Karen Urquidez
Carlsbad,NM
Summary
Compassionate, creative and effective Teacher with valuable experience in classroom administration, professional development and project planning. Equipped with extensive background in versatile education environments. Student-centric instructor, academic facilitator and motivational coach. Competent at performing independently or as member of teaching team. Well-versed in classroom and online technologies. Passionate Teacher with experience developing and implementing diverse curriculums covering wide range of subjects. Highly skilled at motivating students through positive encouragement and reinforcement of concepts via interactive classroom instruction and observation. Successful in helping students develop strong literacy, numeracy, social and learning skills. Caring Teacher with expertise in behavior modification and extensive experience in modernizing classrooms for long-term student success. Dedicated to individualized student care. Organized and dependable candidate successful at managing multiple priorities with a positive attitude. Willingness to take on added responsibilities to meet team goals. Dependable Teacher with success providing educational assistance and instruction to various levels of learners. Committed to providing students with necessary tools to achieve academic goals, instilling love of learning, and cooperative teamwork. Energetic educator with proven skills in teaching diverse subjects. Keep classrooms organized and students on-task to facilitate effective learning. Diligent and adaptable in meeting individual student needs with warm, safe educational environments. Results-focused Teacher with successful history of introducing new technologies to classrooms and collaborating with team teachers to create dynamic lesson plans. Skilled at resource management and classroom budgeting. Knowledgeable about IEP planning and classroom inclusion strategies.
Overview
102
102
years of professional experience
Work History
Homebound Teacher
Carlsbad Municipal Schools
Carlsbad, NM
08.2008 - Current
- Worked cooperatively with other teachers, administrators and parents to help students reach learning objectives.
- Kept students on-task with proactive behavior modification and positive reinforcement strategies.
- Incorporated multiple types of teaching strategies into classroom.
- Communicated frequently with parents, students and faculty to provide feedback and discuss instructional strategies.
- Held conferences with parents to address questions, discuss academic progress and encourage learning goals.
Special Education Teacher
Carlsbad Municipal School District
Carlsbad, NM
08.1999 - Current
- Created and managed IEPs to define student learning objectives and educational strategies, in addition to applying instructional knowledge and methods to support goals.
- Cultivated connections and strong student rapport to foster classroom engagement, in addition to recording student progress to inform parents and school administration.
- Taught students across multiple classifications and degrees of special needs.
- Modified general education curriculum for special-needs students using various instructional techniques and technologies.
- Taught multiple subjects to students with intellectual or emotional disabilities.
- Assisted struggling students to maintain progress levels by designing individualized lesson plans focused on areas for improvement.
- Redirected students using Positive Behavior Support (PBS).
- Led activities that developed students' physical, emotional and social growth.
- Coordinated special education students and teacher assistant schedules with master schedule.
- Instructed students with physical and cognitive disabilities.
- Organized instruction material, constructed bulletin boards and set up work areas.
- Instructed students in core academic areas and specialized reading groups.
- Designed and implemented point system to encourage positive behavior.
- Created learning and content strategies to meet needs of mentally and physically disabled students.
- Taught reading, language arts and social sciences in self-contained ED and LD classroom.
Special Education Teacher
Loving Municipal Schools
Loving, NM
08.1997 - 05.2022
- Created and managed IEPs to define student learning objectives and educational strategies, in addition to applying instructional knowledge and methods to support goals.
- Taught students across multiple classifications and degrees of special needs.
- Cultivated connections and strong student rapport to foster classroom engagement, in addition to recording student progress to inform parents and school administration.
- Modified general education curriculum for special-needs students using various instructional techniques and technologies.
- Taught multiple subjects to students with intellectual or emotional disabilities.
- Assisted struggling students to maintain progress levels by designing individualized lesson plans focused on areas for improvement.
- Led activities that developed students' physical, emotional and social growth.
- Instructed students with physical and cognitive disabilities.
- Organized instruction material, constructed bulletin boards and set up work areas.
- Instructed students in core academic areas and specialized reading groups.
- Designed and implemented point system to encourage positive behavior.
- Created learning and content strategies to meet needs of mentally and physically disabled students.
Extended School Year Teacher
Carlsbad Municipal School District
Carlsbad, NM
05.2010 - 08.2019
- Applied IEP ESY goals and monitored student progress.
- Coordinated and chaperoned field trips.
- Developed and implemented effective lesson plans focused on special education students.
