Work Preference
Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Affiliations
Additional Information
Software
Certification
Interests
Work Availability
Languages
Websites
Timeline
Hi, I’m

Leah V. Turner

Education
Awaji
Life is something that happens to you while you’re making other plans.
Margaret Milar
Leah V. Turner

Work Preference

Work Type

Full TimeContract Work

Location Preference

On-SiteHybrid

Important To Me

Company CultureCareer advancementWork-life balanceHealthcare benefitsPaid time off

Summary

Experienced education professional well-prepared for leadership role in academic settings. Adept at fostering team collaboration and driving results through effective communication and adaptability. Strong skills in curriculum development, student support, and administrative management. Known for reliability and flexibility in addressing changing needs to achieve school objectives. Experienced with overseeing school operations and coordinating educational programs to ensure smooth daily functions.

Overview

30
years of professional experience
10
years of post-secondary education
1
Certification
3
Languages

Work History

Awaji Island International School/Pasona Group
Awaji , Hyogo, Japan

IB PYP Coordinator
09.2023 - Current

Job overview

  • Designed, created and structured a new IB PYP Early Years programme for a company's international school.
  • Redesigned school and classroom layouts, including: libraries, inquiry-based and student-centered classes.
  • Created and implemented the school plan, including the mission, vision, policies, protocols, procedures, schedules, and events.
  • Improved staff productivity with regular communication and progress updates, fostering a collaborative work environment.
  • Managed authorization timelines for successful completion, ensuring all IB requirements were addressed and met.
  • Successfully implemented all the necessary requirements for the school to receive IB PYP authorization.
  • Collaborated with teaching and leadership team to develop strategic plans aligning with overall school objectives, fostering a unified approach toward shared goals.
  • Conducted weekly staff meetings and professional development on a consistent basis, addressing the needs and concerns of the students, teachers, and all stakeholders.
  • Designed and implemented school curriculum, assessments, report cards and reporting procedures on a continual basis.
  • Gathered and organized materials to support teaching, learning and school operations.
  • Organized and facilitated learning field trips and excursions for students.
  • Enhanced operational workflows by maintaining well-organized documentation systems and updating records accurately as needed.
  • Assisted in recruitment efforts by coordinating interviews and managing onboarding activities for new hires.
  • Spearheaded parent communication, meetings and workshops that expanded school's community outreach, enhancing its public image and engagement.
  • Boosted staff morale and productivity by organizing team-building activities and maintaining open-door policy for feedback and concerns.
  • Managed, developed and trained staff, established and monitored goals, and conducted teacher observation and evaluations.
  • Created and directed theatrical and musical performances for over 70 students to showcase their talents in a professional theatre.
  • Wrote songs for school, including original school song and graduation songs for students to sing.

Nagoya School District, Meito Senior High School
Nagoya, Aichi, Japan

LANSCA Teacher
08.2015 - 07.2023

Job overview

  • Los Angeles Nagoya Sister City Affiliation (LANSCA) Teacher. Only chosen credentialed teacher from Los Angeles to work with Nagoya School District in Japan for over six years.
  • Develops and implements curriculum for English Language Learners in public high school of over one thousand students, ensuring students to test in higher percentile of standardized tests compared to other high schools.
  • Incorporates differentiated instruction and best practices to foster curiosity and analytical skills for students to communicate real life problem solving in presentations, debates, speech contests, and interviewing skills.
  • Creates, implements and revises higher level speaking conversation tests with clear and higher expectations than other high school tests, which have now been requested and utilized by various schools in Nagoya School District.
  • Presents and facilitates various workshops and training of best practices, instruction, and assessment for students and colleagues for multiple Nagoya public high schools.
  • Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
  • Adhered to social distancing protocols and wore mask or face shield.
  • Created dynamic learning in and out of the classroom.
  • Increased students standardized test scores.
  • Designs, implements, and assesses English instruction, which has increased student test scores, including TOEIC scores by 60%.
  • Advises and mentors students preparing for university, going abroad, and future career.
  • Collaborates and advises Japanese English teachers for best English instruction and teaching practices throughout Nagoya School District.
  • Attends diplomatic events as representative and Education Ambassador from Los Angeles.
  • Worked flexible hours; night, weekend, and holiday shifts
  • Created plans and communicated deadlines to ensure projects were completed on time

