Amanda Salazar
Houston,Texas
Summary
Resourceful Special Education Paraprofessional with several years of experience assisting teachers and skilled in implementing classroom activities. Experienced in classroom safety, learning processes and individualized learning. Hands-on and ambitious professional committed to accommodating students in learning processes.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Registered Behavior Technician (RBT)
Action Behavior Centers
Pearland, Texas
10.2023 - 06.2024
- Provided direct one-on-one instruction to children with autism in a variety of settings.
- Developed and implemented behavior intervention plans based on individualized needs.
- Tracked data and monitored progress of student's goals and objectives.
- Observed student behavior in various environments to assess levels of functioning and progress towards goals.
- Provided verbal prompts, physical guidance, or other forms of prompting when necessary.
- Facilitated social skills groups for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders.
- Utilized Applied Behavioral Analysis principles in daily instruction activities.
- Engaged students through play activities while incorporating therapeutic techniques.
- Collaborated with other professionals including BCBAs, teachers, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists to ensure best practices are being implemented for each client.
Special Education Classroom Facilitator (ABLE)
Pasadena ISD
Pasadena, Texas
01.2023 - 09.2023
- Conducted small group and individual classroom activities with students based on differentiated learning needs.
- Developed IEP to leverage developmental practices and educational theories to achieve educational objectives.
- Collaborated with general education teachers to include students in classroom activities.
- Advocated for needs of the students with disabilities.
- Developed and maintained individualized skill-appropriate lesson plans to promote and build student confidence.
- Developed interesting and interactive learning methods tailored to help students with individual needs.
- Teamed with general education teachers to plan and implement curriculum, state and district-wide assessments.
- Established and maintained dynamic working relationships with students and parents to support classroom objectives.
- Maintained consistent and timely contact with parents about student behavior and upcoming events.
- Solved student behavioral issues according to building expectations and codes of conduct.
- Collaborated with outside agencies providing services for students and families to deliver cohesive support.
- Incorporated interactive visual aids into student lesson plans to support learning objectives.
ABLE Paraprofessional
Pasadena ISD
Pasadena, Texas
01.2022 - 12.2022
- Applied positive reinforcement to redirect negative behaviors.
- Supplied one-on-one attention to each student during group activities.
- Customized small group and individual classroom activities based on differentiated learning needs.
- Offered students personalized educational, behavioral, and emotional support.
- Communicated and collaborated well with educators from various grade levels.
- Observed students to help teachers identify potential learning blocks and opportunities for support.
- Planned and led activities to develop students' physical, emotional, and social growth.
- Handled clerical duties, managed classrooms and coordinated documents for teachers.
- Used lectures, discussions, or supervised role-playing methods to present subject matter to students under direction and guidance of teachers.
- Assisted children at stations during small-group learning periods.
- Organized student performance and enrichment activities to facilitate learning.
- Supported students throughout academic instruction and assignments.
- Prepared instructional materials for specific classroom activities tailored to support student needs.
Lead Teacher
Next Generation Academy
Pearland, TX
03.2018 - 07.2021
- Organized activities to promote physical, mental and social development of each child.
- Involved parents in student learning to increase family interaction and student support.
- Maintained secure and disciplined classroom to provide positive learning environment.
- Selected optimal curricula and planned daily lessons to meet needs of children with various developmental levels.
- Arranged classrooms to facilitate optimal education for student groups.
- Created various strategies to engage students and deliver enriching educational opportunities.
- Worked with students one-on-one to boost skills in weak areas and grasp new concepts.
- Worked with teachers to design interactive lessons and increase student success.
- Engaged students and boosted understanding of material using focused instructional strategies and hands-on activities.
- Communicated objectives for lessons, units and projects to students and parents.
Worship Singer
Revive! Church Pasadena
Pasadena, TX
12.2015 - 06.2019
- Memorized musical selections, routines and cues while singing acapella with accompaniments.
- Selected mix of contemporary and traditional music to meet expectations of congregation.
- Implemented special programs for holiday and church events.
- Visited, counseled and prayed with church members to provide pastoral care.
- Expressed musical themes through tempo, phrasing, volume and dynamics.
- Closely followed musical notation and conductor's instructions.
- Provided accompaniment for church choirs and other musicians participating in worship.
- Auditioned for positions in orchestras, choruses, bands, and other types of music groups.
Aftercare Teacher
Lutheran South Academy
Houston, TX
12.2015 - 12.2017
- Assessed student needs and identified specific goals to improve academic performance.
- Encouraged children to try and experience new things to expand learning experiences.
- Built and strengthened positive relationships with students, parents and teaching staff.
- Remained calm and patient in student interactions to support individual growth and development.
- Provided positive and welcoming experience when collaborating with adults and children.
- Motivated students to be more engaged in classes through applying positive reinforcement techniques.
- Participated in workshops, trainings and conferences to improve educational skills.
- Mentored students needing extra assistance in understanding lessons or concepts.
- Observed fellow educators in classroom to learn new teaching techniques.
Teaching Assistant
The Houston Museum of Natural Science
Houston, Texas
06.2011 - 08.2017
- Supervised children and participated with children in activities.
- Established positive relationships with students, parents, fellow teachers and administrators.
- Kept students safe inside and outside classrooms by proactively monitoring behaviors and tracking student movements, safety hazards and visitors.
- Promoted student learning by providing individualized and small group support to reinforce classroom topics.
- Assisted teachers with lesson preparation and curriculum implementation.
- Contributed to positive, educational setting by delivering gentle discipline and promoting student success.
- Monitored students in class, hallways and cafeteria to supervise, enforce rules and support lead teacher.
- Prepared lesson materials and visual aids to reinforce lesson concepts.
- Distributed classroom materials, pencils, paper and art materials.
- Supervised students and maintained security throughout school buildings and on field trips.
- Wiped down desks and gave students hand sanitizer to avoid germ spread.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Core Subjects EC-6 Generalist W/ EC-12 Special Ed.
University of Houston - Clear Lake
Houston, TX12.2019
Associate of Arts - Music
San Jacinto College District
Pasadena, TX05.2016
Skills
- Teacher Assistance
- Lesson Plan Implementation
- Differentiated Instruction
- Classroom support
- Motivating and Inspiring Students
- Classroom Maintenance and Inventory
- Team Collaboration
- Multitasking
- Organizational and Planning Skills
- Relationship Building
- Individualized Educational Plans
- Enrichment Activities
- Calm and Patient Demeanor
Affiliations
Degree Honors: Magna Cum Laude
Timeline
Registered Behavior Technician (RBT)
Action Behavior Centers
10.2023 - 06.2024
Special Education Classroom Facilitator (ABLE)
Pasadena ISD
01.2023 - 09.2023
ABLE Paraprofessional
Pasadena ISD
01.2022 - 12.2022
Lead Teacher
Next Generation Academy
03.2018 - 07.2021
Worship Singer
Revive! Church Pasadena
12.2015 - 06.2019
Aftercare Teacher
Lutheran South Academy
12.2015 - 12.2017
Teaching Assistant
The Houston Museum of Natural Science
06.2011 - 08.2017
Bachelor of Science - Core Subjects EC-6 Generalist W/ EC-12 Special Ed.
University of Houston - Clear Lake
Associate of Arts - Music
San Jacinto College District