JESSICA LERNER
[email protected]
Academic Degrees and Licenses
PhD Candidate
University of Denver
Curriculum and Instruction
Expected 2018
Ed.S
University of Colorado at Denver
Specialization: Leadership in Urban Settings
Educational Leadership and Policy Studies
2010
M.A.
Chicago School of Professional Psychology
Organizational Effectiveness
Industrial and Organizational Psychology
2010
B.A.
University of Colorado at Boulder
Biology
Environmental, Population, and Organismic Biology
1999
Colorado Principal License
Colorado Elementary Teaching License
2003
2001
Licenses
Professional Experience
University of Denver
Morgridge College of Education
Director of Teacher Education Program
Assistant Professor of the Practice, Teacher and Learning Sciences Department
2015-present
Led all aspects of program development and continuous improvement including:
 Curriculum and course development
 Internal and external partnerships
 National accreditation
 Program evaluation
 Student and alumni support
Lecturer, Field Coordinator
Teacher Education Program, Curriculum Studies and Teaching
2011-2015
As a member of core faculty of teacher preparation program:
 Co-developed framework for teacher evaluation based on state and national teaching
standards
 Developed comprehensive rubrics for evaluation framework: Framework for Effective and
Equitable Teaching (FEET)
 Revised core curriculum based on identified competencies
 Developed network of partner schools and Mentor teachers for student-teaching
placements
 Designed and delivered professional development training for Mentor Teachers
 Designed fieldwork structure, procedures, and outcomes
Urban Residency Coordinator
University liaison for Urban Residency programs, including Denver Teacher Residency and
Boettcher Teachers Program.
 Promoted organizational learning through collaboration and partnership
 Evaluated partner programs according to national standards
 Developed and delivered coursework for Resident Teachers
 Designed professional development sessions for Lead Teachers, including coaching and
evaluation Residents
2010-2011
The New Teacher Project and Denver Public Schools
Field Observer
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2010-2011
Observed and evaluated new teachers using district’s new evaluation model
Conducted structured feedback sessions in which teachers were given specific
recommendations for improvement
Denver Public Schools
2005-2006
Instructional Leader
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Literacy Coach
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Fifth Grade Teacher
2003-2005
Trained staff in new district literacy curriculum, including readers’ and writers’ workshop
and literacy integration across the content areas
Gathered and tracked school-wide achievement data
Coached individual teachers on literacy best practice
Facilitated collaborative teams, including goal-setting, data analysis, and professional
development
Conducted staff training in the use of instructional technology
2002- 2003
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Served as grade-level team leader
Facilitated team curricula mapping, goal-setting, and peer observation
Created significant gains in student achievement
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Developed school-wide science program
Created science curricula for grades K-5, based on state standards
Trained staff to implement science-based instruction in classrooms
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Science Teacher
Created the PACE model (Parents, Accountability, Collaboration, Expectations), which
was selected by Denver Public Schools Board of Education for implementation at Maria
Mitchell Elementary School
Conducted searches and interviews for each teaching position
Design and delivered all ongoing professional development including curriculum design
and school-wide culture transformation
Created a series of instructional rubrics for teacher self-evaluation and professional goalsetting
Facilitated extensive teacher collaboration, including Lesson Studies, data analysis teams,
and regular peer observations.
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First Grade Teacher
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2000-2002
1999-2000
Designed and implemented curriculum based on state standards
Collected and analyzed achievement data
Collaborated with grade-level team to set achievement goals
Teaching and Course Development
Morgridge College of Education
University of Denver
Graduate-level courses developed and taught:
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CUI 4530 Second Language Acquisition
CUI 4031 Teaching and Learning Environments
CUI 4531 Supporting ELLs across the Curriculum
CUI 4540 Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment I
CUI 4540 Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment II
CUI 4540 Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment III
TEP 4690 Field Experience I
TEP 4690 Field Experience II
TEP 4690 Field Experience III
Professional Collaboration, Service, and Outreach
Co-Chair, Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) Committee
Co-led the accreditation bid for the Teacher Education Program in the Morgridge College of
Education.
Morgridge College of Education and Natural Sciences and Mathematics:
Interdisciplinary Community Collaboration
2015-present
2010-2011
Participated in collaboration between NSM, MCE, and local school districts to develop Math
and Science curriculum for MCE teacher preparation programs. Developed curricula according
to established goals and taught courses in conjunction with NSM faculty.
Denver Public Schools and National Renewable Energy Laboratory
2002-2004
Developed curriculum for after-school program. Goals for program included the promotion of
renewable energy, scientific concepts, and literacy.
Denver Public Schools and Local Business Partners
2002-2004
Established partnership between Mitchell Elementary School and several local businesses.
Partnership results included: an afterschool tutoring program, financial support, and the
development of a community garden.
Grants, Research, and Presentations
Morgridge Flow-Back Grant
Salazar, M. D. C., Lerner, J., Green, K. E., “Reliability and validity estimation of a pre-service
teacher evaluation model.” MCE Flow-back Opportunity Grant, $7,971.27, Submitted:
October 5, 2016.
2016
CAEP Conference Presentation
Highlighted the efforts of the University of Denver Teacher Education Program to design an
integrated approach to preparing teachers to meet the needs of diverse learners. The presenters
demonstrated how they meet the CAEP standards through a targeted focus on diverse learners
in recruitment, admissions, curriculum, field experiences, and candidate evaluation.
2015
Salazar, M. D. C., Lerner, J., Green, K. E., "Designing a pre-service teacher evaluation system
to improve teacher effectiveness for culturally and linguistically diverse learners," Professional
Research Opportunities for Faculty—PROF (DU), $29,988.00, Submitted: January 2014,
Awarded: April 2014.
2014
PROF Grant
Public Education and Business Coalition Grant
Received grant for developing science curriculum in a DPS elementary school. Curriculum
focused on hands-on learning activities and specific strategies for English Language Learners.
2000