Stephanie Willis
Houston,TX
Summary
Skilled ESL Instructor versed in using effective and efficient methods of teaching while focusing on individual student needs. Experience teaching ESL at elementary and middle school grade levels for students from over 10 different cultural backgrounds. Leverages positive, affirming approaches to encourage learning and assimilation. Patient and dedicated educator skilled at developing and promoting interactive learning within group environment. Experienced working with children and adults from wide array of cultural backgrounds to teach language skills. Positive educator patient with students, consistently dedicating extra time for one-on-one instruction to teach difficult lessons. Detail-oriented team player with strong organizational skills. Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously with a high degree of accuracy.
Professional educator. Proven track record in developing engaging lesson plans and fostering positive learning environment. Strong skills in classroom management, curriculum planning, and student assessment. Reliable team player known for effective communication and adaptability to changing needs.
Overview
31
31
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
First Grade Teacher
Spring Independent School District
Spring, Texas
08.2025 - Current
- Utilized data-driven instruction to identify areas of need for individual students and adjust teaching methods accordingly.
- Built positive relationships with parents to involve families in educational process.
- Assessed student progress by administering tests and evaluating results.
- Participated in professional development workshops to stay current with educational best practices.
- Created lesson plans to correlate with state curriculum standards and devised educational programs to meet educational objectives.
- Maintained student portfolios to monitor learning progress and completion of work required for promotion to next grade level.
First Grade Teacher
Cypress Fairbanks Independent School District
08.2024 - 05.2025
- Developed engaging lesson plans that fostered student creativity and critical thinking.
- Implemented differentiated instruction strategies to meet diverse learning needs.
- Facilitated collaborative learning environments to enhance peer interaction and teamwork.
- Monitored student progress through formative assessments, adapting instruction as necessary.
- Organized classroom activities that promoted social skills and positive behavior reinforcement.
- Differentiated instruction to accommodate diverse learning styles, ensuring all students made progress towards academic goals.
- Assessed student progress regularly using formative assessments and modified instruction accordingly for optimal growth.
First Grade ESL Teacher
Houston Independent School District, HISD
Houston, Texas
08.2012 - 06.2024
- Gave one-on-one attention to each student while maintaining overall focus on entire group.
- Increased ESL students' reading levels by integrating online word games and altering lesson plans for students needing extra guidance.
- Attended workshops to learn about student motivation and engaging learning activities.
- Educated students in basics of English grammar and conversational speaking.
- Developed activities and integrated technology to diversify instruction.
Fourth Grade General Education Teacher
Spring ISD
08.2010 - 06.2012
- Evaluated individual student abilities and created action plans based on current level and desired growth goals to support preparedness for transition to next grade level.
- Built positive relationships with parents to involve families in educational process.
- Prepared materials for lessons, assignments, and assessments, and evaluated, corrected and graded student performance to identify gaps in skills or knowledge and set realistic goals.
- Worked one-on-one with students to determine strengths, weaknesses, and learning patterns.
- Communicated student progress, academic difficulties, or behavioral concerns to parents, guardians and administration using tact and professionalism to improve student academic performance.
- Drove student learning by establishing clear classroom plans and group objectives, as well as actionable strategies to achieve each goal.
- Provided individualized and diversified instruction to support student comprehension and assist with navigating challenges.
- Created supportive and inclusive learning environments, fostering positive classroom atmospheres supporting student growth and learning.
- Managed up to 28 students, ranging in ages 5-8.
First Grade Classroom Teacher
Spring ISD
08.2008 - 06.2010
- Built positive relationships with parents to involve families in educational process.
- Helped students develop self-esteem and life skills by fostering healthy conflict-resolution, critical thinking, and communication.
- Prepared materials for lessons, assignments, and assessments, and evaluated, corrected and graded student performance to identify gaps in skills or knowledge and set realistic goals.
- Drove student learning by establishing clear classroom plans and group objectives, as well as actionable strategies to achieve each goal.
- Taught students subject-specific material, learning strategies, and social skills.
- Stayed abreast of changes to school and district policies as well as new trends in education by attending professional development courses and in-service trainings.
- Planned lessons according to district standards to cover requirements and prepare for standardized tests.
Kindergarten/First Grade Teacher
Lodi Unified School District
07.2007 - 05.2008
- Provided guidance on policies and initiatives for kindergarten teaching team.
- Encouraged and prepared students to become independent readers through systematic, multi-sensory instruction in phonemic awareness and decoding skills.
