LYSSA SEWARD

P R O F E S S I O N A L P R O F I L E

 Devoted and skillful teacher with a natural ability to connect with students. Committed to fostering a positive, inclusive community for learning and growth. Strong communication and leadership skills. Approaches challenges with creativity and flexibility, focusing on growth opportunities. Collaborative team member with integrity and willingness to learn from peers and mentors.

E X P E R I E N C E 

✦  SUBSTITUTE TEACHER

Snoqualmie Valley School District / 2021-present

Dedicated substitute teacher for elementary classrooms, kindergarten through fifth-grade, and special education classrooms.

• Build rapport and relationships with students of all ages and abilities to ensure that they feel safe in their teacher's absence.

• Employ effective classroom management strategies that foster student learning and engagement.

• Deliver high-quality lessons across all grades and subject matter.

• Follow provided lesson plans and develop plans in extended absence circumstances.

• Strong communication and organizational skills to ease the transition in and out of the classroom.

• Adapt teaching methods to fit the needs of the individual student.

• Committed to student well-being, health, and safety.

✦  LONG-TERM SUBSTITUTE ART TEACHER

Opstad Elementary School / January-March 2024

Long-Term substitute teaching art for all students K-5 at Opstad Elementary School for nine weeks.

• Elevated student participation and enthusiasm by introducing innovative and interactive art projects incorporating mediums that students had not previously been exposed to.

• Infused a renewed energy into the art classroom, fostering a dynamic and inspiring atmosphere that encouraged creativity and self-expression among students.

• Incorporated music in my classroom management to create an environment that was light-hearted but productive.

• Seamlessly incorporated daily doses of art history into lessons, providing students with a well-rounded understanding of the cultural and historical context of artistic movements.

• Participated in collaborative planning sessions with educators from different disciplines at Opstad as well as the other elementary art teacher in the district.

• Received overwhelmingly positive feedback from parents, students, and colleagues, indicating a high level of satisfaction and appreciation for the art education experience provided during the substitute period.

✦  DEMONSTRATION TEACHING

Opstad Elementary School / AUGUST 2023-NOVEMBER 2023

Completed 15 weeks of demonstration teaching in a 5th grade, general education - cluster classroom.

• Planned and executed lessons across all subject areas, transitioning from observation to independently leading instruction.

• Demonstrated skill in differentiation strategies for students of diverse abilities including those in gifted and special education programs.

• Enhanced classroom management proficiency, emphasizing the establishment of meaningful connections with students and fostering a supportive classroom environment.

• Collaborated with host teacher in preparing for the upcoming school year, including classroom set-up, lesson planning, and resource preparation.

• Assisted in planning and subsequently attended 3-day 5th grade camp field trip.

• Attended all district and building pre-work sessions prior to official start of demonstration teaching hours.

• Engaged in all districts and building professional development opportunities.

• Contributed insights and perspectives in various building committee meetings, actively participating in collaborative decision-making processes.

✦  COMMUNICATIONS PROGRAM MANAGER

LifeCenter Northwest / 2007 – 2012

Non-profit for organ, eye, and tissue donation education in the Pacific Northwest.

• Worked with organ donor family members and organ recipients. Well educated in the intricacies of the organ donation process and the life implications for both donor families & recipients. Able to engage in conversations on very sensitive topics with grace and care.

• Managed all communication & marketing for organization. Crafted messaging for both public, educational and medical community use. Worked with press on TV, online & print media.

• Facilitated a full company rebrand including logo suite & website. Worked with graphic design firm to complete a full company rebrand.  Maintained and created new website and marketing tools on an ongoing basis.

• Lead fundraising and development for the organization. Managed development program for organization including contributor stewardship and  fundraising campaigns. Successfully met fundraising goals on a consistent basis using creativity and interpersonal communication skills.

• Planned and executed special events. Managed events from intimate donor family/recipient meetings to our annual fundraising luncheon for 500.  Oversaw the creative imagining of the event, timeline, details, and vendor contracts.

✦  URBAN EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT

Windermere OnSITE / 2006 – 2007

Real estate business managing sales of high-end condominiums in the urban Seattle area.

• Member of urban management team. Actively involved in management decisions and duties such as project coordination and team direction.

• Development and implementation of company policies and procedures, account and vendor relations.

• Arrange venues, budget management and event coordination for specific events including urban focus groups, sales and branding events and social gatherings.

• Managed support staffing from interviews, to hiring process, training, job development and performance reviews.  Coordinated staff schedules with project and client needs.  Team consisted of 35-40 employees at one time.

• Extensive computer experience. Worked in Microsoft Excel creating housing and pricing layouts and research, data included VLookups, pivot tables and regression equations.  Used Microsoft Word and Outlook on a daily basis..

• Worked with a variety of contracts including client services agreements, real estate contracts, employee contracts and vendor contracts.

✦  DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL EVENTS AND OPERATIONS

The Electric Boat Company / 2004 – 2006

Launched from the ground up a customer service based business specializing in special events, boat rentals & sales. 

• Created Special Event division of Company.  Saw a potential profit center with high public appeal and developed distinctive offerings. Produced special events for a variety of clientele including pre-packaged events for small groups, personalized private parties and weddings and corporate team building events for clients such as Microsoft and Boeing

• Directed Company’s participation in trade shows including preparation of marketing tools for show, booth layout and plan, show logistics and booth management during trade show.

• Developed and carried out marketing plan including design, production and distribution of marketing materials.

• Oversaw all public relations including composing and distributing press releases, hosting press functions and participating in interviews

• Developed and maintained community relations including community organizations, hotels, restaurants and caterers and other marine and event related companies..

• Acted as a consultant for those with franchises.  Directed franchise owners on how to effectively execute marketing, operational processes, and general business model.

• Developed and implemented all administrative and operational functions of the special event and rental business. Managed teams of up to 9 employees including recruiting, hiring, training, scheduling and overseeing daily function.