Amy Gelman
Special Education Specialist
Conshohocken,PA
Summary
Experienced Special Education Teacher with years of experience advocating for students of all abilities, diverse values and cultures. Thirty years working directly with students, families, school districts and educators, ensuring students are receiving FAPE and that progress is being made towards all goals. Strong Individualized Educational Program writing skills, outstanding interpersonal relationship and communication skills with parents and team members.
2022 Recipient of the Educator of the Year Award for Upper Dublin School District.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
5
5
years of post-secondary education
2
2
Certificates
Work History
Special Education Teacher
Upper Dublin School District
Fort Washington , PA
01.2009 - 06.2022
- Modified general education curriculum for special-needs students using various instructional techniques and technologies.
- Delivered effective and differentiated classroom instruction to range of neurodiverse students.
- Implementation of Positive Behavior Support (PBS).
- Created and managed IEPs to define student learning objectives and educational strategies, in addition to applying instructional knowledge and methods to support goals.
- Taught multiple subjects to mixed grouping of students with intellectual, emotional, physical and / or learning disabilities.
- Coordinated special education students and teacher assistant schedules with master schedule.
- Daily collaboration with staff across all school settings.
- Coordinated schedules for 65 plus special education students and 13 special education staff members, ensuring all students received necessary supports aligned with school's master schedule.
- Provided daily personalized communication with parents and guardians regarding academic needs and progress of students through phone calls, email and live video chat.
- Facilitated professional development and differentiated supervision activities in areas of inclusion, IEP writing and supplemental activities that can be used within general education classroom with all learners to differentiate and address individual needs.
Curriculum Leader
Upper Dublin School District
Fort Washington , PA
09.2009 - 06.2022
- Collaborated with teachers to assess areas for improvement in curricula, classrooms, testing and student activities, as well as informing staff of upcoming district initiatives and. providing feedback to lead administrators.
- Assisted in coordination of special education services and programming through frequent principal collaboration and consultation.
- Consulted with general education teachers, itinerant teachers and support staff based on student needs.
- Planned and implemented staff development and in-service training programs to enhance knowledge and skills.
Mentor Teacher
Upper Dublin School District
Fort Washington , PA
09.2012 - 06.2022
- Provided support, training and mentoring to 5 first year special education teachers.
Autistic Support Teacher K-5
Montgomery County Intermediate Unit
Norristown , Pennsylvania
09.1993 - 06.1997
- Facilitated and led opening of first Autistic Support class at Thomas FItzwater Elementary School, Upper Dublin School District.
- Facilitated reverse inclusion model as well of partial inclusion model of verbal and non verbal autistic support students.
- Delivered effective and differentiated classroom instruction to range of neurodiverse students.
- Instructed students with cognitive disabilities.
- Facilitated use of assistive devices and ASL with nonverbal students.
- Taught students across various degrees of special needs.
- Taught reading, language arts and social sciences in self-contained Autistic Support classroom.
- Communicated nonverbally with children to provide comfort, encouragement and positive reinforcement.
- Provided life skills programming for students with moderate to severe autism.
Self-Contained Special Education Teacher
Wordsworth Academy
Oreland, Pennsylvania
09.1992 - 06.1993
- Delivered effective and differentiated classroom instruction to range of neurodiverse students.
- Led activities that developed students' behavioral, emotional and social growth.
- Implemented point system to encourage positive behavior.
- Assisted struggling students to maintain progress levels by designing individualized lesson plans focused on areas for improvement.
- Taught multiple subjects to students with emotional disabilities.
- Redirected students using Positive Behavior Support (PBS).
- Organized instruction material, constructed bulletin boards and set up work areas.
- Instructed students in core academic areas and specialized reading groups.
- Participated daily in crisis prevention techniques.
Education
Bachelors of Education - Special Education K-12, Minor Psychology
Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ 08.1988 - 05.1992
Master of Education - Elementary Education
Beaver College
Glenside, PA 09.1992 - 06.1994
Skills
Interpersonal Communication
Certification
Special Education N-12 (Instructional II)
Timeline
Mentor Teacher
Upper Dublin School District
09.2012 - 06.2022
Curriculum Leader
Upper Dublin School District
09.2009 - 06.2022
Special Education Teacher
Upper Dublin School District
01.2009 - 06.2022
Elementary K-6 (INSTUCTIONAL II)
02-1995
Autistic Support Teacher K-5
Montgomery County Intermediate Unit
09.1993 - 06.1997
Self-Contained Special Education Teacher
Wordsworth Academy
09.1992 - 06.1993
Master of Education - Elementary Education
Beaver College
09.1992 - 06.1994
Special Education N-12 (Instructional II)
05-1992
Bachelors of Education - Special Education K-12, Minor Psychology
Arizona State University
08.1988 - 05.1992
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