Susan Smith
Spurgeon,Indiana
Summary
Dedicated 5th Grade English Language Arts Teacher with a strong focus on engaging lesson plans and differentiated instruction. Proven ability to foster positive classroom environments and enhance student learning outcomes through effective communication and collaboration.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
5th Grade English Language Arts Teacher
East Gibson School Corporation
Oakland City, IN
08.2019 - Current
- Developed engaging lesson plans to enhance student understanding of literary concepts.
- Integrated technology to facilitate interactive learning experiences and improve student engagement.
- Collaborated with colleagues to align curriculum standards and optimize instructional strategies.
- Implemented differentiated instruction techniques to meet diverse learning needs within the classroom.
- Facilitated the school Spelling Bee
- Assisted with Geography Bee and Math Bowl
- Facilitated Flag Bearers
- General Tech Issues
- Facilitated the Wax Museum
- Assessed student progress through formative and summative evaluations to inform teaching practices.
- Mentored new teachers on classroom management strategies and effective pedagogical approaches.
- Established a positive classroom environment that fostered respect, collaboration, and academic growth.
- Implemented project-based learning experiences that challenged students to apply their knowledge in real-world contexts.
- Increased parental involvement in student learning by maintaining regular communication and hosting informative events for families.
- Collaborated with other teachers to develop interdisciplinary units that connected English Language Arts with other subject areas.
- Mentored new teachers in effective instructional practices, helping them acclimate quickly to the school culture and succeed in their roles.
- Promoted a positive classroom environment by fostering respect, collaboration, and open communication among students.
- Utilized data-driven assessments to track student progress, adjusting instructional strategies as needed for optimal results.
- Differentiated instruction to meet the diverse learning needs of all students, ensuring academic growth and success.
- Developed strong relationships with students, parents, and colleagues, contributing to a supportive school community.
- Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities to stay current on educational trends and continually improve my teaching practice.
- Improved student reading comprehension by implementing a variety of literacy strategies and activities.
- Served as grade-level team leader responsible for coordinating meeting agendas, facilitating discussions, and managing shared resources among teachers.
- Enhanced students'' writing skills through targeted instruction and constructive feedback on written assignments.
- Evaluated academic skills of each student through verbal assessments, graded assignments, and standardized tests.
- Prepared and implemented lesson plans covering required course topics.
- Utilized multimedia strategies and technology to convey information in fresh and interesting ways.
- Promoted effective verbal and written communication through listening, speaking, reading, and writing practice.
- Helped students develop academic, social and emotional skills for long-term success.
- Kept classroom organized, clean and safe for students and visitors.
- Completed in-service and additional training to maintain professional growth.
- Taught age-appropriate spelling techniques, grammar rules, and language skills.
- Encouraged independent thought, good judgment, and expression of original ideas.
- Adapted lessons to differentiate instruction and meet students' diverse learning needs and abilities.
- Created supportive and inclusive learning environments, fostering positive classroom atmospheres supporting student growth and learning.
- Built positive relationships with parents to involve families in educational process.
- Integrated technology and multimedia tools into lessons to enhance student learning.
- Taught lessons encompassing skill-building activities in speaking, writing, reading and listening.
- Helped students develop self-esteem and life skills by fostering healthy conflict-resolution, critical thinking, and communication.
- Assessed student progress by administering tests and evaluating results.
- Provided regular feedback to students on progress and assigned grades based on performance.
- Attended students' concerts, sporting events and performances to offer support and encourage extracurricular activities.
Special Education Teacher
EVSC (Delaware Elementary)
Evansville, IN
08.2017 - 08.2019
- Developed individualized education plans to meet diverse student needs.
- Collaborated with families and staff to enhance student support systems.
- Implemented behavioral management strategies to improve classroom environment.
- Facilitated inclusive learning activities to engage students with varying abilities.
- Monitored student progress and provided data-driven feedback for improvement.
Team Member
Toyota Motor Manufacturing
Princeton, IN
12.2016 - 08.2017
- Operated assembly line machinery to ensure consistent production quality.
- Collaborated with team members to optimize workflow and reduce downtime.
- Implemented process improvements, enhancing efficiency and reducing waste in production tasks.
- Kept work areas clean, organized, and safe to promote efficiency and team safety.
