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
2022.10 - 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
2019.10 - 2022.06
- 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
2013.10 - 2019.10
- 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
2012.10 - 2013.10
- 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
2010.10 - 2012.10
- 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
2007.10 - 2010.10
- 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
2006.10 - 2007.10
- 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 2020.08 - Current
Master of Arts - Educational Leadership & Administration: Principal
Chicago State University
Chicago, IL 2015.08 - 2017.05
Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education
Chicago State University
Chicago, IL 1996.08 - 2006.05
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
2022.10 - Current
Doctor of Education (EdD) - Educational Leadership
National Louis University
2020.08 - Current
Teacher
Anna R. Langford Academy
2019.10 - 2022.06
Master of Arts - Educational Leadership & Administration: Principal
Chicago State University
2015.08 - 2017.05
Teacher
Willa Cather Elementary School
2013.10 - 2019.10
Teacher
Calhoun North Elementary School
2012.10 - 2013.10
Teacher
Clark Elementary School
2010.10 - 2012.10
Teacher
Holmes Elementary School
2007.10 - 2010.10
Teacher
Caldwell Math and Science Academy
2006.10 - 2007.10
Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education
Chicago State University
1996.08 - 2006.05
Similar Profiles
Billy Williams SrBilly Williams Sr
Security Officer at Chicago Public SchoolSecurity Officer at Chicago Public School
Flaecisa JamesFlaecisa James
Cook at Chicago Public SchoolCook at Chicago Public School
Katina Stovall-BrownKatina Stovall-Brown
Principal at Chicago Public SchoolPrincipal at Chicago Public School