Amanda Garza
San Antonio,Texas
Summary
Experienced and dedicated professional with a strong drive to pursue a career as a special education collaborative high school teacher. Demonstrating exceptional work ethic and a high-energy, outgoing personality, thrives in collaborative team environments and is capable of working with little oversight. Enthusiasm for education fuels commitment to creating an engaging and supportive learning environment for students.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Special Education Teacher/ Applied Teacher
Northside Independent School District
08.2023 - Current
- Led activities that developed students' physical, emotional, and social growth.
- Assisted struggling students to maintain progress levels by designing individualized lesson plans focused on areas for improvement.
- 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.
- Modified general education curriculum for special-needs students using various instructional techniques and technologies.
- Redirected students using Positive Behavior Support (PBS).
- Taught students across multiple classifications and degrees of special needs.
- Taught multiple subjects to students with intellectual or emotional disabilities.
- Promoted memory, cognition and language development with hands-on activities and individualized instruction.
- Worked closely with parents and guardians to address students' issues on multiple fronts.
- Collaborated with other educators to develop instructional strategies.
- Mentored new teachers on student progress monitoring and legal document preparation.
- Monitored student performance to evaluate effectiveness of instructional strategies.
- Planned daily activities to keep students engaged and on track with learning goals.
RLA Teacher
Northside Independent School District
08.2018 - 06.2023
- Evaluated students' understanding of course material through examinations and in-depth essay writing.
- Participated in department meetings to provide input to colleagues about student achievement and improvement.
- Fostered student curiosity and interest through creative hands-on activities.
- Implemented reading and writing workshops to increase student literacy and support school reading programs.
- Prepared quizzes, tests and examinations to gauge how well students were learning.
- Completed student progress reports mid-term to notify students and parents of strengths and areas of improvement.
- Developed and implemented classroom routines to address varying student needs.
- Worked with staff members and teachers to design comprehensive and individualized plans to optimize student education.
- Modified lessons and curriculum to accommodate diverse learners by using strategies such as peer-assisted learning and group work.
- Created lessons and online testing materials to facilitate remote learning.
- Adapted teaching methods and materials to meet students' varying needs.
- Increased educational expertise and knowledge by participating in instructor-oriented workshops.
- Created and developed lesson plans to meet students' academic needs.
RLA Teacher
Crystal City Independent School District
06.2015 - 07.2017
- Maintain a positive learning environment and respond to the individual needs of the students
- Implement effective lessons as well as lesson plans
- Ensure that district policies are observed during all activities
- Create a safe and fun classroom environment that is conducive to learning
- Keep all children in the classroom under supervision at all times
- Demonstrate the ability to adapt to different circumstances
- Exhibit good judgement and use appropriate language and behavior while on assignment
Substitute teacher
CRYSTAL CITY INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
08.2010 - 05.2014
- Maintain classroom procedures/ behaviors when the teacher is out
Education
Bachelors of Fine Arts degree - Education
Sul Ross State University
Uvalde, Texas05.2015
Associates - General Studies
South West Texas Junior College
Uvalde, Texas05.2012
Skills
- Google Drive
- Gmail
- Frontline
- Google classroom
- Schoology
- Microsoft Office
- Word
- PowerPoint
- Excel
- Modern Classroom Technology
Certification
Texas Certified teacher:
· 4th-8th grade Generalist
· EC-12 Special Education
· EC- 12 English as a Second Language Supplemental
Timeline
Special Education Teacher/ Applied Teacher
Northside Independent School District
08.2023 - Current
RLA Teacher
Northside Independent School District
08.2018 - 06.2023
RLA Teacher
Crystal City Independent School District
06.2015 - 07.2017
Substitute teacher
CRYSTAL CITY INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
08.2010 - 05.2014
Associates - General Studies
South West Texas Junior College
Bachelors of Fine Arts degree - Education
Sul Ross State University
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