Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Affiliations
Certification
Timeline
Volunteer

Angela Lawless

Special Education Teacher
Lawson,MO

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

23
23
years of professional experience
2
2
Certification
6
6
years of post-secondary education

Work History

Special Education Teacher

Excelsior Springs School District
08.2024 - Current
  • Developed Individual Education Plans for students with special needs.
  • Implemented individualized education plans for students with diverse learning needs, ensuring personalized support.
  • Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities focused on evidence-based practices in special education teaching methodologies.
  • Worked closely with parents and guardians to address students' issues on multiple fronts.
  • Cultivated connections and strong student rapport to foster classroom engagement, in addition to recording student progress to inform parents and school administration.
  • Collaborated with other educators to develop instructional strategies.
  • Promoted a positive learning environment through the use of differentiated instruction and individualized support for diverse learners.
  • Coordinated with general education teachers to develop accommodations or modifications necessary for successful inclusion of students with special needs in mainstream classrooms.
  • Encouraged students to take ownership of learning by providing choices.
  • Developed IEPs tailored to individual student needs, ensuring their academic success and personal growth.
  • Integrated social skills training into curriculum, facilitating improved peer interactions and social integration.
  • Fostered strong relationships with parents and guardians, maintaining open lines of communication to ensure student progress.

Special Education Teacher

Richmond R-XVI School District
08.2022 - 05.2024
  • Developed IEPs tailored to individual student needs, ensuring their academic success and personal growth.
  • Created and managed IEPs to define student learning objectives and educational strategies, in addition to applying instructional knowledge and methods to support goals.
  • Promoted a positive learning environment through the use of differentiated instruction and individualized support for diverse learners.
  • Modified general education curriculum for special-needs students using various instructional techniques and technologies.
  • Fostered strong relationships with parents and guardians, maintaining open lines of communication to ensure student progress.
  • Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities focused on evidence-based practices in special education teaching methodologies.
  • Evaluated student progress regularly using various assessment methods, ensuring accurate measurement of skill development and areas requiring additional support.
  • Coordinated with general education teachers to develop accommodations or modifications necessary for successful inclusion of students with special needs in mainstream classrooms.

Special Education Teacher

Usd 500 Kansas City Kansas Public Schools
Kansas City, KS
08.2016 - 05.2022
  • Created and managed IEPs to define student learning objectives and educational strategies, in addition to applying instructional knowledge and methods to support goals.
  • Cultivated connections and strong student rapport to foster classroom engagement, in addition to recording student progress to inform parents and school administration.
  • Taught students across multiple classifications and degrees of special needs.
  • Modified general education curriculum for special-needs students using various instructional techniques and technologies.
  • Taught multiple subjects to students in K-5 with intellectual or emotional disabilities.
  • Assisted struggling students to maintain progress levels by designing individualized lesson plans focused on areas for improvement.
  • Redirected students using Positive Behavior Support (PBS).
  • Delivered effective and differentiated classroom instruction to range of neurodiverse students in grades K-5
  • Led activities that developed students' physical, emotional and social growth.
  • Partnered with standard education teachers from across academic departments.
  • Coordinated special education students and teacher assistant schedules with master schedule.
  • Instructed students with physical and cognitive disabilities.
  • Instructed students in core academic areas and specialized reading groups.
  • Worked with students with moderate to severe autism to increase life skills.
  • Communicated nonverbally with children to provide comfort, encouragement and positive reinforcement.
  • Conducted assessments of students to determine individual needs.
  • Encouraged parent and guardian involvement in educational process, enhancing home-school connection and supporting student achievement.

Paraprofessional Educator

USD 458 Basehor-Linwood School District
Basehor, KS
08.2013 - 03.2016
  • Provided support to help students in grades k-5 with special needs learn and grow.
  • Assisted teachers with classroom management and document coordination to maintain positive learning environment.
  • Maintained inclusive learning environment to enable students to gain maximum benefit from lessons.
  • Provided support during classes, group lessons and classroom activities.
  • Monitored student classroom and outdoors activities to promote student safety.
  • Supported student learning objectives through personalized and small group assistance.
  • Delivered personalized educational, behavioral and emotional support to individual students to enable positive learning outcomes.
  • Documented student behaviors, interventions and outcomes to enable lead teacher to address pertinent issues.
  • Oversaw students in classroom and common areas to monitor, enforce rules and support lead teacher.
  • Delivered curriculum in both one-on-one lessons and group learning environments.
  • Assessed student social, emotional and academic needs to plan goals appropriately.
  • Prepared instructional materials for group and one-on-one use to comply with established curriculum.
  • Used behavior modeling and specialized teaching techniques to share and reinforce social skills.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of evidence-based strategies to foster independence and social academic engagement,
  • Developed and delivered presentations on course topics.
  • Collaborated with instructors to develop engaging lesson plans.
  • Took part in professional development workshops to boost skills.
  • Developed and implemented strategies to improve student engagement.
  • Assisted students in developing deeper understanding of course concepts by providing one-on-one support.

