Hello! My name is Joanna Cortez or as my students know me, Ms. Cortez. I am a certified childhood education teacher and I live in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. I find joy in trying new restaurants all over the diverse neighborhoods of the city and taking long walks to the park in my free time. From a young age I have always loved to learn. I hope to be able to instill this same passion in every student that is a part of my classroom.
As an educator I am committed to fostering a growth mindset in my students to encourage them to embrace challenges both academically and personally. I firmly believe that establishing strong relationships with students is the cornerstone of academic success. By creating a safe and inclusive classroom environment, students can fully engage in the learning process. I recognize the uniqueness of each student and strive to provide a learning environment tailored to meet their individual needs. As an educator I strive to support students at their current level of understanding and guide them through their learning journey. Ultimately, my goal as an educator is to instill in my students a passion for lifelong learning and equip them with the tools they need to seize every opportunity that comes their way.
About the Harlem Renaissance!
Creating our own works of art
In the Whitney Museum of American Art.
Our discussion on contemporary art
With our wonderful coordinator from the museum.
Our team won!!!
Undergraduate Degree: (August 2020 - May 2024),
Childhood Education Teacher (1-6) - On track to be certified by September 2024.
CUNY Brooklyn College
3.9 GPA
High School Diploma - Eastport South Manor Jr-Sr High School Manorville, NY 11949
3.8 GPA
Student Teaching, New York City Department of Education January 2024 - May 2024
Guided an accelerated 5th Grade class to boost academic progress.
Provided specialized small group instruction to improve student performance.
Taught Math, ELA, and Social Studies for well-rounded education.
Encouraged critical thinking through student-led math projects.
Collaborated in grade level meetings for effective state test preparation.
Fostered supportive relationships with parents through family days and field trips.
Research Foundation of CUNY- Reading Go! Reading Tutor, In person and remote. 2023
Led 1-to-1 high frequency phonics-driven reading instruction for 1st, 2nd, and 4th graders.
Crafted daily lesson plans using data from reading assessments and phonics activities.
Achieved significant advancement in students' phonics skills and reading levels.
Proficient in Zoom, Jamboard, Canva, Google Classroom, Google Slides and SMART boards.
Strong team collaborator.
Detail and data driven with excellent time management.
Skilled in planning and delivering individualized instruction according to assessment.
Exceptional interpersonal skills in building relationships with students and parents.
