Sarah Whitfield
Middle School English Language Arts Teacher
Columbus, United States
About
Middle School English Language Arts Teacher with 10 years of experience in public elementary and middle school classrooms. Currently teaches 110 students across 5 sections at Crestwood Middle School, using Curriculum Development aligned to Common Core State Standards (CCSS) and Data-Driven Instruction to raise Student Growth Measures from 61% to 78%. Co-teaches an Inclusion Classroom and leads a grade-level Professional Learning Community (PLC).
Experience
- Crestwood Middle School, Maple Ridge School Districtยท 5th & 6th Grade English Language Arts TeacherColumbus, OHAug 2019 โ Present
- Teach English Language Arts to 110 students across 5 sections using Curriculum Development aligned to Common Core State Standards (CCSS) and a Project-Based Learning (PBL) unit each quarter.
- Deliver differentiated instruction for 130 students a year and run daily lessons and homework through Google Classroom.
- Use Formative Assessment and Data-Driven Instruction to plan reteach groups, raising the share of students meeting Student Growth Measures targets from 61% to 78%.
- Co-teach an Inclusion Classroom with a special education partner, supporting IEP (Individualized Education Program) and 504 Plan accommodations for 12 students through Co-Teaching.
- Lead the 6th grade Professional Learning Community (PLC), provide Mentoring to 2 first-year teachers, and serve on the school's Curriculum Committee.
- Overlook Elementary School, Maple Ridge School Districtยท 4th Grade TeacherColumbus, OHAug 2016 โ Jun 2019
- Delivered daily Lesson Planning aligned to Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), following a grade-level Scope and Sequence for a self-contained classroom of 24 students.
- Administered Benchmark Assessment and Standardized Testing including MAP Testing and iReady, using Progress Monitoring data to form small guided-reading groups.
- Supported English Language Learners (ELL) and Gifted & Talented Education students through Push-In / Pull-Out Support scheduling with specialists.
- Built Classroom Management routines using Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) and a Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) for 2 students, cutting office referrals 40%.
- Riverside Academyยท Long-Term Substitute TeacherColumbus, OHSep 2015 โ Jun 2016
- Covered a 3rd grade classroom for a full semester, maintaining Student Engagement and Parent Communication routines the returning teacher had established.
- Applied Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and Culturally Responsive Teaching practices for a class with 6 English Language Learners and 3 students on 504 Plans.
- Practiced Restorative Practices and Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) check-ins each morning, and used Rubric Development to grade a persuasive writing unit.
Education
- Ohio State Universityยท B.S. in EducationMiddle Childhood EducationAug 2011 โ May 2015
Concentration in language arts and social studies. Student taught in a 5th grade inclusion classroom.
Certifications
- State Teaching Certification ยท Ohio Department of Education (2016)
- ESL / TESOL Certification ยท Ohio Department of Education (2019)
- CPR Certified ยท American Red Cross (2025)