Kara Jo Paulson

325 SE 17th Ct. Grimes, IA 50111

Phone: (319) 830-4407​ ​ ·​ ​Email:​ ​kara.paulson@jdragonmail.com
Professional Website​: ​https://karajopaulson.weebly.com/​ ​· Twitter​: @mrspteaches3

CERTIFICATIONS AND ENDORSEMENTS

Iowa Administrative License Folder Number 363996
Evaluator (New), PK-12 Principal, and PK-12 Special Education Supervisor

Special Education (Standard License) Folder Number 363996

K-8 Mildly Disabled , K-8 Instructional Strategist I: Mild/Moderate, K-6 Teacher Elementary Classroom

EDUCATION
Master of Science in Educational Leadership (M.S.E), PK-12 Principal Licensure 2017-2019
Drake University Des Moines, IA

Bachelor of Arts (B.A), Education 2001-2004

Central College Pella, IA

ADMINISTRATIVE EXPERIENCE
Model Teacher – Henry A. Wallace Elementary School 2015-Present
Johnston Community School District Johnston, IA
● Collaborated to develop professional learning opportunities upon needs of building and district staff
● Participated in and applied new learning from national and district trainings (i.e. Cognitive Coaching i & II, PLC Conference, PBL)
● Reflected and planned for improvement using the PDSA process
● Served on and communicated district leadership team decisions to the building level (math and science committees)
● Engaged in frequent collaboration and problem solving with our administration, instructional coach, lead teachers, and other
model teachers
● Observed and Modeled Instructional Practices to improve personal practice and techniques
● Administered district assessments to various grade levels as needed (FAST Screening - 1st, CBMR 2nd & 3rd)

TEACHING EXPERIENCES
Classroom Teacher – Grades Kdg., 2, & 3, Wallace Elementary School 2007 - Present
Johnston Community School District Johnston, IA
● Served as member of Wallace Elementary School’s Instructional Leadership Team
● Collaborated with Wallace Elementary instructional coach to create more authentic, engaging, project-based learning
experiences using a math workshop approach
● Communicated and Collaborated with families, grade level and special education teachers, and administration to meet all
student needs
● Served on various committees to implement what is best for kids (Math, Science, PBL, Innovation Academy, PBIS, Well-Being)
● Modified and accommodated core subject material based on IEPs, BIPs, PEPs, Student/Teacher Assistant Team (STAT)
intervention plans, and classroom data
● Adapted (early) and implemented various project based techniques to increase authentic experiences and student engagement
● Facilitated training for various staff developments centered on technology, readers workshop, flexible seating, or student
well-being
Classroom Teacher - Kindergarten, Longfellow Elementary 2006 – 2007
Council Bluffs Community School District Council Bluffs, IA
● Modified and accommodated core subject material based on IEPs, BIPs, PEPs, Student/Teacher Assistant Team (STAT)
intervention plans, and classroom data
● Adapted (early) and implemented various project based techniques to increase authentic experiences and student engagement
● Communicated and Collaborated with families, grade level and special education teachers, and administration to meet all
student needs

Classroom Teacher - Instructional Strategist, Woodrow Wilson Junior High 2005 – 2006
Council Bluffs Community School District Council Bluffs, IA
● Collected and analyzed data to make decisions for students with IEPs, including behavior intervention plans (BIPs)
● Wrote and amended IEPs based on team decisions and data, including BIPs
● Communicated and Collaborated with students, families, grade level teachers, other special education teachers, and
administration
● Communicated rights and responsibilities of stakeholders throughout the IEP process
● Conducted initial, annual, and re-evaluations of student IEPs
● Planned, implemented, modified and accommodated math instruction for a a self contained classroom based on IEPs, BIPs, and
classroom data
● Adapted (early) and implemented various project based techniques to increase authentic experiences and student engagement

Classroom Teacher - Preschool, 3 and 4 year olds - Camp Sunnyside February - August 2005
Easter Seals Camp Des Moines Des Moines, IA
● Modeled and practiced social and independence skills through play
● Adapted (early) and implemented various project based techniques to increase authentic experiences and student engagement
● Communicated and Collaborated with families, grade level and special education teachers, and administration to meet all
student needs

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
School Administrators of Iowa (SAI) 2018 – Present

LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCES AND TRAININGS

2018-2019
● Administrative Learning Experiences
○ Clinical 2 Experience, Drake University Education Leadership Program
○ Brent Riessen, Johnston Middle School Principal (Clinical 2)
■ Gained administrative experience and learning related to building behavior management, prioritization of
time/scheduling of people, understanding communication styles of staff, leadership team PLC meetings,
and parent communication/meetings
● Drake Leadership Toronto Experience
● Cognitive Coaching I & II Certification
● Collaboration of Master Schedule with Principal Suzie Pearson of Wallace Elementary
● Wallace Elementary Instructional Leadership Team (ILT) Member
● Presenter at Drake Standard Based Grading Symposium Breakout session
● Presenter at Drake Continual Improvement Network - Cedar Rapids Cohort
● Orientation/Mentoring - New Teacher Training JCSD
● Presenter at District ​Learn.Create.Innovate​ Professional Development - Read Aloud Strategies (Johnston School District)
● Various Hiring Committees for general education and special education teacher positions
● Johnston Community School District Elementary Self Assessment of MTSS Implementation (SAMI) Training
● Mentoring, coaching, consulted, supervised, and evaluated of a student teacher
o Jessica Behrens, University of Iowa
● Mentoring, coaching, consulted, and supervised clinical hours for a college student
o Matthew Baird, Des Moines Area Community college (DMACC)
● Mentoring, coaching, consulted, supervised, and evaluated of a school to work student
o Jenna Bennett, Johnston High School - senior
 ● Active Johnston Community School District Elementary Science Committee Member
● Observation of Principal Meredith Mauro of Valerius Elementary (Urbandale Community School District)
● Co-taught and supervised the after school Wallace Elementary Yearbook Committee
● Seesaw App Ambassador

2017-2018
● Administrative Learning Experiences
o Clinical I Experience, Drake University Educational Leadership Program
o April Heitland, North Prairie Elementary Principal (Clinical 1)
● Wallace Elementary Instructional Leadership Team (ILT) Member
● Orientation/Mentoring - New Teacher Training
● Presenter at District ​Learn.Create.Innovate​ Professional Development- Seesaw Learning Application/Technology (Johnston
Community School District)
● Johnston Community School District Elementary Science Committee Member
● Observation of Principal Ryan Woods of Johnston High School (Johnston Community School District)
● Johnston Community School District Elementary Project Based Learning Team
● Various Hiring Committees for general education and special education
● Recipient of Johnston’s District Student Well-Being Award
● Mentoring, coaching, consulted, supervised, and evaluated of a student teacher
o Kaylin Winders, University of Northern Iowa
● Seesaw App Ambassador

2016-2017
● Wallace Elementary Instructional Leadership Team (ILT) Member
● Orientation/Mentoring - New Teacher Training
● White Privilege Conference​ - University of Northern Iowa
● Johnston Community School District Elementary Math Committee Member
● Wallace Elementary School Student Teacher Assistant Team (STAT) Member
● Various Hiring Committees for general education and special education
● Mentoring, coaching, consulted, supervised, and evaluated of a student teacher
o Lexi Willie, Grand View University

2015 – 2016
● Wallace Elementary Instructional Leadership Team (ILT) Member
● Orientation/Mentoring - New Teacher Training
● Various Hiring Committees for general education and special education
● Johnston Community School District Elementary Math Committee Member
● Wallace Elementary School Student Teacher Assistant Team (STAT) Member
● Wallace Elementary School PBIS Committee
● Classroom Community: Morning Meeting Class -- Heartland AEA Training
● Johnston Community School District Innovation Academy Member
● Mentoring, coaching, consulted, supervised, and evaluated of a school to work student
o Natalie Stewart, Johnston High School - senior

2014 – 2015
● Johnston Community School District Elementary Math Committee Member
● Wallace Elementary School Student Teacher Assistant Team (STAT) Member
● Wallace Elementary School PBIS Committee
● Johnston Community School District Innovation Academy Member

2013 – 2014
● Johnston Community School District Elementary Math Committee Member
● Wallace Elementary School PBIS Committee
● Wallace Elementary School Wellness Committee
● Supporting the Common Core with General Release - Heartland AEA Training

2012 – 2013
● Johnston Community School District Elementary Math Committee Member
● Wallace Elementary School PBIS Committee
● Empowering ELLs in the mathematics classroom - Heartland AEA Training
2011 – 2012
● Johnston Community School District Elementary Math Committee Member
● Wallace Elementary School PBIS Committee
● Building ELL Reading Through Targeted Strategies - Heartland AEA Training

2010 – 2011
● Johnston Community School District Elementary Math Committee Member
● Daily 5/Cafe Menu - Heartland AEA Training

2009 – 2010
● Content Area Capacity Building Project: K-5 Math Tier 2 - Heartland AEA Training