Vonda Morris
Lenexa,KS
Summary
Dedicated management professional with history of meeting goals utilizing consistent and organized practices. Skilled in working under pressure and adapting to new situations and challenges to creatively meet diverse needs. Industrious educator with solid history of successfully planning and implementing learning opportunities for individuals from elementary school through adulthood. Providing environments and supporting students with solid lectures, innovative technology, and engaging hands-on activities. Implement intervention strategies and discipline management techniques to enhance student success. Hardworking and passionate job seeker with strong organizational skills eager to secure Activity Director position. Ready to help team achieve goals. Offering excellent communication and good judgment.
Overview
49
49
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Gifted Education Teacher
Park Hill School District
Kansas City, MO
08.2020 - 12.2022
- Prepared lesson plans and executed different modalities to accelerate individual success.
- Identified children's collective and individual learning needs to plan, prepare and deliver instruction designed to maximize individual learning and capture interest.
- Balanced individual and group instruction to accommodate different academic levels and learning styles.
- Organized learning resources and classroom environment to facilitate positive learning experience for over 65 students.
- Communicated daily with parents, students and faculty to provide photographs and discuss lessons, opportunities, and tips.
Gifted Education Facilitator
Shawnee Mission Schools
Shawnee, KS
08.2015 - 05.2021
- Oversaw and administered education programs and communicated schedules and logistics information to gifted students.
- Created lesson plans containing objectives, course contents and method of instruction for scheduled classes.
- Monitored and assessed participant progress throughout learning process and made adjustments to verify knowledge transfer and understanding.
- Made logistical arrangements for training facilities, course materials and audio-visual equipment.
- Wrote and managed Individual Education Plans for as many as 150 students each school year.
- Planned college visits opened to all.
- Offered extracurricular club in American Sign Language.
- Helped students prepare for PSAT, ACT and SAT. Walked students through college application process and to improve their application essays.
- Worked with staff members and teachers to design comprehensive and individualized plans to optimize student education.
- Designed detailed learning plans for struggling students based on test, homework and assignment records.
- Provided counseling and other supports to meet social and emotional needs of all students.
- Kept score and sold tickets to multiple athletic events.
- Communicated with parents as liaison to address conflicts as they arose.
- Taught summer enrichment program to teach crafting, sewing, quilting and American Sign Language to students in grades 1-8
Science Teacher
Trailridge Middle School
Lenexa, KS
08.2009 - 05.2015
- Responsible for science instruction of approximately 170 seventh and eighth grade students in regular, advanced and sheltered English Language classes
- Learners homogenous groupings
- Member of Positive Behavioral Supports Committee
- Supports team specializing in graphic design, photography and community outreach.
- Kept score for volleyball and basketball games
- Member of technology team rolling out and training teachers on use of Apple technologies.
Gifted Education Specialist
Shawnee Mission Schools
Overland Park, KS
08.1999 - 05.2009
- Prepared lesson plans and executed different modalities to accelerate individual success for gifted students from Trailridge and Westridge Middle Schools.
- Identified children's collective and individual learning needs to plan, prepare and deliver instruction designed to maximize individual learning and capture interest.
- Used Microsoft Office Suite and IDEA software to maintain proper documentation of student files, portfolios and records.
- Communicated with parents and faculty to develop strong sense of collaboration between teachers, students and parents.
- Planned thematic educational experiences to provide highly engaging content related to students needs and interests in community,
- Organized 16 yearly competitions for students, encouraged participation, and challenged students to meet high expectations for successful outcomes.
- Prepared and distributed quarterly progress reports and report cards.
- Administered and graded tests, homework and assignments to evaluate students' progress.
- Modified lessons and curriculum to accommodate diverse learners by using strategies such as peer-assisted learning and group work.
- Provided counseling and educational supports for underachieving or twice exceptional students.
- Coached more than sixty teams to compete in National Engineers Week Future City Competition winning state and competing in Nationals in Washington, D.C. for six consecutive years.
Gifted Facilitator
Westridge Middle School
Overland Park, KS
08.1999 - 05.2009
- Responsible for gifted student identification
- Curriculum planning and implementation
- Talent search and academic competition coordination
- Counseling and career guidance
- Leadership training
- Technology implementation
- Lead teaching
- Organization of multiple enrichment field trips, guest speakers, and related opportunities.
Founder and Owner
Prairie Point
Shawnee, KS
06.1995 - 08.2002
- Responsible for conception, development and launch of business enterprise; managed all operations of store including customer relations; teaching sewing and quilt-making classes; public speaking; marketing; inventory control; accounting; and hiring and staff oversight
- Hosted national speakers and teachers for special events
- Operated with staff of more than 25 employees and instructors providing sales in excess of $500,000 annually
- Managed day-to-day business operations
- Consulted with customers to assess needs and propose optimal solutions
- Trained and motivated employees to perform daily business functions
- Oversaw business budget planning and administration, accounting functions, purchasing and bi-weekly payroll to handle financial needs
- Devised and deployed sales and marketing tactics to drive strategic growth and support achievement of revenue goals
- Kept all building areas and equipment functional and well-organized to promote business performance.
