Charisse Debesa-Roussi

• NOVA Southeastern University,?B.S. Elementary Education
• Dean’s List 2001-2003
• Huntington Learning Center Director’s Certificate
• Florida’s Professional Educator’s Certificate in Elementary Education (K-6) All Subjects
• Florida’s Professional Educator’s Certificate in ESOL
• F.A.I.R. Master Trainer’s Certificate (K-5)
• Clinical Supervision for Educators Certificate
• Reading Endorsement Competency 1 Certificate

Teaching Biography

I began my teaching career in September 2001, at Huntington Learning Center where I taught students in Reading and Math Skills from ages four to adult. Specifically, I educated gifted and remedial students alike. Later, I was promoted to Managing Director, where I was responsible for interpreting diagnostic test results, developing and maintaining the individualized programs for each student, as well as, supervising approximately 30 teachers. Simultaneously, I was pursuing my B.S. in Elementary Education at NOVA Southeastern University. Eventually, I left the learning center to complete my last semester, which entailed my internship at Miami Lakes Elementary, an “A School,” in a Kindergarten classroom. After being on the Dean’s List throughout my studies I graduated and received the Florida’s Professional Educator’s Certificate in Elementary Education (K-6), and Florida’s Professional Educator’s Certificate in ESOL. A few months later, I became a full time teacher at Youth Co-Op Charter School, another “A School.” There I taught Fifth Grade and was responsible for teaching all core subjects, including Language Arts, Reading, Math, Social Studies, and Science.

I began working here in August 2004. ?I taught second grade Language Arts, Reading, Social Studies, and Science up to the first quarter of the 2008-2009 school year. ?During this time I served three years as Science Fair Coordinator, Summer School Teacher for remedial and advanced students in grades PreK-8. ?At the beginning of the 2007-2008 school year, I accepted the role of Test-Chairperson and this year begins my fourth year. ?Additionally, in November 2009 I became Assistant Director of Archimedean School’s After School Program.

My professional experience has led me to adopt and believe in an altering teaching philosophy. ?All classes are different and all our students are unique. ?It is imperative that educators recognize their students as individuals. ?But most importantly, as an educator I feel my number one responsibility is to instill the love of learning in each and every child and to teach children the ability to teach themselves. ?This way, regardless of what kind of school or teacher they may have, they will always possess the power within themselves to educate themselves with the right tools. ?My goal is to assist each child in becoming a confident and competent learner for life.