Amanda Olson
Milwaukee
Summary
Dedicated Special Education Teacher achieving over 90% student IEP goal completion annually. Skilled in data-driven IEP development and implementation. Committed to continuous collaboration with families and school staff. Fierce belief that all kids can and will learn with the right supports and environment.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Special Education Teacher
Willow Glen Primary School
St. Francis, WI
08.2025 - Current
- Develop individual education plans to support diverse learning needs
- Conduct functional behavioral analyses to ensure behavior plans are data-driven and student-centered
- Collaborate closely with families to ensure progress and needs are communicated consistently and achieve 90%+ student IEP goals within the school year
- Support 6 Educational Assistants who work directly with students on my caseload
Special Education Teacher
Stellar Elementary School - Carmen Schools of Science and Technology
Milwaukee, WI
08.2022 - 06.2025
- Utilized research-based instructional strategies that allow over 90% of the students on my caseload to have
academic growth mirroring that of their grade-level peers - Coordinate all contracted specialized services and initial IEP processes
- Manage all aspects of Tier II and Tier III Response to Intervention across the school
Dean of Students
Stellar Elementary School- Carmen Schools of Science and Technology
2431 S. 10th St. Milwaukee, WI
01.2020 - 06.2022
- Led school as Interim Principal for 5 months as the school shifted to virtual learning in March 2020
- Developed and implemented a school-wide shift to restorative practices
- Created a vision and scope & sequence for student learning about diversity, equity, and identity
- Coached 4-6 teachers according to the network framework which was akin to Danielson's
- Collaborated with families to create and implement effective Tier II and Tier III behavior plans
Director, Teacher Leadership and Development
Teach For America
Milwaukee, WI
06.2016 - 01.2020
- Coached 20 first and second-year special education teachers across Milwaukee schools
- Set a vision and created aligned learning experiences in the areas of pedagogy, data-driven instruction, and CDEI (culture, diversity, equity, and identity) for a corps of over 50 teachers
- Led special projects such as the Student Changemakes Initiative, Youth Leadership Summit, and Professional Learning Communities
- Served as the primary school leader for Summer Institute teacher training
- Lead hiring processes for the Teacher Leadership & Development team
Special Education Teacher
La Causa Charter School
1643 S. 2nd St. Milwaukee, WI
09.2011 - 06.2016
- Collaborated with students, families, teachers, and support staff to write comprehensive and effective IEPs that were tailored to each students' unique needs and assets
- Managed an average caseload of 25 students per year and delivered specially-designed instruction in math, reading, writing, and social-emotional skills
Education
Master of Science - Special Education
Cardinal Stritch University
Milwaukee05-2013
Bachelor of Arts - Sociology & Spanish
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor05-2011
Skills
- Data-driven, standards-aligned IEP goals
- Social-emotional, identity-based learning
- Tier II and Tier III behavior plans
- Co-teaching in a variety of models
- Whole group, small group, individual instruction
Timeline
Special Education Teacher
Willow Glen Primary School
08.2025 - Current
Special Education Teacher
Stellar Elementary School - Carmen Schools of Science and Technology
08.2022 - 06.2025
Dean of Students
Stellar Elementary School- Carmen Schools of Science and Technology
01.2020 - 06.2022
Director, Teacher Leadership and Development
Teach For America
06.2016 - 01.2020
Special Education Teacher
La Causa Charter School
09.2011 - 06.2016
Master of Science - Special Education
Cardinal Stritch University
Bachelor of Arts - Sociology & Spanish
University of Michigan
Learning Experiences
- Elena Aguilar Coaching for Equity Conference
- 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership Cohort
- Skyrocket School Leadership Cohort
- CPI - Crisis Prevention and Intervention Certification