Educational Research
Zoa Bonofiglio, EdD
Educator/Instructional Designer/Curriculum Developer
Lansing,MI
Summary
Professional educator skilled in creating dynamic, inclusive classroom experiences that drive student success. Adept at leveraging diverse instructional strategies to meet varied learning needs, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of material. Strong background in guiding teams, managing complex projects, and achieving strategic objectives. Excels at developing efficient processes, maintaining high standards, and aligning efforts with organizational goals. Known for a collaborative approach and adaptability in ever-evolving educational settings, with a focus on critical thinking and communication.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
14
14
years of post-secondary education
3
3
Certificates
1
1
Language
4
4
Academic Degrees
Work History
Teacher, Certified
Lansing Public Schools
Lansing, MI
01.2024 - Current
- Maintained accurate records of student progress, attendance, and behavior to facilitate ongoing communication with parents about their child's educational journey.
- Fostered a positive learning environment that encouraged student curiosity and critical thinking.
- Improved student engagement by incorporating interactive learning technologies into lesson plans.
- Coordinated with specialists to support English Language Learners, fostering a more inclusive classroom.
- Enhanced students' critical thinking and problem-solving skills through project-based learning.
- Developed and executed formative and summative assessments to monitor student progress, adjusting teaching strategies accordingly.
- Shifted between formal and informal methods of teaching to keep students engaged.
- Collaborated with colleagues to integrate cross-disciplinary lessons, enriching students' educational experience.
- Designed and implemented a differentiated instruction strategy to meet diverse learning needs, enhancing educational outcomes.
- Utilized data-driven instruction to tailor lessons for improved academic performance.
- Integrated cultural awareness into lessons by incorporating diverse perspectives and materials into the curriculum.
- Implemented a classroom management plan that reduced disruptions, creating a more conducive learning environment.
- Met with students, parents and administrators to address and resolve students' behavioral and academic issues.
- Scheduled conferences with parents to discuss students' progress and classroom behavior.
- Served on school committees focused on curriculum development, teacher evaluations, or community outreach initiatives to contribute positively to the overall school climate.
- Current School Improvement Team (SIT) co-chair and Crew co-lead for the school musical.
- Mentored new teachers, sharing best practices and providing guidance to help them adapt to their new roles successfully.
- Participated in department meetings to provide input to colleagues about student achievement and improvement.
- Organized extracurricular activities such as clubs or field trips that enriched students' learning experiences outside traditional classroom settings.
- Continuously pursued professional development opportunities such as workshops or conferences to stay current in educational trends.
Instructional Designer
Auto-Owners Insurance Company
Lansing, MI
1 2014 - 11.2024
- Implemented successful instructional design projects from concept to completion within budget and time constraints.
- Created curricula, research topics and conceptualized course format, subject matter and presentation.
- Developed instructor-led training materials that supported face-to-face classroom instruction for blended learning environments.
- Facilitated virtual, in-person and blended learning sessions.
- Developed and implemented a successful onboarding program.
- Collaborated with subject matter experts to create accurate, relevant, and effective learning content.
- Utilized a variety of instructional design methodologies to create compelling learning experiences.
- Conducted needs assessments to identify performance gaps and develop targeted learning solutions.
- Analyzed and evaluated training effectiveness and program outcomes.
- Managed multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining high-quality deliverables under tight deadlines.
- Applied adult learning principles to ensure optimal engagement levels among diverse groups of learners.
- Improved learner retention rates by developing innovative instructional strategies and assessment methods.
- Created curricula, research topics and conceptualized course format, subject matter and presentation.
- Developed assessments and user polls to evaluate course effectiveness, altering content and delivery to achieve student learning goals.
- Developed workforce training programs to improve organizational efficiency.
- Incorporated best practices in instructional design methodologies like ADDIE, SAM, and Agile into project workflows.
- Designed multimedia presentations that incorporated audio, video, and graphics for engaging online courses.
- Provided job analysis in line with instructional design principles for successful mentoring.
- Evaluated existing course materials, identifying opportunities for enhancement or revision based on learner feedback.
- Designed multimedia presentations that incorporated audio, video, and graphics for engaging online courses.
- Optimized learning outcomes by aligning instructional objectives with business goals and performance metrics.
- Conducted post-training evaluations to measure the effectiveness of instruction and identify areas for continuous improvement.
- Led cross-functional teams in the development of a new employee onboarding program, resulting in reduced time-to-competency.
- Fostered a culture of continuous learning through ongoing professional development initiatives within the organization.
- Spearheaded mentorship program to support newly hired instructional designers, fostering a culture of collaboration and growth.
- Ensured compliance with industry standards such as SCORM or xAPI while creating e-learning modules.
- Optimized resource allocation by implementing project management tools specifically for instructional design projects.
- Assisted in the selection of appropriate tools and technologies for effective course development and delivery.
Literacy Curriculum Developer
Engaged Education
Lansing, MI
01.2015 - 01.2017
- Developed customized learning paths for individual students based on their unique needs, strengths, and interests.
- Enhanced curriculum quality by conducting thorough research and incorporating best practices in instructional design.
- Managed multiple curriculum design projects simultaneously while meeting deadlines and maintaining high-quality standards.
- Designed comprehensive assessment tools to measure learner progress and evaluate effectiveness of instructional strategies.