Student Teacher Intern

USD 500 Kansas City Kansas Public Schools
Kansas City, Kansas
01.2012 - 12.2012
  • Stood in for teachers, checking lesson plans to provide consistent teaching to students.
  • Collaborated with teaching staff to implement coordinated educational strategies and student support networks.
  • Conferred with qualified teacher to establish instructional targets and prepare lessons to cover source topics.
  • Delivered personalized educational, behavioral and emotional support to individual students to enable positive learning outcomes.
  • Stood in for teachers to supervise classes, deliver lessons and administer tests.
  • Worked with classroom teacher to learn about current standards and best practices.
  • Cultivated positive relationships with administration, teaching staff and students.
  • Developed lesson plans that incorporated mandated topics and included immersive activities for student engagement.
  • Monitored classrooms with 25 students for safety and good behavior, offering students positive reinforcement to maintain discipline.
  • Observed and participated in special learning opportunities to expand horizons and learn different approaches.
  • Evaluated student progress through analysis of test scores and homework completion.
  • Investigated different teaching materials and techniques to understand strengths and weaknesses.
  • Met with parents to discuss student behaviors and needs.
  • Communicated frequently with parents, students and faculty to provide feedback and discuss instructional strategies.
  • Modified lessons and curriculum to accommodate diverse learners by using strategies such as peer-assisted learning and group work.
  • Participated in department meetings to provide input to colleagues about student achievement and improvement.
  • Maintained accurate and complete records for students.
  • Adapted teaching methods and lesson plans to changing student needs to increase classroom participation.

Substitute Teacher, K-12

USD 458 Basehor-Linwood School District
Basehor, KS
08.2002 - 01.2011
  • Maintained day-to-day classroom management and discipline to promote learning initiatives.
  • Took over class for regular classroom teacher, managing assignments, student needs and recordkeeping.
  • Kept accurate and current attendance records and assignment sheets to maintain file compliance.
  • Kept students on-task with proactive behavior modification and positive reinforcement strategies.
  • Provided instruction for students in grades K-12 in core subject areas.
  • Upheld classroom routines to support student environments and maintain consistent schedules.
  • Supervised lunchroom and recess activities.
  • Repeatedly requested as substitute teacher by teachers based on excellent past referrals and trusted performance.
  • Followed classroom plans left by class teacher to continue student education and reinforce core concepts.
  • Took notes and prepared reports on school day activities to provide to primary teacher.

Education

Master of Science - Special Education

Emporia State University
Emporia, KS
08.2017 - 12.2023

Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education

Emporia State University
Emporia, KS
12.2012

High School Diploma -

Washburn Rural High School
Topeka, KS
05.1988

Skills

  • Verbal and Non-verbal Communication
  • Instructional Strategies
  • Parent Communication
  • Student Records Management /Progress Evaluations
  • Behavior Modification
  • Curriculum Adjustments
  • Individual Education Plans IEPs
  • Lesson Planning
  • De-Escalation Techniques
  • Classroom Management
  • Motivating Students / Student Support
  • Positive Learning Environment
  • Cognitive Disabilities Knowledge
  • Classroom Observation

Affiliations

KNEA School Representative

Certification

  • Orton Gillingham Certified
  • LETRS Certified
  • Co-teaching Training
  • Elementary Education 1-6 Teaching License
  • Mild/Moderate Cross Categorical Special Education K-12

Timeline

Special Education Teacher

Excelsior Springs School District
08.2024 - Current

Special Education Teacher

Richmond R-XVI School District
08.2022 - 05.2024

Master of Science - Special Education

Emporia State University
08.2017 - 12.2023

Special Education Teacher

Usd 500 Kansas City Kansas Public Schools
08.2016 - 05.2022

Paraprofessional Educator

USD 458 Basehor-Linwood School District
08.2013 - 03.2016

Student Teacher Intern

USD 500 Kansas City Kansas Public Schools
01.2012 - 12.2012

Substitute Teacher, K-12

USD 458 Basehor-Linwood School District
08.2002 - 01.2011

Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education

Emporia State University

High School Diploma -

Washburn Rural High School

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Angela LawlessSpecial Education Teacher