Tonya Willerton
Gaithersburg,MD
Summary
Dedicated educator with a proven track record at Col. Zadok Magruder High School, skilled in developing engaging lesson plans and implementing differentiated instruction. Adept at fostering collaborative teaching environments and enhancing student assessment strategies, I excel in classroom management and building positive relationships, ensuring all students thrive academically. Strong team collaboration leads to instructional consistency across the Biology PLC. I teach, and have taught, ELD sheltered science classes including Biology and Earth Systems and Sustainability. I also teach students with diverse learning needs with 504 Plans and IEPs. I have presented at professional development opportunities for Magruder staff members in regards to scaffolding for diverse learners as well as about co-teaching.
Overview
31
31
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Classroom Teacher - Biology
Col. Zadok Magruder High School
Rockville, Maryland
12.2021 - Current
- Developed engaging lesson plans aligned with curriculum standards.
- Collaborated with colleagues to enhance teaching strategies and share resources.
- Implemented assessment tools to evaluate student understanding and progress.
- Facilitated classroom discussions to encourage student participation and critical thinking.
- Adapted instructional methods to meet diverse learning needs in the classroom.
- Communicated regularly with parents regarding student progress and behavior.
- Managed classroom behavior by developing positive relationships with students while enforcing rules fairly and consistently.
- Established positive relationships with students, parents, fellow teachers and school administrators.
- Worked with parents, administrators, and counselors to develop improvement plans for struggling students.
- Engaged in professional development opportunities to stay current on best practices.
- Conducted assessments to evaluate student progress and modify instruction accordingly.
- Tracked attendance, assignments, grades and class participation for students.
- Adapted teaching methods and instructional strategies to promote learning in students of differing skill levels.
- Met with parents and guardians to discuss student progress and areas for improvement.
- Implemented strategies for differentiating instruction based on student abilities.
- Provided guidance for students with special needs, including those with IEPs.
- Supervised extracurricular activities such as clubs and athletic teams.
LAD PARAEDUCATOR
Magruder High School
Rockville, MD
08.2021 - 11.2021
- Provide support for students in the special education department in their general education classes.
- Provide accommodations for special education students, including small group instruction and modifications of curriculum work.
- Co-teach four Biology classes, and one Algebra 1, and English 11 class.
SUMMER SCHOOL TEACHER
Stone Mill Elementary School
North Potomac, MD
07.2021 - 07.2021
- Teach summer school for rising first grade students.
- Provide instruction in the Eureka Math and Benchmark curriculums.
- Complete pre-assessment and post-assessment evaluations for students.
LONG TERM SUBSTITUTE TEACHER
Montgomery County Public Schools
Rockville, MD
01.2014 - 07.2021
- Assume responsibility for all teacher tasks while they are out on leave.
- Planning lessons, presenting lessons, tasks and assessments supporting the curriculum, small group instruction, grading and report cards, collaborative team planning, and parent communication.
- Provide accommodations to students with IEP and 504 Plans, as well as attending intake and progress meetings.
CLINICAL SCIENCE RESEARCH ASSOCIATE
Genetic Therapy, Incorporated
Gaithersburg, MD
05.1996 - 06.1999
- Performance of Clinical Science protocols utilizing laboratory techniques. Results were reported to the Food and Drug Administration.
- Routine maintenance and cleaning of laboratory equipment and recording of data in accordance with the guidelines outlined in Standard Operating Procedures.
- Composed, edited, and obtained approval for Standard Operating Protocols to be used for Clinical Trial Laboratory studies.
LABORATORY TECHNICIAN
American Type Culture Collection
Rockville, MD
08.1994 - 05.1996
- Responsible for maintenance and Quality Control testing of cell lines for manufacture and packaging.
- Instructor for Laboratory Technique Workshops for visiting scientists to teach new laboratory techniques.
Education
Master of Arts - Secondary Education
Trinity Washington University
Washington, DC01-2024
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) - Biotechnology
ROCHESTER INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
Rochester, NY05.1994
Skills
- Developing lesson plans
- Student assessment
- Differentiated instruction
- Classroom management
- Collaborative teaching
- Curriculum development
Certification
Maryland Professional Certificate, Maryland State Department of Education, issued January 1, 2024, License number 19396.
Timeline
Classroom Teacher - Biology
Col. Zadok Magruder High School
12.2021 - Current
LAD PARAEDUCATOR
Magruder High School
08.2021 - 11.2021
SUMMER SCHOOL TEACHER
Stone Mill Elementary School
07.2021 - 07.2021
LONG TERM SUBSTITUTE TEACHER
Montgomery County Public Schools
01.2014 - 07.2021
CLINICAL SCIENCE RESEARCH ASSOCIATE
Genetic Therapy, Incorporated
05.1996 - 06.1999
LABORATORY TECHNICIAN
American Type Culture Collection
08.1994 - 05.1996
Master of Arts - Secondary Education
Trinity Washington University
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) - Biotechnology
ROCHESTER INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY