Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Affiliations
Certification
Timeline
Generic

Susan Grace Gordon

Olney,Maryland

Summary

Educational Professional with 20 years of Elementary Education teaching experience. Exceptional communication skills. Desires a challenging role in the teaching field. Very driven to help children succeed.

Overview

26
26
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Grade 1 Reading and Social Studies Teacher

DCPS Barnard Elementary School
Washington, DC
08.2023 - Current
  • Trained in The Science of Reading and implement this philosophy throughout all phonics and reading instruction.
  • Utilize University of Florida Reading Institute practices to guide needs based small group instruction.
  • Conducted one-on-one and small group tutoring sessions to help struggling readers improve their skills.
  • Developed and implemented lesson plans to engage students in learning the fundamentals of reading.
  • Collaborated with school administrators to ensure that all students were meeting state standards for reading proficiency.
  • Utilized a variety of instructional strategies such as guided reading, phonics instruction, and literature circles to teach literacy concepts.
  • Assessed student progress through quizzes, tests, and other forms of evaluation.
  • Provided direct instruction to students in small groups and one-on-one settings utilizing research-based reading strategies.
  • Assessed student progress using a variety of tools, such as running records, fluency probes, and comprehension checks.
  • Facilitated professional development workshops related to effective reading instruction techniques.
  • Selected appropriate texts for use in guided reading lessons according to student levels of literacy development.
  • Created materials necessary for differentiated instruction based on individual student needs.
  • Utilized technology resources such as iPads and SMART Boards to enhance learning experiences.
  • Established an environment conducive to learning through positive reinforcement strategies.
  • Maintained current knowledge of instructional trends in the field of literacy education.
  • Actively participated in IEP meetings regarding the implementation of Individual Reading Plans.
  • Monitored student performance data regularly to inform instructional decisions.
  • Participated in school site committees focused on improving literacy achievement outcomes.
  • Served as a resource person for parents seeking advice about how best to support their child's reading development at home.
  • Attended conferences and professional development seminars related to current topics in literacy education.
  • Established clear plans with each student and collaborated closely to achieve targets.
  • Developed and deepened successful relationships with teachers in order to provide optimal support.
  • Completed and reviewed assessments to developed customized improvement plans.
  • Cultivated classroom environment focused on inclusion and growth, fostering both social and academic development.
  • Built relationships with students and guardians through active communication and positive feedback.
  • Demonstrated appropriate behaviors using behavior modeling and positive reinforcement techniques.
  • Analyzed student data and prescribed remediation and enrichment to meet learning needs.
  • Offered hands-on learning opportunities to develop student self-esteem and life skills.
  • Collaborated with other educational personnel to provide inclusive activities or programs for children with disabilities.
  • Formed deep relationships with parents and students by engaging groups through conferences, emails, texts and phone calls.
  • Designed and delivered personalized learning for each student and advocated for student inclusion and success in general education environments.
  • Defined and communicated rules and enforced through approved disciplinary methods.
  • Created and implemented compliant IEPs, progress reports and state-specific special education documentation.

Third Grade Teacher

DCPS Barnard Elementary
Washington, DC
08.2022 - 08.2023
  • Maintained positive classroom environments by reinforcing rules for behavior and relationship-building actions.
  • Maintained safe, clean and organized classroom environment.
  • Attended in-service training and professional development courses to stay on top of policy and education changes.
  • Involved parents in student education by cultivating strong relationships.
  • Taught students subject-specific material, learning strategies and social skills.
  • Established and communicated clear learning objectives to foster student progress and academic performance.
  • Offered hands-on learning opportunities to develop student self-esteem and life skills.
  • Improved student engagement by implementing student-centered classroom management techniques to foster academic curiosity.
  • Instructed students in standardized subjects as well as general learning strategies and skills for social development and character.
  • Helped students learn to persevere with challenging tasks and build resilience for later educational efforts.
  • Explored foundational learning concepts with students through hands-on activities, videos and class discussions.
  • Referred to district standards to plan lessons and prepare students to take standardized assessments.
  • Worked with school administrators to develop classroom management policies for grade level.
  • Brought in purchased and donated materials to round out supplies for classroom activities.
  • Organized supplies and art and musical resources to foster creative and welcoming classroom environment.
  • Instructed students individually and in groups using varied teaching methods.
  • Created collaborative environment in classroom where students worked together to support everyone's learning.
  • Formed deep relationships with parents and students by engaging groups through conferences, emails, texts and phone calls.
  • Maintained positive classroom culture through behavior management techniques.
  • Embraced teaching children of diverse educational, cultural and linguistic backgrounds.

