Tanisha De La Espada
West Orange,NJ
Summary
Early childhood educator and certified supervisor with 20+ years of experience across preschool, elementary, ESL, and special education. Instructional coach since August 2024, supporting teacher practice through coaching cycles, classroom observation, feedback, modeling, and job-embedded professional learning. Strengths include curriculum alignment, data review, inclusive instruction, and adult learning facilitation that advances equitable outcomes for young children.
Experienced with developing and implementing instructional strategies that improve teaching effectiveness. Utilizes data-driven approaches to assess and address educational needs. Track record of fostering professional growth among educators through consistent support and guidance.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Preschool Instructional Coach
Newark Public Schools
08.2024 - Current
- Lead coaching cycles for preschool teachers: goal setting, observation, feedback, co-planning, and follow-up actions tied to child outcomes.
- Model developmentally appropriate instruction (language, early literacy, early math, SEL, centers/play-based learning) and support teachers with implementation plans.
- Conduct classroom walkthrough and formal observations; deliver written feedback aligned to clear look-fors (learning environment, routines, engagement, small-group instruction).
- Facilitate job-embedded professional learning sessions and PLCs focused on effective early childhood practices, differentiation, and inclusive classroom systems.
- Guide teachers in using child progress data to plan small-group instruction, adjust pacing, and target early intervention supports.
- Partner with school leaders to strengthen instructional consistency across classrooms through shared expectations, coaching supports, and targeted PD.
- Coach teams on behavior supports, classroom routines, and proactive SEL instruction that improves classroom climate and increases time in learning.
- Support inclusive preschool programming through collaboration with CST members, therapists, and classroom staff; strengthen accommodations and IEP implementation routines.
- Mentor new teachers through onboarding support, planning tools, resource curation, and ongoing coaching that increases instructional confidence.
ESL Teacher
Newark Public Schools
09.2021 - 07.2024
- Delivered language development instruction through structured lessons, academic discourse routines, and differentiated supports.
- Collaborated with grade-level teams to plan scaffolds for multilingual learners and align instruction with curriculum goals.
- Supported novice teachers through co-planning, modeling, and feedback that strengthened classroom routines and student engagement.
Special Education Inclusion Teacher
Irvington Public Schools
01.2020 - 09.2021
- Delivered inclusion supports and adapted instruction aligned to IEP goals within general education settings.
- Managed IEP documentation and progress monitoring for a caseload of students; collaborated with families and service providers.
- Provided coaching and training to teachers and paraprofessionals to strengthen differentiation and behavior supports.
Special Education Teacher
Canyon School District
08.2017 - 06.2019
- Delivered individualized instruction for students with intellectual, emotional, and autism-related needs across academic and functional domains.
- Implemented targeted interventions and progress monitoring aligned to student goals.
Elementary Teacher
Irvington Public Schools
09.2004 - 06.2017
- Designed and delivered standards-aligned instruction; used student data to plan reteach cycles and targeted supports.
- Supported colleagues through peer coaching, resource sharing, and collaborative planning.
Preschool Teacher
Little Dreamers Daycare
09.2003 - 08.2004
- Planned and delivered age-appropriate instruction supporting language, early literacy, math readiness, SEL, and fine-motor development.
- Conducted developmental observations, partnered with families, and used positive behavior supports to build safe, consistent routines.
Preschool Teacher
Friendship Corner Daycare Center
09.2001 - 08.2003
- Planned and delivered age-appropriate instruction supporting language, early literacy, math readiness, SEL, and fine-motor development.
- Conducted developmental observations, partnered with families, and used positive behavior supports to build safe, consistent routines.
Education
Master of Education - Educational Leadership
William Paterson University
Wayne, NJTeaching Certification - Teaching English as a Second Language
Montclair State University
Montclair, NJMaster of Education - Special Education
Grand Canyon University
Phoenix, AZBachelor of Science - Biology
Bloomfield College
Bloomfield, NJSkills
- Instructional Coaching (PK–3)
- Coaching Cycles
- Classroom Observation & Feedback
- Instructional modeling
- Early childhood curriculum design
- Inclusive Practices
- MTSS/Intervention Support
- Assessment/Data Review
- Professional Learning Facilitation
- PLC Support
- Family Engagement
- Special Education (IEPs/Accommodations)
- ESL/Bilingual Learners
- Staff Development
- Instructional planning skills
- Establishing learning goals
Certification
- Supervisor Certificate
- School Administrator CE (in progress / application submitted)
- English as a Second Language (K–12)
- Teacher of Students with Disabilities (K–12)
- Elementary (K–6)
- Preschool–Grade 3
Timeline
Preschool Instructional Coach
Newark Public Schools
08.2024 - Current
ESL Teacher
Newark Public Schools
09.2021 - 07.2024
Special Education Inclusion Teacher
Irvington Public Schools
01.2020 - 09.2021
Special Education Teacher
Canyon School District
08.2017 - 06.2019
Elementary Teacher
Irvington Public Schools
09.2004 - 06.2017
Preschool Teacher
Little Dreamers Daycare
09.2003 - 08.2004
Preschool Teacher
Friendship Corner Daycare Center
09.2001 - 08.2003
Teaching Certification - Teaching English as a Second Language
Montclair State University
Master of Education - Special Education
Grand Canyon University
Bachelor of Science - Biology
Bloomfield College
Master of Education - Educational Leadership
William Paterson University