Farrah Sptaru
Foxfield
Summary
Dynamic educator with a proven track record at The Academy of Charter Schools, adept in phonics instruction and fostering parent-teacher communication. Excelled in creating inclusive, growth-oriented classrooms, enhancing student engagement through individualized learning and positive reinforcement. Skilled in classroom management and adaptability, consistently achieving significant academic progress.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
1st Grade Elementary Teacher
The Academy Of Charter Schools
Westminster, CO
07.2022 - Current
- Utilized data-driven instruction to differentiate lessons according to individual student needs, ensuring academic growth for all learners.
- Provided personalized feedback on assignments, enabling students to improve their understanding and performance in key subject areas.
- Boosted student engagement by creating a positive classroom environment that fostered collaboration and respect.
- Built positive relationships with parents to involve families in educational process.
- Implemented effective assessment strategies for ongoing monitoring of student progress, adjusting instruction as needed to support success.
- Managed classroom behavior effectively, implementing consistent expectations and consequences for improved focus and productivity.
Pre-K Paraprofessional
The Academy Of Charter Schools
Westminster, CO
09.2021 - 05.2022
- Facilitated smooth transitions between activities throughout the day, minimizing downtime and maximizing instructional time.
- Improved student learning outcomes by implementing engaging and age-appropriate activities for Pre-K children.
- Enhanced classroom management by creating a positive and nurturing environment for young learners.
- Helped establish routines that promoted safety, self-regulation, independence in young learners.
- Contributed ideas during staff meetings aimed at improving overall quality and effectiveness of the Pre-K program.
Lead Teacher - Preschool and Pre-K
Primrose School of Thornton
Thornton, CO
08.2019 - 09.2021
- Established positive relationships with parents through regular communication regarding student progress, collaborating on strategies for academic success at home and school.
- Maintained patience and level-headedness in diverse situations to support student development and personal growth.
- Developed and implemented differentiated instruction strategies to accommodate diverse learning styles, resulting in increased student engagement and success.
- Planned and implemented different daily activities to enhance overall development and growth of every student.
Lead Preschool Teacher
Bright Horizons at the Ranch Reserve
Westminster, CO
08.2018 - 07.2019
- Assisted and supervised 20 children through entire school day.
- Established strong relationships with parents through regular communication regarding their child''s progress, fostering increased parental involvement in the educational process.
- Conducted regular parent-teacher conferences to discuss student progress and areas of improvement, encouraging a collaborative approach to education.
- Incorporated play-based learning opportunities into daily routines, allowing students to explore new concepts while developing critical thinking skills through hands-on experiences.
- Monitored students' academic, social, and emotional progress and recorded in individual files.
- Submitted weekly lesson plans.
Kindergarten Teacher
Bright Horizons at the Ranch Reserve
Westminster, CO
08.2015 - 02.2017
- Built positive relationships with students and families for safe, trusted learning support.
- Enhanced classroom management by establishing clear expectations, rules, and routines.
- Collaborated with colleagues to share resources, brainstorm ideas, and problem-solve challenges faced in the classroom environment.
- Implemented differentiated instruction strategies to meet the diverse learning needs of all students.
- Promoted learning through play with engaging activities, games and lessons.
- Assisted in curriculum development to align lessons with state standards and improve overall instructional quality.
2nd-3rd Grade Gifted Teacher
Learning Lodge Academy
Port Richey, FL
08.2014 - 04.2015
- Balanced individual and group instruction to accommodate different academic levels and learning styles.
- Identified children's collective and individual learning needs to plan, prepare and deliver instruction designed to maximize individual learning and capture interest.
- Enhanced critical thinking skills through the integration of inquiry-based learning methods within the curriculum.
- Served as an advocate for gifted learners within the school community by promoting awareness of their unique needs and challenges.
- Worked with staff members and teachers to design comprehensive and individualized plans to optimize student education.
- Served as the GT teacher for the school by keeping up with EP's, 504's, and IEP's within multiple classrooms.
4th Grade teacher
Pinellas Academy of Math and Science
Largo, FL
08.2012 - 06.2014
- Collaborated with fellow teachers to design interdisciplinary lesson plans, reinforcing key concepts across subjects.
- Managed classroom behavior effectively, establishing clear expectations and consequences while fostering a respectful learning environment.
- Implemented differentiated instruction strategies, addressing the unique needs of each student in the classroom.
- Utilized assessment data to inform instructional decisions, tailoring lesson plans to target areas needing improvement.
Elementary ELL "Newcomers" Teacher
Centennial Elementary School
Evans, CO
09.2010 - 05.2012
- Adapted instructional strategies to meet the varying needs of each learner, ensuring equitable access to content for all students.
- Contributed to school-wide initiatives aimed at supporting ELLs'' academic success and social integration.
- Enhanced communication skills among ELL students with focused speaking and listening exercises.
- Collaborated with fellow educators to create a cohesive curriculum that addressed the unique needs of ELL students.
- Evaluated student performance regularly through assessments and observations, offering constructive feedback to promote growth.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Elementary Ed. (K-6), ASL Minor, ESOL Endorsement
University of South Florida
Tampa, FL05-2010
Skills
- Phonics instruction
- Parent-teacher communication
- Positive reinforcement
- Growth mindset
- Individualized learning
- Special education support
- Multitasking and organization
- Organizational skills
- Team collaboration
- Classroom management
- Adaptability and flexibility
- Social skills development
Certification
- English as a Second Language (ESL) Certification - Colorado Department of Education.
- Elementary Education Certification - Colorado Department of Education.
Timeline
1st Grade Elementary Teacher
The Academy Of Charter Schools
07.2022 - Current
Pre-K Paraprofessional
The Academy Of Charter Schools
09.2021 - 05.2022
Lead Teacher - Preschool and Pre-K
Primrose School of Thornton
08.2019 - 09.2021
Lead Preschool Teacher
Bright Horizons at the Ranch Reserve
08.2018 - 07.2019
Kindergarten Teacher
Bright Horizons at the Ranch Reserve
08.2015 - 02.2017
2nd-3rd Grade Gifted Teacher
Learning Lodge Academy
08.2014 - 04.2015
4th Grade teacher
Pinellas Academy of Math and Science
08.2012 - 06.2014
Elementary ELL "Newcomers" Teacher
Centennial Elementary School
09.2010 - 05.2012
Bachelor of Science - Elementary Ed. (K-6), ASL Minor, ESOL Endorsement
University of South Florida