Bernice Nicolas Okafor
Saint Albans,NY
Summary
Special Education Teacher equipped with positive attitude and patience vital to teaching children with special needs. Extensive experience creating innovative lesson plans and comfortable learning environments. 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. 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. Detail-oriented team player with strong organizational skills. Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously with a high degree of accuracy. Organized and dependable candidate successful at managing multiple priorities with a positive attitude. Willingness to take on added responsibilities to meet team goals.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Special Education Teacher
P.S. 160 The Walt Disney Magnet STEAM School
04.2015 - Current
- Plans and facilitates Common Core-aligned lessons, fostering learning in an enriched environment with a focus on a STEAM-infused, project-based curriculum
- Designs lessons with a focus on students finding their own voices, develop critical and creative thinking skills, and engage with the world to find positive change
- Infuses the curriculum with an active, student-led approach of project-based learning (PBL) on a six-week unit cycle to support students in engaging in real-world ideas, issues, and challenges through extended inquiry/hands-on projects
- Utilizes a range of curricula including ReadyGen, Teachers College Reading, GOMath!, EngageNY and more
- Differentiates and modifies lessons and materials for students’ individual needs
- Adheres to accommodations to meet the needs of students with IEPs (Individualized Education Programs)
- Writes IEPs with measurable goals and objectives, using SESIS
- Designs small group instruction to reach all learners, utilizing data-driven instruction, visual aids, technology, and manipulatives to support the scaffolding of concepts
- Maintains students’ performance anecdotes, running records, report cards, and progress reports
- Manages individual behavior and classroom behavior based on positive reinforcement
- Effectively communicates with families on their child’s progress during Parent Engagement weekly
- Participates in extensive professional development and trainings including implicit bias training
- School’s Equity Team Committee, focusing on culturally responsive teaching and understanding implicit bias
Special Education Itinerant Teacher
Marie Pense Center
01.2013 - 01.2015
- Provided individualized/targeted instruction, monitoring IEP goals through the use of various intervention strategies
- Assessed abilities through data-driven instruction, utilizing the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
- Collaborated with Speech Pathologists, Psychologists, Occupational and Physical Therapists, and families
Special Education Teacher
Highbridge Advisory Council
01.2010 - 01.2013
- Planned and facilitated a developmentally-appropriate curriculum, focusing on academic and social goals
- Supported children in an inclusive community that values diversity in a child-centered environment
- Adhered to students’ IEPs, using their accommodations and modifications to scaffold the curriculum
- Assured disciplinary problems were solved utilizing strong behavior management plans
- Effectively communicated with families on their child’s progress via communication notebooks
Special Education Teacher
QSAC – Quality Services for Autism Community
01.2009 - 01.2010
Education
Master of Science - Early Childhood General & Special Education
College of New Rochelle
2009
Bachelor of Arts - History, English
Hunter College, CUNY
2006
Skills
- Learning Style Assessment
- Middle School Education
- Group and Individual Instruction
- Child Development
Certification
New York State Professional Certification in Students with Disabilities (1-6)
New York State Professional Certification in Students with Disabilities (B-2)
New York State Professional Certification in Early Childhood Education (B-2), Math Science Technology Course through Touro College; Forest Hills, NY (2012) | Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), SESIS | ARIS | IEP Pro. | Microsoft Office | Windows | SMART Goals | Teen Bullying | Suicide Prevention | Early Intervention | Child Abuse and Identification Workshop | Conflict Resolution | CPR, AED, First Aid Certified | ASPDP
Timeline
Special Education Teacher
P.S. 160 The Walt Disney Magnet STEAM School
04.2015 - Current
Special Education Itinerant Teacher
Marie Pense Center
01.2013 - 01.2015
Special Education Teacher
Highbridge Advisory Council
01.2010 - 01.2013
Special Education Teacher
QSAC – Quality Services for Autism Community
01.2009 - 01.2010
Master of Science - Early Childhood General & Special Education
College of New Rochelle
Bachelor of Arts - History, English
Hunter College, CUNY
New York State Professional Certification in Students with Disabilities (1-6)
New York State Professional Certification in Students with Disabilities (B-2)
New York State Professional Certification in Early Childhood Education (B-2), Math Science Technology Course through Touro College; Forest Hills, NY (2012) | Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), SESIS | ARIS | IEP Pro. | Microsoft Office | Windows | SMART Goals | Teen Bullying | Suicide Prevention | Early Intervention | Child Abuse and Identification Workshop | Conflict Resolution | CPR, AED, First Aid Certified | ASPDP
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