Yusra Sarah Said
15000 Wilco Drive Homer Glen , IL 60491
(312)953-2903
I am currently employed by Community High School District 218 as a building Strategies for Learning teacher/coordinator. I have a Bachelor’s in English Education from the University of Illinois at Chicago and Master’s from the University of Illinois at Chicago in Instructional Leadership with a concentration in literacy, language, and culture. In my tenure, I have helped my administration create an English and Reading ELL program that is one of the most effective curricula in the state of Illinois. I have also helped develop the Strategies for Learning program that is a skill-building program for “at-risk” students in English, Reading, Math, and Study Skills. I have been coined as one of the district leaders in lesson planning, literacy strategies, and standardized test preparation within my first couple of years of teaching. Along with my abilities to lesson plan, I have maintained a strong classroom environment that has respect and integrity within its foundation.
I have also taken on other responsibilities outside of the classroom. For the last four years, I have served on the faculty committee for the school’s cultural festival. I have also coached the school’s speech team as well as been an Assistant Coach for the School’s Academic Decathlon Team. I am the “Students Against Destructive Decisions” sponsor. Last year, I was selected by my district to develop the “Response to Intervention” program that was requested by the state for placing students in Special Education courses.
Not only have I participated in extra-curricular activities with the students, but I am an active participant in professional development with my colleagues. I have presented my classroom strategies and lesson plans at various conferences over the years such as TESOL and NCLB. I have been a cooperating teacher for student observers from the University of Illinois and St.Xavier University.
Outside of my school life, I am a published writer. I have compiled a collection of my poetry called Focus, and have self-published it as a book. I am also the Director of Educational Affairs at Spirit: a Magazine for the Diverse Woman. I have published many articles within the publication.
In my career, I have grown to understand how vital education is for our younger generation. It is important to cultivate our youth to have intelligent ideals. With grace and integrity, I hope to not only instill a love for learning and my content area with my students, but also provide them a role model and mentor. As a mentor, my ambition is to help students focus on a faithful path in life and a successful career.