Engaging + Practical Curriculum
During my years in the educational space, I have discovered that curriculum often falls into one of two categories:
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Engaging curriculum is rooted in inquiry-based, authentic learning. It incorporates hands-on activities, giving students a meaningful experience. The goal of engaging curriculum is to give students the desire to learn and to inspire them to apply their new knowledge beyond the classroom.
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Practical curriculum is easily implemented in the classroom, requiring little prep and few materials. It keeps the instructor's experience in mind and considers what can feasibly be completed in the allotted time and space. The goal of practical curriculum is to teach skills quickly and simply.
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Writers who develop educational materials, being inspired by best practices but not understanding how they work in the classroom, tend to emphasize engaging curriculum. Teachers who develop educational materials tend to emphasize practical curriculum, as they know the importance of mastering targeted skills and objectives.
As a writer and teacher, my goal is to merge the engaging and practical to create meaningful materials with useful classroom application. |
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Licensed Teacher
four years’ experience with K-7 learners in a variety of roles
Publishing Professional
ten years’ experience writing and editing for top names in education
Competencies
- Thinking creatively and analytically to develop curriculum that engage learners while meeting objectives
- Attending to detail to create professional materials that have practical classroom application
- Multitasking and prioritizing simultaneous projects from a remote working location
- Collaborating with design teams to develop layouts and finalize curriculum for publication
- Interacting across teams to explore improvements and ensure timely completion of projects
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Writing
teacher guides student books assessments reading passages print + digital |
Editing
substantive editing copy editing proofreading Chicago style standards alignment |
Education
CCSS NGSS differentiation inquiry-based learning formal + informal assessment |
Writing + Editing Roles |
Curriculum Writer + Editor Freelance
April 2008 – August 2009; May 2016 – present
April 2008 – August 2009; May 2016 – present
- Clients include: Kaplan, Trillium Publishing, Connections Education, EDventure Learning, Red Chair Press
- Write ELA, math, and science curriculum (K–8)
- Edit curriculum for style, clarity, academic rigor, and adherence to standards and objectives
- Write reading comprehension assessment items based on Bloom’s taxonomy, DOK, and QAR
- Write SAT and ACT reading practice items, including stems, distractors, and correct answer explanations
Quality Assurance Specialist Pearson Embanet
August 2009 – August 2014
August 2009 – August 2014
- Proofread copy and layout of online higher education courses as well as reviewed quality of user experience
- Communicated with instructional designers regarding necessary changes and refinements of course copy and content
Curriculum Writer Orion’s Mind
July 2007 – March 2008
July 2007 – March 2008
- Wrote and edited ELA and math curriculum (K–8, ESL) for after-school program implemented in CPS
- Ensured that curriculum addressed multiple intelligences by including activities for various learning styles
Teaching Roles
Independent Tutor
December 2016 – Present
December 2016 – Present
- Develop enrichment and intervention reading and math lesson plans for elementary students
- Implement lessons and assess student proficiency of Common Core State Standards
Substitute Teacher CSTN
August 2016 – December 2016
August 2016 – December 2016
- Applied lesson plans and managed behavior in general education classrooms, grades K–5
Teacher Chicago Public Schools
March 2015 – May 2016
March 2015 – May 2016
- Roles included third grade teacher, primary resident instructor, and intervention instructor