Tonya Caractor

Pursuing a position that is challenging and allows organizational and leadership skills to be exhibited for the betterment of educating children.

This journey as an educator has taught myself to be assertive and to embrace humility. One has experienced the joy of molding children into successful learners. I find teaching extremely rewarding. Patience, perseverance, diligence and discernment have become my companions in education. I have a Master of Science in education with a focus on Reading and Literacy instruction. I have supported new teachers with my expertise through professional development. I have found that sharing one's philosophy belief of the importance for teachers to overcome their "should beliefs" of student expectations versus their "reality" in the classroom, is the beginning to securing the ideal teaching experience. This thought process has helped new and veteran teachers problem solve and implement best practices.

I have served on leadership teams that have played a significant role in creating and implementing school improvement plans. My twenty years of experience in education has taught me to reason as a scholar and practitioner. I am forever a lifelong leaner. I have a true passion for the betterment of education. My fervor for education impelled my success to create an academic community that closed achievement gaps for my English learners. Through delivering professional development to staff, and creating a partnership with parents, our English Language learners are thriving at Bayvale Elementary. I am zealous to share my experience with other educators. I have a diverse background with much to offer. I consider myself a very organized person and I learn fast. I am not afraid of a fast paced environment.

As an educator, I truly take my profession very seriously. I chose the teaching profession because it is a joy to mold children into successful learners. I believe every child can learn. I am certain, I will be a great asset to your team. It would be a life changing ardent experience to have the opportunity to work as an Academic Recovery Specialist. I aspire to share my passion for the betterment of education through my past and present experiences.

I have had the opportunity to receive small setting instructional training from educational icons Marva Collins and Terry Alderman. The Union County School system chose new teachers from my school to receive personal new teacher training from these educational icons. They observed in our classrooms and created professional learning based on our their observations. I must admit. This experience was life changing for me. I know the mentoring I received from these icons molded me into the great educator I am today.

I learned from Marva Collin's philosophy of Education to set high expectations for children and to think like a practitioner to prescribe the perfect strategies. Each year my students' learning deficits improve and learning gaps begin to close.

Terry Alderman is known for exceptional behavior management for all children. He instilled in me from the beginning that discipline should always remain private for all students. I also learned from Dr. Alderman to never internalize students' misbehavior as personal. I must say, although I have faced challenging students during my career, classroom management was never a challenge for me.

• Achieved 2020-2021 Teacher of The Year

ESOL Endorsement