Claire Finders

Administrative Intern

Green Dot Public Charter Schools

​2018 - 2019

• Built instructional capacity by providing weekly coaching, observations, feedback and annual evaluations for 3 teachers and 4 instructional aides

• Co-developed a master schedule for 224 6th and 7th grade students with an equity lens prioritizing the needs of special populations while creatively constructing a heterogenous cohort model

• Provided instructional leadership for 25 person staff centered on mission and vision of serving ALL students in preparation for college, leadership and life through professional development on building relationships with students, SEL learning, UDL, providing accommodations, crisis response and best professional practices

• Co-developed founding school-wide systems and routines including bell schedule, transitions, PBIS, crisis team procedures, discipline protocols, academic policies, staff supervision schedules, family engagement initiatives, etc.

• Participated in numerous school-based teams including Leadership Team (daily), Student Intervention Team (weekly), Grade Level Teams (weekly), Grade Level Leads (weekly), Crisis Team (monthly), Advisory Council (weekly) and Special Education Team (weekly)

• Led an Inquiry Team comprised of 4 members using multiple data points and collaboration to target a learning-centered problem, shape school culture and lead change through professional development and a theory of action

• Participated in the creative and equitable marshalling of resources (human, financial, time, etc.) by designing student and staff schedules, taking quick and appropriate action in response to real-time problems, providing input on budgetary decisions

• Participated in human resource activities including interviewing, hiring, training, managing and evaluating staff members (hiring and supervising the entire Special Education team)

• Responded to daily discipline needs through mediation, restorative justice and progressive discipline involving families, teachers and students in appropriate and meaningful ways

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Founding Lead Special Education Teacher

Green Dot Public Charter Schools

​2017 - 2019

• Established founding school wide Special Education Department, serving approximately 40 students in inclusive and special education settings (includes coordination of record analysis, placement, student/staff schedules, department systems, curriculum and educational frameworks)

• Led a 7-member Special Education team, comprised of SpEd teachers and Instructional Aides to serve students with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs)

• Coordinated school wide Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) action framework incorporating leadership, inquiry, tiered support systems and data to provide academic and nonacademic services and supports based on individual student needs

• Collaborated with parents, administrators, testing specialists, school psychologists, social workers and other professionals to develop and maintain legally compliant IEPs designed to promote students’ educational, physical, and social development

• Facilitated, assessed and monitored academic, behavior, social-emotional and adaptive learning and growth, particularly in IEP goal achievement (2017-2018, 55% of students achieved 1+ IEP goals prior to annual review each quarter)

• Planned and delivered learner-focused, data-driven lessons in ELA, Math and Personal Development, embedding PBIS and effective classroom management in a culturally responsive classroom community

• Led school wide professional development promoting equity, inclusion, accommodations, modifications and planning with all students in mind

• Facilitated GenEd and SpEd content area co-planning meetings to promote data analysis, student supports and professional collaboration

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Chief Business Development Officer & Regional Manager

Nexplore

​2015 - 2017

Chief Business Development Officer

• Advised on company direction, brands and overall development 

• Developed new company resources/tools (spreadsheets, PowerPoint, Word docs, etc.) to build Nexplore materials and brands 

• Oversaw website development and maintenance 

• Graphically designed all business and print materials, flyers, business cards, products etc.

• Oversaw and managed CRM databases, campaigns and marketing initiatives 

• Trained Regional Managers and fostered skill development in research, pitching, tracking and managing leads 

• Developed Nexplore Games lesson plans and curriculum materials 

Regional Manager - Southwest USA

• Conducted market research on developing educational markets, identify target schools and created outreach databases 

• Initiated new client relationships to boost sales

• Coordinated program scheduling, enrollment, promotion and registration information for each school

• Managed communication/outreach/correspondence with 30+ schools, including after school directors, staff and parents 

• Developed and provided schools with a specific working plan, marketing materials, copy of insurance and other requested materials.

• Recruited, interviewed, hired, trained and managed 20+ Nexplore Games and Zumba® Kids independent contractors 

• Managed instructor correspondence, background checks, independent contractor materials, schedules, time sheets, etc.

• Facilitated instructor and school relationship with respect to logistics and programming

Business Development/Program Coordinator, Regional Manager & Instructor 

Mind Lab South Florida

​2014 - 2017 

Business Development & Program Coordinator

• Conducted regional market research and analysis to target private schools

• Managed communication/outreach/correspondence with 20+ schools, including after school directors, staff and parents

• Coordinated program scheduling, enrollment, promotion and registration information for each school for both Mind Lab and Zumba Kids

• Created, distributed and managed design materials and marketing initiatives to promote Mind Lab and Zumba Kids programs

Regional Manager

• Recruited, interviewed, hired, trained and managed 10+ Zumba Kids and Mind Lab independent contractors

• Managed instructor correspondence, background checks, independent contractor materials, schedules, time sheets, etc.

