Email: pollak.kayla@yahoo.

com
Portfolio: kaylapollak.weebly.com

Kayla Martin Pollak

Objective To obtain a teaching position as a reading specialist in a public school setting

Education Lynchburg College B.S. Elementary Education

Graduation: January 2014
GPA: 3.75 Magna Cum Laude

University of New England MSEd Reading Specialist/Literacy Coach K-12

Graduation: May 2017
GPA: 4.0
Related Experience

Licensed Reading Specialist, Orton-Gillingham Trained

Cougar Elementary School, Manassas Park, VA
August 2018-Present
• Lead intensive, targeted interventions using the Orton-Gillingham method to help strengthen letter and sound
recognition, letter formation, spelling, reading, fluency, and decoding
• Provide support to struggling readers through a push-in and pull-out classroom model
• Co-teach literacy with classroom teachers to benefit lower-level readers
• Collaborate with teachers to plan and implement cohesive lessons to target varied student needs
• Lead guided reading groups to assist students with vocabulary, comprehension, and oral language development
• Analyze testing data and provide instruction recommendations
• Develop and deliver professional development at quarterly power-team meetings

Third Grade Homeroom Teacher

Manassas Park Elementary School, Manassas Park, VA
August 2014-August 2018
• Taught general education students as well as individuals with learning challenges and special needs in a Title I
elementary school
• Collaborated with paraprofessionals and ESL teachers to create and implement differentiated lessons to meet the
varied needs of students
• Earned high marks and exceeded the standards on evaluations for the quality and creativity of classroom teaching,
thoroughness of lesson plans, and differentiation of instructional materials
• Expanded the range of learning through whole group, small group, and center-based instruction
• Utilized a variety of teaching techniques to accommodate auditory, visual, and kinesthetic learners
• Established positive relationships with students, administrators, fellow teachers, parents, and school staff
• Actively participated in professional development that focused on creating grade wide curriculum maps, pacing
guides, and detailed unit plans

Technology and Learning Connection Team Leader

Manassas Park Elementary School, Manassas Park, VA
August 2016-June 2017
• Led my team in developing three technology-related action goals for the 2016-2017 school year
• Developed and planned a technology camp for students to participate in during intersession week
 • Organized monthly team meetings to discuss current happenings related to technology within our school
• Prepared and held multiple professional development sessions for teachers to enhance their proficiency with
technology in the classroom

Student Teaching
Fifth Grade, Heritage Elementary, Lynchburg, VA
Kindergarten, R.S. Payne Elementary, Lynchburg, VA
January 2014-May 2014
• Developed complete and concise daily lesson plans for full time teaching of reading, math, and science
• Facilitated daily guided reading groups and demonstrated a variety of teaching techniques
• Enriched students’ experiences in pre-academic and academic subjects
• Maintained positive relationships with students
• Completed weekly evaluations with cooperating teacher

Resident Assistant
Lynchburg College
August 2011-May 2014
• Created and maintained a healthy environment for the academic and physical growth of students
• Planned and held monthly programs for residents and advertised those programs in a creative fashion
• Performed scheduled on-call and on-duty nights and completed weekly paperwork and reports
• Enforced policies and regulations within the college

Programming Specialist for Residence Life

Lynchburg College
August 2013-May 2014
• Created needs based assessments that established programmatic initiatives and goals
for first year students
• Served on a committee that focused on the needs and interests of first year students
• Coordinated and participated in the training of the resident assistant staff

Private Reading Tutor

Lynchburg, Virginia
September 2012-December 2012
• Conducted assessments to determine student reading levels
• Created reading plans to match student ability and learning styles and consulted with parent to recommend at-
home strategies to improve reading skills
• Guided student through reading and writing activities to help them overcome obstacles to literacy

Licensure
• Licensed in Virginia, Pre-K through 6th grade/Reading Specialist K-12
• RVE Test Score: 184
• Praxis II Test Score: 165
• Praxis I Test Score: 536
• VCLA Reading and Writing Test Score: 560
• RVE Reading Specialist: 182

Professional Affiliations and Certifications: Orton-Gillingham Trained; Member of the Lynchburg College Concert Choir; Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership
Honor Society Member; Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society Member; Kappa Delta Pi Education Honor Society Member; Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society Member; Italy
Study Abroad Scholarship Award 2012; VACUHO Conference Presenter 2013; Residence Life Altruism Reward 2012-2013