Lisa Uselton
Mesa
Summary
I am a highly effective and passionate First Grade Teacher and First Grade Team Lead dedicated to helping every student achieve academic success while fostering a positive, engaging, and supportive learning environment. I believe in building strong relationships with students, families, and colleagues to create a collaborative school community where all children can thrive.
As an educator, I use data driven instruction, differentiated teaching strategies, and high expectations to meet the diverse needs of my students and ensure continuous growth. I strive to make learning meaningful, engaging, and accessible while nurturing students confidence, independence, and love of learning.
In my role as First Grade Team Lead, I enjoy supporting and collaborating with fellow teachers, facilitating effective team planning, sharing best practices, and helping drive student achievement across the grade level. I am known for being organized, dependable, solution-oriented, and committed to excellence in all aspects of my work.
I take pride in creating a classroom culture where students feel valued, challenged, and empowered to reach their full potential. My goal is to inspire both students and colleagues through strong leadership, continuous growth, and an unwavering commitment to educational excellence.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
First Grade Team Lead
Legacy Traditional Schools
Mesa, AZ
05.2024 - Current
- Led team to enhance instructional delivery and student engagement strategies.
- Trained and mentored new staff on curriculum implementation and classroom management techniques.
- Developed and executed professional development workshops to improve teaching effectiveness.
- Streamlined communication processes between teachers, administration, and parents to foster collaboration.
- Developed engaging lesson plans to enhance student learning and participation.
- Implemented differentiated instruction strategies to accommodate diverse learning needs.
- Fostered a positive classroom environment that encouraged student collaboration and respect.
- Organized parent-teacher conferences to discuss student achievements and areas for improvement.
- Differentiated instruction to accommodate diverse learning styles, ensuring all students made progress towards academic goals.
- Utilized data-driven instruction to identify areas of need for individual students and adjust teaching methods accordingly.
- Assessed student progress regularly using formative assessments and modified instruction accordingly for optimal growth.
- Built positive relationships with parents to involve families in educational process.
- Served as a mentor for new teachers, offering guidance on lesson planning, instructional strategies, and classroom management techniques.
- Participated in professional development workshops to stay current with educational best practices.
- Provided warm, supportive environment for developing academic, social, and emotional growth.
- Led initiatives to create a positive classroom environment, promoting social-emotional learning among students.
- Improved student reading comprehension by incorporating engaging phonics activities and guided reading sessions.
- Developed students'' critical thinking skills through inquiry-based learning activities and group projects.
- Created lesson plans to correlate with state curriculum standards and devised educational programs to meet educational objectives.
- Provided regular feedback to students on progress and assigned grades based on performance.
- Adapted lessons to differentiate instruction and meet students' diverse learning needs and abilities.
First Grade Teacher
Mesa Public Schools
Mesa, AZ
10.2022 - 05.2024
- Developed engaging lesson plans aligned with curriculum standards to enhance student learning experiences.
- Fostered a positive classroom environment promoting social, emotional, and academic growth among first graders.
- Implemented differentiated instruction strategies to meet diverse learning needs of students effectively.
- Collaborated with parents and guardians to communicate student progress and address individual concerns.
- Assessed student performance regularly to identify areas for improvement and adjust instructional approaches accordingly.
- Integrated technology tools into lessons to facilitate interactive learning and increase student engagement.
- Established open communication and positive relationships with students, parents, peers, and administrative staff.
- Maintained knowledge of school curricula, standards, and policies to correctly prepare students for higher grade levels.
- Taught lessons encompassing skill-building activities in speaking, writing, reading and listening.
Director of Operations
Varsity Tutors
Mesa, AZ
11.2015 - 10.2022
- Streamlined operational processes to enhance efficiency across tutoring services.
- Led cross-functional teams to implement technology solutions for improved service delivery.
- Developed and executed strategic initiatives to optimize resource allocation and reduce costs.
- Mentored and trained staff on best practices in operations management and customer engagement.
- Established workflows that increased productivity while maintaining high standards of service excellence.
- Analyzed business operations and implemented strategies to improve operational cohesiveness.
- Developed and implemented educational programs to enhance student engagement and learning outcomes.
- Analyzed feedback from participants to refine program content and delivery methods.
- Established partnerships with community organizations to expand educational opportunities for students.
- Maintained compliance with local, state, federal policies regarding education coordination through diligent record-keeping practices.
- Enhanced curriculum quality by collaborating with teachers and administrators to review, revise, and implement new instructional materials.
- Promoted a positive learning environment through effective classroom management strategies and fostering strong relationships with students.
- Identified methods and tools to promote student success in project-based learning.
- Facilitated strong connections between schools and community organizations by identifying partnership opportunities that enhanced program offerings for students.
- Supported overall school objectives by aligning educational programs with established standards and goals.
- Increased teacher collaboration by creating professional development workshops focused on sharing best practices in education coordination.
- Supported student success by monitoring progress and implementing intervention strategies when necessary.
- Facilitated supportive learning environment, addressing individual student needs through tailored educational plans.
Director of Financial Operations
University of Phoenix
Phoenix, AZ
01.2009 - 10.2015
- Led financial strategy development to enhance operational efficiency across departments.
