Sara Horst
Educator
Bridgewater,Virginia
Summary
Committed and engaging educator bringing high-quality instruction and expertise in literacy development. Organized and dependable candidate successful at guiding and preparing future educators with five semesters in postsecondary education.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
Adjunct Faculty
James Madison University
08.2016 - 12.2022
- READ 366 - Early Literacy and Language Development, Fall 2016-Spring 2018
- LED 462 - Disciplinary Literacy PK-6, Fall 2022
- Both courses included a practicum placement for students.
- Provided constructive feedback on student performance through regular evaluations and personalized guidance sessions.
- Facilitated group projects that promoted teamwork, problem-solving skills, and critical thinking abilities among students.
- Established positive relationships with students, fostering a supportive and inclusive learning environment.
- Evaluated and revised lesson plans and course content to achieve student-centered learning.
- Managed course materials through an online learning management system for easy accessibility by students.
- Provided constructive feedback on student performance through regular evaluations and assignments.
Classroom Teacher
Rockingham County Public Schools
08.2018 - 06.2022
- Successfully planned instruction for digital delivery and hybrid delivery during the 2020-21 school year.
- Effectively fostered a safe and positive learning environment for all students with positive classroom management systems.
- Demonstrated current and effective instructional practices in lesson planning.
- Effectively planned literacy lessons for diverse emergent, beginning, and transitional readers.
- Planned appropriate and differentiated instruction for a variety of learners, including gifted and remedial students.
- Wrote, applied, and received multiple grants benefiting students.
- Utilized Bloom's Taxonomy to formulate lesson plans, questions during discussions, and activities for students.
- Maintained positive rapport with parents and students.
- Ensured open communication with parents through newsletters, positive phone calls & notes throughout the year, report cards, and introductory letters mailed to student homes at the beginning of the school year.
- Frequently utilized a variety of technology to effectively supplement instructional strategies.
- Demonstrated thorough knowledge of SOL Curriculum Framework, Performance Level Descriptors, Enhanced Scope & Sequence Guides, Test Blueprints, and Released Tests in planning for learning.
- Consistently planned SOL aligned lessons and used formal and informal assessments to direct further instruction.
- Collaborated with team members and Title 1 Reading instructor for instruction and practice with remedial students.
- Used a variety of assessments to plan for long term and short-term growth of each student.
- Planned a variety of SOL aligned field trips to enrich student experiences.
- Supervised multiple pre-service teachers from JMU and BC as student teachers and practicum teachers.
Reading Specialist
Rockingham County Public Schools
08.2013 - 06.2018
- Collaborated with classroom teachers to provide targeted instruction for remedial students in reading and math.
- Planned for diverse needs of remedial readers while utilizing a variety of instructional approaches.
- Administered a variety of reading assessments including QRIs, IRIs, Spelling Inventories, and running records to determine the needs of individual students.
- Lesson plans were thorough, rigorous, and targeted to increase student knowledge quickly.
- When TLC assistant was available, provided enriching and engaging lessons for assistant to implement with small groups.
- Disaggregated and analyzed state SOL assessment data, local data, and reading assessment data to provide current information for teachers.
- Maintained positive rapport with parents and students.
- Demonstrated thorough knowledge of SOL Curriculum Framework, Performance Level Descriptors, Enhanced Scope & Sequence Guides, Test Blueprints, and Released Tests in planning for learning.
- Consistently planned SOL aligned lessons and used formal and informal assessments to direct further instruction.
Classroom Teacher
Rockingham County Public Schools
08.2007 - 06.2012
- Effectively fostered a safe and positive learning environment for all students with positive classroom management systems.
- Demonstrated current and effective instructional practices in lesson planning.
- Planned appropriate and differentiated instruction for a variety of learners, including gifted and remedial students.
- Utilized Bloom's Taxonomy to formulate lesson plans, questions during discussions, and activities for students.
- Maintained positive rapport with parents and students.
- Ensured open communication with parents through newsletters, positive phone calls throughout the year, report cards, and introductory letters mailed to student homes at the beginning of the school year.
- Frequently utilized a variety of technology to effectively supplement instructional strategies.
