Devoted life skills special education who values a student first teaching philosophy with extensive experience within the Moline Coal Valley School District. Excels in behavior management and helping students make large strides to mastering IEP goals and objectives. Devoted to helping my students become as independent as possible and their families navigate the last years of schooling to help provide a sense of relief to life after high school. Skilled in utilizing technology to aid in lessons and collaborating with teachers and other IEP team members to ensure student success.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Life Skills Teacher
Moline Coal Valley School District No. 40
Moline
08.2022 - Current
Case managed for an average of 14 students per school year.
Wrote and progress monitored IEPs for individual students.
Ran an on-the-job training work program for our students who are seniors as well as our students opting to stay longer.
Helped to re-program our districts Learning for Independence Program at our high school.
Teacher sponsor for a club called Sports Unlimited that helps promote inclusion between general education students and our life skills students.
Created lesson plans based on academic skills but geared the lessons to be real-life based for a more functional style.
Instructed students on topics such as health, personal finance, functional reading and math, etc.
Created community based instruction to various stores and restaurants within our community.
Created lesson plans to further knowledge on basic life skills such as time management, organization, planning a trip, food budgeting, goal setting, etc. within the STEP 1 and 2 courses.
Established and upheld clear expectations for students to help students begin to conceptualize the concept of following the rules.
Provided differentiated instruction for individual students and groups of students based on academic levels and areas of interests.
Created lessons based around the use of technology when appropriate.
Work closely with our School Social Worker, School Psychologist, Speech Language Pathologist, Physical Therapist, and Occupational Therapist to report on progress and areas of need for individual students.
Encourage students to think critically about current events by watching The World From A to Z to help promote students independency to become productive members of the community.
Utilized positive reinforcements when working with challenging behaviors in order to promote a safe and calm learning environment within the classroom for all students to learn.
Monitored student behavior within the classroom, transitions, and general education inclusive settings to help provide support and instruction where needed to each individual student.
Work closely with general education elective teachers to modify and accommodate lessons and activities to ensure full participation.
Organized field trips, such as to the local animal shelter, to expose students to real world scenarios that would require them to practice their newly acquired life skills.
Mentored at-risk youth in areas like job readiness training, resume writing and career exploration.
Communicate with parents on a daily or weekly basis in regards to their child's progress and areas of concern.
Held parent teacher conferences and offer meetings throughout the school year for parents to attend.
Self-Contained Co-Taught Teacher
Moline Coal Valley School District No. 40
Moline
08.2021 - 05.2022
Worked with the American History general education teacher to create lessons to meet the needs of all students, both special education and general education.
Worked with the general education teacher to accommodate and modify lessons based on the needs of the special education students in the classroom.
Alternated and team-taught lessons weekly based on strengths of both the general education teacher and myself.
Maintained a safe and cooperative learning environment for all students.
Utilized technology such as SMARTBoards, videos, and other online platforms such as Kahoot to help engage students and enhance learning experiences.
Established positive relationships with parents to ensure effective communication regarding student progress and well-being.
Participated in professional development workshops related to teaching methods or curriculum changes, specifically the Co-Teaching professional development session hosted by the school district with my co-teacher.
Instructed students in academic subjects such as math, study skills, and American History in a special education self-contained setting.
Provided individualized instruction to meet the needs of all students.
Assessed student performance through tests, quizzes and other assessments.
Organized parent conferences throughout the year to discuss student progress.
Utilized technology-based learning tools to enhance classroom instruction.
Developed and implemented lesson plans based on curriculum objectives.
Collaborated with colleagues in the same departments to plan lessons that integrate various subject areas into a cohesive unit of study.
Case managed for 17 special education students - included writing IEPs, progress monitoring quarterly, met with individual students in regards to transition plans.
Created meaningful projects that allowed students to apply their knowledge in real world situations.
Modified the general education curriculum to fit the needs of my special education students in my self-contained course to ensure they were learning the same material as their grade level peers.
Scheduled and held parent-teacher conferences to keep parents up-to-date on children's academic performance.
Implemented behavior management strategies to maintain classroom discipline.
Assisted special education students in their courses as well as other life skills such as grade tracking and checking their missing work in a special education study hall called Study Skills.
Tested students' comprehension of subject matter through quizzes, tests and projects.
Created lesson plans and chose supporting materials to promote positive learning experiences.
Remained calm and patient in student interactions to support individual growth and development.
Resource Student Teacher
Moline Coal Valley School District No. 40
Coal Valley
01.2021 - 05.2021
Took full charge of a resource classroom serving thirty students with diverse educational needs ranging from learning disabilities to intellectual disabilities.
Wrote two full IEPs with data collected throughout the school year and led two full IEP meetings independently.
Pushed into 1st, 2nd, and 5th grade Math classes to team teach with the general education teachers.
Pushed into 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade English classes during writing intervention time to team teach with the general education teacher.
Created and taught lessons with the Read Well and Reading Mastery Curriculum.
Collected extensive data based on lessons taught to drive future lessons
Administered progress monitoring via AimsWeb
Participated in professional development activities related to teaching strategies.