• Facilitated instructor and school relationship with respect to logistics and programming

Curriculum & Instruction

• Aligned Mind Lab curriculum materials to Common Core and Florida State Standards

• Differentiated, modified, adapted and created curriculum materials to meet the needs of various types of learners

• Created grade-level, subject-based, standards-aligned lesson plans for in-house field trips and customized school needs

• Provided Mind Lab instruction at 5+ schools 

Special Education Teacher (Tenured)

New York City Department of Education

​2011 - 2014

• Taught 12 students: 1 teacher :1 paraprofessional 6th Grade class (students primarily classified Emotionally Disturbed)

• Modify/adapt/differentiate curriculum based on the Common Core Learning Standards to meet students’ needs

• Write Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) to facilitate special education services to meet the needs of individual students

• Collaborate with related service providers to ensure that students behavioral and academic needs are being met

• Lead teacher of 6th grade collaborative team (lead meetings, delegate responsibilities and follow-up to ensure task completion)

• Experience with Expeditionary Learning, CMP3, Social Emotional Learning, Running Records, Words Their Way, Reading A to Z

• Communicate regularly with parents/guardians regarding student achievement, behavior management and academic/behavioral successes

• Participate in teacher interviews, observations and advisory to in-school psychiatric agency (Queens Children’s Psychiatric Center)

• Contribute various rubrics, graphic organizers, systems, strategies on a school-wide level

• Invited to and presented Common Core Math curriculum at the District 75 Principal’s Meeting and various other professional developments

• Lead school-wide professional development on Engrade (grading system)

• Scored 2012-2013 NYS ELA Exams (District 75)

Freelance Graphic Designer

Self-Employed

​2011 - present

• Experience with web, print and digital design (flyers, websites, posters, invitations, etc.)

Private Tutor

Self-employed

2007 - present

• Tutored children grades 1-6 in reading comprehension and language arts

• Administered and assessed pretests, post-tests and curriculum

• Designed individualized curriculum to meet students' needs

New York City Teaching Fellow

NYC Teaching Fellows

​2011 - 2013

• Certified to teach District 75 Special Education grades 1-6 or 5-9 under the Transitional B certificate

• Field training in classroom of 12 students: 1 teacher: 4 paraprofessinals, students with classified with Multiple Disabilities (ages 6-8)

Volunteer

Kids Enjoy Exercise Now (KEEN) Los Angeles

​2009 - 2010

• Volunteered at semi-monthly sessions to promote positive play for children with special needs

• Created a 2-minute promotional video and distribution strategy to increase awareness and recruit new volunteers

• Streamlined and managed session registration & coach/athlete pairing

• Instructed and oversaw volunteer training and activities

• Fielded parent, coach and athlete questions and concerns

Executive Director

Youth Exploring Passion (YEP)

​2008 - 2010

• Directed a mentoring program for pregnant and parenting teenagers in South Central Los Angeles to educate,promote and facilitate academic and career opportunities after high school

• Established official organization Constitution outlining objectives, protocols and regulations

• Managed an Executive Board of 10 members

• Coordinated the pairing of mentors and mentees to best suit strengths and schedules

• Broadened campus presence and increased membership by 20%

Tutor

Academic Advantage

2007 - 2008

• Tutored students in Grades 1-6 in reading comprehension and language arts (approx. 4 hours/student/week)

• Administered and assessed pretests, posttests and curriculum

• Developed age-appropriate and creative curriculum to meet each student's learning strengths and needs

• Communicated weekly with students' parents by providing oral and written feedback on student progress

Certification

California

• Level I Education Specialist Instruction Credential: Moderate - Severe Disabilities 

• Preliminary Multiple Subject Teaching Credential

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Washington

Residency Principal

Residency Teacher (First Issue)

Endorsements:

• Special Education

• Elementary Education

• Middle Level – Humanities

• Middle Level Mathematics

• Middle Level Science

Computer Skills

Adobe Acrobat

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe InDesign

Adobe Photoshop

FinalCut Pro

Google AdWords

Hatchbuck

Microsoft Office

PestPac

PestPacMobile

Salesforce

SESIS

SMART Notebook

ZenCart

2010 - present

Education​