Experience Summary
Ever since I began working in NYC public schools seven years ago as a licensed Paraprofessional, I became passionate about teaching while continuously learning and developing my methods of instruction working with multi-culturally diverse students with various needs. After recently graduating this year with my master’s degree in dual certification for regular and special education from Touro College, I became certified to teach grades 1-6 in NYC. As a Paraprofessional, theater instructor, choreographer, and student teacher I efficiently utilized Common Core standards while also understanding the commitment and dedication of integrated co-teaching and the importance of communication with my administration. My commitment to maximizing individual student performance through assessment and differentiated learning allows my students to flourish with ideas and excitement that can be applied inside and outside of the classroom and allows for students with Individual Education Plans to maximize the fulfillment of their goals. I place an emphasis on maintaining an engaging learning environment with the use of encouraged participation to instill a sense of self-worth among all students.
While maintaining a well-disciplined and positive learning environment, it is important for me to inspire students’ continued interest and involvement in learning through hands on activities, technology, art, and peer learning. My experiences as a Paraprofessional, teacher, Creative Art Therapist, and artistic professional along with my expertise in technology and art opens opportunities for my students to gain knowledge while utilizing these tools. During the assessment process I adapt my teaching methods to accommodate the learning styles of each student to understand their interests backgrounds, and abilities while ensuring that they will retain and comprehend the information in a manner that best suits both the regular and special education students needs and goals. Collecting data and keeping detailed and organized information about each student through performance assessments allows me to help each student develop and build a dynamic portfolio. While implementing my expertise and helping my Principal Gary Williams at P.S 180 bring the premise of learning through the arts back into education, I was given the opportunity to assist and choreograph this year’s school play, Guys and Dolls.
My dedication to humanitarianism and education opened new doors for me when I pursued the responsibility of working for the non-profit organization Art Start from 2007 to 2013 where I began as a volunteer teaching artist for a program called One Mic. I built lasting business and personal relationships while mentoring troubled teens that were recently discharged from Rikers Island prison. Through countless creative writing sessions that inspired me as a mentor, I learned a great deal about my students as they learned to examine their lives and frustrations through conversations and journal entries. This creative process lead to poems and songs recorded in the Art Start recording studio. By the end of the program the students were able to express their frustrations about life intelligently through positive self-reflection and creativity.
After my work as a Volunteer with Art Start I became a Teaching Artist at two family shelters in Manhattan where I taught music, dance, art and theater workshops while instilling educational resources to children and parents living in the NYC family shelters. My responsibilities included developing music and theater curriculums for 5 - 18 year old students, training and directing new volunteers, and planning and leading workshops. While continuously working to better the lives of the youth in the shelters, during the summer of 2012 I directed a new program that branched out of the One Mic program called Emerging Artists in Residency (EAR). The EAR program enabled the teens to continue their creative quests. Directing this program required me to hold daily meetings, recruit and liaise with teaching professionals, help students develop a website and business cards, find educational programs, connect with workshops and events, delegate a weekly stipend and metro card and prepare the students to be able to handle their future artistic careers by themselves.
As a highly compassionate and committed educator, with a passion for life long learning, I welcome the opportunity to meet with you to discuss how my experience and skills would benefit the tutoring position. I thank you for your time and consideration and hope to hear from you soon.