Third Grade Elementary Classroom Teacher

St. Martin of Tours School
Gaithersburg, MD
04.2022 - 08.2022
  • Maintained positive classroom environments by reinforcing rules for behavior and relationship-building actions.
  • Maintained safe, clean and organized classroom environment.
  • Attended in-service training and professional development courses to stay on top of policy and education changes.
  • Involved parents in student education by cultivating strong relationships.
  • Taught students subject-specific material, learning strategies and social skills.
  • Established and communicated clear learning objectives to foster student progress and academic performance.
  • Offered hands-on learning opportunities to develop student self-esteem and life skills.
  • Improved student engagement by implementing student-centered classroom management techniques to foster academic curiosity.
  • Instructed students in standardized subjects as well as general learning strategies and skills for social development and character.
  • Administered and graded class tests to evaluate student progress and comprehension.
  • Explored foundational learning concepts with students through hands-on activities, videos and class discussions.
  • Helped students learn to persevere with challenging tasks and build resilience for later educational efforts.
  • Administered tests and assessed results to evaluate student understanding of material.
  • Oversaw class field trips to keep students safe and educate about related topics.
  • Devised lesson plans in alignment with state curriculum standards and created balanced instructional programs, demonstrations and work time to meet educational and instructional goals.
  • Participated in professional development workshops during academic school year and summer.
  • Identified student needs and collaborated with faculty to resolve social, cognitive or behavioral challenges.
  • Directed individualized instruction in various subjects to achieve educational goals and drive curriculum requirements.
  • Translated lesson plans into learning experiences and routinely evaluated student progress and social development.
  • Built strong relationships with parents and students, driving investment in academics.
  • Upheld values-based approach to maintain positive culture among students and staff.
  • Collaborated with faculty and staff to plan and implement curriculum.
  • Implemented academic interventions, increasing student achievement.

Professional Nanny and Early Childhood Educator

The Wetzer and Reed families
Olney, Maryland
08.2012 - 03.2022

Superior house manager and organizer.

Ability to multitask for 12 hours at a time!

Incredibly skilled in preschool curriculum.

Ability to make play critical learning moments all day long.

Patient and incredibly kind.

Dedicated to make the children I am helping to raise become the most amazing little human beings possible!

  • Taught children safe behavior such as seeking adult assistance when crossing street and avoiding contact with unsafe objects.
  • Built relationships with children by regularly discussing school, friends and favorite activities.
  • Made each child feel happy and excited about the possibilities that each day holds.
  • Promoted good behaviors by using positive reinforcement methods.
  • Regulated children's schedules to balance rest, learning and play.
  • Sparked creativity and imagination by helping children discover new things each day.
  • Maintained child-friendly environment with engaging activities, safe spaces and access to educational materials and games.
  • Monitored indoor and outdoor playtime by guiding activities while watching for dangers.
  • Minimized TV and mobile device time by engaging children with games and reading books.
  • Researched food allergies to better understand and provide higher level of care and oversight for individuals with such conditions.
  • Helped with bathing, dressing, teeth brushing and diapering to promote healthy personal hygiene and good oral health.
  • Planned fun excursions to enhance physical abilities and expose children to stimulating, educational activities.

Professional Elementary and Middle School Tutor

The Dekelbaum Family
Brookeville, MD
08.2012 - 06.2021
  • Recorded student progress and tutoring session details.
  • Attended all scheduled sessions and maintained open hours for general availability.
  • Assessed student progress at each session, making recommendations that increased effectiveness of tutoring and lessons.
  • Communicated with teachers to provide students with comprehensive support.
  • Organized fun, educational activities which allowed students to boost literacy and fluency skills through interactive learning.
  • Analyzed effectiveness of tutoring program and implemented appropriate teaching methods to help students succeed.
  • Liaised with other education professionals to tailor tutoring sessions around exam preparation and strategies.
  • Reinforced classroom learning with additional discussion and specially prepared problems.

