Crystal Welden
Redfield
Summary
Knowledgeable literacy specialist with rich background in literacy education and instructional strategies. Drove successful literacy programs, enhancing student reading and comprehension skills through targeted interventions. Demonstrated ability in curriculum development and teacher training, fostering collaborative learning environment.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Literacy Specialist/Coach & Dyslexia Coordinator
White Hall School District
07.2023 - Current
- Enhanced student learning by collaborating with teachers to develop differentiated instruction strategies.
- Provided targeted professional development opportunities for teachers on literacy instruction techniques and strategies.
- Contributed to a culture of continuous improvement by participating in professional learning communities focused on refining instructional strategies and enhancing student outcomes.
- Evaluated the effectiveness of literacy programs through ongoing data analysis, making adjustments as needed to maximize results.
- Facilitated peer coaching initiatives among educators to enhance collective expertise in teaching various aspects of reading and writing skills.
- Acted as a resource for colleagues, sharing best practices and innovative approaches to teaching reading and writing skills across the curriculum.
- Served as a mentor for new teachers, providing guidance and support in developing effective literacy instruction practices.
- Utilized assessment data to inform instructional decisions, continuously monitoring student growth toward grade-level benchmarks.
Dyslexia Therapist and Coordinator
White Hall School District
07.2020 - Current
- Responsible for administering Level II Screeners identifying students to be placed in dyslexia program
- Provide dyslexia therapy using Take Flight dyslexia program to students in grades 5-12 exhibiting characteristics of dyslexia.
- Mentor and support interventionists across the school district
- Maintained detailed records of student progress and achievements, informing future instruction decisions.
- Improved student confidence in reading and writing through personalized attention and support.
- Managed caseload effectively while ensuring all students received timely support and intervention services as needed.
2nd grade teacher
Hardin Elementary, White Hall School District
08.2013 - 06.2020
- Created a welcoming classroom atmosphere by establishing clear expectations and routines, promoting a sense of belonging among students.
- Collaborated with colleagues to develop cross-curricular projects, fostering critical thinking skills and interdisciplinary learning.
- Collaborate with team members on school leadership team to meet goals on ACSIP plan and plan schoolwide activities
- Built positive relationships with parents to involve families in educational process.
- Utilized data-driven instruction to identify areas of growth for students, implementing targeted interventions to close achievement gaps.
3rd grade/4th grade teacher
Sheridan School District
08.2011 - 06.2013
- Collaborated with fellow teachers to design interdisciplinary lesson plans, reinforcing key concepts across subjects.
- Assessed student progress regularly, providing constructive feedback and adjusting instructional approaches as needed.
- Managed classroom behavior effectively, establishing clear expectations and consequences while fostering a respectful learning environment.
- Communicated effectively with parents regarding their child''s academic growth and areas for improvement.
2nd grade teacher
Trinity Episcopal School, Private
08.2010 - 06.2011
- Collaborated with colleagues to develop cross-curricular projects, fostering critical thinking skills and interdisciplinary learning.
- Built positive relationships with parents to involve families in educational process.
- Created a welcoming classroom atmosphere by establishing clear expectations and routines, promoting a sense of belonging among students.
- Differentiated instruction to meet the unique learning needs of each student, ensuring all students were able to access the curriculum successfully.
Pre-K Teacher
Landmark Elementary School, PCSSD
08.2009 - 06.2010
- Gave one-on-one attention to children while maintaining overall focus on entire group.
- Promoted social-emotional development with interactive lessons on empathy, conflict resolution, and self-regulation techniques.
- Boosted student engagement by incorporating hands-on activities and group projects into lesson plans.
- Consulted with parents to build and maintain positive support networks and support continuing education strategies.
- Participated in ongoing professional learning opportunities to remain current on best practices in early childhood education.
Education
Master of Science - Library Media And Information Science
University of Central Arkansas
Conway, AR05-2024
Masters of Education - Reading with Dyslexia Endorsement
Arkansas State University
Jonesboro, AR01.2019
Bachelor of Science - Early Childhood Education
University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Little Rock, AR05.2009
High School Diploma - undefined
White Hall High School
White Hall, AR05.1996
Skills
- Reading instruction
- Student engagement
- Data-driven instruction
- Collaborative learning
- Reading intervention
- Instructional strategies
- Literacy coaching
- Elementary literacy
Affiliations
- ALTA- Academic Language Therapy Association
Training
- Certified Academic Language Therapy training (CALT)- I have completed 2 years of training to become a Certified Academic Language Therapist using the Take Flight program.
- IMSE Comprehensive Orton-Gillingham Training- I have completed 30 hours training focusing on phonological awareness, phonics, encoding, and decoding.
- R.I.S.E Arkansas- Reading Initiative for Student Excellence- I have completed36 hours of K-2 RISE Academy training through Arkansas Department of Education.
Certification
Certified Academic Language Therapist; 2022
Timeline
Literacy Specialist/Coach & Dyslexia Coordinator
White Hall School District
07.2023 - Current
Dyslexia Therapist and Coordinator
White Hall School District
07.2020 - Current
2nd grade teacher
Hardin Elementary, White Hall School District
08.2013 - 06.2020
3rd grade/4th grade teacher
Sheridan School District
08.2011 - 06.2013
2nd grade teacher
Trinity Episcopal School, Private
08.2010 - 06.2011
Pre-K Teacher
Landmark Elementary School, PCSSD
08.2009 - 06.2010
Bachelor of Science - Early Childhood Education
University of Arkansas at Little Rock
High School Diploma - undefined
White Hall High School
Certified Academic Language Therapist; 2022
Master of Science - Library Media And Information Science
University of Central Arkansas
Masters of Education - Reading with Dyslexia Endorsement
Arkansas State University
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