1. Laura E. Gambrell Jones
Resume of Qualifications
1301 Cascade Falls Drive, SW
Atlanta, GA 30311
Cell: 443 631-7572
Email: laura_gambrell@msn.com
Education
The City University of New York, New York, NY 6/2004
Master of Science Literacy, (Birth-Graduation)
National University, Los Angeles, CA 10/1990 – 7/1991 10/1995 -11/1996
Earned 60 credits in Education,
Coursework designed to emphasize
Cross-Cultural Language and Academic Development (CLAD)
Hampton University, Hampton, VA 6/1989
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology,
Certifications
State of Georgia 7/2008-2013
Early Childhood (P-5)
Middle Grades: Language Arts, Reading, Social Science (4-8)
Reading Endorsement (P-12)
Special Ed General Curriculum (P-12)
Special Ed Cognitive Level (P-5) Language Arts, Science, Social Science, math
Special Ed Cognitive Reading (P-12)
Special Ed General Curriculum (P-12) Consultative
Workshops and Seminars Facilitated
o Seminar at the University of Southern California for Los Angeles Unified School District:
“Putting Your Best Foot Forward, Designing Powerful Learning Communities”
o Strategies for implementing writers workshop in the classroom
o How to design and use units of study and Backwards Mapping
o Strategies for teaching phonological awareness via Open Court
o Leveling libraries to implement “Balanced Literacy”
o DIBELS fluency training
o Differentiation in the classroom
o Team Building and a United Vision/Creating a Family
o Reading the Voluntary State Curriculum Maryland
o Creating rubrics to evaluate and help improve the standard of student work
o How to set up your room to maximize student learning–Standards Based Classroom
o Writing and implementing units of studies
o Analyzing Student Data
o Reading- Best Practices
o Writers Workshop and 6+1 Writing Traits
o Guided Reading
Laura E. Gambrell Jones
Resume of Qualifications
1

2. Professional Teaching Experience
Cliftondale Elementary ~ Fulton County Schools
Stonewall Tell Elementary ~ Fulton County Schools Atlanta, Georgia
Teacher, Staff Developer, Grade Level Chair 7/2008-Present
Thomas G. Hayes Elementary
Baltimore City Public School
Executive Administrative Turn-Around Team
ELA Instructional Leader Baltimore, Maryland
7/2006-6/2007
The Morrell Park ES, MS Baltimore City Public School
Executive Administrative Turn-Around Team Baltimore, Maryland
ELA Instructional Leader 7/2007-6/2008
Powhatan Elementary ~Baltimore County Public Schools Baltimore, Maryland
Literacy Coach, Reading Specialist 8/2004 – 7/2006
Community School 21~New York City Board of Education Brooklyn, NY
Teacher, Grades 1, 4 9/2001 – 8/2004
Los Angeles Unified School District~ 96th Street Elementary School Los Angeles, California
Teacher and Chair, Grades K-3, 8/1995 – 8/2001
Inglewood Unified School District, Warren Lane Elementary School Inglewood, California
Teacher, Grades 3 & 4 6/1991 – 6/1993
Leadership and Curriculum Experience
o Responsible for a 27% gain on the 4th grade Maryland State Assessment (reading).
o Engaged “at risk” 7th and 8th grade students in literacy instruction to see up to 40% gains on
the Maryland State Assessment (reading).
o Received notoriety due to the successful turnaround of two struggling inner city schools in
Baltimore Public Schools.
o Interviewed and hired new teachers
o Supervised a staff of eleven intermediate teachers
o Organized guided reading programs for the implementation of Balance Literacy school wide
o Responsible for ELA Budget- reading programs, supplements, materials and resources
o Created and organized a fluency program using DIBELS as the baseline assessment
o Led quality professional development in many areas to maximize student achievement
o Administered DIBELS as a baseline literacy assessment school wide
o Analyzed literacy data and used research based intervention programs to support the
achievement of identified “at-risk students”.
o Trained teachers to progress monitor students and design intervention strategies to drive and
differentiate instruction
Laura E. Gambrell Jones
Resume of Qualifications
o Collaborated with administrators to establish school wide policies, procedures and
instruction.
o Consistently advised teachers and administrators with information on the current best
practices in literacy instruction.
o Provided on-going professional development, using vertical teaming and curriculum
2

3. integration.
o Worked closely with teachers coaching and advising to support instructional development.
o Designed curriculum units around inquiry based instruction.
o Used “authentic task” to develop and promote writing across the curriculum.
o Developed curriculum aligned with Voluntary State Curriculum (VSC) to prepare students
for Maryland State Assessment (MSA).
o Member of the Ten Schools Effectiveness Survey Team, in which we assessed the effective
practices of teachers and schools in their implementation of the standards.
o Organized and coordinated quarterly achievement programs for students.
o Appointed to “The Social and Emotional Development of the Middle School Learner,
Baltimore City Committee.
o Transformed a hostile diverse cultural environment with consistency and the facilitation of
multicultural discussions, using literature with all stakeholders.
o Promoted accountability and cooperation and invovement amongst, parents, staff and
community.
Professional Appointments
Curriculum Team, Cliftondale ES
Achievement Council, The Educational Trust
Ten Schools Effectiveness Team, Los Angeles Unified School District
Executive Leadership Administration Board, Baltimore Public Schools
The Social and Emotional Development of the Middle School Learner~ Baltimore Public Schools
Committee
3