2104 Cullen Avenue #111 Austin, TX 78757 saraballon@gmail.

com (512) 998-6100

Teaching Certifications
Elementary 1-8

English/Language Arts 4-8

Social Studies 4-8

ESL 1-8

Education
Graduate Certificate in Technology, Learning, & Leadership
M. Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction
B.S. in Radio-Television-Film

University of Massachusetts at Boston, 2012

University of Texas at Austin, 2003
University of Texas at Austin, 1994

Teaching Experience
Grade 5:
World History & Science
Language Arts & Social Studies
Math & Science
Self-Contained ESL Classroom
Self-Contained ESL Classroom

St. Andrews Episcopal School - Austin, Texas (2013-present)

Escola Graduada de So Paulo (Graded) - So Paulo, Brazil (2011-2013)
Escola Graduada de So Paulo (Graded) - So Paulo, Brazil (2008-2011)
Bluebonnet Elementary School - Round Rock, Texas (2007-8)
Purple Sage Elementary School - Austin, Texas (2003-7)

In the Classroom
Curriculum Experience:

Experience using Understanding by Design to develop curriculum unit maps and common assessments.
Experience aligning curriculum to standards utilizing Rubicon Atlas.
Designed and implemented grade-level curriculum guides to align with standards.
Use a variety of assessment and reporting tools, including standards-based and narrative, qualitative feedback.
Experience interpreting and using results from the NWEA Measures for Academic Progress (MAP) to inform instruction.
Served on numerous Lower School and K-12 Committees across subject areas to engage in conversation and action around
horizontal and vertical alignment of curriculum, best practices, and clear articulation of schools mission and vision.

Language Arts: Experience implementing Strategies that Work, 6+1 Traits, Words Their Way, Writers Workshop, Literature Circles,
Developmental Reading Assessment (DRA).

Math: Everyday Math (Initial Training and Instructional Differentiation); introduced and facilitated use of Mathletics online learning
program across Lower School, including standards alignment; Cognitively Guided Instruction (CGI); Investigations Math training.

Science: Coordinated grade-level adoption of and implementation of Next Generation Science Standards; AIMS hands-on Science;
FOSS Science Kits

Social Studies: Designed and implemented World History curriculum; organized curriculum-based field trips; integrated Lucy
Calkins Units of Study into the Social Studies curriculum.

Support for Diverse Learners:

Strong belief in Universal Design for Learning -- creating instructional goals, methods, materials, and assessments that meet
the individual needs of students.
Work closely with ESL and/or Special Education support staff to meet needs of diverse learners in the classroom.
Differentiate appropriately to meet the needs of a diverse student body.
Understand the unique developmental needs of elementary students, and able to tailor lessons appropriately.

Social and Emotional Learning Experience:

Establish an environment of respect and rapport and a culture of inquiry and learning.
Manage student behavior in a positive, proactive manner.
Create a climate where risk taking is encouraged.
Completed "Responsive Classroom I", a 28-hour training course, which taught research-based strategies to engage
students, improve academic instruction and classroom management, and create positive learning communities.
Implement Second Step, helping students continue to develop their social-emotional skills.
Member, Lower School Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Advisory Committee.

Technology Integration & Leadership

Integrate technology in authentic ways to enhance content and improve proficiency for lifelong learning. Expertly use
technology as a tool for learning, a vehicle for communication, and a tool for efficiency. Highlights include:

Use collaboration tools, including Google Apps for Education, for blogging, presentations, and communication.
Utilize technology with an emphasis on digital citizenship.
Coordinate and publish bi-weekly grade-level, multimedia electronic newsletter, improving parent communication and
increasing visibility of the Arts and Sports at SAS.
Member of SAS Website Trailblazers, a leadership team formed to ease rollout of new website and classroom
management system (Whipple Hill).
Contributing editor to SAS Technology Departments weekly newsletter to Faculty.
Established and maintain grade-level Instagram account as a parent, student, and community sharing tool.
Collaborated with Gradeds Director of Teaching & Learning to create an online community for new teacher induction.
Professional Development Highlights: EdTechTeam California Summit featuring Google for Education, Google Geo Teachers
Institute, TCEA Convention, Teaching With Interactive White Boards

On Campus
Enjoy working within a team approach to learning. Foster relationships with stakeholders to create a culture of learning
and improved professional practice. Express myself well and work well with others. Worked as member of many teams to
further the school mission and vision, plan with colleagues, advocate for students, and coordinate school-wide events.

Leadership: Organize and plan assemblies; Deliver chapel talks and organize unique after-school celebrations for the entire SAS
st

community; Led efforts to earn Clean Creek Campus recognition from the City of Austin; Organized 1 Annual Bike to School
th
Day; PLC Facilitator of Teach Like a Champion Book Study; Member of Key Communicators, a K-12 teacher advocacy group; 5
Grade Team Leader.

Collaboration: Contributed to re-structuring of school-wide field trips to align more closely with a wider breadth of curricular
th

areas, including special areas and modern languages; Coordinated Annual 5 Grade Recognition Ceremonies and was an integral
th
th
part of 5 to 6 Transition Team.

Extracurricular Contributions: Volunteer PSIA Tournament Coach and Judge, SAS Teacher Auction, 5th & 6th Grade Community
Service Chaperone, Girls Camping Club Chaperone, Thanksgiving Feast, Celebration of the World, Destination Imagination
(ApPRAISEr & Volunteer Coordinator), Global Issues Network Conference Mentor, American Societys Annual Angel Party Liaison ,
Innovate 2013 Tech Conference Planning Committee & Volunteer

International Experience
Have demonstrated flexibility and resilience in the trials and tribulations of 7+ years of international living experience and
a lifetime of international travel, volunteerism, and learning experiences. Highlights include:
Poland: Community Volunteer, Action Reconciliation Service for Peace (ARSP) - Summer 2006
Estonia: Volunteer English Teacher, Bridges for Education - Summer 2005
Israel: Resident Advisor, High School in Israel - 1997 & 1998/Trip Leader, Summer in Israel - 1995 & 2000
Conversational in Spanish, Portuguese, and Hebrew