Hi, I’m
Valarie Wasson
Teacher
Hot Springs,AR
"Teaching is more than imparting knowledge; it is inspiring change. Learning is more than absorbing facts; it is acquiring understanding."
~William Arthur Ward
Summary
Dedicated Teacher offering over 25 years of experience in education. Resourceful and passionate educator with adaptable and approachable style. Expertise includes test preparation and ongoing evaluations. Committed to creating comfortable learning environments for students, as well as a teacher with an engaging personality and enthusiasm for hands-on learning with students.
As a professional teacher, a high-priority goal is seeking a full-time classroom position that offers and problem-solving skills.
Overview
25
years of professional experience
1
Certificate
2
Middle School Social Studies
Work History
Fusion Academy
6th and 7th Grade Teacher
07.2023 - Current
Job overview
- Assisted in creating a safe and nurturing classroom environment that promoted emotional well-being and academic growth for all students.
- Supported students in developing social skills through structured activities and positive reinforcement techniques.
- Provided one-on-one support for students with learning disabilities, enabling them to excel in their coursework.
- Implemented behavior modification strategies, resulting in improved self-regulation and classroom participation among students.
- Managed classroom behavior effectively, utilizing positive reinforcement strategies and maintaining consistent routines for smooth transitions throughout the day.
- Prepared instruction materials, constructed bulletin boards, and set up work areas.
- Administered assessments and standardized tests to evaluate student progress.
- Kept classroom organized, clean and safe for students and visitors.
- Led interesting and diverse group activities to engage students in course material.
- Worked with administrators on behavioral issues to support needs of students.
Fountain Lake Elementary
4th Grade ELA Teacher & 4th Grade Self-Contained
08.2004 - 06.2023
Job overview
- Assisted in creating a safe and nurturing classroom environment that promoted emotional well-being and academic growth for all students.
- Supported students in developing social skills through structured activities and positive reinforcement techniques.
- Provided one-on-one support for students with learning disabilities, enabling them to excel in their coursework.
- Implemented behavior modification strategies, resulting in improved self-regulation and classroom participation among students.
- Integrated creative arts activities into lessons, fostering critical thinking skills and reinforcing comprehension of complex texts.
- Implemented research-based teaching practices to effectively address the unique challenges associated with teaching 4th Grade ELA.
- Monitored individual student progress through frequent assessments and data analysis, adjusting instruction accordingly for optimal learning outcomes.
- Developed strong relationships with parents and guardians to support students'' academic progress and personal growth.
- Served on school committees focused on curriculum development and assessment policies, contributing valuable insights from a 4th Grade ELA perspective.
- Improved student literacy skills by incorporating engaging, age-appropriate literature into lessons.
- Evaluated academic skills of each student through verbal assessments, graded assignments, and standardized tests.
- Prepared and implemented lesson plans covering required course topics.
- Administered assessments and standardized tests to evaluate student progress.
- Promoted effective verbal and written communication through listening, speaking, reading, and writing practice.
- Helped students develop academic, social and emotional skills for long-term success.
- Kept classroom organized, clean and safe for students and visitors.
- Completed in-service and additional training to maintain professional growth.
- Led interesting and diverse group activities to engage students in course material.
- Supported student skill development in alignment with personal and academic goals.
- Worked with administrators on behavioral issues to support needs of students.
- Cultivated relationships with parents for complete support network.
- Taught age-appropriate spelling techniques, grammar rules, and language skills.
- Encouraged independent thought, good judgment, and expression of original ideas.
- Adapted lessons to differentiate instruction and meet students' diverse learning needs and abilities.
- Built positive relationships with parents to involve families in educational process.
- Integrated technology and multimedia tools into lessons to enhance student learning.
- Created supportive and inclusive learning environments, fostering positive classroom atmospheres supporting student growth and learning.
Mountain Pine School District
4th Grade ELA Teacher
08.1999 - 08.2004
Job overview
- Assisted in creating a safe and nurturing classroom environment that promoted emotional well-being and academic growth for all students.
- Supported students in developing social skills through structured activities and positive reinforcement techniques.
- Provided one-on-one support for students with learning disabilities, enabling them to excel in their coursework.
- Collaborated with teachers and therapists to develop individualized educational plans for each student, ensuring optimal progress.
- Enhanced learning experiences by incorporating specialized tools and resources tailored to the needs of special education students.
- Monitored individual student progress through frequent assessments and data analysis, adjusting instruction accordingly for optimal learning outcomes.
- Improved student literacy skills by incorporating engaging, age-appropriate literature into lessons.
- Enhanced student writing skills through structured workshops focused on revision and peer editing processes.
