Danell L. Ricciardella

Growth Mindset Tutoring Lantana, TX (2023-present)

Owner & Tutor

• Founded and operate a private tutoring business serving students in Kindergarten through 10th grade in reading, writing, mathematics, science, and study skills.

• Design personalized lesson plans tailored to individual student needs, improving academic performance, confidence, and overall learning outcomes.

• Provide one-on-one targeted instruction in literacy and mathematics, including foundational reading skills, dyslexia intervention, executive functioning support, and Algebra readiness.

• Science of Reading and dyslexia-trained; implement structured literacy and evidence-based intervention strategies for students with dyslexia and other learning differences.

• Provide dyslexia intervention and literacy support within school settings, collaborating with teachers and support staff to reinforce student accommodations and instructional goals.

• Assess student progress regularly through formative and summative assessments to adapt instructional strategies and monitor growth.

• Collaborate with students to strengthen study skills, organization, time management, and test preparation techniques.

• Build strong relationships with students, parents, guardians, and teachers to communicate progress, set academic goals, and address learning concerns.

• Attend and contribute to ARD, IEP, and 504 meetings while collaborating with classroom teachers and educational teams to support student success and accommodations.

• Approved tutoring vendor/provider eligible for families utilizing Texas PDSES (Parent-Directed Special Education Services) and TEFA funding programs for educational and intervention services.

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iteach K12 Coalition (2023-present)

Instructor, 5400.24 Literacy, Technology, & Pedagogical Content Knowledge

• Instruct and assess teacher candidates in literacy instruction, educational technology integration, and pedagogical content knowledge.

• Provide detailed rubric-based feedback aligned with state standards, Bloom’s Taxonomy, literacy best practices, and ISTE standards.

• Support teacher candidates in developing interdisciplinary lesson plans, literacy instructional strategies, and technology-integrated instruction.

• Mentor candidates through competency-based coursework with an emphasis on assessment-driven instruction and differentiated learning practices.

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Eugenia Porter Rayzor Elementary School, Denton ISD, Texas (2021- 2023)

4th Grade Literacy Teacher

• Planned and implemented Lucy Calkins Reading and Writing Units of Study while assessing and personalizing learning for all students.

• Collaborated in Professional Learning Community meetings to unpack standards, share best teaching practices, and develop targeted strategies for students needing extra support.

• Utilize current technology including Google suite, Doc Cam, Smartboard, and Microsoft Office 365 to enhance instruction and Microsoft Teams and Zoom to conduct parent teacher meetings.

• Create anecdotal records and collect evidence for all students to help with the screening process for Gifted and Talented Education and for Special Education Resources.

 

Poplar Tree Elementary School, Chantilly, VA (2019-2021)

​6th Grade AAP Teacher; 5th AAP Math Teacher

• Poplar Tree Elementary School Outstanding Teacher Nominee 2019-2020.

• Fairfax County Public Schools Mentor Teacher.

• 2019-2021 taught in an FCPSOn School focusing on blended learning and 1:1 technology access to increase inquiry, collaboration, differentiation, and real-world application skills.

• Plan with Cooperative Learning Teams to meet State Standards utilizing Lucy Calkins Units of Study, Origo, Investigations, and Words Their Way.

• Assisted in designing and facilitating Flashcard Factory EdCamp Professional Development.

• Utilize Responsive Classroom strategies to build community and rapport with students.

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Canterbury Woods Elementary School, Annandale, VA (2017-2019)

​5th Grade Teacher

• Fairfax Country Mentor Teacher.

• George Mason University Master Teacher for Student-Teacher Program.

• Blended learning teacher using 1:1 technology.

• Deaf and Hard of Hearing integration classroom.

• Origo Lead Teacher.

• Inclusive classroom teacher.

• Incorporated formative assessments, differentiated instruction, cooperative learning strategies, flexible seating, a Responsive Classroom approach, and use a workshop model.

