LeahRae Rusu
Learning And Development Specialist at Goldfein, LLC- Claim this Profile
Click to upgrade to our gold package
for the full feature experience.
-
English Native or bilingual proficiency
-
Spanish Professional working proficiency
Topline Score
Bio
Credentials
-
Practical Success Metrics in Your Training Program
LinkedInNov, 2022- Nov, 2024 -
The Future of Workplace Learning
LinkedInNov, 2022- Nov, 2024 -
How to Speak So People Want to Listen
LinkedInOct, 2022- Nov, 2024 -
Organizational Learning and Development
LinkedInMay, 2022- Nov, 2024 -
Transitioning to Product Management
LinkedInFeb, 2022- Nov, 2024 -
Instructional Design Essentials: Models of ID
LinkedInNov, 2021- Nov, 2024 -
Leveraging Your Transferable Skills to Drive Your Career
LinkedInNov, 2021- Nov, 2024 -
Teacher - Lifetime License
WI Department of Public InstructionJul, 2020- Nov, 2024
Experience
-
Goldfein, LLC
-
United States
-
Law Practice
-
1 - 100 Employee
-
Learning And Development Specialist
-
Aug 2022 - Present
Designing and facilitating inclusive learning experiences that guide leadership and departmental teams through continuous personal and professional development Developing a framework for holistic, scalable employee development pathways Collaboratively designing and building organizational leadership training and development courses for current and future leaders Partner closely with SMEs, department leadership, and L&D teams to develop, maintain, and thoroughly update training materials, courses, and resources to reflect current and changing needs, process, and practices on tight deadlines Evaluating the impact of Learning and Development throughout the people operations lifecycle from recruiting, orientation, onboarding, foundational training, post-grad, and continuous training Facilitating research-based continuous development experiences for the L&D team Strengthening the feedback loop between quality control, employee training, and curriculum development development in line with departmental, company, and client goals Sourcing content and coordinating with subject matter experts to build course modules in Canvas Proactively promoting psychological safety in course content and design creating space for all voices in each learning experience Utilizing the Universal Design for Learning Process to create learning experiences with multiple means for engagement, action, and expression Ensuring that all materials and experiences are in alignment with the core values and the goal of the leadership learning and development program Show less
-
-
-
City of Dunedin
-
United States
-
Government Administration
-
100 - 200 Employee
-
Nature Camp Recreation Leader
-
May 2022 - Aug 2022
Facilitated a 9-week Nature Camp program with elementary aged children exploring several environmental science topics including marine life, local plants and animals, conservation, and space Collaborated with staff to evaluate, improve, and create educational and recreational experiences Guided groups on daily hikes through a 90 acre ancient mixed hardwood and palm forest, Hammock Park, observing and identifying several native plants, animals, and insects Facilitated a 9-week Nature Camp program with elementary aged children exploring several environmental science topics including marine life, local plants and animals, conservation, and space Collaborated with staff to evaluate, improve, and create educational and recreational experiences Guided groups on daily hikes through a 90 acre ancient mixed hardwood and palm forest, Hammock Park, observing and identifying several native plants, animals, and insects
-
-
-
Monona Grove School District
-
United States
-
Primary and Secondary Education
-
100 - 200 Employee
-
Educator
-
Aug 2015 - May 2022
Understood learners on a human level and built responsive, collaborative, and holistic learning experiences grounded in project-based learning, arts integration, Universal Design for Learning, and social-emotional learning principals Leveraged technology to create transformative learning experiences empowering all learners to access content, find their voice, and demonstrate their understanding in meaningful waysUtilized the the International Society for Technology Education Standards as the basis for curriculum design encouraging learners to use the Engineering Design Process as a guide to iterative learningCollaborated with cross-functional teams and administration to develop thorough, data-driven academic and social-emotional learning and support plans for all learnersCo-created an identity-safe learning environments where learners explored aspects of their identities, developed strong relationships, took risks, and shared in deep, meaningful conversations about their own stories and the stories of othersEngaged in formative assessment, data collection, feedback cycles, and iterative curriculum redesign to proactively meet learner needs Identified and presented solutions to proactively address needs in a dynamic environment with changing priorities Show less
-
-
Technology Integration Specialist
-
Aug 2020 - Aug 2021
Hosted virtual coaching, training, and development sessions 2x/week for 8 months providing encouragement and vital feedback for staff ranging from 1:1 coaching to live sessions with 100+ attendeesCreated custom, dynamic digital content for students, families, and staff, including lessons, how-to videos, infographics, and interactive presentations using multiple platformsManaged the multi-school LMS as an administrator providing coaching, training, and vital feedback for all staff in best practices for optimized teaching and learning flowProactively identified and addressed training needs collaborating closely with a core team to brainstorm and test possible solutions, deliver results-based content, evaluate feedback, reflect, evolve, and improve through each iterationBecame an integral decision-maker and systems developer for school and district-wide programs influencing 1000+ elementary and adult learnersNavigated complex, multi-divisional relationships to unify all stakeholders toward a shared vision of engaging 600 4K-5 learners in identity-relevant learning - championing above all else access and equity Show less