- Demonstrated thorough knowledge of SOL Curriculum Framework, Performance Level Descriptors, Enhanced Scope & Sequence Guides, Test Blueprints, and Released Tests in planning for learning.
- Consistently planned SOL aligned lessons and used formal and informal assessments to direct further instruction.
- Collaborated with team members, Co-lab teams, and TLC instructor for instruction and practice with remedial students.
- Used a variety of assessments to plan for long term and short-term growth of each student.
- Analyzed Student Performance By Question data from SOL scores to further direct classroom instruction for each student.
- Planned a variety of SOL aligned field trips to enrich student experiences.
- Planned for and provided after school tutoring opportunities throughout the year for remedial students, including Writing Camp, and Reading and Math tutoring.
- Served as OPTSO Treasurer for three years at Ottobine Elementary School and was responsible for maintaining accurate and detailed monthly budget reports, managing the funds on behalf of the Board, and informing faculty and staff of OES of decisions made by the Board.
- Collaborated with parents on the OPTSO Board to plan school-wide events and allocate funds to support the school's goals and vision.
- Initiated and co-sponsored for four years the OES Green Team, a club for students to actively participate in ecologically friendly practices within the school.
Pre-school Lead Teacher/Office Manager
Good Shepherd School & Daycare
01.2002 - 01.2006
- Responsible for maintaining a fun and safe learning environment for infants and children through age 5.
- Created and implemented activities in summer classroom and curricula.
- Managed pre-school classroom and taught daily lessons.
- Managed office and was responsible for customer accounts, speaking with parents, and managed the nursery/preschool classrooms and other employees.
Education
Master of Education - Reading
James Madison University
Harrisonburg 05.2001 -
Master of Science - Elementary Education
Old Dominion University
Norfolk, VA 05.2001 -
Bachelor of Science - Interdisciplinary Studies
Old Dominion University
Norfolk, VA 05.2001 -
Associate of Arts -
Blue Ridge Community College
Weyers Cave, VA 05.2001 -
Skills
Literacy Expert
Student Engagement
Active Learning Techniques
Service & Committees
School Board Member
Rockingham County Public Schools, 2024-2028
School Testing Coordinator
Ottobine Elementary School, Rockingham County Public Schools, 2014-2021
Co-Presenter at Virginia State Reading Association Conference (VSRA)
Roanoke, VA, March 16-18, 2017
Accelerating Reading Growth Using Collaboration and Co-Teaching
Administrative Designee
Ottobine Elementary School, Rockingham County Public Schools, 2013-2017
America Reads Work Study Program Coordinator
Ottobine Elementary School, Rockingham County Public Schools, 2013-2017
Literacy Committee Co-Chair
Ottobine Elementary School, Rockingham County Public Schools, 2013-2017
Co-Presenter at Association of Literacy Educators and Researchers (ALER)
Myrtle Beach, SC, November 3 & 4, 2016
Organizing an Effective Classroom Library
Consultation & Professional Development
John Kerr Elementary School, Winchester City Public Schools, 2016
Improving Literacy Instruction
Timeline
Classroom Teacher
Rockingham County Public Schools
08.2018 - 06.2022
Adjunct Faculty
James Madison University
08.2016 - 12.2022
Reading Specialist
Rockingham County Public Schools
08.2013 - 06.2018
Classroom Teacher
Rockingham County Public Schools
08.2007 - 06.2012
Pre-school Lead Teacher/Office Manager
Good Shepherd School & Daycare
01.2002 - 01.2006
Master of Education - Reading
James Madison University
05.2001 -
Master of Science - Elementary Education
Old Dominion University
05.2001 -
Bachelor of Science - Interdisciplinary Studies
Old Dominion University
05.2001 -
Associate of Arts -
Blue Ridge Community College
05.2001 -
Similar Profiles
Olivia GiknavorianOlivia Giknavorian
Event Operations Specialist at James Madison University Recreation Center, James Madison UniversityEvent Operations Specialist at James Madison University Recreation Center, James Madison University
Matthew Alton HarrisMatthew Alton Harris
Teacher Assistant at James Madison UniversityTeacher Assistant at James Madison University
Charles BodensteinCharles Bodenstein
Culture Editor at The Breeze, James Madison UniversityCulture Editor at The Breeze, James Madison University