Castle Heights Elementary Los Angeles Unified School District
Los Angeles, CA

Lead Educator
08.1996 - 07.2015

Job overview

  • Communications Advisor in Education and school management.
  • Collaborated with adults and children to provide safe and educational experience.
  • Served as Grade Level Chair to lead team in developing successful strategies which met needs of all students including: At-Risk, Special Education, Gifted, and English Language Learners.
  • Served as Co-leader of Governance Council which planned and organized monthly meetings with group of thirty elected representatives from all stakeholders in the community to control, manage staffing, plan and make decisions for school.
  • Served as Chapter Chair for over seven years representing over sixty certified teachers and staff as lead communicator and negotiator of staff needs, duties, and rights.. Managed and articulated clear communication between all stakeholders.
  • Chose materials and developed lesson plans to enhance skills for individual students.
  • Differentiated instruction to meet needs of diverse learners.
  • Developed and implemented engaging lesson plans to keep learner attention.
  • Monitored and assessed understanding of difficult concepts and adjusted lesson accordingly.
  • Managed classroom activities, parent conferences, and lesson plans.
  • Assumed leadership roles in classes and summer activities.
  • Built relationships and communicated with parents to provide best learning environment for children.
  • Increased academic learning progress through streamlining testing procedures and updating protocols.
  • Implemented reading and writing workshops to increase student literacy and support school reading programs.
  • Adapted teaching methods and lesson plans to changing student needs to increase classroom participation by 35%.
  • Worked with staff members and teachers to design comprehensive and individualized plans to optimize student education.
  • Led department meetings and school professional developments to provide input to colleagues about student achievement and improvement.
  • Communicated frequently with parents, students and faculty to provide feedback and discuss instructional strategies.
  • Scheduled 15 hours per week to provide academic support and tutoring to struggling students, resulting in increase in their social and academic performance.
  • Assisted in developing student-led after-school tutoring program to teach at-risk students.
  • Fostered student curiosity and interest through creative hands-on activities.
  • Developed and implemented classroom routines to address varying student needs.
  • Modified lessons and curriculum to accommodate diverse learners by using strategies such as peer-assisted learning and group work.
  • Disney’s American Teacher Award: Nominated and recognized as an outstanding teacher who inspires joy of learning that goes above and beyond.
  • Created dynamic learning in and out of the classroom.
  • Created, directed, and produced children’s dramatic and musical productions with over one hundred students performing based on state and common core standards for large community audiences.
  • Established and coordinated school-wide academic, cultural, and holiday performances and fairs with over five hundred and fifty students participating.
  • Worked and collaborated with the media and celebrities.

Education

Pepperdine University
Malibu, California

Master of Arts from Education
01.1997 - 08.1998

University Overview

  • Received California Teaching Commission for Multiple Subjects Teaching Credential
  • Graduation with Distinction, Cross Cultural Language Academic Certification
  • 3.8 GPA

California State University Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California

Bachelor of Arts from Speech Communications
09.1988 - 08.1996

University Overview

  • Continuing education in UCLA Summer Session
  • Member of Teen Youth Outreach
  • Graduation with Distinction, Finance & Law

UCLA
Los Angeles, California

English Language and Intensive Literacy Program
06.2010 - 07.2010

UCLA
Los Angeles, California

No Degree from Governor's Reading Initiative
03.2000 - 04.2000

Skills

Training and mentoring

Problem-solving

MS office

Adaptability and flexibility

Administrative leadership

Team collaboration

Decision-making

Accomplishments

    ● Disney’s American Teacher Award: Nominated and recognized as an outstanding teacher who

    inspires the joy of learning that goes above and beyond. Created dynamic learning in and out of the

    classroom. Increased students standardized test scores. Created, directed, and produced children’s

    dramatic and musical productions with over one hundred students performing based on state and

    common core standards for large community audiences. Established and coordinated school-wide

    academic, cultural, and holiday performances and fairs with over five hundred and fifty students

    participating. Worked and collaborated with the media and celebrities.

