My name is James Kacmarzyk and I am the Curriculum Leader at FMS. I grew up in Michigan and have been married for 24 years to my wife, Cathy. Our family includes two children Joshua and Marisa,as well as, our dogs, Lilly & Bella. My family and I enjoy going on vacations together.

I am devoted to academic excellence with data driven sound instructional strategies that will provide students with a foundation of skills that will prepare them for lifelong achievement in a global society. 

Below is information regarding my professional experience.

Professional Experience

Baldwin County Schools, Fairhope, AL

09/2018 to Present

Curriculum Leader: Responsible for guiding the teams's work and ensuring it is coordinated with school goals.  To this end, leads effective data-based inquiry, guides colleagues to make instructional decisions informed by professional knowledge base, supports effective instructional practice, and cultivates a professional culture of shared ownership for student learning in the school

Baldwin County Schools, Fairhope, AL

09/2014 to 09/2018

Educator:  Responsible for utilizing current research, data, sound instructional strategies, and best practice to insure that Eight grade Science standards are mastered using the latest instructional tools.  Acts as a facilitator of learning, leading students to higher levels of thinking and creativity. Utilizing current research, to develope and implement a fluency program to address literacy needs of struggling readers of informationa text. 

Achievements:

*Developed a pacing guide for eighth grade science that has benefited classrooms across the district.

*Created and developed a teacher friendly Stages template to help make documentation more streamlined for educators.

*Created a Reading Fluency and comprehension program to address deficits in student comprehension of informational text.

Utica Community Schools, Utica, MI

09/1999 to 09/2013

Educator: Responsible for transforming District mandated curriculum into meaningful, high quality learning experiences for all students. Utilize current research, data, sound instructional strategies, and best practice to insure that the subject matter is relevant to students by showing them how it applies to their lives and their future careers. Act as a facilitator leading students to higher-level thinking and creativity.

Achievements:

*Spearheaded the Helper Bee Program to help K-3 students who struggle with site word/phrases recognition. This resulted in K-3 students who were below grade level in reading, either matching or surpassing their peer group by mid-year point.

*Asked by the district to create the "Super Saturdays" Elementary Enrichment program. Primary responsibilities included: program design, promotion and management, classroom education, and balance the program with Science-based classes.

*Created a Guided Highlight program to improve student comprehension when

reading informational text.

*Lego Robotics Coordinator & Coach 2010-2012

*Nominated for Teacher of the Year 2007

CurrTech Integrations, Baltimore, MD

09/2007 to 06/2011

STEM Module Developer: Contracted by UCS to create STEM modules using UbD and The 5E curriculum model. Customize modules to meet common core and state standards and provide educators with differentiated content in a digital format that allows educators to address all learning levels basic to AP. Manage all aspects of module development from research, test, design, budget, write and analyze data.