Benita Edwards Professional Portfolio Pp

Benita Edwards : 

Benita Edwards Mr. Pitts, I am interested in becoming apart of your team (Instructional Specialist position). My objective is to create an environment that is conducive to the vision of the school’s leader. This environment will foster research based interventions used to enhance student learning.

Data : 

Data I believe it is pivotal to use data as a road map to drive the instructional focus in a classroom which lends itself to target specific skills. This ensures student achievement. I rely on Insight to give me current data to provide me with a clear direction. I am a strong advocate of using data to meet the individual needs of my students. This year my fifth grade team had 100% to pass Reading, 96% to pass English Language Arts, and we had 96% to pass Math with 51% to exceed. By consistently using our assessment data and working diligently through the framework tasks we were able to make impeccable gains with our students. Example: At the beginning of the year I gave my entire team a data check list with all the standards listed from the current unit. Each week we would meet to discuss the strengths and weaknesses for each student and decided on a plan to help those students through enrichment or remediation. Students also had access to the Data Check List, the DCL helped to decide which skill they would access through Study Island, pre-downloaded videos, computer games (already reviewed and saved to ikeepbookmarks), etc. Data was also used for the purpose of “Response to Intervention (RtI) to help plan for any student at risk of failure due to academics.

Training : 

Training Using the 26 Best Practices effectively Using the 26 Bes Practices to insure student achievement is only effective when all of your colleagues are comfortable doing the same. I shared with my principal that I would love to offer staff development to my colleagues in the form of technology training, using the 26 Best Practices effectively, working with the Framework Tasks, and using data in an organized method to chart student’s strengths and weaknesses. She supported me and I facilitated several workshops throughout the year providing a forum to share, discuss, and explore what works best for our children.

Discipline : 

Discipline Positive Behavior Support (PBS) This is a tiered intervention system based on school-wide-practices that encourages and rewards positive student behavior. I believe in structure and order as it relates to classroom management, making sure the environment is conducive to learning. It is impossible to effectively do your job when negative behavior is a serious problem. My principal allowed me to take ownership of our school wide behavior program. This program involves providing a myriad of incentives to our students for various reasons that promote good behavior and positive work ethic. The program also allows students to take control of their own behavior and being the deciding factor of their weekly progress by making sure they do not break school rules. We received total buy-in from the staff and our discipline referrals have been minimal according to my principal. I realize other schools may have different challenges but the constant is that every student wants to feel important and supported. My goal will be to continue to work with the building administrator to provide an environment that promotes success for all and tremendously increase student achievement. These are the incentives students can earn on Fridays providing they have earned enough tickets through out the week. There is a lot more to this program, I would to talk more with you about it. :-)

Time : 

Time I understand the importance of time! I come to school on time. I am always prepared for the day. I turn in all reports on time. When my principal comes to me at the 9th hour needing a report, I have always delivered. I work closely with the ILS making sure he has the reports he needs in a timely manner for the SST process. I start my trainings on time. I am totally accountable and responsible for my obligations!

Building self-esteem by empowering the community. : 

Building self-esteem by empowering the community. Self-esteem comes in the form of being able to pull from a place deep within to empower other people. By no means am I insinuating this can happen over night, but with careful and intentional love and support my students build and sustain high self-esteem through learning how to empower other people. I challenged two of my students a few months ago to help me with a voter registration drive in their community. My students registered 56 people from their community that day. When my students understood the importance of their task and how they had empowered the adults they had registered was a life defining moment for them. Being able to empower someone else gave them the will to be empowered thus boosting high self esteem, which lends itself to high student achievement.

Traveling abroad to see what works best in the classroom. : 

Traveling abroad to see what works best in the classroom. I have traveled abroad extensively; I am preparing for a second trip to Tokyo in two weeks, while there I will volunteer my time teaching at a local school in Tachikawa, Japan. My goal is to learn the innovative ways used to teach math and science. Science scores across the board in Atlanta could be better; I feel this opportunity will allow me to try new concepts to help bridge the achievement gap regarding these two disciplines.

