Certified English Teacher, State of Connecticut (015)
Certified School Counselor, State of Connecticut (068)
University of Hartford, West Hartford, CT
6th Year Certificate in School Counseling, 2010
Master of Science in School Counseling and Guidance, 2008
San Diego State University, San Diego, CA
Subject Secondary Teaching Credential in English 6-12, 2004
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and Language Arts, Magna Cum Laude, 2001
PROFILE:
An experienced, dedicated, and creative teacher with over 15 years experience of teaching and counseling experience at the secondary level. My mission is to provide all students with equitable and relevant education by providing problem solving skills, coping strategies, and methods for critical thinking. Experienced working with at-risk student populations and skilled in adapting to students’ diverse and unique learning needs.
CERTIFICATION:
School Counselor, Provisional Educator Certificate, State of Connecticut (068)
English Grades 7-12, Initial Educator Certificate, State of Connecticut (015)
EDUCATION:
University of Hartford, West Hartford, CT
6th Year Certificate in School Counseling, 2010
Master of Science in School Counseling and Guidance, 2008
San Diego State University, San Diego, CA
Subject Secondary Teaching Credential in English 6-12, 2004
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and Language Arts, Magna Cum Laude, 2001
EXPERIENCE:
CANTON HIGH SCHOOL, Canton, CT, 2010-2020
Canton Academy Coordinator, Grades 11 and 12
Coordinator of Alternative High School Program: Provided academic and social-emotional support to at risk students to ensure overall school success and progress towards graduation
Monitored all curriculum to align with regular education program; promote individualized instruction; ensure differentiation in the classroom; provide teachers with curriculum training; collaborate with administration and support staff to analyze data and discuss assessments
Maintained close parent contact and acting as liaison to high school faculty, parents, community workplaces, and outside social service providers
Collaborated with SPED director to coordinate PPT and 504 meetings; compose and share detailed, accurate progress notes for student records on quarterly basis
Facilitated parent-teacher meetings regarding student attendance and progress
Communicated with local businesses and follow up with area supervisors to facilitate internships and job placements for students
Life Skills Teacher: Promoted postsecondary planning to prepare students for life after high school at 2 and 4 year college, technical/vocational programs, military, or school-to-work transition
Focused on “Writing for Life” to instruct students on literature and writing topics such as the college essay, creative writing prompts, journaling, and other forms of expressive prose
Met weekly with all students to identify and implement coping strategies for stress, anxiety, depression, overcoming self-defeating behaviors, conflict resolution, anger management, etc.
Health and Wellness Teacher: Provided students instruction in areas of physical education, importance of healthy lifestyle and holistic wellness, and areas of nutrition linked with fitness and physical activity
Focused on Persuasive Writing techniques such as persuasive essays, critics, reviews, action papers, and proposals covering various topics of Health and Wellness
English Co-Teacher: Worked alongside the Department Chair of the English department to assist instruction of 11th and 12 grade English courses to provide students academic support and feedback
Instructed High School Capstone Project, a culminating activity that provides a way for students to demonstrate the knowledge and skills they acquired during their secondary school years of education
Past courses co-taught include Creative Writing, Poetry, Heroes and Monsters, and Utopias
Vocational Education Teacher: Assisted students with career research, aligned vocational skills with interests, assisted with job readiness and employability,
Assisted students with resumes, cover letters, applications, interviewing, and follow-up
Acted as School Liason between working students and local businesses, obtaining supervisor evaluations and referrals
Managed student completion of Career Development Portfolios including completion of online career assessments, personality surveys, learning style inventories, and other self-evalutions
CONARD HIGH SCHOOL, West Hartford, CT, 2007-2009
School Counselor Intern/Interim, Grades 9-12
Provided counseling, scheduling, and postsecondary planning for a caseload of 50 students
Leadership Committee: Created numerous lesson plans and resources for WHPS Developmental Guidance Program based on the CT Comprehensive Model
Facilitator of Graduation Preparation (12) and Study Skills (10) small group counseling
COMPASSLEARNING, Weston, FL, 2006
Instructional Designer
Created and edited academic curriculum for Fall 2006 release of a CompassLearning Odyssey, a Reading Comprehension program for Grades 3-8
Published written scripts/online builds for 168 reading/vocabulary activities
Developed, edited, and implemented smart lessons for reading comprehension skills, vocabulary, think-alouds, and state tests aligned with national state educational standards
HALL HIGH SCHOOL, West Hartford, CT, 2004-2005
English Teacher, English 9 (Standard/Honors), American Literature (10), ESOL (9-11)
Designed multicultural curriculum, utilized differentiation/scaffolding, and supplementary materials to meet academic needs of all standard and honors students
Strategies: Socratic Seminars, challenge and debate, RAFT, modeling/shared writing, peer editing, QAR, FCA’s, graphic organizers, Think/Pair/Share, Shared Reading, etc.
9th grade Exam Committee: Created and edited school-wide 9th grade assessments
HOOVER HIGH SCHOOL, San Diego, CA, 2002-2004
English Teacher, English 1-2 (9)Student Teacher/ Literacy (9) Interim Teacher
Created and implemented multicultural cross-curricular units of Language Arts instruction for struggling readers and ESL Literacy students utilizing extensive scaffolding and differentiation
9th Grade Leadership Team: Developed school-wide 9th grade curriculum designed for struggling readers and at-risk students
Strategies: Journal entries, power writing, vocabulary activities, read-alouds, jigsaw, and test-taking tips