MELISSA SCHWIESOW
Rapid City
Summary
Dedicated education professional committed to enhancing student and staff development through targeted professional development workshops and data-driven instructional adjustments. Collaborates effectively with educators to implement best practices and foster a positive learning environment.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
Instructional Leader
Douglas School District
Box Elder
08.2023 - Current
- Facilitated professional development workshops for teaching staff across various subjects.
- Collaborated with school administrators to enhance instructional strategies and practices.
- Analyzed student performance data to inform instructional adjustments and interventions.
- Coordinated peer observation sessions to promote collaborative learning among educators.
- Mentored novice teachers through classroom management and instructional techniques.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of educational trends, research findings, and best practices related to instruction.
- Assisted teachers in developing differentiated instruction plans based on individual student needs.
- Provided guidance, support, and feedback to teachers on lesson planning and classroom management techniques.
- Facilitate weekly PLC meetings.
Instructor
Black Hills State University
Spearfish
09.2018 - 05.2023
- Teach 15 credit hours each semester.
- Adviser for 30-35 students each academic year.
- Meet monthly with the Elementary Methods Block to discussion student needs and celebrations.
- Collaborated on the development of EDFN 440 Elementary Classroom Management.
- Help with NSR days during the school year and summer as well as meet with perspective students.
- Help on a variety of committees: Scholarship Committee, Committee for Recruitment and Retention, Ad Hoc Committee- Classroom Environments.
Third Grade Teacher
Oscar Howe Elementary School
Sioux Falls
09.2015 - 05.2018
- Created an enjoyable and interesting learning environment for 26 students each year.
- Assessed students' reading levels using DRA Benchmark System and Leveled Reading Passages.
- Adapted teaching methods and materials to meet students' varying needs and interests.
- Met regularly with parents and guardians to discuss children's progress.
- Observed and evaluated students' performance, behavior, social development and physical health.
- Took part in professional development and continuing education courses.
- Hosted teachers for classroom visits.
Literacy Teacher
Grandview Elementary School
Rapid City
09.2013 - 05.2015
- Implemented reading and writing workshops to increase student literacy and support school reading programs.
- Provided small group literacy instruction in order to differentiate and meet the needs of our readers.
- Provided professional development and training to staff on our district assessments and guides.
- Organized Literacy Family Nights to communicate and collaborate with families.
- Ordered and catalogued leveled books for our literacy library.
- Mentored new teachers and helped them set up reader's and writer's workshop.
- Coached teachers in reading and writing.
- Lead and participated in data cycles.
Kindergarten Teacher
Grandview Elementary School
Rapid City
09.2012 - 05.2013
- Implemented reading and writing workshops to increase student literacy and support school reading program.
- Planned, implemented, monitored, and assessed a classroom instructional program which was consistent with Rapid City Area Schools goals for all students.
- Provided small group instruction in order to differentiate and help all learners grow.
- Gathered and reflected on data to meet the needs of students.
- Set SMART goals and had learning targets for students.
- Met weekly with team to plan and implement our curriculum.
Second Grade Teacher
Grandview Elementary School
Rapid City
09.2007 - 05.2012
- Implemented reading and writing workshops, enhancing student literacy and supporting school reading program.
- Served on our building leadership team to provide professional development.
- Attended weekly team meetings to provide a guaranteed and viable curriculum to all students.
- Provided learning targets and set goals with students.
- Mentored BHSU student teacher, improving classroom management and instructional strategies.
- Participated in South Dakota Counts initiative, promoting educational equity for diverse student populations.
- Taught Cognitively Guided Instruction class to faculty.
Math Leader
Knollwood Elementary School
Rapid City
09.2005 - 05.2007
- Met weekly to collaborate and look at student work.
- Attended weekly district math meetings.
- Aided in report card revisions for standards based report card.
- Worked one-on-one with students with the Math Recovery Model.
- Provided professional development to staff in the area of mathematics.
- Modeled lesson for new staff.
- Collected and organized district data for building.
Second Grade Teacher
Knollwood Elementary School
Rapid City
09.2003 - 05.2005
- Implemented reading and writing workshops to increase student literacy and support school reading programs.
- Implemented inquiry-based math workshop.
- Gave summative and formative assessments to gather data and plan instruction.
- Collaborated with teammates during weekly team meetings.
Education
Master of Science - Elementary Education
Winona State University
Winona, MN06-2003
Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education
University of South Dakota
Vermillion, SD05-2002
Skills
- Strong written and verbal communicator
- Positive and encouraging
- Instructional best practices
- Fast learner
- Self-motivated
- RTI/MTSS familiarity
- PLC familiarity
- Collaborative planning
- Interpersonal skills
- Team collaboration
Professional Development
- Love and Logic Conference, Colorado Springs, CO, 2004
- NCTM Annual Meeting, Anaheim, CA, 2005
- NCSM Annual Meeting, Atlanta, GA, 2006
- Math Recovery Training, 2006
- South Dakota Counts, 2009-2012
- Cognitive Coaching, 2013-2014
- SLO Training, Summer 2014
- Responsive Classroom Training, 2015
- South Dakota Literacy Grant Training, 2015-2016
- Brian Mendler Seminar, 2016
- CCIRA Conference, 2019
- CCIRA Conference, 2022
- The Coaching Institute- Jim Knight, Summer 2023
- LETRS Volume 1, 2023-2024
- LETRS Volume 2, 2024-2025
- IMSE Morphology Training, 2024
- CHAMPS Coaching Training 2024, 2025
Timeline
Instructional Leader
Douglas School District
08.2023 - Current
Instructor
Black Hills State University
09.2018 - 05.2023
Third Grade Teacher
Oscar Howe Elementary School
09.2015 - 05.2018
Literacy Teacher
Grandview Elementary School
09.2013 - 05.2015
Kindergarten Teacher
Grandview Elementary School
09.2012 - 05.2013
Second Grade Teacher
Grandview Elementary School
09.2007 - 05.2012
Math Leader
Knollwood Elementary School
09.2005 - 05.2007
Second Grade Teacher
Knollwood Elementary School
09.2003 - 05.2005
Master of Science - Elementary Education
Winona State University
Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education
University of South Dakota