Ellen McIntyre-Saunders
5519 Bridgeport Way W., Unit C, University Place,WA
Summary
Highly experienced special education teacher with over 21 years in field. Proven skills in verbal and written communication and problem-solving combined with unsurpassed work ethic, proactive mindset and detail-oriented approach. Organized and successful at providing classroom and emotional structure for special needs children required to flourish in academic setting. Certified and licensed in Washington and recognized as highly qualified educator. Coordinates well with classroom teachers with supportive strategies for behavior management and lesson accommodations for students. Versatile Special Education Teacher with focus on individual student needs across academia and emotional development. Empathetic and accommodating in design and implementation of hands-on lessons, catering to diverse learning abilities. Proficient in employing constant communication, patience and positive reinforcement in team efforts to deliver exceptional educational tools, fostering academic achievement. Dedicated practitioner with focus on individual needs of special education students. Empathetic and accommodating in design and implementation of hands-on lessons. Exceptional skills working with teachers, parents and specialists to meet educational needs of all students.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Special Education Teacher
Puyallup School District:
Puyallup, WA
08.2017 - 08.2021
- Modified general education curriculum for special-needs students using various instructional techniques and technologies both in physical and online classrooms.
- Designed and delivered effective and differentiated classroom instruction to range of neurodiverse students.
- Worked with students with mild to moderate autism to increase academic and social skills.
- Taught multiple subjects to students with academic and/or social- emotional disabilities.
- Created and managed IEPs to define student learning objectives and educational strategies, in addition to applying instructional knowledge and methods to support goals.
- Partnered with standard education teachers from across academic departments.
- Cultivated connections and strong student rapport to foster classroom engagement, in addition to recording student progress to inform parents and school administration.
- Redirected students using Positive Behavior Support (PBS).
- Communicated nonverbally with children to provide comfort, encouragement and positive reinforcement.
- Led activities that developed students' emotional and social growth.
- Taught reading and language arts in self-contained resource classroom.
- Organized instruction material, constructed bulletin boards and set up work areas.
- Taught students across multiple classifications and degrees of special needs.
- Assisted struggling students to maintain progress levels by designing individualized lesson plans focused on areas for improvement.
- Delivered effective and differentiated classroom instruction to range of neurodiverse students.
Special Education Teacher/Team Leader
Tacoma Public Schools
Tacoma, WA
08.2007 - 06.2017
- Planned and implemented integrated lessons to meet national standards.
- Communicated frequently with parents, students and faculty to provide feedback and discuss instructional strategies.
- Designed dynamic lesson plans based on student interests to increase academic and social skills.
- Fostered team collaboration between students through group projects.
- Held conferences with parents to address questions, discuss academic progress and encourage learning goals.
- Tracked student progress monthly in qualifying IEP areas.
- Supported student teachers by mentoring on classroom management, lesson planning and activity organization.
- Incorporated exciting and engaging activities to achieve student participation and hands-on learning.
- Incorporated multiple types of teaching strategies into classroom.
Special Education Teacher
Puyallup School District
Puyallup, WA
08.2004 - 09.2007
- Delivered effective and differentiated classroom instruction to range of neurodiverse students.
- Created learning and content strategies to meet needs of mentally and physically disabled students.
- Worked with students with moderate to severe autism to increase life skills.
- Taught multiple subjects to students with academic and/or social- emotional disabilities.
- Partnered with standard education teachers from across academic departments.
- Cultivated connections and strong student rapport to foster classroom engagement, in addition to recording student progress to inform parents and school administration.
- Communicated nonverbally with children to provide comfort, encouragement and positive reinforcement.
- Led activities that developed students' academic, emotional and social growth.
- Taught reading and language arts in resource classroom.
- Instructed students in core academic areas and specialized reading groups.
- Organized instruction material, constructed bulletin boards and set up work areas.
- Taught students across multiple classifications and degrees of special needs.
- Assisted struggling students to maintain progress levels by designing individualized lesson plans focused on areas for improvement.
- Modified general education curriculum for special-needs students using various instructional techniques and technologies.
Special Education Teacher/Team Leader
Tacoma Public Schools
Tacoma, WA
08.2001 - 06.2004
- Planned and implemented integrated lessons to meet district and state standards.
- Communicated frequently with parents, students and faculty to provide feedback and discuss instructional strategies.
- Designed dynamic lesson plans based on student interests to increase overall student understanding of subject area.
- Fostered team collaboration between students through group projects.
- Instructed students in core educational principles, concepts and in-depth subject matter.
- Implemented and encouraged debate-style classroom environment to increase student engagement and promote critical thinking.
- Held conferences with parents to address questions, discuss academic progress and develop learning goals.
- Graded and evaluated student assignments, papers and course work.
- Reviewed curriculum and devised alternate approaches to presenting lessons to increase student understanding.
- Evaluated and revised lesson plans and course content to achieve student-centered learning.
- Kept students on-task with proactive behavior modification and positive reinforcement strategies.
- Attended and facilitated IEP meetings for students and families.
- Encouraged creative thinking and motivated students by addressing individual strengths and weaknesses based on individual test results.
- Promoted physical, mental and social development using classroom games and activities.
- Worked cooperatively with other teachers, administrators and parents to help students reach learning objectives.
- Enhanced student knowledge of technology by integrating various web-based applications for research and assignments.
- Implemented creative ways to foster curiosity for complex principles through hands-on learning and planned activities and
- Incorporated exciting and engaging activities to achieve student participation and hands-on learning.
- Incorporated multiple types of teaching strategies into classroom.
Education
Master of Arts - Education
Pacific Lutheran University
Tacoma, WA08.2000
Bachelor of Arts - Social Sciences/English
San Jose State University
San Jose, CA06.1974
Associate of Arts - Behavioral Sciences
De Anza College
Cupertino, CA06.1971
Skills
- Student records management
- Conflict resolution techniques
- Post-secondary education
- Disability assessment testing
- Elementary education
- Classroom management
- Group and individual instruction
- Middle school education
- Secondary education
- Differentiated instruction
- Lesson Planning
- Flexible and Adaptable
Timeline
Special Education Teacher
Puyallup School District:
08.2017 - 08.2021
Special Education Teacher/Team Leader
Tacoma Public Schools
08.2007 - 06.2017
Special Education Teacher
Puyallup School District
08.2004 - 09.2007
Special Education Teacher/Team Leader
Tacoma Public Schools
08.2001 - 06.2004
Master of Arts - Education
Pacific Lutheran University
Bachelor of Arts - Social Sciences/English
San Jose State University
Associate of Arts - Behavioral Sciences
De Anza College