5th Grade Science and Social Studies at Meador Elementary, Willis ISD, Willis, TX

Taught 5th grade science and social studies in an hands-on student directed setting. I implemented lessons involving student generated topics and using SOLE (Student Organized Learning Environments.) My classroom was set up for independent and peer to peer teaching. I was an organizer of learning teams rather than a proctor of curriculum. I worked tirelessly to ensure that my classes were energetic and engaging.

Dynamic Classroom

Student Organized Laerning

Campus Manager, Houston ISD, Outdoor Education Center at Olympia

Directed instructional program for up to 220 students and 32 staff. Hired a diverse and award winning staff. Managed campus budget, maintained student records, evaluated staff, and directed vendors.  Created policy and procedures, emergency plans, and staff evaluation rubrics. Communicated directly with parents, administrators from attending schools, and HISD officials.  Mediated staff conflicts and reconciled student behavior concerns.  Managed intervention for staff needing growth plans. (2015-present)

Teacher Specialist, Houston ISD, Outdoor Education Center at Olympia

Led academic instruction for an outdoor education program.  Designed lessons and wrote curriculum aligned with state and local standards and focused on constructivist philosophies. Trained, supervised, and evaluated staff in areas including: education philosophy and philosophy, application of curriculum and TEKS, lesson cycle, student management and discipline, effective teaching techniques, learning styles and modalities, questioning techniques, and application of hands-on/inquiry learning. Prepared and presented multiple weekly workshops on teaching pedagogy and instructional content. Planned and supervised staff projects and maintained program equipment.  Purchased and maintained program inventory. Implemented new technology and innovative teaching techniques.  Teacher appraisal and PROCARD trained. (1997-2015)

Content Background

Best Practices

Program Leader, Houston ISD Outdoor Education Center at Olympia

Oversaw needs of children 24 hours a day.  Planned and taught activities for inner city fifth graders including; team building, challenge course, pond ecology, forest ecology, conservation, canoeing, compass, gardening, horseback, and Texas history. Integrated students from multiple schools into effective learning teams. Created innovative new curriculum including reading and writing, merging art history and nature,  and living history. (1990-1998)

Inquiry

Multi-Disciplinary 

Hands-ON

Critical Thinking

Wind Senator, KidWind Project, St Paul, Minnesota

Trained teachers and other professionals in the application of Windwise alternative energy curriculum.  Presented STEM workshops for students involving force and motion, forms and sources of energy, and alternative energy.  Facilitated design challenges. Manned Kidwind booth at state and national conventions. (2010-present)

Level One ACCT Trainer, Adventure Experiences, Trinity TX

Led ACCT (Association for Challenge Course Technology) Level One Challenge Course Facilitators certification.  Skills included team-building and initiative games, knot tying, belay, self-belay climbing, high ropes course set up and safety, and rescues. Facilitated team-building workshops for various groups including Woodville ISD administrative staff. (2009-2015)