Instructor
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI
01.2008 - 01.2013
- Created a dynamic learning environment that valued instructor and student interaction.
- Instructed and evaluated students in the classroom in alignment with the college's mission by incorporating innovative teaching and learning strategies.
- Increased learner participation via engaging lectures and assignments.
- Met regularly with pre-service teachers to discuss best practices and develop innovative teaching strategies.
- Provided pre-service teachers with engaging lessons and projects to promote best practices for lesson planning, assessment, and classroom management.
- Chose materials and developed lesson plans to enhance skills for individual students.
- Enhanced classroom collaboration through the implementation of group projects and team-building activities.
- Identified research opportunities for students, assisting with gathering data and drawing conclusions for projects.
- Ensured curriculum alignment with academic standards through regular course review and updates, including field visits.
- Demonstrated strong interpersonal and communication skills, resulting in clear subject matter discussion with learners.
- Developed diversified course curriculum to meet regulatory standards and support learning objectives.
- Evaluated student progress regularly using formative and summative assessments to inform instruction and provide feedback.
- Graded tests and assignments and uploaded to the school database.
- Advised students on academic planning, career goals, and internships to foster successful outcomes.
- Guided students seeking academic or career advice through one-on-one consultations during office hours or scheduled appointments.
- Assisted in accreditation processes by gathering necessary documentation, preparing reports, and participating in site visits as needed.
- Served on various committees to contribute insights on curriculum development, program evaluation, and accreditation processes.
- Worked with the dean to assess and evaluate courses and programs in the appropriate discipline.
- Participated in professional development opportunities to continuously enhance teaching effectiveness and stay current in the field of education.
- Established and maintained an inclusive, collegial and collaborative culture within the classroom.
Curriculum Coach/ Instructional Specialist/ Certified Classroom Teacher
New City Academy
Lansing, MI
01.2005 - 01.2010
- Led professional development of instructional staff and ensured alignment with state and district learning standards.
- Created learning environment for 6th grade inclusive subject matter and 6-8th grade ELA content.
- Led writing activity group and student government.
- Built and delivered learning content according to priority and scope
- Championed growth mindset culture among staff by encouraging self-reflection and goal-setting for continuous improvement
- Contributed to creation of interdisciplinary units, integrating subject areas for more comprehensive learning experience
- Improved curriculum alignment by analyzing student data and providing targeted feedback to teachers on lesson planning
- Implemented innovative teaching approaches by researching and introducing cutting-edge methodologies into classrooms
- Monitored student progress throughout year to provide targeted support and intervention as needed, resulting in increased academic achievement
- Assisted in selection of instructional materials, ensuring alignment with state standards and educational objectives
- Enhanced teacher collaboration by leading professional development workshops and sharing instructional strategies
- Provided ongoing support to educators through classroom observations, modeling best practices, and offering constructive feedback
Education
Doctor of Education - Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
Walden University
Minneapolis, MNMaster of Science - Instructional Design and Technology
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI 05.2001 - 05.2015
Master of Arts - Curriculum and Teaching
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MIBachelor of Arts - Teacher Education
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MIBachelor of Arts - English
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MISkills
Accomplished educational expert, classroom teacher with expertise in curriculum design, learning theory, instructional strategies, experiential learning practices, and best practices for efficient instructional design and assessment Specialized in defining learning objectives, working with stakeholders (Learners/Leadership/Learner Community/etc), establishing clear benchmarks/competencies to determine learning gap/need, measure progress, and creating highly interactive, immersive materials Strong project management, organization, communication, and writing skills Adept at coordinating course design and delivery of lesson plans, practical application of learning projects, independent study support, and other instructional elements including classroom expertise and individualized/inclusive Instruction
Websites
Certification
Essentials of Supervision & Introduction to Claims, The Institutes
Affiliations
- American Education Research Association (AERA)
- The eLearning Guild
- Online Learning Consortium (OLC)
- Golden Key International Honor Society
Interests
Writing
Gaming (Problem-Solving)
Coloring
Accomplishments
- Named “Teacher of the Year” award at New City Academy in 2006.
- Technology Integration - Participated in technology training courses and trained colleagues in new technology concepts and practices applicable for the classroom.
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Work Preference
Work Type
Full TimeLocation Preference
On-SiteRemoteHybridImportant To Me
Work from home optionHealthcare benefitsWork-life balanceLanguages
English
Native or Bilingual
Quote
"Every journey begins with a single hop."
Kermit the Frog
Publications
BONOFIGLIO, ZOA-GAY D., "Corporate Curriculum: Instructional Designer Practices for Professional Adult Learning" (2024). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 15288. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/15288
Timeline
Teacher, Certified
Lansing Public Schools
01.2024 - Current
Literacy Curriculum Developer
Engaged Education
01.2015 - 01.2017
Instructor
Michigan State University
01.2008 - 01.2013
Curriculum Coach/ Instructional Specialist/ Certified Classroom Teacher
New City Academy
01.2005 - 01.2010
Master of Science - Instructional Design and Technology
Michigan State University
05.2001 - 05.2015
Doctor of Education - Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
Walden University
Master of Arts - Curriculum and Teaching
Michigan State University
Bachelor of Arts - Teacher Education
Michigan State University
Bachelor of Arts - English
Michigan State University
Instructional Designer
Auto-Owners Insurance Company
1 2014 - 11.2024