Ellen Zywiciel
Park Ridge
Summary
Dynamic educator with 26 years of experience in fostering positive classroom environments. Expertise in differentiation, data-driven instruction, and supporting diverse learners to promote collaboration and critical thinking.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Elementary and Middle School Teacher
Norridge School District #80
08.2010 - Current
- Led highly collaborative and nurturing elementary classrooms in grades 3, 4 & 5.
- Led highly engaging and collaborative middle level social studies classes in grades 5, 6, 7 & 8 and English Language Arts classes in grades 7 & 8.
- Developed and implemented engaging interdisciplinary curriculum aligned with Illinois state standards.
- Fostered a positive classroom environment that promoted student collaboration and critical thinking.
- Utilized diverse instructional strategies to accommodate varying learning styles and abilities.
- Assessed student progress through formative and summative evaluations, adjusting instruction accordingly.
- Integrated technology into lessons to enhance engagement and improve literacy skills among students.
- Mentored new teachers and student teachers in effective lesson planning, classroom management, and assessment methods, contributing to their professional growth.
- Led student-parent-teacher conferences that provided constructive feedback on student progress while fostering collaboration between home and school environments.
- Completed coursework, in-service and additional training to maintain professional growth.
- Assessed student writing, projects and work using rubrics aligned with state standards, ensuring consistent evaluation criteria across all assignments.
- Promoted effective verbal and written communication through listening, speaking, reading, and writing practice.
- Helped students develop academic, social and emotional skills for long-term success.
- Designed and implemented differentiated instruction to accommodate diverse learning needs and styles.
- Provided support for new English Language Learners and collaborated with our Multilingual Team.
- Effectively co-taught with special education teachers, multilingual teachers, therapists, and other support staff.
- Promoted culture of inclusion, respect and collaboration in classroom.
- Developed and implemented behavior management plans to address student issues.
Fourth Grade Teacher
Bloomingdale School District #13
08.1998 - 06.2009
- Implemented differentiated instruction strategies to accommodate diverse learning styles and abilities.
- Collaborated with fellow teachers to design interdisciplinary lesson plans, reinforcing key concepts across subjects.
- Managed classroom behavior effectively, establishing clear expectations and consequences while fostering a respectful learning environment.
- Implemented differentiated instruction strategies, addressing the unique needs of each student in the classroom.
- Utilized assessment data to inform instructional decisions, tailoring lesson plans to target areas needing improvement.
- Improved student comprehension by incorporating differentiated guided reading, engaging leveled text, real-life examples and hands-on activities into lessons.
- Participated in coursework and professional development opportunities, staying current on best practices in education and innovative teaching techniques.
- Enhanced classroom dynamics by creating a supportive and inclusive environment for all students to thrive.
- Established open communication and positive relationships with students, parents, peers, and administrative staff.
Education
Master of Science - Elementary Education
Northern Illinois University
DeKalb, ILMaster of Science - Reading Specialist
Northern Illinois University
DeKalb, ILMiddle School Endorsement - English Language Arts And Social Studies
Northern Illinois University
DeKalb, ILSkills
- Relationship building, behavior management and positive classroom climate
- Collaborative lesson planning, implementation and assessment
- Growth mindset
- Background in data driven literacy instruction, differentiation, and assessment
- Skilled in working with children with diverse learning needs and English Language Learners
- Project-based learning
Certification
Professional Educator License (PEL) #416472
Timeline
Elementary and Middle School Teacher
Norridge School District #80
08.2010 - Current
Fourth Grade Teacher
Bloomingdale School District #13
08.1998 - 06.2009
Master of Science - Elementary Education
Northern Illinois University
Master of Science - Reading Specialist
Northern Illinois University
Middle School Endorsement - English Language Arts And Social Studies
Northern Illinois University