My name is Sheila Berger and I am an effective Instructional Coach who specializes in adult learning through high quality professional development and goal-oriented coaching. I have been in the education field for over 10 years and have loved every minute of it. My willingness to go above and beyond is evidenced in my individual work and collaborations on numerous dynamic teams. I also have a strong understanding of the nuances of urban school environments and school culture. I have always believed the importance of closing the achievement gap, a reflection of our nation’s equity gap. Helping students recognize their value through empowerment, advocacy, and inclusion for all is paramount to me. Simply put, all students are capable of success. .
In my current role as a Professional Learning Specialist for IXL Learning, I have the incredible opportunity to leverage my previous experiences as a teacher and instructional coach through delivering and designing effective professional development that is relatable and interactive. I have an innate ability to capture an audience with even the most complex information. I strive to ensure that content is customized and presented with fidelity all while maintaining relevance for the audience and inspiring participants to join in the work of professional learning. Furthermore, through internal cross team collaboration, detailed project management, and effective data analysis I have helped district and school leaders in delivering on their instructional leadership priorities by supporting them with key aspects of their goals.
In my previous experiences serving as a K-12 instructional coach I focused on facilitating curriculum alignment, developing yearly professional learning plans, building technology enhanced lesson plan templates influenced by the DOK Levels for Measured Progress, and leading grade level teams in creating common formative assessments. I also lead data team meetings with a focus on monitoring achievement and growth while identifying student strengths and targeting areas of improvement for individual, small group, and whole group instruction. I worked closely with principals and other district leaders engaging in many administrative responsibilities such as delivery of district-wide new teacher orientations, hiring and retention of staff, developing district wide common assessments, allocating and managing resources to support student achievement, and building professional learning based on district wide data from various performance benchmarks and program evaluations.
My peers and mentors have used the words driven, loyal, direct, detail-oriented, and problem solver to describe me. I have been recognized for my ability to connect with students, parents, fellow educators, and external partners. I thrive in fast-paced and achievement oriented environments. I have the ability to be flexible and calm in the face of stressful circumstances and can make sound decisions based on an analysis of many perspectives and viewpoints. I model respect and humility in all my interactions and take pride in a job well done.
I know that I would be an asset to any company or organization. Please view the contents of my portfolio to view examples of my work and many other qualifications I have as a leader, educator, and skilled trainer.