Maggie Shoemaker
As an experienced educator, I currently teach 9th Grade English Language Arts and Creative Writing to high school students in grades 9–12. I specialize in designing and implementing curriculum aligned with Florida state standards, with a strong emphasis on building students' critical thinking, creative expression, and writing skills.
My passion for storytelling and literature fuels every lesson I teach. I strive to create engaging, inclusive, and student-centered classrooms where students are encouraged to take creative risks, build confidence in their writing, and develop a lifelong love for reading.
At the heart of my teaching philosophy is the belief that every student has a story worth telling—and it’s my job to help them discover how.
When I’m not teaching, you can usually find me writing intricate fantasy fiction, baking homemade focaccia (or planning to), or rolling for initiative in a spirited game of Dungeons & Dragons. I also enjoy helping others design their own digital portfolios—because storytelling doesn't stop at the page, it lives in how we present ourselves to the world.
English Language Arts Teacher
The School District of Osceola County
Kissimmee, Florida - August 2023 to Present
Develop and implement an engaging curriculum for over 150 students, improving reading comprehension scores by an average of 21%.
Design interactive and inquiry-based lesson plans aligned with national and state standards, incorporating multimedia resources, hands-on activities, and student-led discussions.
Integrate global literature and cross-cultural themes into novel studies such as Romeo and Juliet, fostering discussions on diverse perspectives and historical contexts.
Strengthen students’ analytical and writing skills through structured workshops, leading to a 33% increase in writing proficiency.
Adapt instructional methods for diverse learners, including gifted students and those with learning challenges, using differentiated instruction and scaffolding techniques.
Assess student progress through varied formative and summative assessments, contributing to a 26% improvement in standardized test scores.
English as a Second Language Teacher
Valencia College
Kissimmee, Florida - June 2022 to Present
Teach English language skills to international students, emphasizing reading, writing, speaking, and listening to enhance fluency and confidence.
Craft engaging lessons incorporating real-world scenarios, role-playing activities, and structured conversation practice to support language acquisition.
Innovate customized instructional materials, including grammar guides, vocabulary exercises, and essay-writing workshops, to reinforce key language skills.
Apply student-centered teaching strategies to foster participation, collaboration, and engagement among multilingual learners.
Analyze assessment data to guide instruction, leading to a 28% increase in student retention and course completion rates.
Support students in adapting to academic English through guided reading sessions and structured discussions on literary and non-fiction texts
Education - The University of Central Florida
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages M.A | 2020-2022 |
Human Communication B.A. | 2015-2019 |