Marla Mikolay, M.Ed
My Bio
I've lived in Austin for 15 years now after moving here from San Antonio. I received my undergraduate degree from Texas State in 2007 and obtained my Master's from Concordia University in 2013. Currently, I am a TAG specialist in the wonderful district of Round Rock ISD at Spicewood Elementary. I'm a motivated educator with over 11 years of experience teaching 2-5th grade, GT, and 6th grade pre-ap mathematics and was the Instructional Specialist, 504/RTI Coordinator in Lake Travis ISD. In addition, I've assumed the role of summer school principal, as well as administrator on duty when my principal is not available. I've lead teams and children with a positive attitude and collaborative focus to ensure optimal learning and teamwork. I’m an advocate for children and encompass a genuine belief that all children deserve the highest quality education possible.
Professional Experince
Leadership/Coaching Experience
I have assisted several teachers with SMART Goals, writing and implementing interventions and accommodations under RTI and 504 plans. As the summer school principal and administrator on duty, I've supported teachers in creating learning environments that are welcoming, student centered, project based and innovative.
In addition, I was assigned to coach a teacher with behavior management daily in a kindergarten classroom. I began by modeling effective classroom management techniques until the classroom teacher was able to effectively manage the students so that they had a safe and comfortable environment in which they were able to maximize their learning opportunities.
When new teachers begin, I've found respectfully offering guidance in a positive and understanding manner has created situations in which new teachers would seek advice and support. Modeling lessons, and sharing ideas and resources for guided groups at all elementary grade levels has made collaboration with new teachers successful as well.
Professional Development
Annually, I have presented at the Lake Travis ISD Learning Together Confernce as well as Tools for Teachers presentations at Lake Travis Elementary. Presentations have included but are not limited to 504/RTI, enrichment, 30 hour GT training, and best practices with specificity to guided groups. When facilitating PD, I feel interactive workshops pose a more responsive interaction with those in attendance as opposed to presenters simply reading directly from their presentation forum. PD that makes connections with educators and gives them tools they can use in their educational setting deems the most beneficial and engaging.
Instructional Facilitator
Strengths and Areas of Growth
Staying abreast of technological and innovative ways of teaching and learning is a true passion in which I seek opportunities to learn and share. I've collaborated at a district level for curriculum development that has resulted in instructional support, cross-curricular and technology integration.
Having been fortunate to teach GT, Advanced Math, Special Education, and English Language Learners, I feel I have a strong foundation and understanding of the diversity that students encompass and the diverse ways in which they learn. I also have extensive knowledge and experience administering and scoring assessments for GT.
I look forward to learning more and growing my knowledge with respects to Telpas and ELL Assessments. I have instructed students and maintained leadership roles that allowed excellent collaboration opportunities with fellow educators, but have not specifically trained or identified students qualifying for such programs, but I am eager to learn!
English Language Learner Instruction
As an instructional leader, I will collaborate with educators to plan and implement strategies I have gathered from the Gomez and Gomez Dual Language Model as well as SIOP strategies to include but are not limited to the following:
Lesson Preparation
Interaction
Building Background
Practice and Application
Comprehensible Input
Lesson Delivery
Strategies
Review and Assessment
Additionally, I will seek opportunities to investigate, observe and share research based best practices to support continuous improvement for educators and English Language Learners.
Data and PLCs
Evaluating data in PLCs is vital when measuring the effectiveness on the basis of results rather than intentions. The evaluation of formative assessments and disaggregation of summative assessments should drive actions taken when a PLC comes to a consensus. In a school with nearly 900 students, I've created systems and tracked data through Eduphoria, ESped, Google Forms/Docs and Sheets to regularly assess student progress and communicated such data and tracking with all stakeholders involved.
Local and Global Impact of Educators
Locally, staff members have the opportunity to connect and involve interested investors when requisitioning necessary materials and resources for existing schools as well as schools the district is planning to build. Partnerships through education foundations and interested investors ultimately works towards the betterment of student learning and interest. Staff members are role models for our students so encouraging all stakeholders, including myself, to participate in community events is favorable.
Additionally, when students develop the capacity to collaborate to improve their community and world, students are able to make relevant connections in learning. Whether it be a local service learning project or communicating with students in other communities or parts of the world, all life lessons may prove to be invaluable. The ability to set the tone for a united community and global understanding of cherished differences amongst different populations is a privilege that children and adults should cherish and embrace.
Resiliency and Building Relationships
Resilience and advantageous relationships amongst school leadership and staff promote a positive ethical climate that can foster greater self-awareness and a sense of balance when processing information that indicates significant change or when an unexpected event occurs. Maintaining positive views while relaying accurate information is imperative when addressing varying teaching styles. When introducing new systems that are research based, leaders must have the courage to act on their convictions while maintaining the flexibility to partner and coach educators who may be resistant to change.
Building relationships with a strong foundation of trust, honesty, integrity, and fidelity create a transparent climate of mutual respect and putting students first. As in instructional leader, I have a welcomed responsibility to allocate time to supporting and becoming familiar with each member of the staff. I feel it's paramount to know how staff members view their strengths and what goals they want to accomplish in various aspects of their lives. Ultimately, treating all staff members as individuals and reassuring reciprocated lines of trust and open communication is an ongoing opportunity that will remain a priority to my role as an educational leader.
My Leadership Style From the Viewpoint of a Teacher
“Ms. Mikolay, is as a resourceful contributor and innovative leader of new ideas. She’s a contributing team player who worked collaboratively for the best interest of student growth. She brings insight, discretion, integrity, and fair communication to the campus leadership team.
On a personal note, Mrs. Mikolay has a heart of gold. She sees the best in her students and works to nurture the “whole” child. She is the type of person who will do anything that is asked of her. She goes above and beyond meeting teacher expectations for the best interest of students, her team, her campus, and her district.”
Debbie Dolmanet
4th Grade/Special Areas Teacher
My Leadership Style From the Viewpoint of an Administrator
"Ms. Mikolay worked in a new position this year and assisted teachers through the RTI process as well as led 504 on the campus. Ms. Mikolay is a hard-working and valuable employee who always works to do her best. She has a heart for students and works to help other teachers with instructional and behavioral challenges."
Angela Frankhouser
Principal
TAG Referrals
11/8/2018
Active on 11/12/2018
Will close on 12/7/2018 @ 4:00