Middle School Science Teacher
Current• Collaborate with science colleagues to develop engaging and relevant student-centered lessons about science phenomena for diverse learners • Infuse global competencies into my curriculum by having students investigate the world and local issues, recognize perspectives, communicate with diverse audiences and take action• Plan assessments and activities with real-world applications, scenarios and local problems • Design culminating STEM Engineering Projects in each unit to promote creativity and critical thinking, generate student interest and foster student voice/ownership • Consistently incorporate inquiry and problem-based investigations to boost engagement • Utilize positive behavior rewards system (class star chart and stamp sheet) and public praise to foster student collaboration and stimulate an encouraging classroom climate• Implement checklists and group roles when students collaborate to create accountability • Advance science literacy with multi-step writing practices where students revisit assessment probe explanations about challenging concepts as they gain new knowledge • Integrate diverse vocabulary strategies, such as Semantic Gradients and Word Parts, to build science language and vocabulary • Analyze pre-assessments and formative assessments to inform daily student progress, target gaps in understanding, modify instruction and adjust learning goals• Analyze summative assessments to measure growth and plan next steps for improvement• Scaffold materials with sentence starters, graphic organizers, simplified directions, word banks and guided questions etc. to meet the needs of ELLs and students with IEPs• Created a Student Resource Corner for struggling learners with support materials and a Challenge Corner for high-performing students to extend their thinking • Utilize CER Organizers and the Identify/Interpret Graph Strategy to help students construct science explanations, design experiments and analyze data/graphs