- Directed budget management processes, ensuring alignment with institutional goals and compliance standards.
- Implemented financial reporting systems to improve accuracy and streamline data accessibility for stakeholders.
- Oversaw audit processes, identifying risk areas and recommending corrective actions to mitigate financial discrepancies.
- Collaborated with academic leadership to allocate resources effectively, supporting program growth and sustainability initiatives.
- Mentored finance team members, fostering skill development and promoting a culture of continuous improvement.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to drive process improvements, elevating overall operational efficiency.
- Advised students on financial aid options and eligibility requirements to enhance funding opportunities.
- Trained new staff on financial aid policies, enhancing team knowledge and operational efficiency.
- Analyzed trends in student enrollment and funding patterns to inform strategic planning for future aid programs.
- Maintained accurate records of all financial transactions related to student accounts, ensuring timely reconciliation during audits or reviews.
- Provided financial aid counseling to enrolled and prospective students.
- Advised students on academic programs, course selection, and career paths to enhance educational outcomes.
- Developed personalized academic plans aligning student goals with institutional resources and policies.
- Monitored student progress and provided interventions to improve retention and graduation rates.
- Collaborated with faculty and staff to address student concerns and create supportive learning environments.
- Received and reviewed transcripts to determine eligibility for admission to college or specific programs.
- Managed caseloads effectively, prioritizing tasks based on urgency and importance while maintaining high-quality service delivery.
- Developed strong relationships with students, providing mentorship and fostering personal growth.
- Consulted with students to advise on topic selection, appropriateness and academic value.
- Provided ongoing support for students experiencing academic difficulties, resulting in improved performance.
- Collaborated with faculty members to develop targeted interventions for academically at-risk students.
- Participated in professional development activities to stay current on best practices in higher education advising.
- Maintained accurate records of student progress, ensuring timely updates and interventions as needed.
- Monitored student progress to drive successful academic outcomes.
- Worked with individuals to help understand and overcome personal, social or behavioral problems affecting educational or vocational situations.
Education
MAED/AET - Education
University of Phoenix
Tempe, AZ10-2015
Bachelor of Science - Business Management
University of Phoenix
Tempe, AZ11-2011
Skills
- Attention to detail
- Conflict resolution
- Customer focus
- Coaching and mentoring
- Performance monitoring
- Performance improvement
- Classroom management
- Phonics instruction
- Organizational skills
- Team collaboration
- Parent-teacher communication
- Lesson planning
- Assessment administration
Accomplishments
- Commended for exceptional teaching and support to students.
- Improved test scores by 52% by reworking approach.
- Led a team of first-grade teachers in collaborative planning, data analysis, and instructional decision-making to improve student achievement.
- Facilitated weekly Professional Learning Community (PLC) meetings focused on curriculum alignment, best practices, and student growth.
- Supported new and veteran teachers through mentoring, coaching, and sharing effective instructional strategies.
- Analyzed student assessment data to identify trends, develop intervention plans, and drive targeted instruction.
- Collaborated with administration to implement school-wide initiatives and ensure consistency across first-grade classrooms.
- Coordinated grade-level curriculum planning to align instruction with state standards and district expectations.
- Fostered a positive and collaborative team culture that promoted professional growth and student success.
- Led the development and implementation of intervention and enrichment opportunities to meet the needs of diverse learners.
- Partnered with families to strengthen home-school communication and support student learning.
- Earned a Highly Effective rating on annual classroom observations conducted by school administration, demonstrating excellence in instructional practice, classroom management, student engagement, and academic achievement.
- Received an overall Highly Effective rating on end-of-year performance evaluations, recognizing strong leadership, instructional effectiveness, professionalism, and commitment to student success.
- Consistently demonstrated exemplary teaching practices that resulted in positive student outcomes and contributed to a high-performing school culture.
- Recognized by administration for maintaining high expectations, fostering student growth, and creating an engaging and supportive learning environment.
- Served as a First Grade Team Lead while maintaining a Highly Effective performance rating, demonstrating the ability to successfully balance instructional leadership and classroom excellence.
- Modeled effective classroom management, instructional practices, and student engagement strategies for team members.
- Assisted in onboarding new teachers and provided ongoing support to ensure a successful transition into the grade level.
- Contributed to increased student academic growth through data-driven instruction and collaborative team efforts.
- Organized and facilitated grade-level events, family engagement activities, and school-wide initiatives.
- Served as a liaison between administration and the first-grade team, ensuring clear communication and effective implementation of school goals.
Certification
- Adult Education Certification
- Certified in Adult Education, with expertise in adult learning theory, professional development, instructional design, and effective training practices.
- Arizona Elementary Education (K–8) Certification (Expected 2026; June / July)
All requirements completed; certification currently being processed by the Arizona Department of Education.
Timeline
First Grade Team Lead
Legacy Traditional Schools
05.2024 - Current
First Grade Teacher
Mesa Public Schools
10.2022 - 05.2024
Director of Operations
Varsity Tutors
11.2015 - 10.2022
Director of Financial Operations
University of Phoenix
01.2009 - 10.2015
MAED/AET - Education
University of Phoenix
Bachelor of Science - Business Management
University of Phoenix