Amanda Dalton
Fall River
Summary
Innovative and student-centered Special Education Teacher with experience leading a substantially separate high school classroom serving students with moderate disabilities. Expertise in transition services, curriculum development, functional academics, vocational programming, and data-driven instruction aligned with Massachusetts DESE standards. Recognized for developing highly engaging, standards-based curriculum focused on independent living, employment readiness, financial literacy, executive functioning, and community participation. Proven ability to build collaborative relationships with multidisciplinary teams, supervise paraprofessionals, mentor colleagues, and partner with families to improve student outcomes. Seeking an opportunity to contribute instructional leadership, program development expertise, and transition planning experience within a progressive Massachusetts school district.
I believe every student deserves instruction that is meaningful, individualized, and connected to life beyond the classroom. My teaching philosophy centers on developing independence, confidence, and self-determination through evidence-based instruction, strong collaborative partnerships, and authentic learning experiences that prepare students for successful adult lives.
Overview
2
2
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Special Education Teacher
B.M.C. Durfee High School
Fall River, Massachusetts
08.2024 - 06.2026
- Provided comprehensive instruction and case management for high school students with moderate intellectual and developmental disabilities within a transition-focused educational program.
- Designed and implemented a comprehensive transition curriculum integrating functional academics, vocational readiness, independent living, and community participation.
- Developed standards-aligned curriculum in functional mathematics, financial literacy, workplace readiness, daily living skills, and self-advocacy.
- Created differentiated instructional materials and center-based learning systems that enhanced student engagement and supported individualized instruction.
- Led curriculum planning to ensure alignment with Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks and DESE educator standards.
- Implemented structured classroom systems that promoted independence, organization, and executive functioning.
- Student Achievement
- Increased student independence through real-world instruction emphasizing budgeting, banking, shopping, transportation, and workplace expectations.
- Developed authentic learning experiences that integrated community-based instruction, vocational training, and functional life skills to prepare students for real-world scenarios.
- Used ongoing formative assessments and performance-based data to adjust instruction and maximize student growth.
- Prepared students for successful transition to employment, adult services, community participation, and postsecondary opportunities.
- Case Management & Compliance
- Managed complex caseloads while ensuring full compliance with IDEA and Massachusetts DESE regulations.
- Wrote comprehensive IEPs, measurable annual goals, transition plans, and progress reports.
- Facilitated annual review meetings and collaborated with families, related service providers, administrators, and community agencies.
- Maintained accurate documentation and ensured compliance with timelines and procedural safeguards.
- Collaborated with: Occupational Therapists, Speech Language Pathologists, School Psychologists, Adjustment Counselors, Board Certified Behavior Analysts, Administrators, Vocational Coordinators, Adult Service Agencies
- Supervised and coached paraprofessionals to ensure consistency of instruction, accommodations, and behavioral supports.
- Established positive partnerships with families through regular communication and collaborative problem solving, fostering a supportive educational environment.
- Developed individualized education plans to meet diverse student needs.
- Implemented inclusive teaching strategies to enhance learning environments.
- Collaborated with support staff to create adaptive classroom materials.
- Monitored student progress and adjusted instructional methods accordingly.
- Facilitated communication between parents, teachers, and administration regarding student performance.
- Trained new staff on special education protocols and best practices.
- Led workshops on behavioral management techniques for faculty members.
- Evaluated curriculum effectiveness and recommended improvements based on student feedback.
- Developed IEPs tailored to individual student needs, ensuring their academic success and personal growth.
- Created and managed IEPs to define student learning objectives and educational strategies, in addition to applying instructional knowledge and methods to support goals.
- Promoted a positive learning environment through the use of differentiated instruction and individualized support for diverse learners.
- 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.
- Improved student behavior management by implementing consistent routines, clear expectations, and positive reinforcement strategies.
- Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities focused on evidence-based practices in special education teaching methodologies.
- Evaluated student progress regularly using various assessment methods, ensuring accurate measurement of skill development and areas requiring additional support.
- Provided targeted instructional support to struggling learners, identifying specific areas for improvement and designing effective intervention plans.
- Taught students across multiple classifications and degrees of special needs.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to provide comprehensive support for students with special needs.
- 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.
- Cultivated connections and strong student rapport to foster classroom engagement, in addition to recording student progress to inform parents and school administration.