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Canberra Grammar School, Canberra, Australia (PYP Accredited School) (2014-2017)

4th Grade Teacher; Mentor Teacher; Teacher Librarian; Religion & Values Teacher​

• 2015 Australian Scholarships Group National Excellence in Teaching Award (NEiTA) Nominee.

• Canberra Grammar School (CGS) Mentor Teacher.

• Organized, planned, and implemented CGS Junior School’s first Science Co-Curricular Activity.

• Utilized Understanding by Design Framework to create grade-level PYP planners.

• Implemented a balanced literacy program incorporating guided, shared, and independent reading and writing activities.

• Integrated a wide variety of technologies into all curricular disciplines.

• Evaluated students using a variety of formative and summative assessments.

• Supported the learning of academically and culturally diverse students, in whole group, small group, and one-on-one scenarios.

• Differentiated instruction and assessments in all subject areas.

• Collaborated with the GGS leadership team to assist the school’s transition to Co-education.

• 2014 (Term 4) Teacher Librarian; 2015 Year 4 All boys class; 2016 Year 4 First Co-education classroom at CGS Junior School; 2017 Mentor Teacher & Religion & Values Education Teacher.

 

River Ridge Elementary Leander ISD, Austin, TX (2013-2014)

​1st Grade Teacher

• Utilized Kagan Structures, Guided Reading Groups, and Lucy Calkins' Writer’s Workshop approach.

• Collaborated as a Professional Learning Community to enhance the curriculum, grow professionally, and support one another in achieving curricular goals and common assessments.

• Integrated a variety of formative and summative assessments to guide instruction and differentiate learning.

• Utilized formative assessment to deliver instant feedback and responsive differentiated instruction.​

 

Hong Kong International School, Hong Kong, China (​2005 - 2009)

1st Grade Teacher

• Literacy Consultant from August to December 2009

• Specialized in Words Their Way, Lucy Calkins' Units of Study for Primary Writing, Kathy Collins' Growing Readers, Mathematics Investigations, and Developmental Reading Assessment (DRA).

• Provided model lessons on Guided Reading practices and Word Study implementation.

• Formed Professional Learning Communities to “Look at Student Work” and make connections between assessment, instruction, curriculum, and student learning using Understanding by Design.

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Canterbury Woods Elementary School, Fairfax County Schools, Annandale, VA

​(2002 - 2005)

3rd grade Teacher; 4th grade Teacher

• Redesigned Canterbury Woods Elementary School’s school-based mentor program.

• Established the school’s first Teachers as Researchers program.

• Initiated a business partnership program to provide student enrichment opportunities.

• Third Grade Teacher (2 years), Fourth Grade Teacher (1 year).

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Clark County School District, Las Vegas, NV (2001-2002)

Teacher on Special Assignment, Mathematics and Science Services, Curriculum & Professional Development (CPD)

• Worked collaboratively with teachers and administrators to design, implement and evaluate the effectiveness of professional development in mathematics and science for elementary teachers.

• Designed model lessons for teachers demonstrating the integration of literacy into the Full Option Science System (FOSS) and Investigations mathematics curriculum.

• Collaborated and assisted Brian Campbell and Kathy Long, out of Berkley Hall of Science, in the development of FOSS’s Science Notebook and Assessment implementation.

 

Clark County School District, Las Vegas, Nevada (1993-2001)

1st Grade Teacher; 2nd Grade Teacher​

• Lead Teacher for the Mathematics and Science Department, assisting in the professional development of Full Option Science System (FOSS) and Investigations mathematics curriculum.

• Provided model lessons of the Full Optional Science System and TERC’s Mathematics Investigations Units of Study for teachers looking to implement the programs.

• Implemented Interactive Writing, Guided Reading, and Word Matters to meet State Standards curriculum.

• Second Grade Teacher, Berkeley Bunker Elementary School (1998-2001)

• First Grade Team-Teacher, Louis Wiener Elementary School (1996-1998)

• Second Grade Team-Teacher, James McMillan Elementary School (1993-1996)

• First Grade Team-Teacher, Vegas Verdes Elementary School (Jan-June 1993)

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