- Integrated outdoor education into lesson plans.
- Arranged parent-teacher conferences to address student progress and collaboratively set goals for areas of improvement.
- Instructed children between ages 5 and 7 on mathematical basics.
- Delivered structured lessons on readiness skills by emphasizing phonics, language skills, literature, and handwriting.
First Grade Teacher
Rio Vista Unified School District
11.2005 - 06.2006
- Implemented classroom management improvements to enhance class morale and engagement.
- Established and enforced rules of behavior to drive social development and maintain positive interactions.
- Stayed abreast of changes to school and district policies as well as new trends in education by attending professional development courses and in-service trainings.
- Planned lessons according to district standards to cover requirements and prepare for standardized tests.
- Chaperoned field trips to maintain safety and encourage learning.
- Kept classroom clean, organized, and safe for students and visitors.
- Adapted lessons to differentiate instruction and meet students' diverse learning needs and abilities.
- Taught students subject-specific material, learning strategies, and social skills.
- Assessed student learning progress and comprehension with routine tests and standardized examinations.
- Implemented classroom management improvements to enhance class morale and engagement.
Fourth/Fifth Grade Classroom Teacher
Aspire Public Schools
07.2004 - 06.2005
- Prepared materials for lessons, assignments, and assessments, and evaluated, corrected and graded student performance to identify gaps in skills or knowledge and set realistic goals.
- Helped students develop self-esteem and life skills by fostering healthy conflict-resolution, critical thinking, and communication.
- Worked one-on-one with students to determine strengths, weaknesses, and learning patterns.
- Collaborated with administrators on classroom policies, management strategies, and discipline.
First Grade Teacher
Oakland Unified School District
08.2000 - 06.2004
- Implemented classroom management improvements to enhance class morale and engagement.
- Established and enforced rules of behavior to drive social development and maintain positive interactions.
- Stayed abreast of changes to school and district policies as well as new trends in education by attending professional development courses and in-service trainings.
- Planned lessons according to district standards to cover requirements and prepare for standardized tests.
Third Grade Teacher
Oakland Unified School District
08.1999 - 06.2000
- Planned lessons according to district standards to cover requirements and prepare for standardized tests.
- Collaborated with administrators on classroom policies, management strategies, and discipline.
- Helped students develop self-esteem and life skills by fostering healthy conflict-resolution, critical thinking, and communication.
- Taught students subject-specific material, learning strategies, and social skills.
Fourth/Fifth Grade Classroom Teacher
San Francisco Unified School District
08.1998 - 06.1999
- Prepared materials for lessons, assignments, and assessments, and evaluated, corrected and graded student performance to identify gaps in skills or knowledge and set realistic goals.
- Helped students develop self-esteem and life skills by fostering healthy conflict-resolution, critical thinking, and communication.
- Worked one-on-one with students to determine strengths, weaknesses, and learning patterns.
- Collaborated with administrators on classroom policies, management strategies, and discipline.
Fourth Grade Classroom Teacher
San Francisco Unified School District
08.1997 - 06.1998
- Evaluated individual student abilities and created action plans based on current level and desired growth goals to support preparedness for transition to next grade level.
- Worked one-on-one with students to determine strengths, weaknesses, and learning patterns.
- Collaborated with administrators on classroom policies, management strategies, and discipline.
- Communicated student progress, academic difficulties, or behavioral concerns to parents, guardians and administration using tact and professionalism to improve student academic performance.
- Taught students subject-specific material, learning strategies, and social skills.
- Assessed student progress by administering tests and evaluating results.
Third Grade Teacher
San Francisco Unified School District
08.1994 - 06.1997
- Planned lessons according to district standards to cover requirements and prepare for standardized tests.
- Collaborated with administrators on classroom policies, management strategies, and discipline.
- Helped students develop self-esteem and life skills by fostering healthy conflict-resolution, critical thinking, and communication.
- Taught students subject-specific material, learning strategies, and social skills.
- Promoted exploration of building blocks of learning by leading diverse, hands-on activities.
- Planned lessons according to district standards to cover requirements and prepare for standardized tests.
