Erika Wilson-Kwesi
**** *. ******* ******, ************, IN 46208 317-***-**** ************@*****.***
EDUCATION
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
Master’s of Education, Leadership and Administration
University of Phoenix- Indianapolis campus
Bachelor’s of Science, Elementary Education, Language Arts
AWARDS
Teacher of the Year
James Whitcomb Riley Elementary School, #43 2020-2021
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Indianapolis Public Schools- James Whitcomb Riley Elementary School, #43
Dean of Students 2021- Present
Provide equitable leadership to students and staff by creating and marinating a positive school culture and climate. Collaborate with assistant principal and school leader in daily operation of school. Support students, staff and families by implementing equitable disciplinarian practices to maintain a safe environment that promotes academic achievement and social success of all students. Organize a diverse PBIS team and facilitate ongoing meetings to achieve district and school goals. Build and maintain positive relationships with all stakeholders Collaborate with community partners through ongoing community meetings to address school needs and stateside methods to resolve those concerns
3rd grade Teacher- Team Lead 2019-Present
Develop and implement equitable, engaging, differentiated instructional lessons for remote and face-to-face learning; Provided learning opportunities to students by fostering an academic environment that promotes student independence, creativity, and exploration to nurture students’ academic growth and achievement; Provide instructional leadership based on a growth mindset concept that promotes life-long learning; Provide ongoing analysis of formal and informal assessments to help drive instruction; Collaborate with colleagues to develop strategies to ensure that all lessons are equitable and meet the needs of all students; Administer and analyze school and state standardized assessments to monitor student progress and measure academic achievement
School/Instructional Leader-Intern 2019-2020
Collaborated with my mentor (school principal, Lauren Johnson) through ongoing meetings and to
develop leadership skills. Conducted teacher observations to gain deeper understanding of how to evaluate
and provide feedback to faculty. Took on responsibilities such as working with the Family and Community
Engagement Liaison to connect with current community partners. Attended community council
meetings to synergize with community leaders and identify and address the needs of students, families,
and community members. Created a sub-community group of 6 people that included myself, a parent,
school counselor, school social worker, community partner, and FACE representative to identify and network
with potential partners that may aid in identifying more diverse strategies to implore to provide students and
their families with access to more equitable and culturally relevant resources.
Math and ELA Curriculum Pacing and Development 2019
Collaborated with other educational leaders to create the second-grade curriculum pacing for the 2019/2020 school year using the designated, district-wide math resource, Investigations Math and Wonders (ELA). Attended regular meetings with co-collaborators to ensure that all requirements were fulfilled, deadlines were met, and resources aligned with overarching school goals for student achievement. Worked to ensure suggested lesson activities and resources were equitable and culturally relevant for school demographics.
JWR Leadership Team Chair 2019-2021
Collaborated with principal to facilitate monthly leadership meetings that included tracking attendance,
behavioral, and academic trends throughout our K-8 school. Worked cooperatively with colleagues to develop
and implement ways to strategically decrease the number of school suspensions, increase student engagement
and motivation and increase teacher morale.
2nd Grade Teacher- General education 2018-2019
Collaborated with teammates and administration to create and implement engaging, standards-based instructional lessons based on best practices to help students make the necessary progress to achieve their goals as well as the pre-established goals of the school. Attended regular team meetings, staff meetings, and professional development sessions to stay abreast of best practices and develop educational leadership skills.
RELATED EXPERIENCE
Phalen Leadership Academies, #103
Multi-Classroom Leader 2017-2018
Facilitate weekly data and planning meetings with first grade team of three teachers and two teachers’
assistants; provide additional support by sharing best practices and/or modeling instructional lessons;
conduct informal observations and provide real time coaching to teachers during observations; attend weekly
leadership meetings and report information back to team; build and maintain a positive and collaborative
culture within the team
Parent Advocate Coordinator 2017- 2018
Oversee parent advocates to help build and maintain relationships with scholars, their families, and the community; lead weekly meetings; attend weekly leadership meetings and monthly community partner meetings; build and maintain relationships with community partners; plan and implement school events and fundraisers; initiate home visits; provide available resources to families; track data and provide monthly report to school CEO
5/6th Grade Teacher 2017-2018
Work collaboratively with teammates to design rigorous academic lessons and activities that promote higher order thinking and align with Indiana state standards; differentiate implementation of instruction to meet diverse needs of scholars; infuse technology and other interactive strategies to maintain scholar engagement; environment for scholars; Administer and analyze school and state standardized tests to monitor student progress and measure student achievement
Program Manager (Summer Advantage @ PLA 103) Summer 2017
Collaborate with the regional director to market summer program and secure enrollment; Recruit human capital; conduct interviews and assist with on-boarding of new hires; Oversee and manage program operation throughout the course of the program. Lead the administrative team, faculty, and students to ensure that summer curriculum was implemented appropriately, and academic goals were met; Provide ongoing feedback to staff based on observation (of staff) and student performance data.
Third Grade Teacher-Team Lead 2016-2017
Work collaboratively with teammates to design rigorous academic lessons and activities that promote higher order thinking and align with Indiana state standards; differentiate implementation of instruction to meet diverse needs of scholars; infuse technology and other interactive strategies to maintain scholar engagement; Administer and analyze school and state standardized assessments to monitor student progress and achievement and drive instruction; Organize and facilitate weekly grade level meetings to enhance personal knowledge base and stay abreast of best practices; Attend any additional leadership and/or data meetings as directed by administration; Maintain regular communication with school leader and other administration team members to ensure practices are aligned with school expectations
Assistance Program Manager (Summer Advantage @ PLA 103) Summer 2016
Collaborate with the program manager to build a strong and effective summer program; assist with
organizing and leading weekly staff meetings; Observe staff and provide support and ongoing constructive
feedback to teachers and teachers’ assistants; promote quality education and implement the program model
in a way that fosters a high caliber academic environment for scholars, act as a liaison between Gleaners Food
Bank and Summer Advantage at PLA-103 to count and distribute food bags to scholars
Second Grade Teacher 2015-2016
Work collaboratively with teammates to design rigorous academic lessons and activities that promote higher order thinking and align with Indiana state standards; differentiate implementation of instruction to meet diverse needs of scholars; infuse technology and other interactive strategies to maintain scholar engagement; Administer and analyze district-wide summative assessments to monitor student progress and achievement
Indiana Math Science Academy-North
First Grade Teacher- Team Lead 2014-2015
Design and implement rigorous academic plans and activities that compel higher order thinking and align with common core standards in various content areas; integrate technology; engage and challenge students to enhance understanding and develop critical thinking skills, implement and maintain effective classroom management; differentiate instruction; Administer and analyze district level summative assessments to monitor student progress and measure academic achievement; Organize and facilitate weekly team meetings and home visits; Collaborate with cohorts on the leadership team to develop strategies to achieve the overarching school mission
First Grade Teacher 2013-2014
Develop rigorous academic plans and activities that align with common core standards in reading, math, science, social studies, and writing; implement lessons and activities using methods that integrate the use of technology; engage and challenge students to deepen understanding; maintain effective classroom management; differentiate instruction and lessons based on specific needs, learning styles, and multiple intelligences of scholars; monitor student progress by administering and analyzing district-level standardized assessments
LANGUAGES
English– native language
MEMBERSHIPS
Indiana State Teachers Association
LICENCES
State of Indiana, Elementary Education K-6
State of Indiana, Building Level Administrator P-12