vita

3 min read

Ann Okafor

Houston

ann.okafor@aliefisd.net

Innovative educator adept at bringing the 21st Century into the secondary classroom. Skilled at utilizing current educational hardware (tablets, desktops, laptops, Smartboards) and software (Schoology, digital grade books, Office 365, Chrome OS, Adobe applications, game-based learning apps) both in and out of the school setting.

Education/Certification

M.Ed.                           Educational Technology Leader, Lamar University, Beaumont, TX, 2021

B.B.A.                           Finance, University of Houston, Houston, TX, 2021

Principal Certificate   Texas (In progress)

Teacher Certificate     7-12 Social Studies, Texas

ESL Supplemental      K-12, Texas

Technology Certification

TCEA: Campus Technology Specialist                       (In progress)

Google Certified Coach                                             (In progress)

Google Certified Trainer                                            (In progress)

Google Certified Educator L1 & L2                            (In progress)

Leading Edge Professional Learning Leader             (In progress)

Quizizz Certified Game Changer                               May 2021

Leadership Experience

Instructional Technology Specialist, Elsik High School, Alief Independent School District, Houston, TX, 2021 – Present

  • Provide content development, coaching and instructional leadership for teachers and collaborate with Campus and District Instructional Leadership Teams.
  • Assist teachers on effective teaching strategies for the integration of technology with content areas.
  • Serve as a coach to new teachers in all aspects of classroom instruction.
  • Assist in the alignment and implementation of technology integration at the campus level.
  • Serve as a liaison for campus personnel by attending and participating in district level meetings and communicating information/knowledge.
  • Support and communicates the vision of Alief ISD.

Principal Intern, Elsik High School, Alief Independent School District, Houston, Texas, 2020-2021

  • Facilitated continued education for teaching staff through implementation of inquiry-based learning.
  • Monitored and evaluated educational programs to ensure all students were receiving equitable instruction and resources.
  • Collaborated with the sophomore team to create a cross-content literacy unit where students would be exposed to similar concepts and vocabulary in each of their classes. 
  • Supported academically-at-risk students and families through remediation strategies, weekly progress reports, and course deficiencies action plans.

World History Team Leader, Elsik High School, Alief Independent School District, Houston, Texas, 2020-2021

  • Established clear expectations, processes, and objectives for collaborative time that aligned with team, school, and district goals.
  • Coordinated with complementary social studies specialist and school leaders to ensure that expectations, processes, and objectives for collaborative time and coaching were aligned with team, school, and district goals.
  • Diagnosed team needs using available data from student assessments, observations, and surveys.
  • Collaborated with teachers and school leaders to foster a strong, intentional, and inclusive school culture.
  • Provided input on the overall management of the teachers on their team to support school leadership in talent management decisions.

Teaching Experience

High School Social Studies Teacher, Elsik High School, Alief Independent School District, Houston, Texas, 2015-2021

  • Establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects and communicate those objectives to students.
  • Instruct students individually and in groups, using various teaching methods such as lectures, discussions, and demonstrations.
  • Use computers, audio-visual aids, and other equipment and materials to supplement presentations.
  • Observe and evaluate students’ performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.
  • Adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students’ varying needs and interests.
  • Attend professional meetings, educational conferences, and teacher training workshops to maintain and improve professional competence.
  • Sponsor extracurricular activities such as clubs, student organizations, and academic contests.

Professional Development

“Start Strong Symposium: Leading, Managing and Mentoring Teachers,” Region 4 Education Service Center, Houston, TX, July 2021

“Innovative Assessments: Creating Technology-Enhanced Items for Activities and Evaluation,” Region 4 Education Service Center, Houston, TX, June 2021

“Tech Tools for ELLs: Unleashing the Power of Technology to Support Language Acquisition,” Region 4 Education Service Center, Houston, TX, December 2018

“SHIFT: Beyond Traditional Instruction – Classroom in a Blender,” Region 4 Education Service Center, Houston, TX, July 2018

“SHIFT: Beyond Traditional Instruction – Personalizing the Classroom,” Region 4 Education Service Center, Houston, TX, July 2018

“Project CRISS (Fourth Edition): Creating Independence through Student-Owned Strategies, Grades 4-12,” Region 4 Education Service Center, Houston, TX, February 2017

Presentations

Okafor, A. (2018, January). Schoology Assessments. Presentation at the Elsik High Faculty In-Service, Houston, TX.

Okafor, A. (2020, March). Project-Based Learning Digital Tools. Presentation at the Elsik High Faculty In-Service, Houston, TX.

Professional Affiliations

  • National Council for the Social Studies, 2017 – Present
  • Texas Computer Education Association, 2021 – Present
  • International Society for Technology in Education, 2021 – Present

Technology

  • Microsoft Windows/Office
  • Chrome OS
  • Google Workspace for Education
  • SmartBoard/Promethean
  • PowerSchool
  • Schoology/Canvas

Social Media

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