Children's Instructor & Research Specialist

• Feb 2020 - Present

Community Outreach Facilitator | Mother Goose on the Loose: Hatchlings Pilot 2, created for the Maryland State Library Agency (MSLA) with funding support from Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) • Planned and implemented early literacy programming for expectant and new parents, including traditionally underrepresented groups such as teen parents, and families where English is not the primary language at home • Presented best practices for program implementation at Hatchlings Statewide Facilitator Training, hosted by MSLA and Dr. Betsy Diamont-Cohen, creator of the Hatchlings program • Supported in planning webinar for Public Library Association (PLA) discussing community collaboration as related to Hatchlings program • Created partnerships between Howard County Library System (HCLS) and local community organizations which increased the range of participation. Organizations included - Family Institute | Howard County Office of Children and Families | Department of Community Resources and Services (DCRS), Howard County General Hospital (HCGH), Howard County Judy Center, Howard County Family OPTIONS program • Facilitate in-branch Hatchlings session with each HCGH’s New Moms Support Group cohort • Instruct colleagues about best practices for implementing the Hatchlings program as HCLS expands offering across all library branches Design, organize, and execute children’s classes and events for families and children ages birth through grade 5 • Collaborate with local public and private elementary schools to teach classes on site in the community, share resources, and attend school community programs • Compose posts for HCLS’ Chapter Chats blog, informing the community about children’s resources and upcoming events • Provide customers with research assistance including reader’s advisory, online and technology support, and reference information • Help customers with inquiries regarding their personal accounts Show less

Kindergarten Instructional Team Leader | Teacher

• Aug 2017 - Feb 2020

Recognized as the 2019 HCPSS Teacher of the Year and Washington Post Teacher of the Year nominee.

First Grade Teacher

• Aug 2015 - Jul 2017

Pre-K4 Master Teacher

• Jul 2013 - Jun 2015

Founding Pre-K 4 Master Teacher Founding Pre-K 4 Master Teacher

Early Childhood Instructional Coach

• Aug 2012 - Jun 2013

Led team of 21 teachers (ranging preschool, pre-kindergarten and kindergarten grade levels) in providing a high quality, developmentally appropriate educational experience for all students • Provided direct coaching to a caseload of teachers consisting of observations, feedback, modeling and teacher reflection that worked to build teacher competence • Planned and presented weekly professional development sessions (1-2 per week) focused on academic and culture topics • Coordinated formal assessment cycles and supported teachers in data analysis, action planning and intervention implementation throughout the school year • Participated as part of school leadership team and supported in duties of operating campus Show less

Pre-Kindergarten Teacher & Grade Level Lead

• Aug 2011 - Jul 2012

Oversaw team of 6 teachers and served as liaison between team and administration, in addition to providing classroom instruction to students • Led team in using data to inform grade level decisions regarding academics and culture that increased achievement of students • Facilitated team’s student support process (grade level talk protocol)

Preschool & Pre-Kindergarten Teacher

• Aug 2009 - Jul 2011

Began teaching through Teach For America • Designed rigorous standards-based lessons that met needs and styles of diverse learners • Collaborated with co-teacher to set goals for students and used data from formative and summative assessments to monitor students’ progress and drive instruction • Maintained regular communication with families to update them on their student’s progress over the course of the year

Early Childhood Corps Member

• 2009 - 2011

Selected as a member of the 2009 DC Region Early Childhood Corps • Placed in a high needs school and taught three and four year old students over a two-year commitment. Selected as a member of the 2009 DC Region Early Childhood Corps • Placed in a high needs school and taught three and four year old students over a two-year commitment.

Intern

• Aug 2008 - May 2009

Participated in planning and implementation of service activities and fundraisers for non-profit servicing youth and the community • Worked under supervision of the Director of Programs and the AmeriCorps VISTA leader • Co-facilitated Operation AWARE service-learning curriculum and Justice Circles after-school program in Baltimore City Public Schools to promote community awareness and civic engagement of students • Supervised focus groups of students to research effectiveness of middle school program • Collaborated with AmeriCorps VISTAs to design and execute lesson plans for 7th grade students • Utilized knowledge of Microsoft Office and Publisher to create a brochure assessing the benefits of service learning for inner city youth and manual of teaching strategies Show less

Front End Leader & Cashier

• 2005 - 2009