Karen Colleen Alexander
Karen.alexander@soostinkincute.com

Credentialed teacher, tutor, writer, editor, proofreader, day care provider

CREDENTIAL

Multiple Subjects Professional Clear Credential

 
EDUCATION

University of California, Irvine, California; Teaching Credential

California State University of Long Beach, Long Beach, California; Bachelor of Arts: Psychology

Post Graduate studies in education (26 units):

• California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, California
• University of California University extension, Riverside, California

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Substitute Elementary School Teacher

• 2019 – present Central School District, Colton Unified School District, Mt. Baldy School District and Upland Unified School District

Homeschool Teacher

• Homeschooled my own children 6-8 hours per day with a rigorous schedule from 2002 – 2017, from kindergarten through graduation of high school with honors courses throughout
• Homeschooled a total of eight students (two part-time and six full-time for their school year)
• Homeschooled a high school student full time all subject levels from winter 2017 – summer 2018

Curriculum Creator and Classroom Instructor

• Created my own curriculum for courses at Inland Christian Academy Program (ICAP) and Sierra Vista Connections:  writing, science, social studies and mathematics. 2006 - 2007
• Created my own curriculum for my own public taught homeschool classes in creative writing, science, physical education and art. 2007 - 2012
• Created additional honor’s level assignments to academic texts and curriculum.

Writer, Editor, Proofreader Teacher Created Materials, Huntington Beach, California

• 2000-2001 Wrote for Write Time for Kids “Grammar, Usage & Mechanics, Level 7,” “Student Writer’s Notebook, Level 8,” and “Student Writer’s Notebook, Level K,” edited and proofread for additional writing projects.

Academic Tutor Home based tutoring business ongoing from 1997 – present using self-created phonics program.

Foster Parent provided care to 13 foster children (10 of them babies and toddlers) in 2001, and from 2011-2018

Day Care provided independent day care to several families from 1997 to 2019.

Author Wrote “On Target and Beyond,” an advanced primary literature-based phonics program for grades 2^nd and 3^rd

Substitute Elementary School Teacher

• 1997-1998 Central School District, Alta Loma Unified School District, and Etiwanda School District

Elementary School Teacher

My philosophy has always been to teach high academic standards and have high expectations for my students. I have these expectations and encourage all of my students with enthusiasm, and they succeed. I work very hard to ensure success for every student, even those that are behind or have learning disorders.

Rialto Unified School District, Kelley Elementary, Rialto, California

• 1998-1999 Kindergarten

20 students, self-contained, 95% educationally disadvantaged, focused on early reading skills, advanced students to the first^-grade reading level.

Cucamonga School District, Cucamonga Elementary, Rancho Cucamonga, California

• 1996-1997 Grade 4-5 combination

32 students, self-contained, 95% educationally disadvantaged, focused on improving reading and writing skills, created own science curriculum for weather and solar system studies. Taught all other subjects, as well.

Pomona Unified School District, Westmont Elementary School, Pomona, California

All classes were self-contained, 30 students, 75% educationally disadvantaged

• 1995-1996 Grade 1-2 Combination

The school year started with 95% Title One students in September with only 5% Title One students in June.  Developed and wrote an advanced primary literature-based phonics program (Titled “On Target and Beyond”) in accordance with the Pomona Unified School District curriculum requirements. Students reading and writing abilities improved well above grade level. Taught all other subjects, as well. Trained in and taught extra-curricular Project Read.

• 1994-1995 Grade 5

Gate, RSP and Chapter 1 students.  Needs met using 'sheltered' English approaches. Taught all other subjects, as well.  First and second place winners in the school science fair for this grade level.

Christian Chapel School of Walnut Valley, Walnut, California

• 1993-1994 Grade 1

26 students, self-contained, advanced curriculum: A Beka Reading, Phonics, and Math

Pomona Unified School District, Westmont Elementary School, Pomona, California

• 1992-1993 Grade 2

Focused on animal, plant life, and famous Americans, with integrated writing skills in all subjects.  Motivated and taught six non-readers to read.  First place group writers award for Author's Share.

• Summer 1992 Grades 1-6

Taught arts and crafts.

• 1991-1992 Grade 6

Focused on world mapping and geography skills, students drew and labeled a world map the size of the entire classroom wall.  Science was taught using cooperative learning groups, with very exciting results. Taught all other subjects, as well. First place Author's Share award for poetry.

• Summer 1991 Grades 3-4

Taught a motivating unit about fairy tales around the world. Integrated science, math, writing, language, reading, social studies, visual and performing arts into one-hour periods four times per day.

• 1990-1991 Grade 4-5 Combination

A writing workshop used all year within the science and social studies units.  Extensive research in world geography and mapping skills. Taught all other subjects, as well.

Ontario Montclair School District, Mariposa Elementary School, Ontario, California

Social Committee Head 1988-1990.  All classes were self-contained, 30-35 students, 95% educationally disadvantaged, many transitional Spanish to English speakers.

• 1989-1990 Grade 4-5 Combination

Created ten learning centers all year based on enrichments in literature, math, art, current holidays, listening logic, and core social studies and science topics.

• 1987-1989 Grade 2

Designed and implemented science and social studies units on the senses, solar system, archeology, simple machines and on the people of the world for 150 mainstreamed students.