Technology : 

Technology I am advanced in the following: I Provide a plethora of technical support for faculty members. Promethean Board (creating flip charts) and Trouble shooting Classroom Performance System (hand held remotes for students to enter answers to question I pose or test answers for scoring) Wireless Keyboards Podcast (I have created Podcast for various reasons, academic, fun, etc.) I am currently working on creating “how to” Podcast for Science and ELA instruction iMac Computers Insight (I pull reports to for my team to help with CRCT Testing Data) PowerPoint Presentations Pointcaster Presentations (used to convert PowerPoint presentations into a media file and share on the web.)

CRCT Scores(The bottom line) : 

CRCT Scores(The bottom line) Walter White fifth grade CRCT results: Reading: 100% Met and Exceeded Language Arts 97% Met and Exceeded Math : 95% Met and Exceeded of those students 51% Exceeded We followed the framework and completed all the tasks!

Resume : 

Resume BENITA M. EDWARDS 6072 Camden Forrest Drive Riverdale, Georgia 30296 404-791-2476 bnedwards@atlanta.k12.ga.us CAREER OBJECTIVE Seeks a position that provides support to teachers utilizing researched based best practices. _____________________________________________________________________________________ LEADERSHIP Atlanta Public Schools - Georgia, USA EXPERIENCE Local School Council Vice-President 2007-Present Served on the Science Text Book Adoption Team 2007 Mentor Teacher for Georgia State Student 2006 LEADERSHIP Walter F. White Elementary EXPERIENCE Atlanta, Georgia 2007- Present Created, facilitated, and currently maintains school wide behavior incentive program. Staff Technology Trainer ( How to use the Promethean Board to effectively incorporate the 26 Best Practices into your daily differentiated lessons) Provides instructional support to teachers, students, and parents. Provides expertise in using data to target specific skills to ensure student achievement. Delivers and trains on the 26 Best Practices. Completes weekly documentation required by supervisor to document student growth. Model Teacher for Inclusion to meet the needs of children with disabilities. Modeled Podcast lesson on the 26 Best Practices for SRT-4 TEACHING EXPERIENCE Walter F. White Elementary Atlanta, Georgia 2005-Present Fifth Grade Teacher Develops lesson plans on a wide range of topics and varying levels of academic ability. Provides additional assistance for students in math and reading. Assesses and identify at-risk students. Provides assistance for teachers. Scott Elementary Atlanta, Georgia 2004-2005 (November-June) First Grade Teacher

Resume : 

Resume Responsible for teaching essential reading and phonics skills (K-5), in small group format. Reported and documented classroom mastery of individual students and groups. Participated in continuous education training and seminars. BENITA M. EDWARDS, page 2 Walter F. White Elementary Atlanta, Georgia Fourth Grade Teacher 2004-2005 (September-November) Provided creative, innovative learning experiences for children. Prepared and implement lesson plans and daily activities. Demonstrated excellent leadership ability and classroom management skills. Sylvan Education Solution Atlanta, Georgia 2000-2004 Educational Trainer Developed workshops that included current best practices regarding phonics/ reading instruction. Responsible for identifying, planning and executing needs for training, performance, and educational programs. Conley Hills Elementary Atlanta, Georgia (Fulton County) 1997-1998 Third Grade Teacher Provided creative, innovative learning experiences for children. Prepared and implement lesson plans and daily activities. Demonstrated excellent leadership ability and classroom management skills. EDUCATION Master of Education, Elementary Education 1998-2000 University of Alabama – Tuscaloosa, AL Bachelor of Science, Elementary Education 1992-1996 Alabama A&M University- Huntsville, AL CERTIFICATIONS/AFFILIATIONS Georgia Certification (P-8) Education Leadership, L5 (P-12) Reading Endorsement Fifth Grade Level Chairperson Crown Ministries Team Leader Master Teacher Michaels’ Families Award Quarter Finalist Member, National Science Teachers Association Member, National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Member, Divine Perfections Love Outreach Presentations How to motivate your students to excel on the CRCT 2008-2009 Using Math and Reading Strategies to tackle difficult questions/problems on the CRCT 2008-2009 REFERENCES UPON REQUEST

Thank you! : 

Thank you!