    ● School Chapter Chair Leader: Lead Representative of over sixty certified teachers and staff.

    Managed and articulated clear communication between all stakeholders. Planned, organized and

    co-directed Governance Council, a group of thirty elected representatives from all stakeholders in

    the community to control, manage and plan decisions for the school on a regular basis.

    ● Los Angeles Nagoya Sister City Affiliation (LANSCA) Teacher The only chosen credentialed

    teacher from Los Angeles to work with Nagoya School District in Japan for over six years .Designs,

    implements, and assesses English instruction, which has increased student test scores, including

    TOEIC scores by 60%. Creates and facilitates training and workshops to improve English instruction

    for Nagoya Public High School Teachers. Advises and mentors students preparing for university,

    going abroad, and future career. Collaborates and advises Japanese English teachers for best English

    instruction and teaching practices throughout Nagoya School District. Attends diplomatic events as

    a representative and Education Ambassador from Los Angeles.

Affiliations

Hope International

American Chamber of Commerce in Japan

Tokai Japan Canada Society

Santa and Friends (orphan outreach)

KPB Theatre

Nagoya Community Theatre

Additional Information

Disney's American Teacher Recognition

-Nominated and distinguished as an outstanding teacher who inspires the joy of learning that goes above and beyond the classroom.

-Created dynamic learning in and out of the classroom.

-Increased students standardized test scores.

- Created, directed, and produced children's dramatic and musical productions with over one hundred students performing based on state and common core standards (for large community audiences)

-Established and coordinated school-wide academic, cultural, and holiday performances and fairs with over five hundred and fifty students participating.

-Worked and collaborated with the media and celebrities.

Los Angeles Nagoya Sister City Affiliation (LANSCA) Teacher

-The only chosen credentialed teacher from Los Angeles Unified School District to work with the Nagoya School District in Nagoya, Japan for over six years and is the education representative in diplomatic and other events.

-Designs, implements, and assesses instruction and curriculum for English Communication in a Japanese public high school.

-Has increased students English fluency and communication strategies in informal, formal, and standardized testing by 60%.

-Creates and facilitates training and workshops to improve English instruction for Nagoya Unified School District teachers.

-Advises and mentors students preparing for university, going abroad, and career aspirations.

Software

Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, and Powerpoint

Mac OS X, including Pages, Keynote, Numbers, iMovie, and Garageband

Google Suite

Flipgrid

Zoom

My Data

DIBELS

Trello

Certification

Clear Multiple Subject Teaching Credential

Interests

Theatre and Performing Arts (Member of community theatre in Nagoya)

Nagoya Street Hockey League

Nagoya Salsa Dancing

Hope International volunteer

Tokai Japan Canada Society volunteer

American Chamber of Commerce in Japan member

Availability
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monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Languages

English
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
Spanish
Elementary (A2)
Japanese
Beginner (A1)

Timeline

IB PYP Coordinator

Awaji Island International School/Pasona Group
09.2023 - Current

Clear Multiple Subject Teaching Credential

09-2018

LANSCA Teacher

Nagoya School District, Meito Senior High School
08.2015 - 07.2023

UCLA

English Language and Intensive Literacy Program
06.2010 - 07.2010

UCLA

No Degree from Governor's Reading Initiative
03.2000 - 04.2000

Pepperdine University

Master of Arts from Education
01.1997 - 08.1998

Lead Educator

Castle Heights Elementary Los Angeles Unified School District
08.1996 - 07.2015

California State University Los Angeles

Bachelor of Arts from Speech Communications
09.1988 - 08.1996
Leah V. TurnerEducation