Denia Lopez
Avondale
Summary
Experienced educator with a strong background in curriculum development, classroom management, and fostering student engagement. Skilled in promoting collaboration, creativity, and diversity within educational environments. Dedicated to empowering students and colleagues through leadership and community involvement. Committed to continuous improvement and professional development to enhance teaching practices.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
9-12 Grade English Teacher
Leona Group Schools
Buckeye, Az
07.2025 - Current
- Alternative school
- Student Council Advisor for one quarter during which time I planned and created the curriculum and format for a Student Council elective class
- Safety team member
- IXL data tracking
- Synergy
- Fostered a positive learning environment, encouraging student participation and collaboration.
- Developed and implemented engaging lesson plans aligned with curriculum standards.
- Integrated technology into lessons to enhance student learning experiences and engagement.
5th/6th grade writing teacher
Tolleson Elementary School District
Tolleson, Az
07.2024 - 05.2025
- Attend ROED & IEP meetings
- Data meetings
- Assessed student progress through various writing assignments and feedback.
- Implemented differentiated instruction to meet diverse student needs.
- Collaborated with colleagues to integrate cross-curricular writing projects.
3rd Grade Special Education Teacher
EDUPRIZE Schools
Gilbert, Az
09.2023 - 05.2024
- Provided individualized instruction to students with special needs, ensuring inclusion and academic progress.
- Developed individualized education plans for diverse learners, ensuring tailored support and engagement.
- Implemented specialized instructional strategies to enhance student participation and learning outcomes.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to assess student progress and adjust interventions accordingly.
- Established positive relationships with families, fostering open communication regarding student development and needs.
- Created and managed IEPs to define student learning objectives and educational strategies, in addition to applying instructional knowledge and methods to support goals.
2nd Grade Teacher
Casa Grande Elementary School District
Casa Grande, Az
07.2022 - 06.2023
- Created lesson plans to support the curriculum and benchmarks.
- Managed virtual learning environments, ensuring effective instruction and student participation.
- Attended workshops and staff development sessions for knowledge of best practices.
- PBIS Team
- Participate in, plan and support family/community events.
- Leadership Learning Collaborative through CGESD
- ASU ASAP STEM Fellowship Member
- Canvas Learning Management System
- Nearpod
- IReady
- Zoom
- School leadership committee member.
- Yearbook advisor
- School Site Testing Coordinator responsible for AZELLA and State assessment planning and trainings
- Fostered a positive classroom environment promoting student collaboration and respect.
- Coordinated parent-teacher conferences to discuss student development and academic performance.
- Mentored new teachers on effective classroom management techniques and curriculum delivery.
- Collaborated with colleagues to develop cross-curricular projects, fostering critical thinking skills and interdisciplinary learning.
- Developed and implemented engaging lesson plans aligned with state standards.
- Developed and implemented engaging lesson plans to enhance student understanding and retention.
- Fostered a positive classroom environment promoting social-emotional learning and collaboration among students.
- Collaborated with parents and staff to support student development and address academic challenges effectively.
- Mentored new teachers, providing guidance on curriculum implementation and classroom dynamics for improved outcomes.
- Built positive relationships with parents to involve families in educational process.
TOA at Evergreen Elementary/CGOLA
Casa Grande Elementary School District
Casa Grande, Az
07.2016 - 06.2022
- Supported faculty as a Teacher on Assignment (TOA), fostering collaboration and increasing staff productivity
- Impact Team Meetings, Leadership Team, PTU/PTO
- Develop and implement Professional Development and staff trainings (Evergreen)
- PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention Strategies) Team
- Plan and support family/community events.
- Encourage parents as partners by planning and facilitating meetings.
- Facilitate 504 plans and meetings, attend ROED & IEP meetings, supervise CST process
- Evaluate classified staff members and provide feedback and support for further professional growth.
- Participate in 5D+ Teacher observations.
- Provide support and guidance for students experiencing challenging behaviors, restorative practices and logical consequences with an intent to foster positive relationships, not punitive practices.
- Evaluate teacher schedules and lesson plans (Saguaro)
- Created Emergency Response Plan for pre-k - 5 grade campus as well as the 6-8 shared-campus (Saguaro)
- Assisted with day-to-day operations, working efficiently and productively with all team members.
- Identified issues, analyzed information, and provided solutions to problems.