Education
Some College (No Degree): ED.D - Educational Leadership
University of Phoenix (online)
Tempe, AZ2010
Master of Arts - Elementary Education
University of Phoenix
Tempe, AZ12.2003
Bachelor of Arts - Liberal Studies
San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA05.1993
Skills
- Individual and group instruction
- Test methods knowledge
- Interactive Teaching
- Information technology literacy skills
- Proficient in creating and maintaining schedules
- Curriculum Development
- [11] Years as ESL instructor
- ESL- English as Second Language
- Parent-teacher collaboration
- Teacher training
- Science of Teaching Reading
- Training And Mentoring
- Knowledge Of Technology
- Classroom Instruction
- Progress Monitoring
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Word
- Promethean/BenQ boards and Document Camera
- Microsoft Teams
- Zoom
- Google Docs and Classroom
- Google Chrome
- Outlook
- Canvas
- Nearpod
- Kahoot
- Symbaloo
- Class Dojo
- Bloomz
- Remind
- GroupMe
- Epic!
- PowerSchool SIS
Accomplishments
- Earned "Teacher of the Year" in 2012-2013.
- Oversaw 28 students per class.
- Facilitated improved reading scores by implementing Heggerty and Amira.
- Commended for exceptional teaching and support to students Spring ISD District recognition October 2025.
- Served as ESL Team Lead 2012-2023.
- Served as Mentor Teacher.
- Served as First Grade Team Lead.
- Served as Title 1 Coordinator (2020-2022).
Certification
- Texas Educator Certificate, Texas Education Agency, 1/1/20-12/31/25 - [Timeframe]
- ESL Supplemental, Texas Education Agency, 1/1/20-12/31/25 - [Timeframe]
- Gifted and Talented Training - 7/23
- Telpas Training - 2/23
- Texas Reading Academies, Science of Teaching Reading, Houston Independent School District, 8/23
- Campus-Based Mentor Training Program, Houston Independent School District
Timeline
First Grade Teacher
Spring Independent School District
08.2025 - Current
First Grade Teacher
Cypress Fairbanks Independent School District
08.2024 - 05.2025
First Grade ESL Teacher
Houston Independent School District, HISD
08.2012 - 06.2024
Fourth Grade General Education Teacher
Spring ISD
08.2010 - 06.2012
First Grade Classroom Teacher
Spring ISD
08.2008 - 06.2010
Kindergarten/First Grade Teacher
Lodi Unified School District
07.2007 - 05.2008
First Grade Teacher
Rio Vista Unified School District
11.2005 - 06.2006
Fourth/Fifth Grade Classroom Teacher
Aspire Public Schools
07.2004 - 06.2005
First Grade Teacher
Oakland Unified School District
08.2000 - 06.2004
Third Grade Teacher
Oakland Unified School District
08.1999 - 06.2000
Fourth/Fifth Grade Classroom Teacher
San Francisco Unified School District
08.1998 - 06.1999
Fourth Grade Classroom Teacher
San Francisco Unified School District
08.1997 - 06.1998
Third Grade Teacher
San Francisco Unified School District
08.1994 - 06.1997
Master of Arts - Elementary Education
University of Phoenix
Bachelor of Arts - Liberal Studies
San Francisco State University
Some College (No Degree): ED.D - Educational Leadership
University of Phoenix (online)
Additional Information
- I have participated as a Leader In Me Lighthouse Team Facilitator to help teachers plan and implement activities regarding the leader in me vocabulary and expectations by modeling highly effective practices, using the "see, do, get" framework, Houston, TX 2014-2020.
- Awarded Teacher of the Year for the 2012-2013 school year, with various nominations there after, Houston, TX.
- Mayor's Honor for the Clean City Initiative, River Oaks Charter School, Stockton, CA 2004
- Mentored student teachers, Askew Elementary, Houston, TX, 2020.
- Held the position of Title 1 Coordinator, 2020-2023, Askew Elementary, Houston, TX.
- Hosted Student/Cooperative Teacher, Askew Elementary, Houston TX 1/2013-3/2013.
- Hosted Student/Cooperative Teacher, Chet Burchett Elementary, Spring, TX 3/2011-5/2011.
- Co-Team Lead (First Grade)/Askew Elementary, Houston TX 2023-24
- ESL/ELL Department Lead, Askew Elementary, Houston, TX 2015-24
- KidsMin Co-Lead, Grace Church Tomball, Tomball, TX 2015-2020
- PreK Lead Teacher, The Met Church, Houston, TX, 2020-2023
Interests
Volunteering within the Community, Kids Ministry, Photography, DIY Projects, Travel, Spending time with family and friends, The Arts (art, dance, music, theater opera).