LESLIE J. GONZALEZ
346 CEDAR SPRINGS DRIVE • ATHENS GA 30605
PHONE: 706-850-6452 • E-MAIL:
Education
Valdosta State University, Master in Library and Information Science ALA Accredited, 2010 (4.0)
The Florida State University, B.S. in English Education, 1993 (3.68)
Professional Experience
Instructor, Dyslexia Research Institute, Tallahassee FL: August 1993 – June 1994
· Woodland Hall Academy 3rd – 12th grade Instructor
o Instructor of grammar, reading, word processing, World History, Mathematics, and physical education using multi-sensorial strategies and positive behavioral interventions
o Performed weekly diagnostic testing of encoding, decoding, organization, speed, efficiency, fine motor skills, auditory discrimination, and verbalization
o Journalism instructor and advisor of the school newspaper, WHA News
Instructor, Decatur County Schools, Bainbridge GA: August 1994 – June 1996
· Bainbridge High School English Instructor grades 9th – 12th
o Instructor of at-risk students in a dropout prevention program (Alt-O) using performance-based education, alternative discipline, and an interdisciplinary team-teaching approach
o English Instructor of mainstream and inclusion school population
o Coach and advisor of the school Knowledge Bowl team
o SACS Committees: Alt-O; Foreign Language; English
Educational Consultant, Communities in Schools of Georgia, Atlanta GA: June 1995 – August 1997
· Consultant in the areas of classroom management, performance-based education, experiential education, multi-sensorial techniques, and multiple learning styles
· Liaison for local and state funders of the Virtual Office program
Instructor, Thomas County Schools, Thomasville GA: August 1996 – June 2008
· Central Middle School 6th grade English-Language Arts Instructor and 6th – 8th grades Communities in Schools (CIS) Project Director and Case Manager
o Instructor of mainstream and inclusion 6th grade English-Language Arts
o Remedial and advanced reading instructor of 6th – 8th grade students
o Instructor of Writing to Win, a writing across the curriculum initiative
o Created and facilitated the Reading Buddies bi-monthly mentoring program with at-risk K-2nd grade students at Garrison-Pilcher Elementary School
o Case-managed ninety 6th – 8th grade students identified as at-risk
o Responsible for compiling and managing confidential Quality and Standards documents for each student in program and maintaining CMS CIS program budget
o Worked as a liaison between students, teachers, administration, and parents in order to improve student attendance, behavior, grades, and school involvement
o Created, managed, and taught the Virtual Office curriculum and computer lab that focused on equity in technological access and real-world technology skills
o Wrote and managed grants to fully fund the Virtual Office.
o Instructed students in A+ hardware maintenance, PowerPoint, web-page building, career planning, and life skills
o Worked as a liaison between students and local businesses to secure and manage internships for the 8th grade students as a culmination to their three year CIS program
o Received ROPES certification and facilitated students at a bi-monthly ROPES course challenge
· Crossroads English Instructor grades 6th – 12th
o Instructor of both regular and fast-track English to at-risk, remedial, and inclusion students with a focus on dropout prevention, positive behavioral interventions, career-mentoring, technology instruction, and efficacy using Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Publisher
o Collaborated with local CIS program to implement behavioral incentives
o Developed 9th – 12th grade fast-track curriculum for Language Arts, English, American Literature, British Literature, and World Literature
o Journalism instructor and advisor of school newspaper used in VOCA competitions
· Bishop Hall Charter School 9th – 12th English, Digital Photography, and Film Appreciation
Instructor
o Half-time instructor of regular and fast-track English to at-risk, remedial, and inclusion students with a focus on dropout prevention, positive behavioral interventions, technology instruction, and efficacy using Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Publisher
o Developed 9th – 12th grade online Blackboard English curriculum
o EOCT test-prep instructor for 9th and 11th grade English students
o Instructor of elective courses in Film Appreciation and Digital Photography/Art
o Substitute teacher for all subjects as needed
o Thomas County School System Charter Petition Committee member
Paraprofessional, Clarke County School District, Athens GA: January 2009 – present
· Barnett Shoals and Gaines Elementary School Paraprofessional and PSP Instructor
o Instructor of Saxon Phonics and PSP Mathematics
o Support classroom teacher in individual and small group instruction across the curriculum
o Assist with development and administration of positive behavioral interventions
o Participated in Bear-Cub Mentoring Program at Barnett Shoals Elementary School
Honors and Awards
· 2000 Georgia’s Teaching Tools for Successful Schools Award for the CIS Virtual Office program
· 2000 Disney American Teacher of the Year Nominee
· 1999 People Magazine Most Innovative Program Award
o $9,875 for use towards the Virtual Office program
· 1999 Georgia Library Media Association: 1st - 5th Middle School Web-Page State Awards
· 1998 Flower’s Industries Hometown Hero Award
o $7,500 for use towards the Virtual Office program
· 1998 Georgia’s Teaching Tools for Successful Schools Award for the CIS Career Mentoring program
· Top-Ten Percent Graduate, The Florida State University and Valdosta State University
· Golden Key National Honor Society, The Florida State University
References
Attached
References:
1. Richard Johnson
Headmaster, Bishop Hall Charter School/former Communities in Schools of the Thomas Area Executive Director/former Alt-O Director
Bishop Hall Charter School
1819 East Clay Street
Thomasville GA 31792
229-221-5610 (cell) / 229-227-1397 (office) /
2. Dr. Anita Ondrusek
VSU MLIS Professor and Advisor
Valdosta State University
1500 North Patterson Street
Valdosta GA 31698
229-245-3742 (office) /
3. Dr. Sharon White, Assistant Principal (former Barnett Shoals Elementary School Principal)
Hilsman Middle School
870 Gaines School Road
Athens GA 30605
706-548-7281 (office) /
4. Phyllis Stewart, Principal
Gaines Elementary School
900 Gaines School Road
Athens GA 30605
706-357-5338 (office) /
5. Kate Arnold
Elementary Mathematics Instructional Coach, Clarke County School District
CCSD BOE
240 Mitchell Bridge Road
Athens GA 30606
706-201-5807 (cell) / 706-546-7721 (office) /
6. Carlyn Maddox
Secondary English-Language Arts Instructional Coach, Clarke County School District
CCSD BOE
240 Mitchell Bridge Road
Athens GA 30606
229-224-9240 (cell) / 706-546-7721 (office) /
7. Lindsey Meyer, First Grade Teacher
Gaines Elementary School
900 Gaines School Road
Athens GA 30605
706-357-5338 (office) /