Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Accomplishments
Timeline
Generic

Shenitra Bizzell

Durham,NC

Summary

I am a driven educator with firm command of curriculum development, daily lesson planning and student tutoring. I lead individual and group instruction to supplement teacher lessons and build instructional abilities. I am communicative and empathetic with commitment to creating inclusive learning spaces.

Career highlights are as follows: I have worked with children with disabilities since I was twelve years of age part time/ seasonally. I started off as a young volunteer at Durham Parks and Recreation. This business opportunity helped me appreciate the value of work ethics, people, as well as the business. Furthermore, I have ten years of experience working with children and families through Durham Head Start as a Teacher Assistant. Lastly, I have been a Kindergarten Instructional Assistant In WCPSS, CHCCS, and currently at DPS, going on my eight school year in public school instruction. All of these experiences have been very rewarding and insightful. I am very fortunate to have had years of experience and training working with children to better help serve in schools, communities and businesses. I have a degree in Early Childhood Education (AAS) which I am very proud to have. I believe beyond a paycheck point of view, that the work involves showing up and doing whatever it takes every day as an Educator. I believe that it is important to be proactive and to also be an advocate for Early Childhood Education.

Overview

25
25
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Kindergarten Assistant Teacher

Durham Public Schools
Durham
08.2022 - Current
  • To assist and help develop lesson plans and activities for large and small groups of five/six-year-olds in an educational setting
  • To also develop large and small group lessons based on literacy, Eureka Math and Letter Land learning skills
  • And help document anecdotal notes for teaching strategies gold.

Inclusion Facilitator

Jewish For Good
Durham, NC
08.2023 - 08.2023
  • To Assist campers with special needs in a summer camp program setting
  • To accommodate and facilitate activities to help meet their individual needs, as well as goals
  • I also assisted staff with learning how to navigate scheduling, transitions, and activities throughout the day at summer camp.

Kindergarten Instructional Assistant

Seawell Elementary
Chapel Hill - Carrboro City Schools
05.2021 - 06.2022
  • To assist Teacher in planning and implementing lesson plans including foundations, Arc reading, and math skills for kinder age children with many different backgrounds and abilities in a structured teaching classroom setting
  • To also help facilitate small/large group instruction with various subject areas throughout the school Day.

Kindergarten Teacher Assistant

Pleasant Grove Elementary
Wake County Public Schools
08.2016 - 05.2021
  • To assist Teacher in planning and implementing lesson plans including: Letter Land, Writing sills, Math skills and small group lead instruction for kinder age children with many different backgrounds and abilities in a structured teaching classroom setting.

Master Program Specialist

Durham Parks and Recreation
06.2007 - 08.2019
  • To develop age and developmentally appropriate, recreational, and social emotional activities for children ages 5-21 in a summer camp setting
  • Also, to oversee staff responsible for children in separate groups ages ranging from 6-12 years old
  • To follow and maintain safety guidelines given by the department
  • To be a leader, a role model, and help manage challenging behaviors, and situations daily amongst campers and staff.

Teacher Assistant (3-year Old's)

Durham Head Start - Leathers Meachem Child Development Center
09.2014 - 06.2016
  • To plan and implement developmental and age-appropriate learning experiences for children ages three to five in an inclusive educational setting
  • Also, to develop lesson plans and offer children and families a wide range of educational opportunities a variety of family involvement activities in a preschool setting.

Teacher Assistant (4-year-olds)

Operation Breakthrough (Head Start) - Lyon Park Community Center
Durham, NC
03.2006 - 05.2014
  • To assist the Lead Teacher in planning and development in educational activities for preschool-aged children
  • Help Structure the classroom, Assist in lesson planning, parent involvement, and community involvement
  • Furthermore, Role modeling and leading the futures of young minds into success.

Inclusion Specialist

Durham Parks and Recreation
06.2003 - 08.2006
  • To provide an inclusive environment for children with and without disabilities in a recreational setting ages 5-12
  • To accommodate needs of individuals related socially and physically
  • To help facilitate interaction amongst children and staff for children with and without special needs.

Group Leader

Community Education Centers, Inc.
Durham, NC
09.2002 - 06.2003
  • Create and implement recreational activities in an after-school setting, for children ages 7-9
  • To implement inclusive games and various activities that were age-appropriate and developmentally appropriate for children ages eight to ten.

Group Leader

Durham Parks and Recreation
Durham, NC
06.1999 - 08.2002
  • Provide, Lead and serve children with disabilities ages 5-21 in an after school/summer camp setting with developmentally, and age-appropriate recreational activities
  • To also teach self-help skills, life skills, and cooperative skills
  • Also providing inclusive opportunities for participants with physical, mental and or developmental disabilities in a summer camp setting.

Education

Associates in Early Childhood Education -

Durham Technical Community College
05-2022

Art -

Durham School of The Arts
06-2002

Skills

  • Spanish (moderate)
  • American Sign Language (moderate)
  • English (Fluent)
  • Experience Working With Students
  • Classroom Experience
  • Administrative Experience
  • Behavior Management
  • English
  • Teacher Assistance
  • Teacher Support
  • Individual Instruction
  • Classroom Organization
  • IEP Familiarity
  • Classroom Management
  • Discipline Management
  • Enrichment Activities
  • Documentation
  • Social-Emotional Learning
  • Small Group Instruction
  • Computer Skills
  • Special Needs Support
  • Punctuality
  • Activity Planning
  • Educational Support
  • Positive Reinforcement
  • Social Integration
  • Age-Appropriate Activities
  • Child Development Knowledge

Certification

  • Infant & Toddler Certification May 2022
  • Child Development Certification May 2022
  • Early Childhood Administration Certification May 2022
  • CPR Certification, 03/01/25
  • First Aid Certification, 03/01/25

Accomplishments

  • Instructional Assistant of the Year 2018 & 2019 (Wake County Public Schools)
  • Bull Dog of the month October 2023 (Durham Public Schools
  • Leadership Award ( Durham Parks and Recreation) 2008
  • Teaching In Color Magazine Feature (Fall Edition 2022)
  • Durham Association of Educators Member/ advocate since 2023

Timeline

Inclusion Facilitator

Jewish For Good
08.2023 - 08.2023

Kindergarten Assistant Teacher

Durham Public Schools
08.2022 - Current

Kindergarten Instructional Assistant

Seawell Elementary
05.2021 - 06.2022

Kindergarten Teacher Assistant

Pleasant Grove Elementary
08.2016 - 05.2021

Teacher Assistant (3-year Old's)

Durham Head Start - Leathers Meachem Child Development Center
09.2014 - 06.2016

Master Program Specialist

Durham Parks and Recreation
06.2007 - 08.2019

Teacher Assistant (4-year-olds)

Operation Breakthrough (Head Start) - Lyon Park Community Center
03.2006 - 05.2014

Inclusion Specialist

Durham Parks and Recreation
06.2003 - 08.2006

Group Leader

Community Education Centers, Inc.
09.2002 - 06.2003

Group Leader

Durham Parks and Recreation
06.1999 - 08.2002

Associates in Early Childhood Education -

Durham Technical Community College

Art -

Durham School of The Arts
Shenitra Bizzell