Maria Morales :: Educator, Trainer and Mentor
Southwest Ranches, FL 33332 305-***-**** *****.*********@*****.***
Summary: An award-winning educator with extensive knowledge in planning, implementing, supervising, and evaluating varied training and learning curriculums in education. Achieving results by researching, designing, and leveraging materials including course outlines, lesson plans, and training aids for specific objectives based on educational theories. Coupled with administrative management to lead peers via fostering effective relationships, clear communication, and data analysis via reporting.
Skills
Virtual/Blended Instruction
Curriculum Design & Planning
Conflict Resolution
Logistic Planning
Operational organization
Bilingual (Spanish)
Diagnostic Evaluation & Assessment
Microsoft Office – Word, Excel, PowerPoint
Interpersonal and Team Oriented
Project Management
Facilitator & Tutor
Instructional design theory w/ learning principles
Experience
Somerset Academy Charter, Pembroke Pines. 1st Grade Teacher Aug 2019 - Present
Create lesson plans and supplemental activities for a classroom of 26 students
Used measuring tools, such as i-Ready, Think Central, Ed Learning, and weekly tests from Journeys curriculum to help gauge students’ progress.
Grouped students based on i-Ready results and engaged in differentiated instruction in order to tailor lessons and meet individual student needs.
Used online learning platforms to create engaging and interactive lessons for remote learning, such as NearPod, Seesaw, ClassDojo, and Google Classroom.
Mother of Our Redeemer, Miami Gardens, FL Lead Teacher -1st Grade Teacher; K-5th Reading Coach Aug 2015 - Jun 2019
Planned, Prepared and delivered instructional activities that facilitated active learning experiences.
Teacher of The Year 2016-2017
Reading Coach from K-5th 2018-2019 – Assisted teachers in evaluation of i-Ready Diagnostic results and future instruction
Adopted new technology platform – Class Dojo – to communicate with parents (customers) or student performance
2016-2018 – Increased reading from 20% to 100% or above grade level for all students (20+/yr students)
2016 -2018 – Increased math from 15% to 85% or above grade level for all students (20+/yr students)
Led teachers in planning, sequencing and scaffolding of instructions
Modeled techniques for effective delivery of instruction in reading classrooms
John G. Dupuis Elementary, Hialeah, FL 2nd Grade Teacher Aug 2013 - Jun 2014
Inherited an ad-hoc class of low-level students with many learning challenges and turned them around to successful achievers.
Took low-level students (50% below expectations of FAIR testing) and reached 94% of meet and exceed expectations on the third FAIR assessment.
PTA member responsible for coordinating fundraising events like “Ice Cream Social” for parent involvement.
Led the pioneering of many educational methods (e.g. visual and graphic representations and depictions of problems, use of structured peer-assisted learning activities, student think aloud, and established an effective reward system) that other teachers emulated to help their low level students.
Advanced Learning Academy Charter Elementary, Lead Teacher – 3rd Grade Math & Science Jul 2011 - Jun 2012
Lead the development of curriculum planning for Math & Science by leveraging
Increased FCAT scores from 27% to 81%
Mentored inexperienced teachers to create nurturing and responsive learning environments
Incorporated the latest techniques (digital learning) into the classroom setting
Clemmie Ross James Elementary, Tampa, FL Kindergarten Teacher Oct 2010 - Jun 2011
Designed curriculum to drive learning principles through activities to promoting physical, mental, and social development such as games, science experiments, music, and storytelling in a low-income district
Served as a mentor for some teachers with limited experience
Revamped classroom setting to provide a consistent learning environment for students.
Implemented interventions to assist parents in providing resources to improve child academic performance
John G. Dupuis Elementary, Hialeah, FL. 3rd Grade Teacher Jan 2006 - Oct 2010
Design and implement third grade curriculum in all academic subject areas for a classroom of up to 23 students.
Increased the average interim exam scores from 28% to 67% among ESOL Level I & II students
Received two Teacher of the Year nominations
Developed innovative approaches that were repeatedly held up as the model standard for meeting district goals in areas including technology integration across the curriculum, experiential learning, literacy and diversity.
Taught general education students as well as individuals with learning challenges and special needs within a mainstreamed, inclusive classroom.
Consistently commended for ability to redirect students exhibiting behavior problems by replacing disruptive, unproductive patterns with positive behaviors.
Community Action Agency – Head Start, Miami, FL Lead Teacher, PRE-K Sep 2001 – Dec 2005
Poinciana Park Elementary - Served as the primary representative for the Head Start Scott Carver cluster to implement the early childhood education curriculum.
Two-time Teacher of the Year Nominee
Implemented interventions to assist parents in providing resources to improve child academic performance
Earned high marks for the quality and creativity of classroom teaching, lesson plans and instructional materials used in teaching children ages 3-5.
Our Lady of Charity Private School Fifth Grade Teacher Aug 1997- Jun 2000
Executed fifth grade curriculum while spearheading extra-curricular activities.
Teacher of the Year
Lead the field trip committee
JC Penney, Hialeah, FL Administrative Assistant 2000 - 2003
Validated and entered sales data for POS
Main Store Operator directing calls to departments
Coordinated daily activities with cross departments managers with General Manager
Education & Credentials
Florida Teacher Certification (Grades Pre-K through Grade 3)
ESOL Endorsed
FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY, Miami, FL
Bachelor’s in Arts, Psychology
Technology Platforms
I-Ready
Nearpod
Google Classroom
FCAT Explorer
Accelerated Reader Program
Success Maker
FCRR PMRN
Discovery Education
Zoom Meeting
Class Dojo
Google Meet
Code.org
Seesaw
PC & Mac Platforms