Amanda Menifield
Port Chester
Summary
Special Education Teacher and Literacy Specialist with over a decade of experience in creating inclusive learning environments tailored to individual student needs. Skilled in IEP development, classroom management, and differentiated instruction, fostering both academic and emotional growth. Committed to nurturing student potential through collaborative efforts with families and educational teams.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Special Education Teacher/Literacy Specialist
Hawaii DOE
Hilo
02.2022 - 06.2025
- Maintained compliance with regulatory requirements surrounding IEP development and implementation.
- Completed all IEP supporting documentation and submitted within required deadlines.
- Used multisensory and differentiated learning to meet students' varying needs and interests.
- Implemented individualized behavior intervention plans for students with specific difficulties.
- Administered regular assessments to evaluate student growth against evidence-based measures.
- Planned and delivered lessons to meet academic, behavioral and functional skills requirements.
- Observed students to identify concerns and developed strategies to address challenges.
- Guided or redirected negative behaviors in positive and productive ways.
- Communicated with parents and guardians regarding student success, concerns and challenges.
- Delivered instruction in one-on-one, small group and full class contexts to increase opportunities for student engagement.
- Participate in weekly meetings and trainings to improve team collaboration.
- Maintain organized records and office space to ensure efficient service delivery.
Early Intervention Specialist
AACA, Inc. (Alaska Center for Children and Adults)
Fairbanks
06.2021 - 01.2022
- Coordinated developmental assessments and crafted tailored IFSPs, fostering strong partnerships with families to enhance child development outcomes.
- Implemented Hanen strategies, empowering parents with effective tools to support their child's developmental milestones and communication skills.
- Maintained meticulous records and organized workspace, ensuring seamless service delivery and compliance with early intervention protocols.
- Cultivated a nurturing environment for families, providing compassionate guidance and resources to navigate early childhood developmental challenges.
Special Education Teacher
Fairbanks North Star Borough Elementary School
Fairbanks
08.2020 - 05.2021
- Created and managed IEP's to define student learning objectives and educational strategies, in addition to applying instructional knowledge and methods to support goals, with student's team members, including parents.
- Cultivated connections and strong student rapport to foster classroom engagement, in addition to recording student progress to inform parents and school administration.
- Worked with students across multiple classifications and degrees of special needs.
- Attended staff training sessions.
- Collaborated with numerous departments and general education teachers.
- Assisted in planning and proctoring PEAKS testing for our school.
- Volunteered to sit on the Principal Hiring Committee.
Special Education Teacher
Hawai'i State Department of Education
Pahoa
07.2018 - 06.2020
- Designed and managed IEPs, enhancing student learning outcomes and strategies.
- Built strong student relationships, boosting classroom engagement, and communication.
- Taught core subjects and life skills, supporting diverse special needs students.
- Collaborated with departments, improving educational approaches, and inclusivity.
- Developed a hands-on learning environment that included learning within the community, and excursions to support learning.
- Worked closely with ABA therapists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech therapists to provide an enriching environment for students with various physical, sensory, intellectual, and behavioral disabilities.
Inclusion Teacher
Hawai'i State Department of Education
Waikoloa
07.2013 - 07.2018
- Delivered effective and differentiated classroom instruction to a diverse range of students (non-disabled, disabled, English Language Learners).
- Led activities that developed students' emotional and social growth.
- Cultivated connections and strong student rapport to foster classroom engagement, in addition to recording student progress to inform parents and school administration.
- Devoted special emphasis to punctuality and worked to maintain outstanding attendance record, consistently arriving to work ready to start immediately.
- Grade level chair for 2 years.
Education
Master of Arts - Special Education
University of Hawaii At Manoa
Honolulu, HI06-2017
Certification And Licensure - Elementary Education K-6
University of Hawaii At Hilo
Hilo05-2013
Bachelor of Arts - Speech Language Pathology And Audiology
Herbert H. Lehman College
The Bronx, NY05-2008
Associate of Arts - Liberal Arts And Humanities
Westchester Community College
Valhalla, NY01-2006
Skills
- IEP writing
- Progress monitoring and reporting
- Whole group instruction, small group instruction
- Classroom management
- Crisis prevention
- Formative and summative assessment
- Differentiated instruction
- Lesson planning
- Grant writing
- Classroom organization
- Patience, Empathy, Student acceptance
Accomplishments
- Awarded $23,500 in grant money over the course of 2 years
• Started and coached the robotics team - qualified for states in second year
• Started a student run/based coffee cart for the school
• Tailored educational curriculum, as well as creating own units based on state standards
• Participated in technology training courses and trained colleagues in new technology concepts and practices applicable for the classroom
Certification
• Reading/Literacy Specialist
• Dually certified in New York state; Students with Disabilities (Gr. 1-6) & Childhood Education (1-6)
Timeline
Special Education Teacher/Literacy Specialist
Hawaii DOE
02.2022 - 06.2025
Early Intervention Specialist
AACA, Inc. (Alaska Center for Children and Adults)
06.2021 - 01.2022
Special Education Teacher
Fairbanks North Star Borough Elementary School
08.2020 - 05.2021
Special Education Teacher
Hawai'i State Department of Education
07.2018 - 06.2020
Inclusion Teacher
Hawai'i State Department of Education
07.2013 - 07.2018
Master of Arts - Special Education
University of Hawaii At Manoa
Certification And Licensure - Elementary Education K-6
University of Hawaii At Hilo
Bachelor of Arts - Speech Language Pathology And Audiology
Herbert H. Lehman College
Associate of Arts - Liberal Arts And Humanities
Westchester Community College