Tonja Cleveland
Teacher
Florissant,MO
Summary
Enthusiastic Teacher with 20+ years of experience instructing students with wide range of learning abilities. Committed to creating motivational and collaborative learning environments that encourage social and emotional growth. Strategic in blending organizational skills thorough educational background. Works well with children, parents, colleagues and supervisors.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Teacher
Ferguson-Florissant School District
Ferguson, MO
08.2024 - Current
- Increased educational expertise and knowledge by participating in instructor-oriented workshops.
- Worked with staff members and teachers to design comprehensive and individualized plans to optimize student education.
- Participated in department meetings to provide input to colleagues about student achievement and improvement.
- Shifted between formal and informal methods of teaching to keep students engaged.
- Developed and implemented classroom routines to address varying student needs.
- Adapted teaching methods and materials to meet students' varying needs.
- Completed student progress reports mid-term to notify students and parents of strengths and areas of improvement.
- Scheduled conferences with parents to discuss students' progress and classroom behavior.
- Created and developed lesson plans to meet students' academic needs.
- Prepared quizzes, tests and examinations to gauge how well students were learning.
- Communicated frequently with parents, students, and faculty to provide feedback and discuss instructional strategies.
- Boosted cultural awareness by incorporating children's literature from world cultures.
- Designed detailed learning plans for struggling students based on test, homework and assignment records.
Summer School Teacher's Assistant
City Garden Montessori
St. Louis, MO
06.2025 - 07.2025
- Tutored struggling students individually and in small groups to reinforce learning concepts.
- Partnered with teacher to plan and implement lessons following school's curriculum, goals, and objectives.
- Supported classroom activities, tutoring, and reviewing work.
- Supported classroom maintenance and upkeep, organizing books, and materials.
- Completed daily reports on attendance and disciplinary performance.
- Facilitated activities in small groups to reinforce concepts taught by class teacher.
- Maintained safety and security by overseeing students in recess environments.
- Copied, organized and distributed classroom assignments or other paperwork.
- Monitored student behavior in classes, laboratories and on field trips for unsafe or rule-breaking concerns.
- Developed materials for classroom teachers to support instruction, lab work or in-class activities.
- Organized materials in classroom spaces based on lecture plans, activity stations or other requirements outlined by teachers.
- Encouraged small groups to discuss topics and explore concepts through hands-on activities.
- Cultivated interpersonal skills by building positive relationships with others.
- Helped teacher prepare instructional material and displays.
- Cleaned, organized and restocked classrooms for upcoming classes.
- Developed and delivered presentations on course topics.
- Enforced rules and instructions to maintain discipline.
- Developed and implemented strategies to improve student engagement.
- Collaborated with instructors to develop engaging lesson plans.
Teacher
Salem Lutheran Church
Florissant, MO
08.2006 - 06.2024
- Developed and implemented lesson plans based on curriculum objectives.
- Assessed student performance through tests, quizzes, and other assessments.
- Provided individualized instruction to meet the needs of all students.
- Monitored student behavior in classrooms, hallways, cafeteria, playgrounds.
- Established positive relationships with parents to ensure effective communication regarding student progress and well-being.
- Utilized technology-based learning tools to enhance classroom instruction.
- Collaborated with colleagues to plan lessons that integrate various subject areas into a cohesive unit of study.
- Instructed students in academic subjects such as math, science, language arts, social studies, and history.
- Built and strengthened positive relationships with students, parents and teaching staff.
- Participated in professional development workshops related to teaching methods or curriculum changes.
- Incorporated instructional best practices such as differentiated instruction into lesson plans.
- Encouraged critical thinking skills and problem-solving strategies among students.
Teacher
Christ Memorial Lutheran Chur
Milwaukee , WI
08.2001 - 06.2006
- Developed and implemented lesson plans based on curriculum objectives.
- Assessed student performance through tests, quizzes, and other assessments.
- Provided individualized instruction to meet the needs of all students.
- Collaborated with colleagues to plan lessons that integrate various subject areas into a cohesive unit of study.
- Planned field trips to enrich students' educational experiences outside of the traditional classroom setting.
- Integrated educational software programs into daily lesson plans to enhance student learning outcomes.
- Supervised after school activities such as clubs or sports teams.
- Prepared weekly newsletters for parents outlining upcoming assignments or events at school.
- Participated in professional development workshops related to teaching methods or curriculum changes.
- Created meaningful projects that allowed students to apply their knowledge in real world situations.
- Built and strengthened positive relationships with students, parents and teaching staff.
- Encouraged student critical thinking and discussion using variety of teaching techniques.
- Prepared and presented lesson plans in academic subjects using traditional and modern teaching techniques.
- Supervised students throughout day, both in classroom and outside during breaks.
- Graded projects, exams and assignments to track student progression.
- Scheduled and held parent-teacher conferences to keep parents up-to-date on children's academic performance.
- Engaged students through lecture and discussion, increasing classroom interaction to build inclusive learning environment.
- Participated in workshops, trainings and conferences to improve educational skills.
- Remained calm and patient in student interactions to support individual growth and development.
- Tested students' comprehension of subject matter through quizzes, tests and projects.
- Tutored students requiring extra help and gave additional practice work to help improve concept understanding.
- Used videos, lectures and moderated discussions to engage students during class.
- Led students through safety procedures for active shooter and fire drills.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Elementary Education
Concordia University Wisconsin
Mequon, WI12-2000
Skills
- Lesson Plan Delivery
- Learning Strategies
- Student Performance Evaluation
- Student Testing
- Student Monitoring
- Parent And Student Communication
- Student Progress Reporting
- Group And Individual Instruction
- Interactive Classroom Instruction
- Classroom Management Strategies
- Motivating Students
- Student Assessment
- Academic Performance Evaluations
- Teacher Development
- Cooperative Learning Experience
- Parent-Teacher Collaboration
- Classroom Integration
- Verbal And Written Communication
- Smartboard Operation
- Elementary Education
- Goal Setting
- Lesson Planning
- Flexible And Adaptive
- Staff Development
- Differentiated Instruction
- Remote Learning
- Academic Record Keeping
Timeline
Summer School Teacher's Assistant
City Garden Montessori
06.2025 - 07.2025
Teacher
Ferguson-Florissant School District
08.2024 - Current
Teacher
Salem Lutheran Church
08.2006 - 06.2024
Teacher
Christ Memorial Lutheran Chur
08.2001 - 06.2006
Bachelor of Arts - Elementary Education
Concordia University Wisconsin