Sacha Lewis
Stratford,PE
Summary
EDUCATIONAL LEADER, ADVOCATE, COLLABORATOR
Sacha has worked extensively in education as a program supervisor, instructional coach, curriculum content developer, professional development facilitator, and classroom teacher in disinvested and marginalized communities in Grenada, New York and Toronto. This diverse experience has created integrated leadership skill sets which focus on collaboration, strategizing needs and gaps, assessment and evaluation and accomplishments of goals while supporting students, educators, administrators and education policies and systems.
Sacha is passionate about educational leadership that develops capacities embedded in transformational and instructional education that reflect anti-colonial, inclusive and experiential learning frameworks. Her practice deeply reflects the voices of students, families and school communities while working to align the joy of learning with the policies and practices of transformational and instructional education.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Certified Supply Teacher
Public Schools Branch
09.2023 - Current
- Enhancing classroom engagement by incorporating interactive learning tools and group activities.
- Supporting student success by providing personalized attention and targeted feedback on assignments.
- Implementing differentiated instruction strategies to accommodate diverse learning styles and needs.
Literacy Coach, Kindergarten-Grade Three
Nelson Mandela Park Public School/Tumpane Public School
09.2021 - 04.2022
- Collaborated and provided intensive, job-embedded professional learning in in evidence-based instructional strategies and literacy assessment practices to improve student achievement in 4 classrooms
- Provided leadership in fostering equity and inclusiveness in the development and implementation of programs and services; challenging bias and centring children's identities
- Analyzed monthly assessment of reading levels and engagement to meet learners' needs and implemented daily rotation of targeted individual and small groups in Language in two schools and six classrooms in low-income communities.
Teacher, Kindergarten Program
Palmerston Avenue Junior Public School
09.2018 - 06.2019
- Committed to inclusive, equitable classroom management strategies to introduce and enhance the importance of self-regulation and wellness
- Developed strong relationships with students, parents, and colleagues by maintaining open lines of communication and fostering a supportive learning environment, collaboration with Autism Spectrum Disorder team
- Increased student literacy rates by implementing targeted reading strategies in individualized instruction plans.
Content Developer and Facilitator for Professional Development
Bank Street College In With The New York City Department Of Education
01.2018 - 05.2018
- Streamlined, designed and produced all related content for professional learning sessions, 'Challenging Behaviour' and 'Developmentally Appropriate Practice' in Early Childhood Education, integrated input from multiple stakeholders under tight deadlines
- Collaborated with Project Director, experts from Bank Street College and the Department of Education and gathered input on learning objectives, pedagogical approaches, content and effective adult learning activities for professional learning sessions.
Curriculum Instructional Coach Technology Program 'ConnectED'
Bank Street College of Education in Partnership with the Taub Foundation
09.2017 - 06.2018
- Developed and facilitated monthly professional learning sessions and classroom visits to support 10 teachers in gaining expertise on how to use technology to support student math outcomes
- Collaborated with Funder, Principal, Master Teacher and District Technical Trainer in developing capacity to implement 'Building Blocks/ConnectED' with fidelity as measured by observations of practice, coaching logs
- Use of multiple coaching and observational strategies (low-inference observations, collaboration, reflection, modeling, narration and collaborative planning).
Fieldwork Observer: Child Development Associate Certificate Program
City University Of New York School Of Professional Studies
01.2017 - 06.2018
- Conducted Early Childhood Education fieldwork observations for college students in 'EDUC 201: Observation and Assessment' and provided feedback to the course instructor.
- Improved team efficiency by effectively communicating findings with colleagues and supervisors.
Curriculum Instructional Coach Pre-K for All (ECE) Math
Bank Street College In Partnership With The New York City Department Of Education
08.2016 - 08.2017
- Enhanced the effectiveness of 40 teaching teams (80 teachers/paraprofessionals, 15 school leaders) that implement a child-centered, research-based math curriculum, 'Building Blocks'
- Delivered 300 hours of instructional coaching in schools; spend approximately 90% of time in low income areas, coaching and implementing professional development to the teaching teams in Public Schools, Community Based Organizations and Pre-K Centers
- Facilitated Department of Education professional development teacher training days of 50 teachers.
