Hi, I’m
Alisha Witwer
Special Education Paraeducator
Richland,WA
Summary
Dedicated Special Education Paraprofessional finalizing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary and Special Education and desiring training opportunity focused on advancing classroom abilities and building career foundation. Enthusiastic about pursuing new avenues of learning, growing professionally and building upon acquired skills. Well-organized and ready to support all students in developing their full potential.
Overview
24
years of professional experience
1
Certificate
Work History
Richland School District, Richland, WA
Special Education Paraeducator
2020.09 - Current (4 years)
Job overview
- Delivered personalized educational, behavioral and emotional support to individual students to enable positive learning outcomes for students in the K-3 BESST program, 6th grade students in the Structured Support program and K-5 students in the Supplemental Support Classroom.
- Lead small groups in reading, writing, math and social emotional skill building.
- Documented student behaviors, interventions and outcomes to enable lead teacher to address pertinent issues.
- Administered tests to class and graded papers.
- Worked cooperatively with students of various culturally diverse backgrounds and learning styles.
- Attended ongoing professional development workshops and trainings to stay current on best practices in special education instruction.
- Contributed to the creation of an inclusive classroom environment, promoting acceptance and understanding among all students.
State Of Washington DSHS/State Of Washington CDWA
Family Home Care Aide
2021.06 - Current (3 years & 3 months)
Job overview
- Promoted mental stimulation by engaging patients in meaningful conversations and recreational activities tailored to their interests.
- Responded promptly during emergency situations following established protocols that ultimately kept clients safe from harm.
- Provided companionship to patients, fostering positive relationships and emotional wellbeing.
- Assisted patients with daily living activities, promoting independence and quality of life.
Pasco School District
Substitute Paraeducator
2019.11 - 2020.01 (2 months)
Job overview
- Kept learning environments focused, inclusive and supportive at all times.
- Worked with individual students to provide personalized educational, behavioral and emotional support.
- Kept classrooms clean, neat and properly sanitized for student health and classroom efficiency.
Kadlec Free Standing Emergency Department
Patient Access Representative Level II
2015.05 - 2020.01 (4 years & 8 months)
Job overview
- Epic medical records system trainer
- Provided care to patients that embraces Planetree philosophy and training to provide safe, comfortable, therapeutic patient-centered environment.
- Obtained complete and accurate demographic and financial information from variety of sources in high stress environment, including patient interviews, online insurance verification sources and telephone inquiries.
- Worked as administrative support to triage nurse to check in patients as they arrived, called overhead codes and escorted patients to their rooms.
- Served on staff action committee to improve patient safety and satisfaction by striving to improve department policies and systems.
- Acted as medical records peer auditor.
Trios Urgent Care
Medical Receptionist
2014.06 - 2015.06 (1 year)
Job overview
- Adhered to strict HIPAA guidelines at all times to protect patient privacy.
- Answered phone calls and messages for multiple physicians, scheduling appointments and handling patient inquiries.
- Managed office logistics by scheduling appointments, maintaining files and collecting payments.
- Provided compassionate customer service, creating welcoming atmosphere for patients and their families.
New Heights Childcare
Owner/Operator
2006.09 - 2011.06 (4 years & 9 months)
Job overview
- Provided safe, fun and compassionate childcare and respite care services to children with various special needs
- Collaborated on strategies to enhance student learning and behavior alongside parents and teaching staff
- Upheld sound financial principles to keep program operating within budget levels, maximizing resource utilization while minimizing costs
- Implemented developmentally appropriate curriculum to enhance play time with learning-focused activities
- Communicated openly with children's parents about daily activities and behaviors
- Maintained accurate and detailed records, including staff and child files on enrollments, attendance, health and safety, emergency contact information and incident reports
Hanger Prosthetics And Orthotics
Office Administrator
2008.05 - 2011.05 (3 years)
Job overview
- Performed general office duties, including answering multi-line phones, routing telephone calls or messages to appropriate staff and greeting visitors
St John Lutheran School
Pre-Kindergarten Teacher
2000.08 - 2003.02 (2 years & 6 months)
Job overview
- Planned and implemented developmentally appropriate and engaging lessons.
- Promoted physical, academic and social development by implementing diverse classroom and outside activities
- Supported students in developing social skills through structured activities and positive reinforcement techniques.
- Applied play-based strategies, including crafts and games, to provide diverse approaches to learning
- Consulted with parents to build and maintain positive support networks and support continuing education strategies
- Used classroom observations to create written assessments of student performance
- Reviewed curriculum and devised alternate approaches to presenting lessons to increase student understanding
- Developed rapport with students and families, building positive classroom community
Education
Western Governors University , Salt Lake City, UT
Bachelor of Arts from Elementary Ed And SPED Dual Licensure Program
01.2025
Rogue Community College , Grants Pass, OR
Some College (No Degree) from Some College (No Degree): Earl Childhood Education
Lane Community College , Eugene, OR
Some College (No Degree) from Some College (No Degree): Earl Childhood Education
Skills
- Teamwork and flexibility
- Social development and integration
- Lesson plan implementation
- Activity Planning
- Clear Communication
- Group Instruction
- Behavior Modifications
- Progress Reporting
- Social Skills Development
- Emotional Support
Certification
- West-B Exams for reading, writing and math completed.
- Paraeducator Fundamental Course of Study Completed
- Nonviolent Crisis Intervention Certification
- CPR and First Aid Certification
- Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society Member
- National Society of Leadership and Success Member
- Parapro Assessment ETS Exam
- Management of Aggressive Behavior Training
- Joni and Friends Disability Ministry Leadership Training
Timeline
Family Home Care Aide
State Of Washington DSHS/State Of Washington CDWA
2021.06 - Current (3 years & 3 months)
Special Education Paraeducator
Richland School District
2020.09 - Current (4 years)
Substitute Paraeducator
Pasco School District
2019.11 - 2020.01 (2 months)
Patient Access Representative Level II
Kadlec Free Standing Emergency Department
2015.05 - 2020.01 (4 years & 8 months)
Medical Receptionist
Trios Urgent Care
2014.06 - 2015.06 (1 year)
Office Administrator
Hanger Prosthetics And Orthotics
2008.05 - 2011.05 (3 years)
Owner/Operator
New Heights Childcare
2006.09 - 2011.06 (4 years & 9 months)
Pre-Kindergarten Teacher
St John Lutheran School
2000.08 - 2003.02 (2 years & 6 months)
Western Governors University
Bachelor of Arts from Elementary Ed And SPED Dual Licensure Program
Rogue Community College
Some College (No Degree) from Some College (No Degree): Earl Childhood Education
Lane Community College
Some College (No Degree) from Some College (No Degree): Earl Childhood Education
- West-B Exams for reading, writing and math completed.
- Paraeducator Fundamental Course of Study Completed
- Nonviolent Crisis Intervention Certification
- CPR and First Aid Certification
- Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society Member
- National Society of Leadership and Success Member
- Parapro Assessment ETS Exam
- Management of Aggressive Behavior Training
- Joni and Friends Disability Ministry Leadership Training
Volunteer Work
I have worked as a co-program leader for Joni and Friends Ministries intermittently over the past 20 years. I have planned and presented programming to young adults, teens and toddlers who have special needs. In addition, this year I have began working with the Down Syndrome Association of Mid-Columbia to provide social and functional growth opportunities for young adults who have Down Syndrome.
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