administrators and teachers to address school-based concerns.
- Observes instruction and provides actionable feedback to increase student achievement.
- Reviews school data, including student grades, STAR, iReady, and attendance, and work with school teams to develop plans of action to increase student achievement.
- Coordinates with other ISLs to provide content-specific support for my set portfolio schools.
- Serves as a liaison between my portfolio schools and Network leadership to ensure that schools are in district mandate compliance.
- Organizes learning walks in schools to monitor school-wide instruction practices.
Teacher
Anna R. Langford Academy
Chicago, Illinois
10.2019 - 06.2022
- Developed strong relationships with students, parents, and colleagues by maintaining open lines of communication and fostering a supportive learning environment.
- Worked cooperatively with other teachers, administrators, and parents to help students reach learning objectives.
- Participated in Instructional Leadership Team meetings to provide input to colleagues about student achievement and improvement.
- Led fundraising efforts to support school initiatives.
Teacher
Willa Cather Elementary School
Chicago, Illinois
10.2013 - 10.2019
- Successfully taught junior high students and exceeded basic standards.
- Offered professional development and participated in the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC).
- In the absence of the Principal and Assistant Principal, provided proper building operations oversight.
- Interviewed staff/teacher candidates alongside the Principal and Assistant Principal.
- Conducted classroom observations to ensure proper protocol and practices.
- Constructed dedicated space for teachers to gather and focus on student data instructional plans.
- Fundraised to ensure proper financial support of special initiatives, projects and student trips.
- Actively involved in the discipline strategies and offered suggestions to positively improve school climate and culture.
- Led the Instructional Leadership Team.
- Assisted in the writing of the CIWP.
Teacher
Calhoun North Elementary School
Chicago, Illinois
10.2012 - 10.2013
- Effectively use strategies and skills to help students become better readers.
- Successfully planned eighth grade activities, including etiquette class, etiquette luncheon, Valentine’s Day breakfast, and eighth grade awards ceremonies aboard the Odyssey Cruise Line.
- Developed strong partnerships with parents and to report students’ progress.
- Successfully raised funds to defray the cost of student events.
- Served as a member of the Instructional Leadership Team.
- Assessed student performance regularly using both formative and summative assessments to inform future lesson planning.
Teacher
Clark Elementary School
Chicago, Illinois
10.2010 - 10.2012
- Creatively taught hands-on Science and Language Arts lesson plans based on Illinois State and Common Core standards.
- Used Response to Intervention (RTI) to ensure students met and exceed general standards.
- Within a team, successfully planned a school carnival and other activities that rewarded and motivated students for academic excellence.
- Planned eighth grade activities including the graduation ceremony.
- Effectively provided professional development workshops in Rigor, Foundations/Student Management, and data.
- Active participant of the Instructional Leadership Team and helped create the Continuous Improvement Work Plan (CWIP).
- Participated in Teacher Leader Summer Institute and created model unit plan and performance assessment for new Common Core Standards.
- During short-staffed periods, increased my personal workload by teaching multiple classes.
- To help sharpen reading skills, taught fifth and sixth graders the Morning School Program and prepared eighth graders for the Explore test.
- Implemented and co-chaired Foundations team to promote positive student management.
Teacher
Holmes Elementary School
Chicago, Illinois
10.2007 - 10.2010
- Effectively taught hands-on Science and Writing standard based lesson plans.
- Instituted Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) and served as PBIS Internal Coach.
- Actively participated in School Based Problem Solving.
- Effectively provided workshops on classroom management to colleagues.
- Planned and provided workshops for parents on Social Emotional Learning and Positive Interventions and Supports.
- Planned and effectively executed parent and teacher appreciation ceremonies.
- Efficiently used data to create a rigorous curriculum to drive instruction.
- Developed Student handbook for middle school students.
Teacher
Caldwell Math and Science Academy
Chicago, Illinois
10.2006 - 10.2007
- Developed positive Classroom Management Plan
- Successfully cultivated positive relationships with parents and caregivers
- Planned and oversaw events including out of state seventh grade field trip and school assemblies
- Created interactive lesson plans in Science, Social Studies and Language Arts
- Successfully taught an inclusive classroom with 30% special needs students.
Education
Doctor of Education (EdD) - Educational Leadership
National Louis University
Chicago, IL 08.2020 - Current
Master of Arts - Educational Leadership & Administration: Principal
Chicago State University
Chicago, IL 08.2015 - 05.2017
Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education
Chicago State University
Chicago, IL 08.1996 - 05.2006
Skills
- Instructional Coaching
- School Community Relations
- Team Building
- Progress Monitoring
- Conducting Professional Development
- Discipline Management
- Positive Student Engagement
- Data Analysis
- Problem Solving
- Organizational Skills
- Strategic Planning
Affiliations
Member Social
Emotional Learning
Team
Member Instructional
Leadership Team -
Grade Level Chair
EDUCATOR
Shemeka Elam, MA
Successfully, spearheaded the fundraising committee to raise funds for student travel and incentives. Trained team members on
MTSS/Branching minds. Led the MTSS professional development committee.
Notable Achievements: Acted as a member of the Attendance Committee. served to the Instructional Leadership team that developed
action plans to address various problems of action.
Endorsements/Certifications
- Principal
- Teacher Evaluator (REACH Certified)
- Middle School English Language Arts
- Middle School Science
- Middle School Social Science
Timeline
Instructional Support Leader
Chicago Public School
10.2022 - Current
Doctor of Education (EdD) - Educational Leadership
National Louis University
08.2020 - Current
Teacher
Anna R. Langford Academy
10.2019 - 06.2022
Master of Arts - Educational Leadership & Administration: Principal
Chicago State University
08.2015 - 05.2017
Teacher
Willa Cather Elementary School
10.2013 - 10.2019
Teacher
Calhoun North Elementary School
10.2012 - 10.2013
Teacher
Clark Elementary School
10.2010 - 10.2012
Teacher
Holmes Elementary School
10.2007 - 10.2010
Teacher
Caldwell Math and Science Academy
10.2006 - 10.2007
Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education
Chicago State University
08.1996 - 05.2006
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