Tiffiny Drinkwater
8th Grade ELA Teacher
Thibodaux,LA
Summary
Passionate 8th Grade ELA teacher dedicated to creating, implementing and assessing instruction to meet student needs. Design and plan daily unit lessons and motivate and manage classes of up to 25 students. Energetic and hardworking individual with excellent communication and organizational abilities.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
8
8
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Teacher
Lafourche
Thibodaux, LA
08.2013 - Current
- Communicated frequently with parents, students and faculty to provide feedback and discuss instructional strategies.
- Developed and implemented lesson plans that addressed general students as well as those with individualized 504 plans as part of integrated classroom.
- Designed dynamic lesson plans based on student interests to increase overall student GPA.
- Graded and evaluated student assignments, papers and course work.
- Incorporated exciting and engaging activities to achieve student participation and hands-on learning.
- Encouraged creative thinking and motivated students by addressing individual strengths and weaknesses based on standardized testing results.
- Incorporated multiple types of teaching strategies into classroom.
Substitute Teacher
Lafourche Parish School Board
Thibodaux, LA
08.2011 - 05.2013
- Upheld classroom routines to support student environments and maintain consistent schedules.
- Took over class for regular classroom teacher, managing assignments, student needs and recordkeeping.
- Followed classroom plans left by class teacher to continue student education and reinforce core concepts.
- Kept students on-task with proactive behavior modification and positive reinforcement strategies.
Special Education
Lafourche Parish School Board
Thibodaux, LA
08.2006 - 05.2007
- Modified general education curriculum for special-needs students using various instructional techniques and technologies.
- Redirected students using Positive Behavior Support (PBS).
- Instructed students in core academic areas and specialized reading groups.
- Created and managed IEPs to define student learning objectives and educational strategies, in addition to applying instructional knowledge and methods to support goals.
Elementary Teacher
Lafourche Parish School Board
Thibodaux, LA
08.1998 - 05.2005
- Drove student learning by establishing clear classroom plans and group objectives, as well as actionable strategies to achieve each goal.
- Incorporated [Software] technology into lesson planning to create engaging, multi-dimensional lessons.
- Helped students develop self-esteem and life skills by fostering healthy conflict-resolution, critical thinking and communication.
- Evaluated individual student abilities and created action plans based on current level and desired growth goals to support preparedness for transition to next grade level.
- Collaborated with administrators on classroom policies, management strategies and discipline.
- Established and enforced rules of behavior to drive social development and maintain positive interactions.
- Assessed student learning progress and comprehension with routine tests and standardized examinations.
- Prepared materials for lessons, assignments and assessments and evaluated, corrected and graded student performance to identify gaps in skills or knowledge and set realistic goals.
- Worked one-on-one with students to determine strengths, weaknesses and learning patterns.
- Organized classroom supplies and decorated walls to create fun, nurturing settings and meet learning needs.
- Reinforced positive behavior by encouraging efforts through affirmation statements and praising accomplishments.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Elementary Education
Nicholls State University
Thibodaux, LA 08.1989 - 05.1997
Skills
Individualized instruction
Student support
Differentiated instruction
Technology integration
Organizational ability
Documentation skills
Smartboard operation
Response-to-intervention understanding
Classroom management
Lesson Planning
Timeline
Teacher
Lafourche
08.2013 - Current
Substitute Teacher
Lafourche Parish School Board
08.2011 - 05.2013
Special Education
Lafourche Parish School Board
08.2006 - 05.2007
Elementary Teacher
Lafourche Parish School Board
08.1998 - 05.2005
Bachelor of Arts - Elementary Education
Nicholls State University
08.1989 - 05.1997