Lena Ortega

• Teach English I–III and AP Literature to ~140 students across five sections; average AP Lit pass rate 78% over three years. • Redesigned freshman writing sequence around argument and research; reduced D/F rate in English I by 22% year over year. • Advise Literary Magazine and Debate Club (45+ students); magazine won state scholastic press recognition twice. • Partner with ELD specialists to scaffold texts for emerging bilinguals; family conference participation above 90%.

• Taught grades 9–10 English and Reading Intervention; grew Lexile growth for intervention cohort by average 1.4 grade levels per year. • Built shared unit plans and formative banks used by the English department; mentored two first-year teachers. • Led after-school writing workshop for college-essay support; 30+ seniors completed applications with revised personal statements.

• Covered full-load English II for a semester leave; maintained pacing guides and grading continuity with co-teachers. • Supported literacy intervention blocks and co-taught inclusion sections with special education partners.

Colorado Initial Teacher License, Secondary English (7–12); SEI endorsement

English Literature