Debra McNally
Hendersonville
Summary
Passionate, service-oriented educator with 30+ years experience in education, literacy, leadership and volunteerism. Committed to nurturing the mind, body and spirit. Highly motivated, creative, personable and professional.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
Work History
Reading Interventionist
Gene Brown Elementary
08.2023 - Current
- Supported the development of phonemic awareness and decoding skills through targeted activities, promoting fluent reading in struggling learners.
- Interpreted student assessment data to ascertain best intervention methods.
- Conducted one-on-one and small group sessions to provide targeted support, fostering a positive learning environment and boosting confidence in reading abilities.
- Actively participated in professional learning communities focused on literacy instruction, sharing best practices and staying current with evolving educational trends.
- Enhanced reading comprehension by implementing targeted intervention strategies for struggling students.
- Created positive and engaging environment in classroom that encouraged literacy skills.
Reading Tutor
Self Employed
08.2021 - Current
- Maintained accurate records of tutoring sessions, tracking attendance, goals achieved, and areas requiring continued focus.
- Identified learning needs and implemented fun and engaging learning activities to help students advance.
- Structured activities for interactive learning, reading understanding and fluency skills.
- Improved students'' reading fluency through tailored lesson plans and engaging activities.
- Developed strong rapport with students, fostering a supportive learning environment that empowered them to succeed.
4th Grade Teacher
American Heritage Academy
07.2018 - 12.2021
- Explored foundational learning concepts with students through hands-on activities, videos and class discussions.Helped students learn to persevere with challenging tasks and build resilience for later educational efforts.Maintained positive classroom environments by reinforcing rules for behavior and relationship-building actions.Improved student engagement by implementing student-centered classroom management techniques to foster academic curiosity.Attended in-service training and professional development courses to stay on top of policy and education changes.
SPED Teacher
American Heritage Academy
07.2017 - 06.2018
- Developed individual educational plans designed to promote educational, physical and social development.Delivered specialized classroom instruction to students with developmental disorders.Fostered positive and trusting relationships with students to increase engagement.Developed interesting and interactive learning methods tailored to help students with individual needs.
Title 1 Paraprofessional
Century Elementary School
09.2016 - 06.2017
- Delivered instruction individually or in small groups with support from instructor.Contributed to positive, educational setting by delivering gentle discipline and promoting student success.Drove social, emotional, intellectual, and physical development through age-appropriate enrichment activities.Collaborated with teacher to devise and implement developmentally appropriate lessons aligning with school's philosophy and mission.
Director/Founder
Hand In Hand For Literacy
09.2011 - 08.2016
- Passionately promoted the importance of literacy for all children.Developed a clear mission and vision and actively carried out our mission of bringing books to communities in Africa who did not have books.Built libraries in the Ghanaian communities of Senchi Ferry, Challenging Heights and Jukwa.Worked directly with local communities receiving our resources and trained them in library management.Raised funds needed for the construction of the libraries, collected and shipped books.
Homeschool Teacher
McNally Homeschool
09.1995 - 06.2006
- Encouraged student critical thinking and discussion in all courses using a variety of teaching techniques.Created and enforced child-based, hands-on curriculum to promote student interest and receptive learning.Implemented a literature based education model.Incorporated real life into the learning process.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Elementary Education
College Of St. Benedict
St. Joseph, MNSkills
- Effective communicator
- Strong interpersonal collaboration
- Empathetic communication skills
- Service oriented
- Resourceful problem solver
- Highly organized
- Customized learning strategies
Timeline
Reading Interventionist
Gene Brown Elementary
08.2023 - Current
Reading Tutor
Self Employed
08.2021 - Current
4th Grade Teacher
American Heritage Academy
07.2018 - 12.2021
SPED Teacher
American Heritage Academy
07.2017 - 06.2018
Title 1 Paraprofessional
Century Elementary School
09.2016 - 06.2017
Director/Founder
Hand In Hand For Literacy
09.2011 - 08.2016
Homeschool Teacher
McNally Homeschool
09.1995 - 06.2006
Bachelor of Arts - Elementary Education
College Of St. Benedict
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