Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Interesting Personal Facts
Certification
Committees
Timeline
Generic

Suzanne Atwood

South Windsor,CT

Summary

Dedicated education professional with a degree in administration and twenty-four years of experience helping students achieve personal and educational goals. An effective communicator skilled at developing and implementing instructional and behavioral strategies to create a high-quality learning environment where every student feels belongs. Exceptional relationship building skills with a track record for developing meaningful partnerships with major community stakeholders. Strength in enforcing district and school policies as well as optimizing procedures and improving student behavior. Extensive experience with 504 and Special Education programming. An articulate public speaker with strong presentation and facilitation abilities.

Overview

36
36
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Classroom Teacher

West Hartford Public Schools
01.2000 - Current
  • Assisted in creating a safe and nurturing school environment that promotes emotional well-being and academic growth for all students
  • Cultivated positive relationships between community members, students, and teachers.'
  • Championed diversity initiatives aimed at creating a more inclusive school environment for students from various cultural backgrounds.
  • Boosted student confidence through consistent encouragement and positive reinforcement, fostering a supportive learning environment.
  • Developed strong relationships with parents through regular communication and promoting involvement in their child's education.
  • Championed inclusionary practices within the classroom setting by accommodating diverse needs of students with special education plans or language barriers, enabling them to succeed alongside peers in mainstream classrooms.
  • Collaborated with parents, students, and support staff to maintain continuity of instruction, provide feedback, and monitor student progress
  • Assisted in development of 504 and IEP plans, Individualized Performance Plans, BIPs, and report cards
  • Collaborated with parents, administrators, and support staff, to develop improvement plans for struggling students.
  • Established clear expectations for behavior and classroom management, creating a respectful and productive learning atmosphere.
  • Reduced disciplinary issues by developing a comprehensive behavior management plan tailored to individual student needs.
  • Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities, staying current on best practices in education and refining instructional techniques accordingly.
  • Served as team leader for grade-level initiatives and coordinated efforts among faculty members to achieve shared goals related to curriculum and instruction improvement.
  • Served as mentor for new teachers, offering guidance on best practices in classroom management and instruction.
  • Enhanced school performance by implementing assessment platforms, data-driven decision-making, and continuous improvement strategies.
  • Defined and enforced student academic achievement standards in line with district goals and objectives.
  • Promoted community partnerships to enhance educational experiences for students through guest speakers, field trips, and collaborative events.
  • Researched and wrote proposals for educational grants.
  • Managed budgets and resources for educational programs.
  • Developed and coordinated after-school programs and activities.
  • Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in team environment.

Basic Skills Teacher

Bugbee Elementary School
01.1999 - 01.2000
  • Provided small group instruction and support in reading and writing for grades 2-5.
  • Assisted struggling students to maintain progress levels by designing individualized lesson plans focused on areas for improvement
  • Evaluated student progress regularly through assessments and provided constructive feedback to support growth
  • Partnered with standard education teachers

Head Paralegal/Systems Administrator

Law Offices of John Haymond
01.1988 - 01.1998
  • Provided case management support to multiple attorneys which included preparation of court documents, scheduling, meeting with clients, obtaining necessary documentation regarding cases, and attendance at depositions and trials
  • Managed all transferred files, keeping track of their dispositions through contact with other law firms
  • Responsible for running and maintenance of firm’s network, databases, computers, and printers at multiple office sites.

Education

092 Certification Program -

Sacred Heart University
Fairfield, CT
01.2010

Master of Arts - Elementary Education -

St. Joseph College
West Hartford, CT
01.2003

B.S. Elementary Education -

University of Hartford
West Hartford, CT
01.1998

Skills

  • Passionate and Confident
  • Problem-Solving and Multitasking
  • Parent and Community Engagement and Communication
  • Teamwork and Collaboration
  • Verbal and written communication
  • Adaptability and Flexibility
  • Professional Development Planning
  • Responsible and Dependable
  • Student Engagement
  • Instructional technology

Interesting Personal Facts

  • Softball/Baseball Team Mom
  • Substitute Sunday school teacher
  • Member of church hand bell choir
  • Enjoys reading, horseback riding, hiking, and time with family and friends

Certification

  • Professional Educator K-6 (005)
  • Intermediate Administrator (092)
  • TEAM Mentor Trained

Committees

  • Bugbee Assembly Coordinator
  • Homework Center Coordinator and teacher
  • Student Success Team member
  • Superintendent’s Advisory Comm.
  • District Universal Design for Learning Committee

Timeline

Classroom Teacher

West Hartford Public Schools
01.2000 - Current

Basic Skills Teacher

Bugbee Elementary School
01.1999 - 01.2000

Head Paralegal/Systems Administrator

Law Offices of John Haymond
01.1988 - 01.1998

092 Certification Program -

Sacred Heart University

Master of Arts - Elementary Education -

St. Joseph College

B.S. Elementary Education -

University of Hartford

Similar Profiles

CREATE PROFILE
Suzanne Atwood