Hello! My name is Omar Lisojo, and I would like to welcome you to my digital portfolio. 

I recently completed a position as a leave replacement English teacher in the Morris Hills Regional District. Prior to this, I served the Morris Hills Regional District for the last two years as a substitute teacher. During my time with the district, I have taken on many responsibilities above and beyond the scope of the expected leave replacement role. To name a few responsibilities: I taught English lessons to heterogeneous populations, and I proctored AP exams across multiple disciplines and grade levels. I introduced and implemented a sustainable Teacher Appreciation Project during Teacher Appreciation Week. I have also participated in school-wide academic and sporting events and had the honor and privilege of mentoring my graduating seniors as they explored college options. 

My classroom experience also extends into a 4th-grade general education classroom, by way of my student teaching. During that time, I was expected to write out weekly lesson plans aligned to the NJSLS and I implemented those lessons in mathematics and language arts using differentiated instructional strategies and various scaffolding techniques to meet the needs of the diverse learners.  It was an invaluable experience and further reinforced my love for the craft!

Mental health is at the core of my teaching philosophy.  Resilience and grit provide an essential foundation for effective learning and academic success.  A learning environment that embraces diversity creates an academic experience that is safe and nurturing for all students. A safe classroom environment leads students to embrace academic rigor and reach their highest potential, which is my ultimate goal as an educator. In my classroom, students understand that academic rigor, goal setting, and the value of perspective are vital to success. Writing and reading literature provides students with the unique opportunity to experience the world through a new lens, and I am committed to shaping a generation of students willing to reach their full potential.