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness, and willingness to help wherever needed.
Self-Contained Sixth-Grade Teacher
Casa Grande Elementary School District
Casa Grande, Az
07.2014 - 06.2016
- Emphasizing student growth and community-building activities.
- School leadership committee member.
- Authored A+ application for stakeholders.
- Co-coordinated Leadership Day.
- Co-Coordinated Career Day.
- Club Support Committee Lead.
- Yearbook advisor.
- Developed and implemented engaging lesson plans aligned with state standards.
- Fostered a positive classroom environment to encourage student participation and collaboration.
- Assessed student performance through regular evaluations to identify areas for improvement.
- Led parent-teacher conferences, facilitating open communication regarding student progress and needs.
- Participated in professional development workshops to refine teaching practices and stay current with educational trends.
- Built strong relationships with students, parents, and staff to foster a supportive school community.
Kindergarten Teacher
Casa Grande Elementary School District
Casa Grande, Az
10.2012 - 06.2014
- Developed and implemented engaging curriculum for elementary students to meet diverse learning needs.
- Assessed student performance through records, portfolios and student/teacher conferencing.
- Attended workshops and staff development sessions for knowledge of best practices.
- Developed engaging lesson plans to enhance children's cognitive and social skills.
- Fostered a warm, inclusive classroom environment to support diverse learning needs.
- Streamlined communication systems between teachers, parents, and administration for improved engagement.
- Enhanced classroom management by establishing clear expectations, rules, and routines.
- Promoted learning through play with engaging activities, games and lessons.
Education
Master of Science - Educational Leadership
Western Governors University
Utah03.2016
Master of Science - Curriculum and Instruction
Western Governors University
Utah2013
Bachelor of Arts - Interdisciplinary Studies, Elementary Education (K-8)
Western Governors University
Utah2011
Associates of Arts - Social/Behavioral Sciences
Riverside Community College
California2006
High School Diploma -
Paloma Valley High School
California1999
Skills
- Classroom management
- Curriculum design
- Special education support
- Student engagement techniques
- Team collaboration
- Student empowerment
- Student motivation
- Problem-solving skills
Certification
- Principal Certificate, AZ
- Early Childhood Education/Elementary Education Certificate, AZ
Leadership Experience
Casa Grande Elementary School District, Casa Grande, AZ, TOA at Evergreen Elementary/CGOLA (also known as COIL), 08/19 - 05/22, TOA at Saguaro Elementary, 08/16 - 05/19, Supported faculty as a Teacher on Assignment (TOA), fostering collaboration and increasing staff productivity, Impact Team Meetings, Leadership Team, PTU/PTO, Develop and implement Professional Development and staff trainings (Evergreen), PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention Strategies) Team, Plan and support family/community events, Encourage parents as partners by planning and facilitating meetings, Facilitate 504 plans and meetings, attend ROED & IEP meetings, supervise CST process, Evaluate classified staff members and provide feedback and support for further professional growth, Participate in 5D+ Teacher observations, Provide support and guidance for students experiencing challenging behaviors, restorative practices and logical consequences with an intent to foster positive relationships, not punitive practices, Evaluate teacher schedules and lesson plans (Saguaro), Created Emergency Response Plan for pre-k - 5 grade campus as well as the 6-8 shared-campus (Saguaro)
Timeline
9-12 Grade English Teacher
Leona Group Schools
07.2025 - Current
5th/6th grade writing teacher
Tolleson Elementary School District
07.2024 - 05.2025
3rd Grade Special Education Teacher
EDUPRIZE Schools
09.2023 - 05.2024
2nd Grade Teacher
Casa Grande Elementary School District
07.2022 - 06.2023
TOA at Evergreen Elementary/CGOLA
Casa Grande Elementary School District
07.2016 - 06.2022
Self-Contained Sixth-Grade Teacher
Casa Grande Elementary School District
07.2014 - 06.2016
Kindergarten Teacher
Casa Grande Elementary School District
10.2012 - 06.2014
Master of Science - Educational Leadership
Western Governors University
Master of Science - Curriculum and Instruction
Western Governors University
Bachelor of Arts - Interdisciplinary Studies, Elementary Education (K-8)
Western Governors University
Associates of Arts - Social/Behavioral Sciences
Riverside Community College
High School Diploma -
Paloma Valley High School