Sola Mahaila Baker
Educator
Clonmel, Jamaica,West Indies
Summary
Experienced, result-driven and motivated Social Science Educator, excellent at creating positive educational climates for students. Organized and reliable with expertise in Religious Education and Social Studies. Proficient in applying various principles of learning to effectively teach social studies to over 190 students for the past 7 years.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
9
9
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Social Studies and Religious Education teacher
Marymount High School
09.2017 - Current
- Instructed all grade level students in basic subject matter specified in the Social Studies and Religious Education Syllabus and administrative regulations and procedures of the school.
- Planned and conducted cultural heritage activities such as Jamaica Day and Heroes Day.
- Performed as staff advisor for Tourism Action Club, and Culture Club as well as School’s Culture Agent.
- Provided planned objectives and instruction for 5 struggling, grade seven Religious Education PathWay students.
- Collaborated with other teachers to develop creative solutions to challenges faced by grade 7 PathWay learners.
- Supplemented instruction and increased PathWay students understanding with use of audio-visual equipment and Literacy strategies.
- Led tutoring classes for groups of Social Studies CSEC students with related tutoring needs and for reinforcement of syllabus content.
- Created a catalog of motivational activities to help students gain new knowledge, skills and dispositions for learning and personal development.
- Planned and implemented department development programs to assess areas of improvement in social studies, Religious Education.
- Mentored and coached underachieving students with focus on developing critical thinking skills to analyze structured, essay-typed Social Studies questions.
- Increased Social Studies CSEC pass rate to 75% from 60%.
- Mentored 7 new teachers in instructional and classroom management strategies.
Grade 6 teacher
Kohen’s Kindergarten and Preparatory School
01.2017 - 07.2017
- Coordinated grade six graduation ceremony.
- Led students to achieve over 80% passes to matriculate to their first secondary school of choice resulting from their grade six achievement test.
- Established and enforced rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order among students
- Instructed students individually and in groups, using various teaching methods such as discussions, and demonstration.
- Worked cooperatively with other teachers and participated in staff meetings.
- Maintained accurate records and grades for students.
- Assisted students outside the classroom with additional school work (after school lessons).
- Assessed submitted class assignments, determined grades, and reviewed work with struggling students to boost success chance.
- Provided one-on-one attention to students, while maintaining overall focus on entire group.
- Leveraged diverse learning strategies to prepare students for higher-level education requirements.
- Developed and distributed study guides to reinforce details and help students with test preparation.
Social Studies teacher
Ferncourt High School
09.2016 - 12.2016
- Taught Social Studies and Civics to grades 7 to 10 students (300 students)
- Developed clear and appropriate lesson plans and identified instructional materials on a weekly basis.
- Established and maintained standards of behavior in the classroom and throughout the school to achieve a positive and functional learning atmosphere for students.
- Evaluated students' academic and social growth, kept appropriate records, prepared student progress reports, and provided accurate and constructive feedback to students and parents.
- Administered tests and other assessments in accordance with Social Studies Curriculum.
- Participated in department committees, meetings and other faculty programs supporting the educational programs.
- Researched latest teaching techniques and incorporated into lesson delivery to improve concept acquisition to an all-boys grade 7 class.
- Improved the pass rate of lower-streamed classes from 15% to 40% through design of skill based initiative in one term.
- Promoted exploration of building blocks of learning by leading diverse, hands-on activities in lower streamed classes.
- Retained grade 10 male students interest and maximized receptive learning.
- Spearheaded a motivational initiative to support student learning and academic excellence in a lower streamed grade 10 class of 50 students.
