Martha Smith Email and Phone Number

Working in CPS’s Office of Student Protections & Title IX to: - Design, create and implement training curriculum required of district students and staff- Facilitate large group training workshops for staff, students, and educational partners built around non-discrimination policy and restorative practices - Train designated employees on district-wide policies and practices using effective adult-learning theory- Write, update, and produce training materials working with film production, marketing, data collection, and talent personnel- Foster collaborative partnerships amongst fellow CPS departments, strengthening alignment of mission, curriculum implementation, and resource awareness within schools

5th Grade Teacher at Sherwood Forest Elementary SEL Lead: Earned micro-credential in Culturally Responsive Social Emotional Instruction leader of SEL curriculum, practices, and school-wide initiatives. Supported staff and school's PBIS team through lens of student well-being and identity representation. Racial-Equity Educator & Workshop Facilitator: Team member of school's Racial Equity Professional Development Facilitators and REI team from 2017 to present, receiving multiple facilitator trainings through BSD's Racial Equity & Inclusion department, as well as Glenn Singleton's Courageous Conversations Around Race Conference (2019). Community Focused Learning: Implemented a class culture and environment of teamwork, support, and building connections in both 4th and 5th grade classrooms. Accomplished in Data Analysis: guided differentiated instruction and assessments, competency based progression and implemented learner profiles to address individual student needs.

As the 4th grade teacher for CICS Irving Park, I developed curriculum, lessons, and learning experience for the only "bubble group" in the school for all subjects (LA, SCI, SS, M, WRT). I was selected and participated in the BREAKTHROUGH SCHOOLS Pilot Program partnering with LEAP Innovations during the 2015-2016 school year. Working with the 3rd grade teachers and Breakthrough Team, we created a small scale model of a Next Generation Learning Environment to be implemented on a large scale if evaluated as successful. Our Pilot Program was one of the selected winners, receiving a significant grant to put towards our whole school model of personalized learning. In the classroom, I dedicated my work day to assisting students become self-motivated and independent learners, not just participants. I completed one on one teacher conferences, station rotations, and progress based learning activities which allowed our students to extensively grow. Through competency based learning and our constant use of data and planning, our team and I targeted skills specific students needed, as they were able to move at their own pace. Also, I utilized Social Emotional Learning curriculum and practices daily in my classroom and with the three learning studios, using concepts such as a Solution Space, Recharge Center, and Restorative Justice Circles.

Being a paraprofessional for an high functioning autistic student was incredibly rewarding as I gradually helped the student become extremely independent, while still working with other high needs Special Education students. Half of the work day was working exclusively with the specified high needs student and with his classmates, assisting all of them when needed. My role as a paraprofessional (when working with my assigned student or the other autistic individuals I worked with throughout the day) included facilitating their participation/ effort during group or partner work, helping student be organized for their subject classes, assisting with daily reflections or problem-solving on their behavior, and providing communication to the parents, classroom teachers, and special education teacher about student's performance and needs. Also, I often scaffolded lessons for the student to assist with their understanding of reading, science, writing, and social studies curriculum. I was able to fulfill other needed roles during this time, such as co-teaching for classes the student was in, as well as leading a 4th grade reading rotation and assisting in a 2nd grade classroom when paraprofessional services were not needed.

As the Assistant Teacher of the Upper Elementary classroom at CMS, I am working with 4th, 5th, and 6th grade students. Lessons are taught to the students in the following areas: Atrium works to promote the Catholic faith, cross-curriculum works and projects, and personal growth experiences. Other duties include taking attendance, managing student behavior, scheduling field trips, auditing classroom materials, cleaning and maintaining learning environment, planning collaboration with younger students, monitoring recess, contacting parents and staff, and more. Large emphasis on Individualized Learning for the students, and CMS is a place where opportunities are presented and created for each child.

Grade 5Instructed classes in American History, Reading, Writing, and Grammar differentiating between both struggling & enrichment learners.Collaborated with 5th Grade Team, Intervention Specialists and Title I teachers, emphasis on incorporating co-teaching or lead/ supporting teacher roles.Involved in a variety of school activities such as bus duty, lunch duty, mentoring program, staff meetings, behavior breakfasts & fifth grade demerit & ticket systems.Highlighted Lesson: Students participated in an online game on Vikings to conclude our lesson on European explorers. The lesson had students work as a team as they used tools like the Smart Board, critical thinking, collaboration, and prior knowledge about explorers to get the best score possible.

Organized Education Department’s student files, staff records and meeting minutes, program curriculum, graduate theses, and education materials. Worked with the department’s Program Coordinator, Sue Wovrosh, to assist professors and the Visiting Dean of Education Students to prepare for the 2011-2012 school year.Edited and entered data into LEC Standards Excel Document, created and disassembled bulletin boards, made CD/ DVD discs of educational books to save space, copied important documents, created dated binders, and shredded private files.