Ashley O'Rourke
Bakersfield ,VT
Summary
Character-focused Special Education Teacher accomplished in helping students reach full potential by preventing and controlling disruptive behaviors. Encouraged students to make positive choices and consistently model correct strategies. Focused on helping teachers enact effective controls and providing immediate support for complex issues.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
2
2
Certification
Work History
SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER
St. Albans Town Educational Center
07.2023 - Current
- Modified general education curriculum for special-needs students using various instructional techniques and technologies
- Developed IEPs tailored to individual student needs, ensuring their academic success and personal growth.
- Delivered effective and differentiated classroom instruction to range of neurodiverse students
- Created and managed IEPs to define student learning objectives and educational strategies, in addition to applying instructional knowledge and methods to support goals
- Redirected students using Positive Behavior Support (PBS)
- Conducted functional behavior assessments, functional analysis, preference assessments and assessments of basic learning and language skills to identify target behaviors and purpose of behaviors
- Observed, monitored and recorded problem behaviors through accurate behavior consequence data collection, graphs and anecdotal notes
- Implemented and established behavior strategies by setting rules, reiterating expectations and rewarding good behavior
- Promoted positive interactions of children with ADHD, Autism and oppositional defiance behavior by using visual supports, simplifying communication and utilizing stress scales to turn emotions into concrete concepts.
- Provided one-on-one support for students with learning disabilities, enabling them to excel in their coursework.
BEHAVIOR TECHNICIAN
Bridging Blocks
01.2021 - 06.2023
- Provided one-on-one support to clients with autism spectrum disorders, addressing unique behavioral needs.
- Implemented crisis intervention strategies when necessary to maintain safe environment for both staff and clients alike during high-stress situations.
- Enhanced client progress by implementing individualized behavior intervention plans.
- Promoted positive behaviors by reinforcing desired actions and effectively addressing challenging issues.
- Maintained detailed records of client behaviors and interventions, ensuring accurate tracking of progress over time.
- Promoted positive interactions with children with ADHD, Autism and oppositional defiance behavior by using visual supports, simplifying communication, and utilizing stress scales to turn emotions into concrete concepts.
- Developed strong rapport with clients and their families, fostering trust and open communication throughout therapeutic process.
LEAD SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER
Suffolk Public Schools
10.2016 - 06.2023
- Resilient Special Education Teacher familiar with challenges associated with teaching special needs children
- Remains positive under times of stress or conflict
- Works well with classroom teachers to develop accommodations and special techniques for mainstream classroom inclusion
- Provide academic instruction to special needs students in variety of subjects using evidence-based techniques such as multisensory learning, repetition or phonetics
- Create individualized programs for students based on their specific needs to promote learning and social development
- Taught multiple subjects to students with intellectual or emotional disabilities
- Communicate educational plans to parents, teachers, administrators, social workers and others involved with student's progress
- Utilize positive reinforcement and behavior modification to instruct students in socially acceptable behavior to reduce incidents and maintain order
- Keep records of all special needs students that adhere to local, state and federal guidelines to remain compliant.
Education
Master of Science - Special Education
LIBERTY UNIVERSITY
Lynchburg, VA05.2022
Bachelor of Science - Criminal Justice
UNIVERSITY OF PHOENIX
Phoenix, AZ05.2010
Skills
- Differentiated Instruction
- Classroom Management
- Individual Education Plans IEPs
- Planning and coordination
- Parental Communication
- Student Engagement
- Crisis Management
- Student Development
- Behavioral Management
- Curriculum Design
- 504s
- Safety Plans
Accomplishments
- Trained fellow teachers on the procedures for completing Individual Education Plans.
- Started the Unified Reading Program
- Lead a Little Feet Meet
- Developed an online progress report monitoring system
- Became part of the leadership team after only 2 years of teaching at a school with 800 students.
- Designed How to Advocate the Correct Way, a website to help teachers know the laws and how to run an IEP meeting the right way.
- Train teachers on how to create sensory room/ spaces within their classrooms
Certification
- BOARD CERTIFED EDUCATION ADVOCATE- FELLOW, National Special Education Advocacy Institute, 01/25/2023
- LCSI Level One, The Life Space Crisis Intervention Institute, 05/12/2024
- Previously trained for 5+ years in Handle with Care
Timeline
SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER
St. Albans Town Educational Center
07.2023 - Current
BEHAVIOR TECHNICIAN
Bridging Blocks
01.2021 - 06.2023
LEAD SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER
Suffolk Public Schools
10.2016 - 06.2023
Master of Science - Special Education
LIBERTY UNIVERSITY
Bachelor of Science - Criminal Justice
UNIVERSITY OF PHOENIX
- BOARD CERTIFED EDUCATION ADVOCATE- FELLOW, National Special Education Advocacy Institute, 01/25/2023
- LCSI Level One, The Life Space Crisis Intervention Institute, 05/12/2024
- Previously trained for 5+ years in Handle with Care
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