Amara Okafor

High School English Teacher

Portland, OR, United States

Professional Summary

Licensed High School English Teacher with 6+ years designing inquiry-driven literature and composition courses for grades 9–12. Proven record raising AP Language pass rates, building inclusive classroom culture, and coaching debate. Skilled in curriculum design, differentiated instruction, and family engagement. Seeking a full-time secondary English role where rigorous literacy and student voice come first.

Employment History

English Teacher (Grades 9–12)

Lincoln High School · Portland, OR

Aug, 2021 · Present

Design and teach World Literature, American Literature, and AP English Language for ~150 students across five sections annually. Raised AP Language exam pass rate from 62% to 81% over three years through scaffolded rhetorical analysis and timed-writing clinics. Co-lead the school literacy PLC; created shared rubrics adopted by 8 teachers department-wide. Advise the Debate Club (28 members); guided teams to regional finals in 2024 and 2025. Partner with counselors and families on MTSS supports that cut chronic absenteeism 18% among caseload students.

English Language Arts Teacher (Grade 8)

Roosevelt Middle School · Portland, OR

Aug, 2018 · Jun, 2021

Taught eighth-grade ELA with integrated reading/writing workshop model for 120+ students yearly. Launched a student publication that printed 4 issues/year and grew submissions 3× by year three. Differentiated instruction for multilingual learners; 90% of EL students met or exceeded growth targets on district literacy assessments. Mentored two student teachers from Portland State University.

Summer Literacy Camp Instructor

Portland Parks & Recreation · Portland, OR

Jun, 2017 · Aug, 2018

Led daily reading/writing intensives for rising 6–8 graders in a 6-week enrichment program. Built project-based units culminating in student-authored short story anthologies.

Education

M.Ed., Secondary Education

Portland State University · Portland, OR

2018

B.A., English Literature

University of Oregon · Eugene, OR

2016

Skills

Analytical Thinking Skills

Interpersonal Communication Skills

Ability to Learn Quickly

Project Management Skills

Good time management

Courses

AP Summer Institute — English Language

College Board · Portland, OR

2022

Oregon ELA Teaching License (Grades 5–12)

Oregon TSPC

Teacher of the Year Nominee — Lincoln High School

Lincoln High School