Melissa A.

Ciavarella
MelissaCiavarella.com 609-876-5044 Melissa.Ciavarella@gmail.com.

EDUCATION & CERTIFICATION

Ed. M., English Education, Rutgers University B.A., English and Womens & Gender Studies, Italian Minor, Rutgers University Standard Teaching Certificate, English (6-12), NJ May 2010 January 2004 Current

EXPERIENCE
SAT Instructor, The Princeton Review, Princeton, NJ
Advise students and parents in post-graduate planning and career exploration. Impart SAT test taking strategies in workshops, small groups and private tutoring. Assist ESL students with reading comprehension, grammar and math skills.

December 2008 Present

Language Arts Teacher, Grades 6-8, John A. Carusi Middle School, Cherry Hill, NJ

March 2011 Present

Design and implement curricula to assist students in succeeding academically as readers and writers. Perform data analysis to inform long-term planning and daily support and instruction. Assist students in developing independent learning projects focusing on the academic research process. Foster learning communities to promote good reading and writing habits among struggling and ESL learners. Serve on cultural proficiency committee, aimed at promoting culturally competent classroom activities. Collaborate with a team of teachers to design academic interventions to meet the divergent needs of all students. Conduct action research projects focusing on student achievement. Advise writers club that provides a space for students to develop and share their own ideas with peers.

Substitute Teacher, Cherry Hill Public Schools, Cherry Hill, NJ

October 2008 - March 2011

Provided daily substitute teaching services for five local middle and high schools, performing all professional duties. Implemented lessons for all subject areas including English, History, Mathematics, Science, Foreign Language, Music, Art, and Physical Education. Innovated to facilitate academic discussion and time on task behavior using prepared plans and plans created on the spot to accommodate and engage all learners. Established systems and maintained school and class procedures to maximize student learning and promote positive behavior. Built relationships with students, teachers, and administrators in various schools over multiple years.

Operations Manager, Mad Science of West New Jersey, Pennington, NJ

January 2005 - October 2008

Developed and coordinated workshops, incorporating new experiments to engage learners. Developed and implemented a new camp program called More Power to You! focusing on electricity, alternative energy, and transportation for K-6. This 15 hour program reached over 100 students and generated over $50,000 in revenue in its 1st summer. Recruited, trained, evaluated, and provided appropriate orientation for all instructors.

Instructor, Mad Science of West New Jersey, Pennington, NJ

June 2002 January 2005

Led student groups (K-6) through interactive science demonstrations as Microscope Melissa. Built instant rapport with a diverse population of students during workshops throughout NJ (11 counties) & PA (2 counties plus Philadelphia).