- Taught multiple subjects to students with intellectual or emotional disabilities.
- Coordinated special education students and teacher assistant schedules with master schedule.
- Instructed students with physical and cognitive disabilities.
- Led activities that developed students' physical, emotional, and social growth.
- Redirected students using Positive Behavior Support (PBS).
- Assisted struggling students to maintain progress levels by designing individualized lesson plans focused on areas for improvement.
- Enhanced students'' communication skills by implementing group activities and collaborative projects.
- Streamlined classroom processes by integrating technology tools such as interactive whiteboards and assistive devices designed for students with disabilities.
- Served as a mentor to new teachers, sharing best practices in special education instruction and classroom management techniques.
- Partnered with standard education teachers from across academic departments.
- Encouraged students to take ownership of learning by providing choices.
- Organized field trips and community-based experiences that enriched students'' understanding of real-world applications for their skills.
- Organized and led professional development sessions for colleagues on inclusive education strategies, improving school-wide support for students with disabilities.
- Enhanced students' understanding of complex topics by incorporating interactive technologies and hands-on learning experiences.
- Encouraged parent and guardian involvement in educational process, enhancing home-school connection and supporting student achievement.
- Promoted self-advocacy and independence in students with disabilities by teaching self-management and decision-making skills.
- Improved reading comprehension among students with learning disabilities by designing and delivering targeted literacy activities.
- Reduced feelings of isolation among students with special needs by implementing inclusive classroom practices.
- Fostered positive learning environment, reducing classroom disruptions through effective behavior management strategies.
- Adapted teaching methods and materials to meet varied needs of students, enhancing educational accessibility.
- Enhanced communication skills in non-verbal students through integration of alternative and augmentative communication systems.
- Utilized data from student assessments to tailor instruction, resulting in more effective learning outcomes.
- Implemented individualized education plans for students with diverse learning needs, ensuring personalized support.
- Integrated social skills training into curriculum, facilitating improved peer interactions and social integration.
- Advocated for rights and needs of students with special education requirements, ensuring access to appropriate resources and accommodations.
- Boosted student engagement in mathematics by introducing problem-solving activities that connected concepts to real-world situations.
- Created culturally a responsive classroom environment, acknowledging and celebrating diversity among students.
- Coordinated with multidisciplinary teams to ensure comprehensive educational and emotional support for students.
- Conducted assessments to identify students' strengths and areas for improvement, informing instructional strategies.
- Developed and executed behavioral intervention plans, leading to decrease in disruptive behaviors and increase in classroom participation.
- Collaborated with parents and other educators to develop comprehensive support plans, promoting student success.
- Guided students through transition planning processes, preparing them for post-secondary education and employment opportunities.
- Facilitated small group instruction to address individual learning needs.
- Implemented behavior modification techniques to improve student social and academic performance.
- Collaborated with other educators to develop instructional strategies.
- Monitored student performance to evaluate effectiveness of instructional strategies.
- Developed and implemented behavior management plans to improve student behavior.
- Conducted assessments of students to determine individual needs.
- Planned daily activities to keep students engaged and on track with learning goals.
- Maintained accurate records of student progress and attendance.
- Designed individual education plans to encourage student growth according to different learning abilities and needs.
- Worked closely with parents and guardians to address students' issues on multiple fronts.
- Coordinated regular meetings to share and analyze student performance data and success plans with colleagues and parents.
- Helped students with special needs integrate into general classroom environments by advocating for individual requirements and helping teachers solve problems.
- Developed Individual Education Plans for students with special needs.
- Improved behavior by modeling positive choices and teaching socially-acceptable options.
- Utilized technology to create meaningful lessons that engage students.
- Provided emotional support to students and families.
- Applied proven strategies to improve students' sensory- and perceptual-motor skills.
- Mentored new teachers on student progress monitoring and legal document preparation.
- Provided professional development training to educate faculty and staff on laws and regulations governing special education.
- Promoted memory, cognition and language development with hands-on activities and individualized instruction.
