Amanda Balk
Ankeny,IA
Summary
Collaborative leader with dedication to partnering with coworkers to promote engaged, empowering work culture. Documented strengths in building and maintaining relationships with diverse range of stakeholders in dynamic, fast-paced settings.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
School Administration Manager
Southeast Elementary, Ankeny Community Schools
07.2020 - 07.2023
- Coordinated systems, events and activities that promoted positive school culture among students, staff, and parents.
- Established open communication for evaluating support staff effectiveness, while meeting regularly 1:1 providing and receiving constructive feedback for growth and development for the benefit of the school.
- Collaborated with teachers and administrators to develop student-centered scheduling strategies for optimal social-emotional, behavioral, and academic success.
- Collaborated with human resources to attract, recruit, and hire skilled paraeducators, enhancing overall student learning experiences.
- Enhanced communication between staff and parents through personal communication, emails and social media updates.
- Designed professional development opportunities and training for paraeducator staff members, fostering a culture of continuous improvement in their practices for a variety of student needs.
- Spearheaded initiatives aimed at improving student attendance rates by monitoring trends and addressing underlying issues proactively with all necessary team members.
- Provided valuable support to teachers and support staff members, by addressing classroom management concerns, offering guidance and working as a team to develop effective strategies for maintaining an orderly learning environment.
- Maintained accurate records pertaining to student attendance, discipline, and progress within the classroom socially and academically.
Special Education Teacher - BD/LD Strat II
Southeast Elementary, Ankeny Community Schools
07.2019 - 07.2020
- Improved student behavior management by implementing consistent routines, clear expectations, and positive reinforcement strategies.
- Created and managed IEPs to define student learning objectives and educational strategies, in addition to applying instructional knowledge and methods to support goals.
- Modified general education curriculum for special-needs students using various instructional techniques and technologies.
- Fostered strong relationships with parents and guardians, maintaining open lines of communication to ensure student progress.
- Collaborated with teachers and therapists to develop individualized educational plans for each student, ensuring optimal progress.
- Implemented behavior modification strategies, resulting in improved self-regulation and classroom participation among students.
Special Education Teacher - Strat II / ID
Prairie Ridge Middle School, Ankeny Schools
07.2017 - 07.2019
- Created and managed IEPs to define student learning objectives and educational strategies, in addition to applying instructional knowledge and methods to support goals.
- Modified general education curriculum for special-needs students using various instructional techniques and technologies.
- Collaborated with teachers and therapists to develop individualized educational plans for each student, ensuring optimal progress.
- Fostered strong relationships with parents and guardians, maintaining open lines of communication to ensure student progress.
- Coordinated with general education teachers to develop accommodations or modifications necessary for successful inclusion of students with special needs in mainstream classrooms.
- Delivered effective and differentiated classroom instruction to range of neurodiverse students.
- Taught multiple subjects to students with intellectual or emotional disabilities.
- Coordinated special education students and teacher assistant schedules with master schedule.
- Provided life skills programming for students with moderate to severe autism.
- Streamlined classroom processes by integrating technology tools such as assistive devices designed for students with disabilities.
- Coordinated regular meetings to share and analyze student performance data and success plans with colleagues and parents.
High School and Life Skills Special Ed Teacher
Bennington High School, BPS
08.2011 - 07.2017
- Supported students in developing social skills through structured activities and positive reinforcement techniques.
- Provided one-on-one support for students with learning disabilities, enabling them to excel in their coursework.
- Implemented behavior modification strategies, resulting in improved self-regulation and classroom participation among students.
- Mentored new teachers in the Special Education department, providing guidance on curriculum design and classroom management strategies.
- Supported students'' social-emotional growth through one-on-one counseling sessions focused on conflict resolution, self-awareness, and goal-setting strategies.
- Served as a liaison between general education teachers and special education staff to ensure seamless integration of accommodations for students with disabilities into mainstream classrooms.
- Taught multiple subjects to students with intellectual or emotional disabilities.
- Provided life skills programming for students with moderate to severe autism.
Education
Master of Arts - Educational Leadership
University of Nebraska At Kearney
05.2017
Bachelor of Arts - Elementary And Special Education
Luther College
Decorah, IA05.2008
Skills
- Behavioral Leadership as related to instruction
- Parent Communication
- School safety
- Scheduling Coordination
- Attendance monitoring
- Performance Evaluations
- Time Management
- Active Listening
Timeline
School Administration Manager
Southeast Elementary, Ankeny Community Schools
07.2020 - 07.2023
Special Education Teacher - BD/LD Strat II
Southeast Elementary, Ankeny Community Schools
07.2019 - 07.2020
Special Education Teacher - Strat II / ID
Prairie Ridge Middle School, Ankeny Schools
07.2017 - 07.2019
High School and Life Skills Special Ed Teacher
Bennington High School, BPS
08.2011 - 07.2017
Master of Arts - Educational Leadership
University of Nebraska At Kearney
Bachelor of Arts - Elementary And Special Education
Luther College
Similar Profiles
Angela GuddallAngela Guddall
Centennial Freshman Cheerleading Coach at Ankeny Community SchoolsCentennial Freshman Cheerleading Coach at Ankeny Community Schools
Luanne TowersLuanne Towers
Substitute Teacher at Ankeny Community SchoolsSubstitute Teacher at Ankeny Community Schools
Rachel WhitesideRachel Whiteside
8/9 Math Teacher at Ankeny Community Schools8/9 Math Teacher at Ankeny Community Schools
Kiara FreemanKiara Freeman
Medical Referral Specialist at Unity Point HealthcareMedical Referral Specialist at Unity Point Healthcare
Matthew BrunsMatthew Bruns
Apprentice Lineman at Watts ElectricApprentice Lineman at Watts Electric