- Integrated creative arts activities into lessons, fostering critical thinking skills and reinforcing comprehension of complex texts.
- Supported diverse learners by differentiating instruction to meet individual needs and accommodate various learning styles.
- Developed strong relationships with parents and guardians to support students'' academic progress and personal growth.
- Promoted a positive classroom environment by establishing clear expectations, routines, and procedures for behavior management.
- Evaluated academic skills of each student through verbal assessments, graded assignments, and standardized tests.
- Prepared and implemented lesson plans covering required course topics.
- Administered assessments and standardized tests to evaluate student progress.
- Helped students develop academic, social and emotional skills for long-term success.
- Kept classroom organized, clean and safe for students and visitors.
- Completed in-service and additional training to maintain professional growth.
- Led interesting and diverse group activities to engage students in course material.
- Worked with administrators on behavioral issues to support needs of students.
- Cultivated relationships with parents for complete support network.
- Taught age-appropriate spelling techniques, grammar rules, and language skills.
- Encouraged independent thought, good judgment, and expression of original ideas.
- Adapted lessons to differentiate instruction and meet students' diverse learning needs and abilities.
- Built positive relationships with parents to involve families in educational process.
- Integrated technology and multimedia tools into lessons to enhance student learning.
- Implemented classroom management improvements to enhance class morale and engagement.
- Taught lessons encompassing skill-building activities in speaking, writing, reading and listening.
- Helped students develop self-esteem and life skills by fostering healthy conflict-resolution, critical thinking, and communication.
- Drove student learning by establishing clear classroom plans and group objectives, as well as actionable strategies to achieve each goal.
- Implemented behavior modification strategies, resulting in improved self-regulation and classroom participation among students.
Education
Henderson State UniversityArkadelphia, AR
Bachelor of Science
05.1998
Lake Hamilton High SchoolPearcy, AR
High School Diploma
05.1993
Skills
- Parent-Teacher Communication
- Student Engagement
- Collaborative learning
- Classroom Management
- Positive Role Model and Mentor
- Behavior Management
- Student Support
- Curriculum Development
- Classroom Instruction
- Quality education
- Assigning and Grading Work
- Individualized Instruction
- Behavior management systems
- Experience teaching 1st-7th grades
- Curriculum compliance with Arkansas
- Standardized Testing
- Student Records Management
- Academic Support
- Instructional planning
- Student Evaluation
- Middle grades concept
- Literacy skills
Certification
- 1st-6th grade elementaryteacher
- Middle School Social Studies
Timeline
6th and 7th Grade Teacher
Fusion Academy
07.2023 - Current
4th Grade ELA Teacher & 4th Grade Self-Contained
Fountain Lake Elementary
08.2004 - 06.2023
4th Grade ELA Teacher
Mountain Pine School District
08.1999 - 08.2004
Henderson State University
Bachelor of Science
Lake Hamilton High School
High School Diploma
- 1st-6th grade elementaryteacher
- Middle School Social Studies
Languages
English
Full Professional
Availability
See my work availability
Not Available
Available
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Work Preference
Work Type
Full TimeContract WorkWork Location
On-SiteRemoteImportant To Me
Career advancementWork-life balanceCompany CulturePaid time offWork from home optionHealthcare benefitsPersonal development programsTeam Building / Company RetreatsInterests
I love to ignite a passion for reading within my students. "It should be the teacher's aim to give every child a love of reading, a hunger for it that will stay with him through all the years of his life." Mayne, 1915
I would love to continue my personal growth as an educator. I would love to also help teachers to help their students in the classroom by igniting that passion for the love of reading and how to help them achieve that goal.
Working as a team and collaborating ideas together.
Software
Google Docs, Drive, Sheets, & Classroom
Microsoft Word
Accomplishments
As the leading role of Reading Teacher in 4th Grade, it was my job to instill the love and passion for reading into my students, as well as teach them the concepts of reading and why it was important. I also provided a warm, supportive classroom environment for developing academic, social and emotional growth for them to excel in.
This group of students was a very low group in almost every subject. 2/3 of the group was either enrolled in special education or 504 plan. There hadn't been much growth from them in the past when it came to academic testing. This year when we tested, they rose 12 points in just reading. They also gained points in every subject as well. This was a proud accomplishment especially for this group of students to see success.
Another accomplishment I achieved was being in charge of piloting and implementing a new reading curriculum we adopted in the middle of the year. It was my job to make plans, collaborate with my administration, and then share them with my team by collaborating with them on how to incorporate the new reading curriculum into our classrooms daily with our lesson plans and also using the technology provided with the curriculum.
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