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
18
18
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Special Education Teacher
Usd 500 Kansas City Kansas Public Schools
Kansas City, KS
08.2016 - Current
- 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.
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,
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, KS04.2022
Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education
Emporia State University
Emporia, KS12.2012
High School Diploma -
Washburn Rural High School
Topeka, KS05.1988
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 Teaching License
- Provisional Adaptive Special Education Teaching License
Timeline
Special Education Teacher
Usd 500 Kansas City Kansas Public Schools
08.2016 - Current
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
Master of Science - Special Education
Emporia State University
Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education
Emporia State University
High School Diploma -
Washburn Rural High School
- Orton Gillingham Certified
- LETRS Certified
- Co-teaching Training
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