Program Supervisor at 'High 5s' Math Clubs, in Partnership With MDRC
Bank Street College of Education, Innovation, Policy and Research Department
01.2015 - 01.2016
- Supervised, mentored and evaluated a cohort of 5 paraprofessional-level math club facilitators working in the New York City Department of Education randomized controlled trial
- Led weekly group and individual supervision meetings; coached facilitators dain the field to develop and support best teaching practices ensuring fidelity to the curriculum
- Collaborated with MDRC, a social policy research firm, and curriculum developers at the University of Michigan to plan, organize, conduct and participate in full-day trainings
- Monitored accurate and timely completion of program log data as part of ongoing quality assurance process; maintained records, prepared reports and use data to drive supervision.
Program Supervisor, Ages 3 Months- 12 Years Old
Early Childhood Education Center, St. George's University
09.2011 - 07.2013
- Managed a team of 15 staff; modeled teaching techniques, facilitated monthly team meetings and acted as parent-teacher liaison
- Composed, planned and implemented developmentally appropriate curricula
- Integrated culturally appropriate activities celebrating the diversity of the community
Teacher, Special Education (Home School Program)
Hillcrest Community School, TDSB
09.2009 - 01.2011
- Participated in the In-School Team as well as Identification, Placement and Review Committee, designed and implemented Individual Education Plans
- Created long term science, social science and literacy projects that encouraged integration of subjects based in student curiosity, achieving deeper understanding through differentiated learning
- Creatively implemented curricula through problem-solving, play-based centers and hands-on exploration.
Education
Master of Education, Educational Leadership and Policy - Current Student
University of Toronto, Ontario Institute For Studies in Education
Toronto, OntarioBachelor of Education, 'Inner City Option' with focus on under-served populations -
University of Toronto, Ontario Institute For Studies in Education
Toronto, OntarioBachelor of Arts in Sociology and Women's Studies -
McMaster University
Hamilton, OntarioSkills
Collaborative Educational Leader, Program Supervision, Management, Instructional Coaching
Special Education Specialist and Inclusive Educator
Content Developer/Lead Facilitator in Curriculum and Professional Development
Research Implementation and Data Management for continuous improvement
Excellent in Verbal and Written Communication
Outstanding Interpersonal Skills for Community Building among all Stakeholders/Partnerships; Foundations, Families, Teachers and Administrators
Additional Qualifications
- Prince Edward Island Teacher's License/Substitute Teacher, Prince Edward Island, Primary/Junior Division, Permanent Certificate Level 5
- Bank Street College of Education, Continuing Professional Studies, New York, New York, Dynamic Leadership: Inspiring and Supporting Your Teaching Faculty
- University of Toronto, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, Toronto, Ontario, Special Education, Specialist
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Certified Supply Teacher
Public Schools Branch
09.2023 - Current
Literacy Coach, Kindergarten-Grade Three
Nelson Mandela Park Public School/Tumpane Public School
09.2021 - 04.2022
Teacher, Kindergarten Program
Palmerston Avenue Junior Public School
09.2018 - 06.2019
Content Developer and Facilitator for Professional Development
Bank Street College In With The New York City Department Of Education
01.2018 - 05.2018
Curriculum Instructional Coach Technology Program 'ConnectED'
Bank Street College of Education in Partnership with the Taub Foundation
09.2017 - 06.2018
Fieldwork Observer: Child Development Associate Certificate Program
City University Of New York School Of Professional Studies
01.2017 - 06.2018
Curriculum Instructional Coach Pre-K for All (ECE) Math
Bank Street College In Partnership With The New York City Department Of Education
08.2016 - 08.2017
Program Supervisor at 'High 5s' Math Clubs, in Partnership With MDRC
Bank Street College of Education, Innovation, Policy and Research Department
01.2015 - 01.2016
Program Supervisor, Ages 3 Months- 12 Years Old
Early Childhood Education Center, St. George's University
09.2011 - 07.2013
Teacher, Special Education (Home School Program)
Hillcrest Community School, TDSB
09.2009 - 01.2011
Master of Education, Educational Leadership and Policy - Current Student
University of Toronto, Ontario Institute For Studies in Education
Bachelor of Education, 'Inner City Option' with focus on under-served populations -
University of Toronto, Ontario Institute For Studies in Education
Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Women's Studies -
McMaster University
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