- Learned all required tasks quickly to maximize performance.
- Worked scheduled shifts and remained available to work during coworker absences, holidays, and busy periods.
- Developed strong cooperative relationships with coworkers and managers.
- Maintained productive, efficient approach to all tasks.
Special Education Teacher
EVSC Plaza Park
Evansville, IN
08.2015 - 12.2016
- Advocated for resource allocation to support special education programs effectively.
- Developed IEPs tailored to individual student needs, ensuring their academic success and personal growth.
- Created and managed IEPs to define student learning objectives and educational strategies, in addition to applying instructional knowledge and methods to support goals.
- Promoted a positive learning environment through the use of differentiated instruction and individualized support for diverse learners.
- Modified general education curriculum for special-needs students using various instructional techniques and technologies.
- Fostered strong relationships with parents and guardians, maintaining open lines of communication to ensure student progress.
- Improved student behavior management by implementing consistent routines, clear expectations, and positive reinforcement strategies.
- Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities focused on evidence-based practices in special education teaching methodologies.
- Evaluated student progress regularly using various assessment methods, ensuring accurate measurement of skill development and areas requiring additional support.
- Provided targeted instructional support to struggling learners, identifying specific areas for improvement and designing effective intervention plans.
- Taught students across multiple classifications and degrees of special needs.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to provide comprehensive support for students with special needs.
- Coordinated with general education teachers to develop accommodations or modifications necessary for successful inclusion of students with special needs in mainstream classrooms.
- Delivered effective and differentiated classroom instruction to range of neurodiverse students.
- Cultivated connections and strong student rapport to foster classroom engagement, in addition to recording student progress to inform parents and school administration.
- Taught multiple subjects to students with intellectual or emotional disabilities.
- Coordinated special education students and teacher assistant schedules with master schedule.
- Partnered with standard education teachers from across academic departments.
- Encouraged students to take ownership of learning by providing choices.
- Enhanced students' understanding of complex topics by incorporating interactive technologies and hands-on learning experiences.
- Fostered positive learning environment, reducing classroom disruptions through effective behavior management strategies.
- Promoted self-advocacy and independence in students with disabilities by teaching self-management and decision-making skills.
- Developed and executed behavioral intervention plans, leading to decrease in disruptive behaviors and increase in classroom participation.
- Collaborated with parents and other educators to develop comprehensive support plans, promoting student success.
- Utilized data from student assessments to tailor instruction, resulting in more effective learning outcomes.
Special Education Teacher (Life Skills)
Warrick County School Corporation
Boonville, IN
08.2013 - 08.2015
- Developed individualized education plans to address diverse learning needs.
- Implemented behavior management techniques to enhance classroom environment.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to support student progress and well-being.
- Monitored and assessed student performance, adjusting instruction as needed.
- Led initiatives to integrate assistive technology into daily lessons effectively.
- Advocated for students' rights and access to resources within the school system.
- Instructed students with physical and cognitive disabilities.
- Led activities that developed students' physical, emotional, and social growth.
- Redirected students using Positive Behavior Support (PBS).
- Assisted struggling students to maintain progress levels by designing individualized lesson plans focused on areas for improvement.
- Enhanced students'' communication skills by implementing group activities and collaborative projects.
- Streamlined classroom processes by integrating technology tools such as interactive whiteboards and assistive devices designed for students with disabilities.
- Organized field trips and community-based experiences that enriched students'' understanding of real-world applications for their skills.
- Coordinated with multidisciplinary teams to ensure comprehensive educational and emotional support for students.
- Adapted teaching methods and materials to meet varied needs of students, enhancing educational accessibility.
- Boosted student engagement in mathematics by introducing problem-solving activities that connected concepts to real-world situations.
- Integrated social skills training into curriculum, facilitating improved peer interactions and social integration.
- Implemented individualized education plans for students with diverse learning needs, ensuring personalized support.
- Reduced feelings of isolation among students with special needs by implementing inclusive classroom practices.
- Improved reading comprehension among students with learning disabilities by designing and delivering targeted literacy activities.
- Enhanced communication skills in non-verbal students through integration of alternative and augmentative communication systems.
- Conducted assessments to identify students' strengths and areas for improvement, informing instructional strategies.