Education
Masters of Education - Special Education
American International College
Springfield09-2027
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration
Southern New Hampshire University
Hooksett, NH05-2022
Skills
- Leadership
- Educational leadership
- Team collaboration
- Program Development
- Curriculum Design
- Staff Mentoring
- Professional Collaboration
- Family Engagement
- Community Partnerships
- Special Education Expertise
- Moderate Disabilities (Grades 5–12)
- Transition planning
- IEP development
- Progress Monitoring
- Functional Behavior Supports
- Executive Functioning Supports
- Personalized learning
- Universal Design for Learning (UDL)
- Behavior support strategies
- Vocational transition services
- Postsecondary planning
- Community-Based Instruction
- Employment Readiness
- Vocational Assessments
- Independent Living Skills
- Financial Management
- Self-Determination
- Career Guidance
- Career Exploration
- Data & Compliance
- Massachusetts DESE Compliance
- IDEA Regulations
- Standards-Based Assessment
- Data Analysis
- Student Growth Measures
- Case Management
- Google Workspace
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Google Classroom
- Canva
- Smart Boards
- Interactive Educational Technology
- IEP Management Systems (EasyIEP/ESPED or district equivalent)
- Digital Data Collection Platforms
- Curriculum Writing
- Transition Services
- Functional Academics
- Executive Functioning
- Behavioral Interventions
- Trauma-Informed Teaching
- PBIS
- UDL
- MTSS
- Coaching Paraprofessionals
- Family Collaboration
- Continuous School Improvement
- Differentiated instruction
- Classroom management
- IEP documentation
- Group teaching
- Relationship building
- Co-teaching experience
- Lesson planning
- Collaborative teamwork
- Data tracking
- Inclusion strategies
- Team collaboration
- Group instruction
- Parent engagement
- Parent-teacher collaboration
- Teaching methods
- De-escalation techniques
- Social skills development
- Intervention planning
- Emergency Response Techniques
- Communication skills
- Visual Learning Tools
- Student support
- Curriculum adaptation
- Progress evaluations
- Life skills instruction
- Cross-Disciplinary Teamwork
- Instructional adaptation
- Emotional support
- Social coaching
- Social integration
- Conflict resolution
- Skills development
- Mathematics intervention
- Learning assessments
- Evidence-based evaluation
- Autism spectrum
- Employment Preparation
- IEP execution
- Paraprofessional oversight
- Transition planning
- MS office proficient
- IEP and BIP implementation
- Classroom management
- Excellent communication
- Individual instruction
- Attention to detail
- Problem-solving
- Organizational skills
- Time management
- Collaboration skills
- Behavior change strategies
- Curriculum development
- Multitasking Abilities
- Faculty collaboration
- Student needs assessment
- Interpersonal communication
- Analytical thinking
- Team building
Accomplishments
- Transition Programming
- Designed a comprehensive transition curriculum focused on employment, independent living, financial literacy, and self-advocacy.
- Expanded community-based learning opportunities connecting classroom instruction to authentic workplace and life experiences.
- Created vocational readiness activities aligned with students' postsecondary goals.
- Curriculum Development
- Developed standards-based instructional units including:
- Financial Literacy
- Functional Mathematics
- Budgeting
- Banking
- Consumer Skills
- Workplace Communication
- Job Interview Preparation
- Employment Skills
- Independent Living
- Community Safety
- Assessment & Data
- Designed comprehensive progress monitoring systems using rubrics, performance assessments, and standards-aligned data collection.
- Utilized assessment data to modify instruction, monitor IEP progress, and improve student outcomes.
- Family & Community Engagement
- Built collaborative partnerships with families, vocational agencies, community employers, and adult service providers to support successful student transitions.
Certification
- Massachusetts Educator License – Moderate Disabilities
- SEI Endorsement
- CPR / First Aid (if applicable)
KEYWORDS FOR ATS SYSTEMS
- Special Education
- Moderate Disabilities
- Transition Coordinator
- High School Special Education
- IEP Development
- Transition Planning
- DESE
- IDEA
- Functional Academics
- Financial Literacy
- Executive Functioning
- Vocational Education
- Community-Based Instruction
- Case Management
- Progress Monitoring
- PBIS
- MTSS
- Curriculum Development
- Team Leadership
- Universal Design for Learning
- Family Engagement
- Postsecondary Planning
- Data Analysis
- Differentiated Instruction
- Self-Advocacy
- Independent Living Skills
- Employment Readiness
Timeline
Special Education Teacher
B.M.C. Durfee High School
08.2024 - 06.2026
Masters of Education - Special Education
American International College
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration
Southern New Hampshire University