-
-
Interim 4K-5 Library Media Specialist
-
Aug 2020 - Aug 2021
Owned the development and implementation of physical book checkout from end to end for 600 students during each phase of pandemic-era schooling - ensuring equitable access to books during virtual and hybrid learningCoordinated with staff, families, local health guidelines, and community librarians to develop processes, systems, and guidelines for safe book check out, contactless pick-up, quarantining procedures, and recirculation Developed organizational systems, user guides, and checkout processes for all Makerspace materials and technology for 600 students 4K-5th grade- communicated with and trained all staff on processes Increased book check out by 50% for specific demographics of users after analyzing data, organizing, and restructuring processes to promote access and equitable browsingEffectively communicated with all stakeholders informing them of timelines, processes, updates, and celebrations Show less
-
-
Team Lead
-
Aug 2017 - Aug 2020
Unified Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) and teams of 15+ through major changes in instructional service delivery modelsGuided PLCs through continuous improvement cycles which included SMART goals, identifying learning needs, developing assessments and curriculum, analyzing data to drive instruction, peer review cycles, scoping, and sustained professional developmentIntentionally established group norms; designed meetings and organizational systems to remove barriers, amplify all voices, and emphasize empathy and open communication Show less
-
-
Creator: Project-Based Learning Pilot
-
Aug 2016 - Aug 2020
Spearheaded and grew a PBL pilot for 300 4K-12th grade students that grew exponentially in 5 years: built lasting partnerships in the community with local artists, scientists, engineers, non-profit organizations, sustainability champions, and local government officialsEstablished and defended a place for authentic learning in a traditional public school setting securing grants and presenting results to school board and district leadership for annual renewal Facilitated student-led community outreach guiding learners through the Engineering Design Process as they identified needs in their communities, conducted research, drafted and tested plans and prototypes, reflected, made improvements, and presented their solutions to peers, families, and community partnersDesigned standards-based STEAM and PBL courses for 600 4K-5 learners engaging in coding, robotics, Design Thinking, water management systems, and resource sustainabilityDesigned and implemented large-scale professional development sessions for 200+ educators in utilizing PBL, social-emotional learning, and technology in transformative ways that promote voice and choiceEngaged in student-led community outreach where 4K-1st grade students identified a need in their community and addressed it (No Kid Hungry, Pajama Program, Crayola ColorCycle, food/toy drives, storm drain murals, etc.) Show less
-
-
K-5 Project-Based Learning & STEAM Teacher
-
Jun 2017 - Jul 2019
Created curriculum for and guided K-5 learners in Science and Project-Based Learning and STEAM courses related to coding, robotics, empathy in design, environmental science, water management systems, and resource sustainabilityEffectively partnered with The Innovative Schools Network, Aldo Leopold Nature Center, Dane Arts Mural Arts (DAMA), Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District, Monona Grove Liberal Arts Charter School, and local government officials to create authentic learning experiences where students saw first hand their impact on their communities Show less
-
-
-
Della Lamb Charter School
-
United States
-
Education Administration Programs
-
1 - 100 Employee
-
Educator - 4K-1st Grade
-
Mar 2014 - Aug 2015
Taught 4K-1st grade at a year-round charter school embedded within a community outreach non-profit that provided education, employment, and life services for refugee, immigrant, and inner-city families in the greater Kansas City Metro area Proactively advocated for equitable learning experiences for all students considering the unique experiences and perspectives of 200 4K-1st grade students Designed context-rich learning experiences to build deep understanding utilizing high levels of Bloom’s Taxonomy and Depth of Knowledge indicators in line with national and state standards Show less
-
-
-
ACADEMY FOR INTEGRATED ARTS
-
United States
-
Education Administration Programs
-
1 - 100 Employee
-
Educator
-
May 2013 - Dec 2013
Partnered with local organizations including universities, local businesses, and art museums to develop a holistic curriculum through a fine arts lens Developed strong family relationships through home visits, collaborative learning conversations, and consistent communication Partnered with local organizations including universities, local businesses, and art museums to develop a holistic curriculum through a fine arts lens Developed strong family relationships through home visits, collaborative learning conversations, and consistent communication
-
-
-
Wisconsin Center for Education Research
-
Madison, WI
-
Research Assistant
-
Aug 2011 - Apr 2012
Assisted researchers at the Value Added Research Center at UW-Madison with projects related to Educator Effectiveness systems - primarily the Charlotte Danielson Framework Collected and identified trends in data, collaborated with a research team and worked toward accomplishing shared goals on tight deadlines Assisted researchers at the Value Added Research Center at UW-Madison with projects related to Educator Effectiveness systems - primarily the Charlotte Danielson Framework Collected and identified trends in data, collaborated with a research team and worked toward accomplishing shared goals on tight deadlines
-
-
Education
-
2018 - 2020
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Master of Science - MS, Educational Leadership and Educational Psychology -
2006 - 2012
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Elementary Education -
2006 - 2008
Madison Area Technical College
Community
