Jean Capizzi

Background

About Jean Capizzi

I am a policy wonk turned educator with a passion for advancing culturally responsive and inclusive practices in elementary classrooms. Always interested in public service, I started my career as an AmeriCorps*VISTA volunteer where I taught financial literacy and managed a matched savings program for low-income Chicagoans. After earning my masters degree in public affairs at Princeton, I began working for the City of Boston's Office of Budget Management as an analyst. I worked on issues as varied as weighted student in the schools, busing and sick leave in the public safety departments. While I love crunching numbers and knew my work made a difference, something was missing. I dipped my toe into the education sector as a volunteer with Citizen Schools, and soon transitioned into a school-based operations position. I found that I loved working with students one-on-one. I took a deep breath and made a career change! I joined the Boston Teacher Residency Program in 2012 and haven't looked back. Now in my seventh year as an educator, I am motivated to instill in my students both a love of learning and a confidence in their ability to learn through effective effort. During my time as a teacher, I have grown in my ability to teach differentiated lessons using the principles of Universal Design for Learning. I have developed expertise in varied curricula, including Expeditionary Learning, Readers and Writers Workshop, Fundations, and Investigations. I have also grown in my ability to plan and execute project-based learning experiences in social studies and science. These projects have included the creation of a miniature Wampanoag village and an engineering design project using principles of physics. My certifications include Elementary Education (1-6), ESL (Pre-K-6) and Moderate Disabilities (PreK-8). I hold an SEI Endorsement and am certified in the Wilson Reading Program (Level 1). My professional development interests range broadly. Recently I have completed additional training in culturally responsive teaching and trauma-sensitive teaching. I have also completed Studying Skillful Teaching and advanced Responsive Classroom training. As I look ahead, I am interested in pursuing more training opportunities, especially in guided math, executive function, and science pedagogy - all areas of great interest to me. I love learning and bringing my new knowledge into the classroom.