Debra R. Thomas
Newark,NJ
Summary
Enthusiastic and creative individual with solid understanding of student development and learning styles. Possesses excellent communication and interpersonal skills and connects with students from diverse backgrounds. Experienced developing engaging lesson plans and assessments to measure student progress.
Overview
36
36
years of professional experience
6
6
Certificates
Work History
Performing Arts Educator
Newark Public Schools
07.2022 - 05.2023
- Chose materials and developed lesson plans to enhance skills for individual students.
- Improved students' analytical skills by introducing state-of-the-art computer program technologies.
- Met regularly with team of teachers to discuss best practices and develop innovative teaching strategies.
- Provided constructive feedback on assignments, empowering students to take ownership of their learning and academic growth.
- Assessed student performance and provided feedback to facilitate student success.
Performing Arts Educator
Higley Unified School District
07.2013 - 05.2014
- Collaborated with colleagues to develop and revise curriculum, enhancing learning experience.
- Established strong relationships with parents through regular communication, fostering a supportive network for student success.
- Provided constructive feedback on assignments, empowering students to take ownership of their learning and academic growth.
- Organized extracurricular activities such as clubs or study groups, promoting intellectual curiosity outside the classroom setting.
- Utilized innovative teaching strategies to effectively engage students in learning.
Performing Arts Educator
Poston Butte High School
08.2011 - 05.2013
- Improved student comprehension by incorporating visual aids and real-life examples into lesson plans.
- Organized extracurricular activities such as clubs or study groups, promoting intellectual curiosity outside the classroom setting.
- Coordinated community service projects for students, instilling civic responsibility and interpersonal skills development.
- Fostered student curiosity and interest through creative hands-on activities.
- Helped students explore concepts with engaging, learning-focused activities.
Performing Arts Educator
Holbrook High School
08.2008 - 05.2011
- Utilized innovative teaching strategies to effectively engage students in learning.
- Assessed student performance and provided feedback to facilitate student success.
- Created and implemented assessments to measure student progress.
- Fostered student curiosity and interest through creative hands-on activities.
- Built relationships and communicated with parents to provide best learning environment for children.
- Collaborated with colleagues to develop and revise curriculum, enhancing learning experience.
Performing Arts Educator
Blue Ridge High School
08.2006 - 05.2007
- Shifted between formal and informal methods of teaching to keep students engaged.
- Developed and implemented classroom routines to address varying student needs.
- Modified lessons and curriculum to accommodate diverse learners by using strategies such as peer-assisted learning and group work.
- Prepared quizzes, tests and examinations to gauge how well students were learning.
- Met with students, parents and administrators to address and resolve students' behavioral and academic issues.
Performing Arts Department Director
Holbrook School District
08.2007 - 01.2011
- Collaborated with colleagues to develop and revise curriculum, enhancing learning experience.
- Promoted a culture of excellence within the department by setting high standards for performance and consistently recognizing outstanding achievements.
- Designed curriculum-aligned assessments to measure student progress and inform instructional decisions.
- Participated in department meetings to provide input to colleagues about student achievement and improvement.
- Mentored new educators in best practices for teaching, leading to increased confidence and effectiveness within the school community.
Performing Arts Auditorium Director
Holbrook School District
08.2007 - 05.2010
- Managed relationships with key stakeholders, fostering trust and collaboration between departments and external partners.
- Set scheduled, delegated assignments and monitored performance against goals.
- Maximized employee engagement by creating a positive work environment that encouraged growth, innovation, and open communication.
- Oversaw the successful completion of major projects, ensuring they were delivered on time and within budget.
- Trained personnel in equipment maintenance and enforced participation in exercises focused on developing key skills.
Performing Arts Educator
Lumos Arts Academy
06.2019 - 04.2020
- Built relationships and communicated with parents to provide best learning environment for children.
- Collaborated with colleagues to develop and revise curriculum, enhancing learning experience.
- Provided constructive feedback on assignments, empowering students to take ownership of their learning and academic growth.
- Utilized innovative teaching strategies to effectively engage students in learning.
Performing Arts Educator
Holbrook Jr. High
08.2012 - 05.2013
- Facilitated student-led, inquiry-based activities in classroom to enhance learning experience.
- Created and implemented assessments to measure student progress.
- Designed curriculum-aligned assessments to measure student progress and inform instructional decisions.
- Developed and implemented differentiated instruction strategies for diverse learners, ensuring individualized attention and success.
- Chose materials and developed lesson plans to enhance skills for individual students.
Performing Arts Educator
Holbrook School District
08.2001 - 05.2006
- Modified lessons and curriculum to accommodate diverse learners by using strategies such as peer-assisted learning and group work.
- Developed and implemented classroom routines to address varying student needs.
- Created and developed lesson plans to meet students' academic needs.
- Fostered student curiosity and interest through creative hands-on activities.
- Coordinated community service projects for students, instilling civic responsibility and interpersonal skills development.
Performing Arts Educator
Highland Primary/Snowflake Intermediate School
08.2006 - 05.2009
- Built relationships and communicated with parents to provide best learning environment for children.
- Collaborated with colleagues to develop and revise curriculum, enhancing learning experience.
- Implemented classroom management techniques that fostered a positive and inclusive learning environment for all students.
- Monitored student progress and adjusted instruction to meet individual needs.
- Developed and implemented engaging lesson plans to keep learner attention.
Performing Arts Educator
Taylor Elementary/Intermediate School
08.2001 - 05.2005
- Established strong relationships with parents through regular communication, fostering a supportive network for student success.
- Chose materials and developed lesson plans to enhance skills for individual students.
- Provided constructive feedback on assignments, empowering students to take ownership of their learning and academic growth.
