Amy Jahn
Fullerton
Summary
Dedicated and experienced Education Specialist with a strong background in autism intervention, seeking a challenging Education Specialist position. Committed to fostering inclusive learning environments and leveraging expertise in behavior analysis to support educators and enhance student success
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
Education Specialist
Garden Grove Unified School District
Garden Grove, CA
08.2025 - Current
- Develop and implement Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) based on student needs
- Assess students’ academic, behavioral, and functional skills
- Provide differentiated instruction using evidence-based strategies
- Adapt curriculum and materials for diverse learning needs
- Deliver direct instruction in small groups or 1:1 settings
- Collaborate with paraprofessionals, general education teachers, and service providers
- Collect and analyze data to monitor student progress
- Communicate regularly with parents/guardians regarding progress and concerns
- Implement behavior support plans and positive reinforcement strategies
- Maintain a safe, structured, and inclusive classroom environment
- Participate in IEP meetings, parent conferences, and multidisciplinary team meetings
- Document services, goals, progress reports, and compliance records accurately
- Support students with communication, social skills, self-help, and executive functioning
- Utilize assistive technology and AAC devices as needed
- Ensure compliance with IDEA, state regulations, and district policies
Education Specialist
Fullerton School District
Fullerton, CA
08.2012 - 05.2025
- Provide specialized instruction to students with autism, implementing evidence-based practices such as Applied Behavioral Analysis, Augmentative and Alternative Communication Systems, Differential Reinforcement, Task Analysis, Visual Supports/Schedules, Structured Teaching, Social Skills Training, Picture Exchange Communication System, Discrete Trial Training and Video Modeling
- Collaborate with general education teachers to promote inclusion and accommodate diverse learning needs
- Conduct assessments and develop Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) for students
- Led the creation and development of the Sensory Zone, a dedicated space for sensory regulation at Sunset Lane Elementary School.
- Implement behavior intervention plans and monitor progress using data-driven methods such as Antecedent-Behavior-Consequence (ABC), Interval, Time Sample, and Duration/Frequency
- Collaborate with parents and create a positive partnership for student success
- Help students with limited communication abilities by assisting in the use of alternative communication systems including sign language, PECS, nonverbal communication, and AAC systems/devices like Proloquo2Go, TouchChat, and GoTalk
- Focus areas encompass pragmatic language, vocabulary expansion, greetings, intraverbal skills, conversational abilities, speech volume and modulation, expressing emotions, and effectively starting and concluding conversations
- Applied Behavior Analysis strategies and supports to address behaviors such as token boards, priming, first/then cards, timers, provide choices, transitional objects, social stories, modified lessons, task analysis, shaping, visual supports, clear concise directives, routines, structure, and prompting hierarchy
- Apply discrete trial training (DTT) methodology to address students' individualized education program (IEP) goals through one-on-one sessions Thorough comprehension and application of various curricula, including Ed Mark, Go Math, Touch Math, Unique Learning Systems (ULS), Handwriting Without Tears, and leveled Teachers Pay Teachers (TPT) curriculum for Math, Social Studies, and Science Structured classroom environment to facilitate transitions and predictability Create and execute a curriculum tailored to students' academic needs, including self-help skills, as well as fine and gross motor skills
- Incorporate comprehensive sensory activities and materials throughout the entire school day
- Obtained funding and established the initial sensory integration room for the district, setting a precedent adopted by other schools in the Fullerton School District and various institutions across Orange County
- Knowledge of assessments used in identifying instructional approaches and formulating data-driven decisions include VB-MAPP, Brigance, Woodcock Johnson, WIAT, and KTEA
- Regular Community-Based Instruction (CBI) excursions, such as local community walks to restaurants and stores to focus on enhancing the students communication skills, safety skills, play skills, ability to stay in designated areas, and understanding of money concepts
- Incorporate mainstreaming opportunities to allow peers in general education to serve as models for appropriate social behavior and communication skills for students
- Apply an evidence-based social skills program such as Zones of Regulation curriculum, to support students in managing their behavior and emotions This facilitates the display of acceptable social behaviors, enabling students to seek attention or interact appropriately with others in the educational setting
Reading Specialist (LTS)
Gardent Grove Unified School District
Garden Grove, CA
08.2004 - 05.2005
- Provide high quality instruction to individual students and small group Utilize data to deliver instruction to students and elevate their skills to meet grade-level standards
- Maintain data-driven documentation through ongoing monitoring of student performance and progress
- Provide information to school teams and engage in decision-making regarding student advancement.
- Conduct diagnostic assessments
Second Grade Teacher (LTS)
Long Beach Unified School District
Long Beach, CA
08.2003 - 05.2004
- Build positive relationships with parents to involve families in educational process.
- Develop lesson plans that align with state standards
- Establish and sustain a secure and well-organized classroom that fosters independent student learning, collaboration, choice, and employs a range of effective instructional strategies to engage student learning
- Effective classroom management strategies and practices
- Assess student progress by administering tests and evaluating results Develop impactful lesson plans, aligning curriculum with state standards to enhance student engagement and comprehension
Education
Master of Arts - Education
Brandman University
Irvine, CA05-2014
Moderate/Severe Teaching Credential - Autism Authorization
Brandman University
Irvine, CA05-2011
Multiple Subject Teaching Credential -
University Of Phoenix
Pasadena05-2005
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
San Diego State University
San Diego, CA05-1998
Skills
- Extensive expertise in Autism Spectrum Disorders
- Behavior Analysis and intervention
- Individualized Education Plan (IEP) development
- Inclusive teaching practices
- Collaboration, teamwork, staff training and education, and ongoing staff mentorship
- Parent and community collaboration and engagement
Accomplishments
Parenting OC's 2021 Top Teachers of Orange County recipient
Teacher of the Year, Sunset Lane Elementary School (2017-2018)
Creator of the Sensory Zone at Sunset Lane (2018)
Timeline
Education Specialist
Garden Grove Unified School District
08.2025 - Current
Education Specialist
Fullerton School District
08.2012 - 05.2025
Reading Specialist (LTS)
Gardent Grove Unified School District
08.2004 - 05.2005
Second Grade Teacher (LTS)
Long Beach Unified School District
08.2003 - 05.2004
Master of Arts - Education
Brandman University
Moderate/Severe Teaching Credential - Autism Authorization
Brandman University
Multiple Subject Teaching Credential -
University Of Phoenix
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
San Diego State University
Inclusive Practices
- Created an inclusive week-long event in celebration of Autism Acceptance Week, an annual occurrence
- Establish a weekly opportunity for students with autism to engage in recess activities alongside their age-appropriate peers to work on social skills and develop friendships
- Develop Powerpoint presentations tailored to various grade levels with the aim of educating students about autism, fostering acceptance, and promoting inclusion at Sunset Lane
- Collaborated with general education teachers to design inclusive activities involving students with autism, such as reverse mainstreaming and buddies
Mentorship Experience
- Mentor and support colleagues in the implementation of effective behavior interventions and the development of defensible IEPs and IEP goals
- Engage in frequent collaboration with Education Specialists from other autism programs in the District and offer continuous mentorship and collaboration with the moderate/severe SDC teacher at Sunset Lane Elementary School
- Management of and ongoing training and mentorship for assigned instructional assistants
- Created an in-person training for Fullerton School District bus drivers to address and support behaviors of students with autism
- Develop presentations aimed at educating general education students about autism, organize inclusive activities, and foster friendships