Amy Ford
Larkspur,CO
Summary
Versatile Special Education Teacher with focus on individual student needs across academia and emotional development. Empathetic and accommodating in design and implementation of hands-on lessons, catering to diverse learning abilities. Proficient in employing constant communication, patience and positive reinforcement in team efforts to deliver exceptional educational tools, fostering academic achievement.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Special Education Teacher -Mild/Moderate
Douglas County School District
07.2021 - 10.2023
- Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities focused on evidence-based practices in special education teaching methodologies.
- Coordinated with general education teachers to develop accommodations or modifications necessary for successful inclusion of students with special needs in mainstream classrooms.
- Mentored new teachers on student progress monitoring and legal document preparation.
- Supported students in developing social skills through structured activities and positive reinforcement techniques.
- Helped students with special needs integrate into general classroom environments by advocating for individual requirements and helping teachers solve problems.
- Taught multiple subjects to students with intellectual or emotional disabilities.
- Coordinated special education students and teacher assistant schedules with master schedule.
- Collaborated with other educators to develop instructional strategies.
- Designed individual education plans to encourage student growth according to different learning abilities and needs.
- Provided professional development training to educate faculty and staff on laws and regulations governing special education.
- Coordinated regular meetings to share and analyze student performance data and success plans with colleagues and parents.
- 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.
- Provided emotional support to students and families.
- Taught students across multiple classifications and degrees of special needs.
- Cultivated connections and strong student rapport to foster classroom engagement, in addition to recording student progress to inform parents and school administration.
- Developed and implemented behavior management plans to improve student behavior.
- Created and managed IEPs to define student learning objectives and educational strategies, in addition to applying instructional knowledge and methods to support goals.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to provide comprehensive support for students with special needs.
- Evaluated student progress regularly using various assessment methods, ensuring accurate measurement of skill development and areas requiring additional support.
- Modified general education curriculum for special-needs students using various instructional techniques and technologies.
- Maintained accurate records of student progress and attendance.
- Fostered strong relationships with parents and guardians, maintaining open lines of communication to ensure student progress.
- Enhanced learning experiences by incorporating specialized tools and resources tailored to the needs of special education students.
- Improved student behavior management by implementing consistent routines, clear expectations, and positive reinforcement strategies.
Educational Assistant
Larkspur Elementary
11.2020 - 06.2021
- Contributed to school-wide initiatives aimed at improving overall student achievement and wellbeing.
- Participated in professional development opportunities regularly, staying current on pedagogical trends and incorporating new strategies into teaching practices.
- Oversaw students in classroom and common areas to monitor, enforce rules, and support lead teacher.
- Delivered personalized educational, behavioral, and emotional support to individual students to enable positive learning outcomes.
- Collated classroom materials to help teachers prepare for daily instruction and activities.
- Facilitated small group instruction targeted toward specific skill gaps or areas needing improvement based on identified student needs.
- Supported students with special needs by adapting lessons and providing necessary accommodations in collaboration with special education staff.
- Supported student learning objectives through personalized and small group assistance.
- Supported classroom teachers by monitoring behavior, taking attendance, and completing other administrative tasks as needed.
- Relieved classroom teacher during breaks and maintained order and structure in classroom.
- Improved student comprehension by utilizing differentiated instructional strategies tailored to individual learning needs.
- Promoted a safe and inclusive learning environment by addressing instances of bullying or discrimination promptly and effectively.
- Prepared instruction materials, constructed bulletin boards, and set up work areas.
- Assisted in maintaining engaging and respectful educational environment by promoting discipline and cooperation.
Special Education Teacher (K-4th grade)
Cactus Valley Elementary
08.2011 - 07.2012
- Case manage and deliver special education services to 18 students in a full inclusion environment
- Successfully facilitate reading and math interventions to 18 students
- Collaborate on a daily basis with general education teachers
- Design and implement effective behavioral intervention strategies for students
- Facilitate Individual Education Programs and professional development meetings
- Coordinate transition plans for every student on my caseload
- Work extremely closely with parents, district-level co-workers, community social services and medical professionals to help students grow and develop
- Help create and implement Response to Intervention plans
- Participant in building leadership team
- Participant in helping create professional learning communities in the building.
Special Education Teacher (6,7.8th grade)
Barone Middle School
08.2009 - 08.2011
- Case manage and deliver special education services to 16 students in a full inclusion environment
- Successfully facilitate reading and math interventions to 16 students
- Collaborate on a daily basis with general education teachers
- Design and implement effective behavioral intervention strategies for students
- Facilitate Individual Education Programs and professional development meetings
- Coordinate transition plans for every student on my caseload
- Work extremely closely with parents, district-level co-workers, community social services and medical professionals to help students grow and develop.
Teacher Consultant (6th grade)
Milan Middle School
08.2008 - 07.2009
- Delivered special education services to over 20 students in a full inclusion environment
- Successfully facilitated a caseload of over 20 students, with varying disabilities, experience academic achievement
- Consulted with general education teachers on a daily basis
- Designed and implemented effective behavioral intervention strategies for students
- Facilitated Individual Education Programs, and professional development meetings
- Coordinated transition plans for every student on my caseload
- Worked extremely close with parents, district-level co-workers, community social services, and medical professionals to help students grow and develop
- Supervised and trained para-educators.
Education
Bachelor of Science in Elementary Special education - Emotional Impairment K-12
Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, Michigan04.2008
Skills
- Positive Role Model
- State compliance data collection
- Learning Style Assessments
- Child Development
- Group and individual instruction
- Individualized Instruction
- Assessment administration
- Functional Behavior Assessment
- IEP development
- Collaborative Teamwork
- Literacy Intervention
- Crisis Prevention and Intervention
- Autism Spectrum Knowledge
Certification
- Orton-Gillingham 40 hr
- READ Act
- CMAS Coordinator
- MTSS
- Crisis Prevention Intervention 2021
- Early Screening Inventory-Revised (ESI-R)
- ADOS (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule) 2012
References
- Kristi Bird-District Autism Specialist, (303) 358-8308
- Chrisse Olsson- School Reading Interventionist, (952) 356-2258
- Carolynn Parker- Educational Assistant, (719) 321-0716
Training
- Dyslexia: Understanding the varying degrees
- CMAS Coordinator Certified
- ESY laws and regulations
- Applied Behavior Analysis
- Assistive Technology
- Add+Vantage Math
- Orton Gillingham
- Proficient in Microsoft Word
Timeline
Special Education Teacher -Mild/Moderate
Douglas County School District
07.2021 - 10.2023
Educational Assistant
Larkspur Elementary
11.2020 - 06.2021
Special Education Teacher (K-4th grade)
Cactus Valley Elementary
08.2011 - 07.2012
Special Education Teacher (6,7.8th grade)
Barone Middle School
08.2009 - 08.2011
Teacher Consultant (6th grade)
Milan Middle School
08.2008 - 07.2009
Bachelor of Science in Elementary Special education - Emotional Impairment K-12
Eastern Michigan University
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