- Facilitated student-led, inquiry-based activities in classroom to enhance learning experience.
- Assessed student performance and provided feedback to facilitate student success.
Performing Arts Educator
Laird Elementary School
01.1990 - 05.1990
- Developed and implemented differentiated instruction strategies for diverse learners, ensuring individualized attention and success.
- Developed and implemented engaging lesson plans to keep learner attention.
- Chose materials and developed lesson plans to enhance skills for individual students.
- Improved student comprehension by incorporating visual aids and real-life examples into lesson plans.
- Developed and implemented classroom routines to address varying student needs.
Performing Arts Educator
Snowflake School District
08.1988 - 05.1989
- Collaborated with colleagues to develop and revise curriculum, enhancing learning experience.
- Implemented classroom management techniques that fostered a positive and inclusive learning environment for all students.
- Developed and implemented engaging lesson plans to keep learner attention.
- Utilized innovative teaching strategies to effectively engage students in learning.
- Improved student comprehension by incorporating visual aids and real-life examples into lesson plans.
Educator
American Leadership Academy High School
12.2018 - 05.2019
- Implemented classroom management techniques that fostered a positive and inclusive learning environment for all students.
- Developed and implemented engaging lesson plans to keep learner attention.
- Facilitated student-led, inquiry-based activities in classroom to enhance learning experience.
- Utilized innovative teaching strategies to effectively engage students in learning.
- Improved student comprehension by incorporating visual aids and real-life examples into lesson plans.
Educator
Legacy Traditional Charter School
08.2022 - Current
- Built relationships and communicated with parents to provide best learning environment for children.
- Established strong relationships with parents through regular communication, fostering a supportive network for student success.
- Utilized data-driven instruction to target areas of weakness and continuously improve student performance throughout the school year.
- Met regularly with team of teachers to discuss best practices and develop innovative teaching strategies.
- Helped students explore concepts with engaging, learning-focused activities.
Education Supervisor/Administrator
American Leadership Academy
08.2020 - 03.2022
- Facilitated cross-departmental collaboration to ensure a well-rounded education for students by integrating interdisciplinary projects into the curriculum.
- Developed strong relationships with parents, fostering open communication and increasing parent involvement in the educational process.
- Championed inclusive education practices, adapting lessons to accommodate diverse learner needs and fostering an equitable learning environment for all students.
- Developed and implemented various intervention strategies to address individual student needs, resulting in improved academic achievement across diverse populations.
Education
Ph.D. - Doctor of Education
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA12.2025
Master of Arts - Performing Arts Education
Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, AZBachelor of Arts - Performing Arts Education
College of Fine Arts, Arizona State University
Tempe, AZBachelor of Arts - Music Performance
Brigham Young University
Provo, UTBachelor of Arts - Visual And Performing Arts Education
Northland Pioneer College
Northern ArizonaAssociate of Arts - Music Performance
Mesa Community College
Mesa, AZSkills
Lesson Planning
Subject matter expertise
Collaborative learning
Curriculum Development
Program Development
Team Collaboration
Positive Learning Environment
Creative Instruction Style
Student Motivation and Engagement
Classroom Management
Parent Interaction
Differentiated Instruction
Certification
- New Jersey Permanent Standard Standard Certificate in Arts Education 7/13/2-23
- Arizona Standard Professional Arts Ed, Pre-K-12 Music Status Valid Dates 9/27/2022-5/30/2035
- Arizona Emergency Teaching Elementary, K-8 Status Valid Dates 8/15/2022-7/1/2023
- National Board Certification (Music Education for Adolescents)
- Spalding Level 1 Certification Health and Life Coach Certificate April 30, 2020
- HCI Life Coach and Health Certification 2019
Quote
Performance Requires Individual Determination for Excellence
-Debra-
Work Preference
Work Type
Full TimeWork Location
On-SiteImportant To Me
Company CultureWork-life balanceCareer advancementHealthcare benefitsPaid time offTimeline
Educator
Legacy Traditional Charter School
08.2022 - Current
Performing Arts Educator
Newark Public Schools
07.2022 - 05.2023
Education Supervisor/Administrator
American Leadership Academy
08.2020 - 03.2022
Performing Arts Educator
Lumos Arts Academy
06.2019 - 04.2020
Educator
American Leadership Academy High School
12.2018 - 05.2019
Performing Arts Educator
Higley Unified School District
07.2013 - 05.2014
Performing Arts Educator
Holbrook Jr. High
08.2012 - 05.2013
Performing Arts Educator
Poston Butte High School
08.2011 - 05.2013
Performing Arts Educator
Holbrook High School
08.2008 - 05.2011
Performing Arts Department Director
Holbrook School District
08.2007 - 01.2011
Performing Arts Auditorium Director
Holbrook School District
08.2007 - 05.2010
Performing Arts Educator
Blue Ridge High School
08.2006 - 05.2007
Performing Arts Educator
Highland Primary/Snowflake Intermediate School
08.2006 - 05.2009
Performing Arts Educator
Holbrook School District
08.2001 - 05.2006
Performing Arts Educator
Taylor Elementary/Intermediate School
08.2001 - 05.2005
Performing Arts Educator
Laird Elementary School
01.1990 - 05.1990
Performing Arts Educator
Snowflake School District
08.1988 - 05.1989
Ph.D. - Doctor of Education
Liberty University
Master of Arts - Performing Arts Education
Northern Arizona University
Bachelor of Arts - Performing Arts Education
College of Fine Arts, Arizona State University
Bachelor of Arts - Music Performance
Brigham Young University
Bachelor of Arts - Visual And Performing Arts Education
Northland Pioneer College
Associate of Arts - Music Performance
Mesa Community College
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