HEIDI THOMAS 6196 Young Ct., Tucson, AZ 85708 520-207-1542 HeidiThomas5@icloud.com

ELEMENTARY TEACHER Experience in Special Education Inclusion, Substitute Teaching, Title 1 Tutoring, and General Education classroom settings.

Highly reflective and insightful teacher who takes the time necessary to design curriculum that is exceedingly flexible in order to accommodate all learning styles and abilities found in the classroom.

Versatile education professional with excellent organizational, time management, and problem-solving skills developed through diverse and varied K-8 classroom teaching positions held over 6+ years.

Lifelong learner as evidenced from numerous workshops and conferences attended while teaching and completion of Master’s Degree during time at home with my children.

AREAS OF COMPETENCY INCLUDE:

Technology Skills: Microsoft Word, Excel, and Powerpoint. Windows and Mac OS. Ipads. Facetime, YouTube, Pintrest, Google, Google Drive, Dropbox, Blackboard, Smartboard, digital video and camera, scanner

EDUCATION & CREDENTIALS

Master of Science in Education (2012) – Capella University Online, Minneapolis, MNBachelor of Arts in Elementary Education (2001) – University of Michigan, Dearborn, MI

Ohio State Teaching Certification: K – 8th Grade (Expires: 6/30/2016) All requirements completed for next re-certification through 2021

PROFESSIONAL TEACHING & RELEVANT EXPERIENCE

Tutor TUCSON, AZ: TUTOR DOCTOR 2015 – PRESENTCollaborated with parents and classroom teacher to develop individualized lesson plans for specific students under my care. Implemented and assessed lessons on a continual basis, providing appropriate feedback to parents and teachers as needed. Identified specific areas for improvement utilizing diagnostic assessments, and prepared lessons based on their individual needs.

Math Tutor & Online Educational Supplies Retailer TUCSON, AZ: SELF-EMPLOYED 2008 – 2014 Worked intensively with individual students to bring them up to grade level in Mathematics, and prepared them for state testing. Utilized online training coursework to implement necessary components for starting up online retail business from home. Analyzed data from market research tools and other sources to locate profitable products to market online, then used Excel spreadsheets to compile and calculate accurate monthly sales, profit, and loss reports.

Children’s Ministry Provider TUCSON, AZ : DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE CHAPEL 8/2009 – 09/2011Provided childcare to military children ages 1-5 during chapel-sponsored events. Planned and implemented stories and crafts based on various Christian themes and ideas. Developed the routine and schedule which eventually became a model used for all Preschool aged classes. Created Center Rotations that enabled more structured playtime, and efficient use/clean-up of toys and materials.

Reading Strategies Differentiated Instruction Literacy Centered Instruction Authentic Assessments Classroom Management Read Alouds

Teachable Moments Use of Manipulatives

Student Motivation Phonemic Instruction

Inclusion Paraprofessional VAIL, AZ: VAIL SCHOOL DISTRICT 09/2008 – 05/2009Assigned to work with an Autistic 4th Grade student within the general education classroom. Collaborated with classroom teacher and Inclusion Specialist to provide developmentally appropriate instructional content on a daily basis.

AKRON PUBLIC SCHOOLS - AKRON, OH 1/2004 – 06/2008

Building Program Coordinator (100 Book Challenge Reading Program) 06/2007 – 06/2008Designed bi-monthly rotation schedule of over 2,000 books among a staff of 20 teachers. Resolved scheduling issues and other concerns with staff on an on-going basis throughout the year.

Title 1 Tutor 2006 – 06/2008 Utilized test score data to target small group instruction for students in grades 3-5 Coordinated daily tutoring sessions around the schedules of 6-8 different teachers. Used pull-out and in-class models of tutoring to provide instructional support to identified students.

Summer School Teacher (Kindergarten) Summers 2005 – 2008 Taught exiting Kindergarteners for two weeks everyday for 4 summers. Utilized 100 Book Challenge training and materials

to deliver focused reading and writing instructional content to students performing below grade level.

Long-Term Substitute Teacher (Kindergarten, 4th Grade, and 5th Grade) 01/2004 – 2006 Re-organized daily teaching schedule to maximize instructional time during class, and enable more flexible small groups. Integrated technology within the learning process having students utilize educational games and selected Websites;

employed Smartboards, KidPix, and PowerPoint. Prioritized the needs/demands of students, parents, and administration on a daily basis in a variety of school settings.

Teacher (Summer Camp) AKRON, OH: NATIONAL INVENTORS HALL OF FAME: CAMP INVENTION 2006 –

2008 Teacher (Kindergarten) DETROIT, MI: ST. CHRISTOPHER SCHOOL

08/2001 – 06/2003 Collaborated with 1st grade teacher to allow flexible, mixed grouping of students during Reading instructional time Implemented Patricia Cunningham’s Building Blocks Model of reading instruction into kindergarten curriculum.

“Miss Johnson has been our long term Kindergarten sub for most of the year. She adapted extremely well and made a noticeable difference in the quality of learning in the classroom. She worked closely with our veteran

Kindergarten teachers, applying those skills in her teaching. Her students loved her; the parents are very happy with her; the staff treats her like family. She is an excellent teacher; I hope she can be full time in APS.”

~ Nancy Ritch, Principal, Akron Public Schools ~

CAREER DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES

Making the Most of Small Groups: Differentiation for All (2008)Classroom Instruction that Works: Research-Based Strategies for Increasing Student Achievement (2008)

100 Book Challenge Program Training (2007)Alfred Tatum: Teaching Reading to Black Adolescent Males (2006)

Ryan Delaney: Quality Tools Assessment Workshop (2005)Introduction to Guided Reading: Looking at Children, Books, and Teaching, K-2 (2003)

The Building Blocks Model: Reading and Writing for Kindergarteners (2003)

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT & PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

Kindergarten Classroom Volunteer - Borman Elementary School – Tucson, AZ (2014 – Present)Administrative Coordinator, Executive Board Member, PWOC Davis-Monthan AFB, Tucson, AZ (2011 – 2014)

Secretary - Parish Advisory Council, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base Chapel, Tucson, AZ (2010 – 2011)Volunteer - USO N.E. Ohio Care Package Facility & USO Lounge at Cleveland Airport (2006 – 2008)

Member, International Literacy Association (2015 – Present)Member, International Reading Association (1999 – 2003)

Member, National Council for Teachers of Mathematics (1999 – 2003)