Emily Lehsten
Norfolk
Summary
Professional educator skilled in creating dynamic, inclusive classroom experiences that drive student success. Adept at leveraging diverse instructional strategies to meet varied learning needs, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of material. Known for collaborative approach and adaptability in ever-evolving educational settings, with focus on critical thinking and communication.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Teacher- English and Special Education
Mount Vernon High School
01.2016 - 01.2018
- Taught a mix of grades from 10 to 12.
- Created lesson plans for students of varying educational levels using scaffolding, measuring, and other methods of curriculum integration.
- Worked as a case manager for 25 children with special educational needs, performing such tasks as observing, advising, and writing IEPs (Individual Education Programs).
- Created interactive lessons for students on various topics throughout English literature using differing technologies and modes of learning.
- Served on teams and committees to ensure students were receiving the highest educational standards of learning.
Teacher– English
Osbourn High School
01.2015 - 01.2016
- Taught a mix of grade 12, grade 10, and honors grade 10. Used State standards to create aligned, learning-focused, and engaging lessons.
- Used differentiation to meet student needs by utilizing flexible grouping and learning stations. Differentiation was also utilized by pairing or creating learning teams based on shared interests or learning styles. For those who moved ahead more quickly than others, independent studies were assigned that paired with the next class reading or activities.
- Utilized AVID (Advancement via Individual Differences) strategies within the classroom to further student organization and priorities.
- Implemented reading circles to engage students in reading. Used Google Class to maintain a discussion board regarding the readings; students answered higher-order thinking questions and replied to others on the discussion board.
- Using the SGA, data were gathered at the beginning and end of the year. My students showed a 100% increase in the overall scoring.
- Created firm and high expectations for my students and followed through with positive or negative consequences.
- The classroom management style employed was PBIS, which is aligned with school policies and procedures.
Teacher– Language Arts Grade Six
Godwin Middle School
01.2009 - 01.2010
- Instructed grade six students within the IB Middle Years Programme (IBMYP).
- Created and implemented unit and lesson plans incorporating the criteria of the IBMYP and Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL).
- Utilized Kagan structures to differentiate lessons based on students’ needs and abilities.
- Collaborated with the librarian to create a school-wide reading incentive program. Employed technology for student learning and collaboration.
Teacher– Language Arts, Grade seven, Honors Grade seven
Glasgow Middle School
01.2006 - 01.2009
- Instructed grade seven students within the IB Middle Years Programme guidelines.
- Facilitated AVID initiative by coaching and mentoring various students throughout the seventh and eighth grades.
- Instructed grade seven Honor’s English students utilizing such techniques as Socratic seminars, moral dilemmas, and student collaboration.
- Created authentic, student-centred lessons focused on collaborative work to further student achievement.
- Constructed and implemented grade-wide curriculum and unit plans directly aligned with the Fairfax County Pacing Guide and Virginia SOL blueprints.
- Headed the seventh-grade Language Arts Professional Learning Community (PLC) for two years. Responsibilities included creating agendas for meetings, directing meetings, and acting as a liaison between the PLC and the English department, school administration, and other stakeholders.
- Collaborated with the seventh-grade Language Arts team to create common assessments, analyze assessment data, and implement strategies to further student achievement.
- Acted as a co-team leader for a seventh-grade team of teachers. Responsibilities included creating agendas, taking minutes during meetings, managing student information for the team, acting as a liaison between the team and administrators, and collaborating with other teams to create grade-level-wide community service projects and academic field trips.
- Sponsored the National Junior Honor Society
Action Literacy Teacher, grades seven and eight
Glasgow Middle School
01.2006 - 01.2009
- Coached grade seven and eight students to better their reading comprehension by utilizing specific reading strategies such as building schema and scaffolding.
- Implemented and managed an intervention class for low-achieving students, teaching organizational skills, time management, as well as study and test-taking strategies.
- Worked one-on-one with students to assess reading and writing needs and create individualized SMART goals to promote student achievement.
Teacher, grade eight
Glasgow Middle School
01.2006 - 01.2009
- Facilitated an accelerated learning environment for grade eight students by providing remediation or enrichment based on individual needs.
- Implemented the Fairfax County curriculum, focusing on promotional benchmarks and grade promotion.
Teacher, grades the ninth, tenth, and eleventh grades
Floyd E. Kellam HS
01.2004 - 01.2005
- Instructed grade nine and grade ten students.
- Engaged students using student-centred lessons, active learning, and thinking strategies.
- Created and implemented curriculum for grades nine and ten using the Virginia Beach County pacing guide.
- Coached grade ten students to prepare them for PSAT testing.
- Mentored students for SOL and SAT testing during the school year.
- Developed pacing guide and lesson plans for grade eleven summer school students.
- Crafted lessons and practice tests for students needing to pass the
Education
MSc. - Psychology of Coercive Control
University of Salford
01.2024
M.Ed. - Higher Education and Adult Learning
University of Phoenix
01.2016
Teaching Certification - Language Arts Grades 9-12
Old Dominion University
01.2004
BS - Psychology
Old Dominion University
01.1998
Skills
- Effective classroom management
- Cultivating strong partnerships
- Problem-solving skills
- Instructional design
Accomplishments
- Curriculum Development - Tailored educational curriculum to students with range of learning styles, disabilities, strengths and weaknesses. Developed innovative semester lesson plans and practical application exercises for the classroom, reversing scores on standardized end of year English tests from 65% average to 87% average.
- Research: -Completed a Master's dissertation and graduated with distinction from the University of Salford.
- Research: -Presented dissertation research at the annual International Cultic Studies Associate conference in 2025
Affiliations
International Cultic Studies Association
Timeline
Teacher- English and Special Education
Mount Vernon High School
01.2016 - 01.2018
Teacher– English
Osbourn High School
01.2015 - 01.2016
Teacher– Language Arts Grade Six
Godwin Middle School
01.2009 - 01.2010
Teacher– Language Arts, Grade seven, Honors Grade seven
Glasgow Middle School
01.2006 - 01.2009
Action Literacy Teacher, grades seven and eight
Glasgow Middle School
01.2006 - 01.2009
Teacher, grade eight
Glasgow Middle School
01.2006 - 01.2009
Teacher, grades the ninth, tenth, and eleventh grades
Floyd E. Kellam HS
01.2004 - 01.2005
M.Ed. - Higher Education and Adult Learning
University of Phoenix
Teaching Certification - Language Arts Grades 9-12
Old Dominion University
BS - Psychology
Old Dominion University
MSc. - Psychology of Coercive Control
University of Salford
PROFESIONAL EXPERIENCE
Presented research at the International Cultic Studies Association Conference in 2025
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