Youth Service, Program
National
10.2015 - 04.2016
- Taught Social Studies to 90 grade 9 students
- Created lesson plans to cater to the learning styles of students and instructional resources for use in the classroom
- Maintained class register and students’ grades
- Graded papers and carry out other grade level duties as needed
- Participated in department meetings
- Worked cooperatively with other teachers
- Managed student behavior in the classroom by invoking approved disciplinary procedures
- Assisted students outside the classroom with additional school work
Substitute Teacher
Marymount High School
10.2015 - 04.2016
- Taught Social Studies to grade 9 students
- Created lesson plans to cater to the learning styles of students and instructional resources for use in the classroom
- Maintained class register and students’ grades
- Graded papers and carry out other grade level duties as needed
- Participated in department meetings
- Worked cooperatively with other teachers
- Managed student behavior in the classroom by invoking approved disciplinary procedures
- Assisted students outside the classroom with additional school work., Helped out with marking and recording of students’ class work
- Maintained discipline of students in the absence of the teacher
- Prepared instructional materials and classroom displays
- Taught Social Studies to grade nine (9) students
- National Youth Service
- Assisted in several NYS community projects ______________________________________________________________________________
- Clubs/ Extracurricular Activities
Practice Teacher
Norman Manley High School
01.2014 - 04.2014
- Taught Social Studies to students in Grades 7-9
- Advised co-curricular clubs and activities
- Worked cooperatively with other teachers and participated in staff and department meetings
- Maintained accurate records and grades for students
- Used innovative lessons plans and a variety of instructional strategies to cover Social Studies content that match learning styles of students.
Registrars’ Assistant
National Youth Service
08.2013 - 08.2013
- Assisted in updating records of letters, invoices, invitations etc
- Produced by the Registrar's Office
- Provided administrative and secretarial support while developing customer service skills
- Assisted registrar with filing, document searches, faxing, and photocopying
- Performed other related office duties as assigned.
Teacher’s Assistant
Clonmel Basic School
09.2009 - 03.2010
- Provided support to the teaching staff and Assist the Head of School
- Provided support to children with mathematics, reading and writing on an individual, class or small group basis
- Motivated and encouraged students
- Assisted with marking and correcting work
- Attended teachers’ meetings and workshops.
Education
B.Sc. - Social Studies Education
09.2011 - 05.2015
ROTARY CLUB – MEMBER, JAMAICA CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION COORDINATOR
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09.2002 - 05.2007
TOURISM ACTION CLUB COORDINATOR, SAFETY AND SECURITY COMMITTEE SECRETARY
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09.2007 - 05.2008
Religious Education
Integrated Science
Information Technology
Geography
English Language
English Literature
Social Studies
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Jamaica Cultural Development Commission
Skills
Learning tools development
Remote learning support
Class and lesson planning
Discussion facilitation
Organization and Time Management
Teamwork and Collaboration
Teambuilding
Decision-Making
Planning and Coordination
Training and Development
Written Communication
Critical Thinking
Differentiated instruction
Test preparation
Classroom management
Lesson plan implementation
Accomplishments
- Led class to an average 80% increase in Social Studies and 70% in Religious Education standardized test scores during the 2017-2020 school year.
- Performed the duties of a school's Culture Agent for 2018 to present.
- Guided CSEC Social Studies students to increase their pass rate from 60% to 75%.
- Earned certificate of appreciation for outstanding contribution in prize giving committee.
- Won consistent referrals and high marks for quality of instruction.
- Helped students achieve gold and silver medals as well as merits in the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission competition in the areas of speech, dub poetry and English prose.
Timeline
Social Studies and Religious Education teacher - Marymount High School
09.2017 - Current
Grade 6 teacher - Kohen’s Kindergarten and Preparatory School
01.2017 - 07.2017
Social Studies teacher - Ferncourt High School
09.2016 - 12.2016
Youth Service, Program - National
10.2015 - 04.2016
Substitute Teacher - Marymount High School
10.2015 - 04.2016
Practice Teacher - Norman Manley High School
01.2014 - 04.2014
Registrars’ Assistant - National Youth Service
08.2013 - 08.2013
MICO UNIVERSITY COLLEGE - B.Sc., Social Studies Education
09.2011 - 05.2015
Teacher’s Assistant - Clonmel Basic School
09.2009 - 03.2010
ANNOTTO BAY HIGH SCHOOL - ,
09.2007 - 05.2008
MARYMOUNT HIGH SCHOOL - ,
09.2002 - 05.2007
TREASURER
Mico University College - ,
Marymount High School
MARYMOUNT HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI - ,
Marymount High School
CULTURE AGENT
Marymount High School
JCDC - ,