- Built positive relationships with students, parents and team members to achieve smooth and productive program experience.
- Planned engaging activities and field trips to bring material to life.
- Requested and restocked supplies for classroom and outdoor plans.
- Communicated frequently with parents, students and faculty to provide feedback and discuss instructional strategies.
Coach
Carlsbad Municipal Schools
Carlsbad, NM
08.1999 - 05.2019
- Motivated athletes to become stronger, more agile and more effective through training habits and proper nutrition.
- Encouraged everyone to cultivate strong work ethic by demonstrating diligence, patience and respect for others.
- Enforced discipline both on and off-field to lead team with highest personal standards.
- Taught players how to run specific game plays in order to build cohesive, structured team.
- Monitored athletes during events and practice to quickly identify injuries.
- Supervised academic progress of student-athletes and scheduled tutoring services when needed.
- Readied athletes for tough games by implementing coordinated regimens of practices and physical conditioning.
- Increased player strength, agility and game skills through successful practices.
- Promoted proper stretching, warmups and conditioning exercises to prevent sports injuries.
- Trained athletes in proper use of equipment for safety and maximum results.
- Developed game plans and adjusted to meet various game situations.
- Educated players on nutrition and positive life choices for better health and performance.
- Evaluated tapes of competition matches to assess strategies and plan counter approaches.
- Evaluated individual knowledge, skills and strengths and assigned team positions to maximize talent areas.
- Maintained equipment, facilities and inventory to avoid accidents, mishaps and damage.
- Participated in fundraising events, helping team bring in funds to pay for travel and other expenses.
- Conferred with assistant coaches to determine weaknesses in current team roster and develop recruitment plans.
Distance Education Teacher
New Mexico State University
Las Cruces, NM
08.2000 - 08.2012
- Communicated with students, parents, IT, program administrators and supervisor to resolve course-related issues.
- Interacted independently with students using distance education technologies such as Moodle, Zoom and e-mail.
- Monitored student progress and assisted students in accomplishing established learning objectives.
- Worked closely with program managers on system problems.
- Communicated frequently with parents, students and faculty to provide feedback and discuss instructional strategies.
- Participated in department meetings to provide input to colleagues about student achievement and improvement.
Education
Associate of Arts -
New Mexico State University - Carlsbad
Carlsbad, NMEducation Administration - Education Administration
Eastern New Mexico University
Portales, NM05.2015
Master of Science - Special Education
New Mexico State University
Las Cruces, NM05.2000
Bachelor of Science - Education
University of The Southwest
Hobbs, NM05.1997
High School Diploma -
Carlsbad High School
Carlsbad, NM05.1991
Skills
- Classroom management
- Student-centered learning
- Group learning mechanics
- Student engagement
- Test Proctoring
- Middle school education
- Special Needs Students
- Differentiated instruction
- Secondary education
- Special education
- Group and individual instruction
- Post-secondary education
- Elementary education
Accomplishments
2007-2008 I was involved in helping write an educational curriculum for Yates Petroleum to teach the public schools in grades 1-12 to address the importance of the oil industry in NM.
2008-2009 I was selected to attend The School Health Education Institute to implement an educational curriculum in the public schools in grades 1-12 to address Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Use
2009 - 2010 I was selected to attend the National Middle School Association Institute
2008- 2010 I coordinated in conjunction with the Living Desert State Park and the Carlsbad High School Science Department, the science field trips for the middle schools in Carlsbad
2015 - 2016 I was part of the Carlsbad Municipal Schools Medicaid/Wellness Committee
2015 - 2020 I was and LEA representative for SPED Meetings at the elementary level
Languages
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Extended School Year Teacher
Carlsbad Municipal School District
05.2010 - 08.2019
Homebound Teacher
Carlsbad Municipal Schools
08.2008 - Current
Distance Education Teacher
New Mexico State University
08.2000 - 08.2012
Special Education Teacher
Carlsbad Municipal School District
08.1999 - Current
Coach
Carlsbad Municipal Schools
08.1999 - 05.2019
Special Education Teacher
Loving Municipal Schools
08.1997 - 05.2022
Associate of Arts -
New Mexico State University - Carlsbad
Education Administration - Education Administration
Eastern New Mexico University
Master of Science - Special Education
New Mexico State University
Bachelor of Science - Education
University of The Southwest
High School Diploma -
Carlsbad High School