Incorporated technology into lessons when appropriate to enhance engagement.
Conducted classroom observations in the general education classrooms to assess student performance.
Created interactive presentations using multimedia resources such as videos, slideshows.
Evaluated student work, provided feedback, and tracked their progress over time.
Integrated hands-on activities into instruction whenever possible.
Communicated regularly with school administrators, parents and general education teachers regarding student progress.
Encouraged positive relationships between students by promoting collaboration within reading, writing, and math groups.
Collaborated with faculty members to discuss student progress and develop strategies for improvement.
Developed individualized learning plans for each student based on their strengths and weaknesses.
Utilized data analysis techniques to track student achievement levels to report progress on IEPs.
Attended and contributed to staff meetings as a student teacher.
Observed educators teaching various lessons, interacting with students and managing classrooms to gain insight and understanding of duties and responsibilities.
Adapted lesson content for students with special needs to ensure inclusive education.
Upheld school rules and expectations both professionally and for students.
Life Skills Student Teacher
Neil A. Armstrong Elementary School
East Peoria
09.2020 - 12.2020
Created and taught lessons in Social Skills for students with behavioral needs.
Collected extensive behavior and performance data.
Gained experience in de-escalating student behaviors.
Created and taught lessons over tasks boxes for life skills needed at the K-2 grade level.
Trained to facilitate instruction in the STAR Program.
Created and maintained a close schedule for each individual student.
Monitored student behavior during class sessions, transitions, specials, lunch, and recess times.
Utilized data analysis techniques to track student achievement levels.
Evaluated student work and progress monitored individual student IEP goals and objectives.
Incorporated technology into lessons when appropriate to enhance engagement based on student academic and functional levels.
Participated in professional development workshops with the entire staff during half days and in-service days.
Integrated hands-on activities into instruction whenever possible.
Communicated regularly with school administrators and parents regarding student progress.
Held conferences with parents to address questions, discuss academic progress and encourage learning goals.
Worked with IEP team members such as the Speech Language Pathologist, School Social Worker, Physical Therapist, and Occupational Therapist to discuss student progress and areas of need.
Remained calm and patient in student interactions and behavior crises to support individual growth and development.
Proficient in Assistive Technology devices, both individual student devices and whole class devices.
Built and strengthened positive relationships with students, parents, and teaching staff.
Followed school schedules and policies to promote safety and learning.
Adapted teaching methods and materials to meet students' varying needs and interests.
Participated in school events, such as the Fall Fair, and extracurricular activities to support school community.
Co-taught Student Teacher
Fieldcrest High School
Minonk
01.2020 - 03.2020
Communicated regularly with school administrators regarding student progress.
Incorporated technology into lessons when appropriate to enhance engagement.
Flexible schedule and navigated online learning at the start of COVID-19.
Accommodated and modified assignments and lessons for students who did not have access to internet during COVID-19.
Encouraged critical thinking skills by asking open-ended questions regarding books we read during class and related it to real-life experiences.
Helped to facilitate small group discussions to deeper thinking.
Integrated hands-on learning when appropriate to enhance learning experiences.
Tested students' comprehension of subject matter through tests, quizzes, projects, and book reports.
Collected data to report on goals and objectives for student IEPs.
Collaborated with the general education English III teacher to create lessons and activities.
Created and taught lessons for the self-contained Basic Language III course.
Instructed on test taking skills to students in a resource special education study hall.
Monitored at risk special education students within a general education classroom.
Assisted students in a special education resource study hall with SAT preparation, checked their missing work, assisted with any questions that they had in their special education and general education classrooms.
Monitored IXL progress.
Prepared and graded subject tests for students.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Special Education Learning & Behavioral Specialist
Illinois State University
Normal, IL
05-2021
Master of Science - Special Education Differentiated Instruction
American College of Education
Indianapolis, IN
Skills
Lesson planning
IEP progress monitoring
Behavioral management
Assistive technology
Special education laws
Assessments
Collaboration
Multi-tasking
Communication strategies
Flexible teaching style
Crisis intervention
Resilience
Goal and objective setting
Case management
Problem-solving skills
Adaptability
Documentation
Organization
HeartSaver CPR AED (CPR AED)
De escalation tactics
Verbal and written communication
Affiliations
Special Olympics volunteer coach
Teacher sponsor for Sports Unlimited
House plant connoisseur
Backyard gardener
Accomplishments
Graduated Cum Laude from Illinois State University
Have been on several interview committees for both teachers and paraprofessionals
Certification
Learning and Behavioral Specialist - May 2021
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Life Skills Teacher
Moline Coal Valley School District No. 40
08.2022 - Current
Self-Contained Co-Taught Teacher
Moline Coal Valley School District No. 40
08.2021 - 05.2022
Resource Student Teacher
Moline Coal Valley School District No. 40
01.2021 - 05.2021
Life Skills Student Teacher
Neil A. Armstrong Elementary School
09.2020 - 12.2020
Co-taught Student Teacher
Fieldcrest High School
01.2020 - 03.2020
Bachelor of Science - Special Education Learning & Behavioral Specialist
Illinois State University
Master of Science - Special Education Differentiated Instruction