- Remained up-to-date on current trends and attended industry trade shows and markets to view and order inventory
- Reconciled daily sales, returns and financial reports in QuickBooks
- Optimized team hiring, training and performance
- Created and monitored promotional approaches to increase sales and profit levels
- Provided financial management through preparation of bank deposits and settlement of sales, returns and transaction reports
- Used print strategies such as newsletter with circulation of more than 5,000 and marketing brochures to bring in and capture new customer business
- Founded new guild for quilters and cross stitchers
- Conducted target market research to scope out industry competition and identify advantageous trends
- Grew value of business by $150,000 over five-year period.
Science Teacher
Harmony Middle School
Overland Park, KS
08.1994 - 05.1995
- Communicated with students and parents regarding academic progress, assignments and behavior.
- Planned, prepared and taught lesson plans, giving students individual support.
- Coordinated and collaborated with other faculty members during lesson plan development.
- Encouraged student interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and participation in middle science competitions.
- Inspired academic success based on belief that all students can achieve excellence, regardless of background.
- Planned and escorted student field trips relevant to current science course work.
Enrichment Specialist
Harmony Middle School, Blue
Overland Park, KS
01.1992 - 01.1994
- Developed and conducted instruction to promote opportunities for students.
- Developed individualized lesson plans and modified existing academic curricula to meet special learning needs.
- Made copies and prepared materials for lessons and special activities.
- Provided one-on-one help for students struggling with learning concepts.
- Organized, publicized, and conducted competitions such as spelling bee, geography bee, Science Olympiad, and Odyssey of the Mind.
Enrichment Specialist
Leawood Middle School, Blue Valley
Leawood, KS
01.1990 - 01.1992
- Developed and conducted instruction to promote opportunities for students.
- Developed individualized lesson plans and modified existing academic curricula to meet special learning needs.
- Made copies and prepared materials for lessons and special activities.
- Provided one-on-one help for students struggling with learning concepts.
- Organized, publicized, and conducted competitions such as spelling bee, geography bee, Science Olympiad, and Odyssey of the Mind.
Gifted Education Facilitator
Lawrence Public Schools USD 497
Lawrence, NY
08.1986 - 05.1990
- Oversaw and administered educational field trips and seminars and communicated schedules and logistics information to gifted students from all district junior high schools.
- Conferenced with parents, teachers and administrators to write and manage Individualized Education Plans for approximately 75 students,
- Screened and identified students using parent and student questionnaires, Torrance Creativity Test, student products, and Raven Matrices.
- Contributed to identification and problem solving of all exceptional students in our building on staffing team.
- Collaborated with teachers to meet needs of our gifted students.
Education
Coursework in technology, economics, science and ESOL through area institutions -
Master of Science - Psychology and Special Education
08.1989
Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education
12.1985
Skills
- Kansas and Missouri Teaching Licensure
- Endorsements Elementary K-9, Gifted K-12, ESOL
- Creative Instruction Style
- Experience Teaching More than 40 Crafting and Sewing Techniques
- Professional Photographer
- Proficient with Microsoft Office, Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop, MacBooks, and iPads and social media
- Educational Event Organizer
- Event Planning
- Positive Learning Environment and Classroom Management
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Group and individual instruction
- Student engagement
- Differentiated instruction
- Analytical and Critical Thinking
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- Decision-Making
Certification
Missouri Lifetime Teaching License K-12 Gifted, Elementary Education.
Kansas Licensure for K-9 K-12 gifted, ESOL
Languages
American Sign Language
Limited Working
Timeline
Gifted Education Teacher - Park Hill School District
08.2020 - 12.2022
Gifted Education Facilitator - Shawnee Mission Schools
08.2015 - 05.2021
Science Teacher - Trailridge Middle School
08.2009 - 05.2015
Gifted Education Specialist - Shawnee Mission Schools
08.1999 - 05.2009
Gifted Facilitator - Westridge Middle School
08.1999 - 05.2009
Founder and Owner - Prairie Point
06.1995 - 08.2002
Science Teacher - Harmony Middle School
08.1994 - 05.1995
Enrichment Specialist - Harmony Middle School, Blue
01.1992 - 01.1994
Enrichment Specialist - Leawood Middle School, Blue Valley
01.1990 - 01.1992
Gifted Education Facilitator - Lawrence Public Schools USD 497
08.1986 - 05.1990
- Coursework in technology, economics, science and ESOL through
area institutions,
Emporia State University - Master of Science, Psychology and Special Education
Emporia State University - Bachelor of Science, Elementary Education
Similar Profiles
Amy SchneiderAmy Schneider
TEACHER/COACH at Park Hill School District- Park Hill South High SchoolTEACHER/COACH at Park Hill School District- Park Hill South High School
Jessica ClevengerJessica Clevenger
Custodian at Park Hill School DistrictCustodian at Park Hill School District
Jessica OlderJessica Older
Speech-Language Pathologist at Park Hill School DistrictSpeech-Language Pathologist at Park Hill School District