- Guided students through transition planning processes, preparing them for post-secondary education and employment opportunities.
- Advocated for rights and needs of students with special education requirements, ensuring access to appropriate resources and accommodations.
- Encouraged parent and guardian involvement in educational process, enhancing home-school connection and supporting student achievement.
- Created culturally responsive classroom environment, acknowledging and celebrating diversity among students.
- Facilitated small group instruction to address individual learning needs.
- Implemented behavior modification techniques to improve student social and academic performance.
- Collaborated with other educators to develop instructional strategies.
- Monitored student performance to evaluate effectiveness of instructional strategies.
- Developed and implemented behavior management plans to improve student behavior.
- Conducted assessments of students to determine individual needs.
- Planned daily activities to keep students engaged and on track with learning goals.
- Maintained accurate records of student progress and attendance.
- Designed individual education plans to encourage student growth according to different learning abilities and needs.
- Worked closely with parents and guardians to address students' issues on multiple fronts.
- Coordinated regular meetings to share and analyze student performance data and success plans with colleagues and parents.
- Helped students with special needs integrate into general classroom environments by advocating for individual requirements and helping teachers solve problems.
- Utilized technology to create meaningful lessons that engage students.
- Developed Individual Education Plans for students with special needs.
- Improved behavior by modeling positive choices and teaching socially-acceptable options.
- Provided emotional support to students and families.
- Applied proven strategies to improve students' sensory- and perceptual-motor skills.
- Promoted memory, cognition and language development with hands-on activities and individualized instruction.
- Developed IEPs tailored to individual student needs, ensuring their academic success and personal growth.
- Created and managed IEPs to define student learning objectives and educational strategies, in addition to applying instructional knowledge and methods to support goals.
- Promoted a positive learning environment through the use of differentiated instruction and individualized support for diverse learners.
- Modified general education curriculum for special-needs students using various instructional techniques and technologies.
- Fostered strong relationships with parents and guardians, maintaining open lines of communication to ensure student progress.
- Improved student behavior management by implementing consistent routines, clear expectations, and positive reinforcement strategies.
- Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities focused on evidence-based practices in special education teaching methodologies.
- Evaluated student progress regularly using various assessment methods, ensuring accurate measurement of skill development and areas requiring additional support.
- Provided targeted instructional support to struggling learners, identifying specific areas for improvement and designing effective intervention plans.
- Taught students across multiple classifications and degrees of special needs.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to provide comprehensive support for students with special needs.
- Coordinated with general education teachers to develop accommodations or modifications necessary for successful inclusion of students with special needs in mainstream classrooms.
- Delivered effective and differentiated classroom instruction to range of neurodiverse students.
- Taught multiple subjects to students with intellectual or emotional disabilities.
Teacher- 3rd Grade
Warrick County School Corporation (Lynnville Elementary)Temporary Contract
Boonville, IN
08.2009 - 05.2010
- Developed engaging lesson plans aligned with state standards.
- Implemented differentiated instructional strategies to meet diverse learning needs.
- Established a positive classroom environment fostering student participation and collaboration.
- Utilized educational technology to enhance learning experiences and streamline communication.
Education
Science of Reading
Science of Reading
Indiana Department Of Education09-2024
Bachelor of Arts - Elementary Special Education
Oakland City University
Oakland City, IN05-2013
Bachelor of Arts - Elementary Education
Oakland City University
Oakland City, IN12-2008
Skills
- Parent-teacher communication
- Peer collaboration
- Collaborative learning
- Teaching strategies
- Oral communication
- Creative writing
Timeline
5th Grade English Language Arts Teacher
East Gibson School Corporation
08.2019 - Current
Special Education Teacher
EVSC (Delaware Elementary)
08.2017 - 08.2019
Team Member
Toyota Motor Manufacturing
12.2016 - 08.2017
Special Education Teacher
EVSC Plaza Park
08.2015 - 12.2016
Special Education Teacher (Life Skills)
Warrick County School Corporation
08.2013 - 08.2015
Teacher- 3rd Grade
Warrick County School Corporation (Lynnville Elementary)Temporary Contract
08.2009 - 05.2010
Science of Reading
Science of Reading
Bachelor of Arts - Elementary Special Education
Oakland City University
Bachelor of Arts - Elementary Education
Oakland City University