Ciara Flynn
Chicago
Summary
Engaging and adaptable educator with 3 years of professional experience creating engaging, joyful learning environments that support student growth and school community needs. Known for a positive, approachable presence, strong work ethic, and willingness to step in wherever needed to help students, families, and colleagues succeed. Passionate about making school fun, meaningful, and inclusive while using data-informed instruction, creative problem-solving, and strong relationship-building to drive measurable student outcomes.
Overview
5
5
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Third Grade Teacher
Evanston/Skokie School District 65
Evanston, IL
08.2023 - Current
- Drove strong two-year math growth on i-Ready diagnostics, leading students to an average median of 105% of Typical Growth and increasing grade-level proficiency from 11% to 63% in one cohort and from 28% to 71% among spring-tested students in the following cohort.
- Achieved an overall proficient rating on all Danielson Framework evaluations during first three years, demonstrating consistent instructional quality.
- Differentiated lessons and learning supports to address varied student needs, promote access to grade-level content, and encourage academic confidence.
- Maintained an organized, welcoming classroom while managing competing priorities under pressure to support student engagement and collaboration.
- Implemented innovative instructional strategies to foster critical thinking and problem-solving skills among students.
Long-Term Substitute Teacher (5th Grade)
Grandville Public Schools
Grandville, MI
05.2023 - 06.2023
- Stepped into a fast-paced, high-responsibility role with little notice, adapting quickly and keeping routines running smoothly.
- Demonstrated leadership, accountability, and poise under pressure—qualities essential in busy retail environments.
- Designed and delivered daily lesson plans aligned to standards, adapting materials on short notice to maintain learning continuity and produce measurable progress in student engagement.
Teaching Intern
West Godwin Elementary School, Godwin Heights Public Schools
Grand Rapids, MI
01.2023 - 04.2023
- Assisted lead teachers in classroom management and instructional strategies.
- Developed engaging lesson plans to enhance student understanding and participation.
- Assessed student progress regularly, adjusting instructional strategies as needed to best support individual learners.
Teacher Intern
South Elementary, Grandville Public Schools
Grand Rapids, MI
09.2022 - 12.2022
- Developed and implemented engaging lesson plans aligned with curriculum standards.
- Facilitated classroom activities to enhance student participation and learning outcomes.
- Collaborated with teachers to assess student progress and adapt instructional strategies.
- Organized educational materials and resources to support diverse learning needs.
Lead Teacher, School-Age Program
Jumpstart Childcare
Kalamazoo, MI
12.2020 - 08.2022
- Designed and led activities for groups of students, balancing fun with structure.
- Managed attendance, health records, and incident logs with strict accuracy to ensure compliance and facilitate clear communication with families.
Teaching Intern
Parchment Early Learning Center, Parchment School District
Kalamazoo, MI
01.2022 - 04.2022
- Implemented individualized support for students with diverse learning needs.
- Collaborated with educators to assess student progress and adapt teaching methods.
- Organized educational activities that promoted teamwork and critical thinking skills.
- Provided feedback on curriculum effectiveness, contributing to continuous improvement efforts.
Teaching Intern
Minges Brook Elementary School, Battle Creek Public Schools
Battle Creek, MI
09.2021 - 12.2021
- Developed strong relationships with students, fostering a positive learning environment for all.
- Improved student comprehension through the use of engaging visual aids and hands-on activities.
- Collaborated with fellow interns and experienced teachers to develop effective strategies for classroom management.
Education
B.S. - Early Childhood Professional Education
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo05-2023
Skills
- Problem Solving
- Collaborative teaching
- Adaptability
- Conflict Resolution
- Communication
- Classroom Management
- Creative Thinking
- Time Management
- Organization
Certification
- Professional Educator License – Illinois
- Professional Educator License – Michigan
Timeline
Third Grade Teacher
Evanston/Skokie School District 65
08.2023 - Current
Long-Term Substitute Teacher (5th Grade)
Grandville Public Schools
05.2023 - 06.2023
Teaching Intern
West Godwin Elementary School, Godwin Heights Public Schools
01.2023 - 04.2023
Teacher Intern
South Elementary, Grandville Public Schools
09.2022 - 12.2022
Teaching Intern
Parchment Early Learning Center, Parchment School District
01.2022 - 04.2022
Teaching Intern
Minges Brook Elementary School, Battle Creek Public Schools
09.2021 - 12.2021
Lead Teacher, School-Age Program
Jumpstart Childcare
12.2020 - 08.2022
B.S. - Early Childhood Professional Education
Western Michigan University
INTERNSHIPS
- Intern Teacher, West Godwin Elementary School, Godwin Heights Public Schools, Grand Rapids, MI
- JAN 2023 – APR 2023
- Provided instructional support in general education classrooms; delivered bilingual instruction and accommodations to multilingual learners.
- Intern Teacher, South Elementary School, Grandville Public Schools, Grandville, MI
- SEP 2022 – DEC 2022
- Delivered engaging 5th grade Social Studies and ELA instruction, aligning lessons to standards and diverse student needs to drive academic growth.
- Collaborated with teachers and administrators to implement individualized behavior plans and support systems.
- Intern Teacher, Parchment Early Learning Center, Parchment School District, Kalamazoo, MI
- JAN 2022 – APR 2022
- Designed and delivered differentiated lessons for preschoolers; contributed to IEP planning and implementation.
- Intern Teacher, Minges Brook Elementary School, Battle Creek Public Schools, Battle Creek, MI
- SEP 2021 – DEC 2021
- Developed and sequenced engaging, standards-aligned instruction to support preparation for standardized assessments.