Tara Ferguson
Colorado Springs,CO
Summary
A highly skilled educator with 17 years of classroom experience, developed a strong ability to create engaging, informative, and impactful content for diverse audiences. Passionate about communication, curriculum and content development, and instructional design, currently seeking an opportunity to leverage creativity and innovation. Goal is to contribute in a role to deliver highly effective sales presentations, foster relationships to increase sales, and provide professional development and training.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Virtual Instructor
Imagine Learning
09.2020 - Current
- Faithfully preserve 97-100% weekly engagement rate and diverse communication with students over length of employment while accurately tracking student performance and participation
- Certifying data integrity for effective support and intervention strategies
- Enhance course content through remediation, modification, and enrichment, employing effective learning strategies, including creation of supplemental digital materials, adoption of online and blended learning approaches, utilization of educational software and apps, and integration of advanced technologies such as virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and data analytics.
- Deliver interactive online curriculum, supplementing this with personally designed educational materials and by leveraging multimedia tools and real-time assessments to enrich remote learning experiences, to over 250 students spanning various time zones, securing over 95% satisfaction rate.
- Mentored students through their coursework by setting clear expectations for virtual participation, underscoring importance of academic honesty, and anticipating challenges while adapting instructional methods to accommodate diverse learning styles and bolstered students’ technology proficiency.
Instructor
English, Western Nevada College
08.2023 - 08.2023
- Formulated comprehensive course syllabi, detailed outlines, and related technology-based instructional materials, significantly enhancing overall learning experience and fostering deeper understanding of course content.
- Kept detailed records of student attendance and academic performance using LMS Canvas, ensuring accurate documentation and supporting student success.
- Implemented detailed student evaluations to monitor progress and pinpoint improvement areas, enabling personalized teaching strategies
- This approach led to enhanced learning outcomes, culminating in 100% of students achieving academic recognition (3.5 score or higher) in course.
Theater Director
Lyon County School District
08.2008 - 06.2024
- Facilitate and synchronize efforts of 75-100 student actors, writers, directors, crew members, and additional personnel per school year in theatrical productions
- Initiated online ticket sales, employing innovative promotional strategies that led to 200% surge in box office revenue and established new sales records
- Secured over $10,000 through fundraising efforts, including notable victory of Dolan Class Project during 2019-2020 school year, which expanded department's budget tenfold.
- Perform producers' duties such as securing financial backing, establishing and administering budgets, and recruiting student cast and crew.
English, Drama, Video Production Teacher
Lyon County School District
08.2007 - 06.2024
- Devised and implemented district-wide curriculum for 12th grade English Language Arts, aligned with state standards, achieving 7% increase in senior pass rates.
- Launched unique electives in Literary Theory through Film and Video Production, increasing student participation 5x over 8 years and 2x in 4 years, respectively.
- Directed professional learning communities to customize and enhance curriculum, ensuring it met educational standards for wide array of learners and demographics.
- Attained and sustained 97% pass rate for students retaking state writing exam by applying innovative, tailored, and adaptable teaching strategies.
Activities Director
Lyon County School District
08.2010 - 06.2017
- Orchestrated over 35 diverse activities, events, and fundraisers annually, achieving consistent 7% increase in student participation and setting record with 32% of student body engaging in extracurricular activity.
- Advised and governed student staff of 40 and school personnel ranging from 6 to 10 in coordinating meetings and activities at high school, ensuring seamless execution of events such as dances, game nights, student assemblies, fundraisers, and pep rallies.
- Served as liaison between student body, school administration, and community, streamlining communication and sharing information, ideas, and concerns both in person and via social media.
- Boosted community engagement in school activities by 30% over 7 years, creating lasting traditions, including 'Homecoming Hero' event, to support community members in need, and ‘Paint the Town’ event, to bring community involvement to school.
Education
Doctor of Education - Curriculum and Instruction
American College Of Education
Indianapolis, IN09.2027
Master of Education - Teaching English Learners
American College Of Education
Indianapolis, IN08.2024
Master of Education - English with a Focus of Study in Online Learning and Teaching
American College Of Education
Indianapolis, IN11.2018
Bachelor of Science - Secondary Education, Communication
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
Kutztown, PA05.2007
Skills
- Problem-solving
- Communication
- Critical Thinking
- Innovation
- Conflict Resolution
- Data-based Decision Making
- G-Suite, including Classroom
- LMS experience: Canvas, Blackboard
- Microsoft Office
- Classroom Management
- Curriculum Development
- Differentiated Instruction
References
- Brooke Keller, Vice Principal, Fernley High School, 2009, 2023, RNBKELLER@sbcglobal.net, (775)690-3861
- Teresa McCallum, Department Head, English Department, Fernley High School, 2007, Present, tmccallum@lyoncsd.org, (775)560-4364
- Piper McCarthy, Associate Dean of Student Success and Workforce Transitions, Spokane Community College, 2023, Present, piper.mccarthy@scc.spokane.edu, (775)848-2308
- Ryan Cross, Principal, Fernley High School, 2022, Present, rcross@lyoncsd.org, (775)750-0029
Timeline
Instructor
English, Western Nevada College
08.2023 - 08.2023
Virtual Instructor
Imagine Learning
09.2020 - Current
Activities Director
Lyon County School District
08.2010 - 06.2017
Theater Director
Lyon County School District
08.2008 - 06.2024
English, Drama, Video Production Teacher
Lyon County School District
08.2007 - 06.2024
Doctor of Education - Curriculum and Instruction
American College Of Education
Master of Education - Teaching English Learners
American College Of Education
Master of Education - English with a Focus of Study in Online Learning and Teaching
American College Of Education
Bachelor of Science - Secondary Education, Communication
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
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