Elementary Classroom Teacher

Depew Public Schools
Depew, New York
09.1998 - 02.2012

Committed to providing differentiated education to my students.

Dedicated in teaching effective lessons that assure my students success.

Focused on meeting individual student needs.

Effective at positive and daily parental communication.

Completely and totally passionate about educating children.

Driven to learn something new, every single day.

Provided excellent daily lesson plans.

Effective in maintaining classroom discipline.

Teacher leader for university student teachers.

Highly experienced teaching in a blended and inclusive setting.

  • Improved student engagement by implementing student-centered classroom management techniques to foster academic curiosity.
  • Referred to district standards to plan lessons and prepare students to take standardized assessments.
  • Maintained positive classroom environments by reinforcing rules for behavior and relationship-building actions.
  • Offered hands-on learning opportunities to develop student self-esteem and life skills.
  • Instructed students in standardized subjects, as well as general learning strategies and skills for social development and character.
  • Established and communicated clear learning objectives to foster student progress and academic performance.
  • Helped students learn to persevere with challenging tasks and build resilience for later educational efforts.
  • Explored foundational learning concepts with students through hands-on activities, videos and class discussions.
  • Involved parents in student education by cultivating strong relationships.
  • Worked with school administrators to develop classroom management policies.
  • Promoted physical, mental and social development by implementing classroom games and outdoor recreational activities.
  • Utilized diverse teaching methods to address curriculum objectives.

Elementary Classroom Teacher

Buffalo Public Schools
Buffalo, NY
7 1996 - 7 1998
  • Improved student engagement by implementing student-centered classroom management techniques to foster academic curiosity.
  • Offered hands-on learning opportunities to develop student self-esteem and life skills.
  • Maintained positive classroom environments by reinforcing rules for behavior and relationship-building actions.
  • Referred to district standards to plan lessons and prepare students to take standardized assessments.
  • Helped students learn to persevere with challenging tasks and build resilience for later educational efforts.
  • Explored foundational learning concepts with students through hands-on activities, videos and class discussions.
  • Maintained safe, clean, and organized classroom environment.
  • Taught students subject-specific material, learning strategies and social skills.
  • Involved parents in student education by cultivating strong relationships.
  • Worked with school administrators to develop classroom management policies.
  • Prepared, administered and graded daily work and tests to evaluate student's progress.

Education

Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education

State University College at Buffalo
1992

Master of Science - Elementary Education and Reading

State University College at Buffalo
2002

Skills

Excellent with children

Patient and incredibly supportive

Well organized

Passionate about teaching and learning

Expert at differentiating lessons

Superior at multi-tasking

Completely child centered

Expert at parent communication

  • Positive and professional
  • Early intervention understanding
  • Personal and professional integrity
  • Neat, clean and professional appearance
  • Professional and mature
  • Early Childhood Education Specialist
  • Early childhood knowledge
  • Excellent oral and written communication

Affiliations

Since moving to Maryland, I have been involved in delivering meals for Meals on Wheels of Rockville, MD. 

I have been an avid volunteer for The National Alliance on Mental Health.

Certification

  • District of Columbia Grades 1-6 Standard Certificate
  • Successfullly passed PRAXIS 5354 Core Knowledge and Applications of Special Education and am awaiting certificate endorsement

Timeline

Grade 1 Reading and Social Studies Teacher

DCPS Barnard Elementary School
08.2023 - Current

Third Grade Teacher

DCPS Barnard Elementary
08.2022 - 08.2023

Third Grade Elementary Classroom Teacher

St. Martin of Tours School
04.2022 - 08.2022

Professional Nanny and Early Childhood Educator

The Wetzer and Reed families
08.2012 - 03.2022

Professional Elementary and Middle School Tutor

The Dekelbaum Family
08.2012 - 06.2021

Elementary Classroom Teacher

Depew Public Schools
09.1998 - 02.2012

Elementary Classroom Teacher

Buffalo Public Schools
7 1996 - 7 1998

Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education

State University College at Buffalo

Master of Science - Elementary Education and Reading

State University College at Buffalo
  • District of Columbia Grades 1-6 Standard Certificate
  • Successfullly passed PRAXIS 5354 Core Knowledge and Applications of Special Education and am awaiting certificate endorsement
Susan Grace Gordon