Beth Barksdale
Dunlap,IL
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
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Special Education Teacher
Dunlap School District 323
2020.08 - 2023.05
- 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.
- 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.
- Coordinated special education students and teacher assistant schedules with master schedule.
- Organized instruction material, constructed bulletin boards and set up work areas.
- Communicated nonverbally with children to provide comfort, encouragement and positive reinforcement.
- Provided life skills programming for students with moderate to severe autism.
- Implemented and taught life skills program, enabling students to master such tasks as checkbook balancing and laundry.
Teacher
Peoria District 150
2007.08 - 2020.05
- Worked cooperatively with other teachers, administrators and parents to help students reach learning objectives.
- Communicated frequently with parents, students and faculty to provide feedback and discuss instructional strategies.
- Kept students on-task with proactive behavior modification and positive reinforcement strategies.
- Incorporated multiple types of teaching strategies into classroom.
- Planned and implemented integrated lessons to meet national standards.
- Graded and evaluated student assignments, papers and course work.
- Encouraged creative thinking and motivated students by addressing individual strengths and weaknesses based on standardized testing results.
- Incorporated exciting and engaging activities to achieve student participation and hands-on learning.
- Evaluated and revised lesson plans and course content to achieve student-centered learning.
- Supervised learning groups of students in classroom stations.
- Held conferences with parents to address questions, discuss academic progress and encourage learning goals.
- Supported student teachers by mentoring on classroom management, lesson planning and activity organization.
- Instructed students in core educational principles, concepts and in-depth subject matter.
- Developed and implemented lesson plans that addressed general students as well as those with individualized 504 plans as part of integrated classroom.
- Attended and facilitated IEP meetings for students and families.
- Devised and implemented strategies to create and maintain cohesive school community within virtual classroom setting.
- Developed fundraisers and completed grant documentation to raise money for district.
Education
No Degree - Special Education Endorsement
Bradley University
Peoria, ILNo Degree - English Language Learners Endorsement
Roosevelt University
Chicago, ILMaster of Arts - Instructional Design
American College of Education
Indianapolis, IN02.2024
Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education
Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, IL12.1997
Skills
- Post-Secondary Education
- Group and Individual Instruction
- MS Office Proficiency
- In-Depth Knowledge of Autism
- Remote Assistance
- Educational Strategies
- Behavior Modification
- Small Group Instruction
- IEP Development
- Google Slides
- Behavior Intervention Plans
- Cultural Awareness
Timeline
Special Education Teacher
Dunlap School District 323
2020.08 - 2023.05
Teacher
Peoria District 150
2007.08 - 2020.05
No Degree - Special Education Endorsement
Bradley University
No Degree - English Language Learners Endorsement
Roosevelt University
Master of Arts - Instructional Design
American College of Education
Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education
Eastern Illinois University
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