L.J. Okonta Email & Phone Number

Richmond, Va, Us

Richmond, Va, Us

Washington, District Of Columbia, United States

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

Observed, evaluated, and conferenced with certified employees. Designed, supervised, and evaluated site intervention programs. Planned and facilitated professional development in literacy across disciplines. Led professional learning community in instructional strategies, common formative assessments, rubric writing, and calibration scoring. Monitored and evaluated a school-wide anti-defamation and anti-bullying program. Collected, analyzed, and disseminated assessment data, with an emphasis on identifying data trends. Served as liaison with community partnership. Monitored and evaluated IEP process, working closely with Special Education Department Chair.

Greater Philadelphia Area

Work closely with CEO to identify additional academic initiatives for school. Generate and incorporate learning strategies for students with learning disabilities. Develop alternative curricula based on special needs of struggling students. Collaborate with school administrators, parents, and teachers in designing and implementing Individualized Education Plans (IEPs). Assess students’ abilities based on results of state/district assessments and used data to track and monitor academic progress. Integrate technology that elevate engaging lessons and functional instruction. Support youth leadership by initiating student independence to run classroom; efforts resulted in improved academic growth. Maintain effective classroom management and discipline.

Greater Philadelphia Area

Assistant Coach at the high school and Head Coach at the middle school to help build pipeline between both the upper and lower schools. In charge of forming preseason and off-season workout regime. Forms daily practice schedule and game plans. Created Student-Athlete Initiative to ensure success for players both and off the court. Organizes extracurricular events and community service activities to build team chemistry and character. Develops plays and innovative strategies; runs tests through scrimmages and determines which ones make it to the coach’s playbook. Reviews game film to assess opponent’s strengths and weaknesses. Evaluates individual player’s performance and behavioral profile. Made school history by finishing runner up in Middle School Conference Championship Game, earning the High School’s first ever Conference Title and spot in Philadelphia Public League Playoffs in 2020.

Greater Philadelphia Area

Introduced and spearheaded after-school program to the Center. Instruct young players in the rules, regulations, equipment, and techniques of the sport. Organize and direct individual and small group practice activities/exercises. Assess player's skills, monitors players during competition and practice. Determine game strategy. Supervise athletes during practices and competitions. Follow established procedures in the event of an athlete's injury. Model sports-like behavior and uphold appropriate conduct towards players, officials, and spectators. Maintain equipment room in orderly condition and assume responsibility for its security. Distribute equipment, supplies, and uniforms to students. Work to establish team unity and spirit. Attend staff development meetings, clinics and other professional activities to improve coaching performance.

Coach at HoopGroup Future All-American Camp in 2016 and 2019. Worked with and mentored some of the top rising 9th and 10th graders in the nation. Assisted in running clinics and workout sessions with some of the most reputable coaches and trainers in the nation. Formed game plans and pregame warm up regime. Refereed games when assigned team was not playing.

Richmond, Virginia Area

Taught reading and Language Arts in self-contained ED and LD classroom environment. Communicated objectives aimed at improving desired behaviors and created behavior plans that utilized positive reinforcement. Ensured that all grades, records, and data collection was accurately updated and recorded. Designed and implemented lesson plans, activities, and assessments to ensure educational success such as the Northwest Evaluation Association’s (NWEA) Measure of Academic Progress (MAP). Enhanced lessons by using Smartboard technology and computers. Established and communicated clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects to students, parents, and caregivers. Appointed to lead staff meetings in absence of Director.

Richmond, Virginia Area

In charge of forming preseason workout regime. Formed daily practice schedule and game plans. Develops plays and innovative strategies; runs tests through scrimmages and determines which ones make it to the coach’s playbook. Reviews game film to assess opponent’s strengths and weaknesses with assistant coaches. Evaluates individual player’s performance and behavioral profile. Compiled 33-12 record over four years. Made trips in City Championship game in 2015 and 2017 (won in 2015). Finished top 3 in standings three of the last four years. Coached and assisted in the development of multiple future all-conference high school players.

