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MASTER OF SCIENCE IN EDUCATION: EDUCATIONAL STUDIES
ALEJANDRO DIASGRANADOS
AN EDUCATOR'S STORY
I was born and raised in Beltsville Maryland, a small town about 10 miles outside of Washington D.C. In 2010 I received a football scholarship to play at Virginia State University. After four years of playing College Football I graduated cum laude from Virginia State University with a BS in Health & Physical Education.
My interest in teaching began in early 2015, when I began substitute teaching brilliant students in Springfield, MA. In May 2015, I accepted an offer from Teach For America, this opportunity allowed me to move back home and teach second grade in Washington D.C.
During my corps years, my students have achieved a great amount of academic growth, which I mostly credit to the strong community that we have created in our classroom. The strong relationships that were built these past two years aided my decision to transition into their 3rd and 4th grade ELA teacher. I believe that a strong community is the foundation of a successful classroom.
Video retrieved from Teach For America-DC Region
ABOUT ME
Welcome to my Teaching Portfolio! My name is Alejandro Diasgranados, and I teach Third and Fourth grade ELA in Washington D.C.
QUALIFICATIONS
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
AITON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
August 2015 - Present
Washington D.C.
Second Grade Teacher (Teach For America)
Key Contributions:
•Earned Effective rating two consecutive years on DCPS IMPACT Rating Scale.
•Moved Overall Classroom reading fluency from 12/34 (35% proficiency) to 28/34 (82%proficiency).
•Earned high marks for the quality and creativity of classroom teaching, lesson plans and instructional materials used in teaching diverse subjects (e.g., language arts, mathematics, science, social studies and history).
•Developed innovative approaches that were repeatedly held up as the model standard for meeting district goals in areas including technology integration across the curriculum, experiential learning, literacy and diversity.
•Taught general education students as well as individuals with learning challenges and special needs within a mainstreamed, inclusive classroom.
•Consistently commended for ability to redirect students exhibiting behavior problems by replacing disruptive, unproductive patterns with positive behaviors.
•Actively served on our school assemblies committee.
•Established positive relationships with students, parents, fellow teachers and school administrators/staff.
TEACH FOR AMERICA INSTITUTE
June 2015 - August 2015
Philadelphia, PA
Student/Teacher
•Responsible for developing and implementing a five-week summer school curriculum
•Attended six research based courses including: Instructional Planning and Delivery, Elementary Literacy, Classroom Management and Culture, Teaching As Leadership, and Learning Theory, and Diversity and Inclusiveness
•Collaborated with a team of veteran and new teachers to determine strategies for increasing student achievement
MORGAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
January 2015 - June 2015
Springfield, MA
Fifth Grade Science Teacher
•Observe and evaluate 41 students’ performance in Science, Writing, and Social Studies with an average of 86% proficiency
•Adapt teaching methods to meet students’ varying needs including learning disabilities such as ADHD, speech impairment, and language barriers.
•Establish and express clear objectives for learning activities
•Establish and maintain standards of student behavior and ensure that it is adhered to
•Meet with all parents and guardians to provide feedback on student’s progress and areas of improvement in regard to test performance, reading and writing abilities, and social development
•Create curricula that reflect students’ 4 cultural backgrounds including Latin American, African American, Asian American and Caucasian.
ACHIEVEMENTS
•Featured in Teach For America Documentary
•Featured on WHUR and Sirius Satellite radio discussing the importance of black male educators
•Teacher of the Month January 2016
•Dean’s List Punter for Virginia State Football Team
•Scholar athlete of the year 2010-2014 at Virginia State University
•Highest GPA award for Virginia State University football Team 2011-2014
•Cum Laude - Latin Honors