Richmond, Virginia Area

Awarded full scholarship to attend Virginia Commonwealth University’s (VCU) highly selective graduate Teacher’s Residency Program. Developed IEPs to correlate with data and maximize academic progress in both one-on-one and group settings. Administered unit plans and collaborated with peers to refine instructional student expectations. Created and utilized graphic organizers, maps, charts, outlines, and worksheets. Evaluated student progress to generate progress reports. Assisted with extended education and after-school activities. Chosen to represent the Richmond Teacher Residency Program (RTR) at VCU that highlighted and affirmed the successful impact the program has on struggling schools.

Richmond, Virginia, United States

Worked with one of the most reputable AAU programs in the country by coaching their 14-under and 15-under teams as an assistant. Assisted in organizing team trips, communicated with parents and guardians. Filled in for Head Coach when not available. Formed practice schedules and focused on player development.

Fresh Meadows, Ny

Understood, adhered, and enforced program expectations, policies, and protocols as laid out by Program Director. Assisted with the daily operation of the after-school and summer camp program. Provided one-on-one and group academic support in the content areas for children and young teens, ages 4-14. Communicated with Program Director about any issues including schedule modifications or important behavioral or environmental challenges. Helped Program Director with recruitment events. Instructed students in preparation for entrance exams such as the OLSAT and SHSAT. Supervised and created engaging activities and sports. Mentored homework, tests, and assigned school projects for participants. Consulted with parents on student progress and counseled on best practices for school academic success. Ensured program ran smoothly in absence of Program Director. Helped with dismissal and cleaning.

Fresh Meadows, Ny

Prepared and taught lesson plans for pre-kindergarten class in math and phonics. Worked closely with Executive Director with producing and implementing age-appropriate creative and enriching curriculum ideas and activities. Crafted fun-filled literacy projects that were interactive and engaging. Conducted monthly fire drills. Maintained school supplies, equipment, and inventory. Supported and facilitated, with Executive Director, in the organization of special events such as: talent shows, awards, culminating events, and parent meetings. Organized “meal-time.” Appointed to train new hire. Aided with dismissal and end-of-day cleaning.

Providence, Ri

Co-lead a team of 16-20 summer camp participants. Facilitated a variety of sport activities. Participated in all Team Leader staff meetings. Responsible to supervise campers throughout the day. Communicated SuperCamp’s “Lights Out” policy and made sure that all students were in their rooms with “lights out” on time. Helped to instill a trusting and safe place for campers to be open by influencing a team spirit and bonding environment. Led and mediated appropriate group discussions among students. Counseled effective conflict resolution and youth leadership by incorporating Quantum Learning’s “8 Keys of Excellence.”

Jamaica, Ny

Instructed High School students in Regents Math in preparation for NYSD exams. Developed daily lessons plans for engagement and study-related activities. Met with other co-teachers as part of staff training sessions to share ideas, learn new techniques, and develop strategies for curriculum implementation plans. Reported directly to Assistant Principal.

Jamaica, Ny

Worked closely with head teacher of Title I high school that provides tutoring for inner city academically struggling students. Assisted with test proctoring and grading. Helped head teacher with classroom management. Tutored students with classwork in after-school program. Contributed to the organization of workshops presented by guest speakers. Chaperoned science field trips, college tours, and other off-campus outings. Acted as Resident Assistant to monitor dorms for summer camp overnight students. Supervised student behavior.

Master Of Education - Med, Secondary School Administration/Principalship

Master Of Education - Med, Special Education And Teaching

Member of Richmond Teacher Residency Program.

Bachelor Of Sciences (B.S.), Secondary Education And Teaching, 7-12

Activities and Societies: African Students Association, School of Education’s League of Extraordinary Men member, S.T.A.R. mentor at St..