Cassandra DeMartino
Summary
Experienced special educator and leader adept at developing and implementing programs and services to meet the needs of all learners. Driven to provide a rigorous and nurturing environment that prioritizes student learning and success.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Interim Network Director of Student Support
DREAM Charter School
New York, NY
04.2024 - Current
- Evaluate the effectiveness of special education services through ongoing assessment of program goals, objectives, and performance indicators
- Oversee the special education department for middle and high school ensuring compliance with state, local, and federal regulations
- Support Deans of Student Support in overseeing special education at their respective schools
- Drive compliance systems and special education billing practices that follow federal, New York State and local special education regulations
- Manage the implementation of procedures for IEP development, placement, evaluation and re-evaluation of students with disabilities and maintains school-wide calendar to monitor timeline compliance
- Facilitate discussions in all matters of dispute resolution (Due Process, MDRs, etc.) for the purpose of identifying appropriate actions/resolutions that ensures adherence to compliance and positive outcomes for students with disabilities
Dean of Student Support
DREAM Charter School
New York, NY
07.2023 - Current
- Serve as a member of the School Leadership Team
- Teach and progress monitor a caseload of students using a research-based reading intervention program in grades 6-8
- Ensure appropriate delivery of both special education instruction and related services, including outside related service providers, as stipulated on IEPs/504 plans, including consistent IEP Goal progress monitoring
- Ensure compliance by the school with all local and Federal laws and regulations relating to students with IEPs/504 plans and students referred to special education
- Facilitate IEP meetings in partnership with the DOE by using a strengths-based and family-centered approach
- Lead and manage child study teams to develop Response to Intervention (RTI) plans to support students academically, behaviorally, and socially
- Observe the implementation of research-based interventions and integrated co-teaching models to diagnose challenges and provide effective feedback to ensure student academic improvement
- Provide coaching and teacher development on student support best practices by co-facilitating Intellectual Planning meetings with the Academic Deans in Math and ELA to support differentiated and IEP goal instruction within lesson plans; Observe weekly implementation of lessons and provide feedback
- Collaborate with Mental Health Providers when onboarding paraprofessionals for their grade bands (BIPs, Parent Communication, School Culture) and ensure alignment on student needs adjusting IEPs as needed (i.e., FBAs, BIPs, Placement)
- Provide coaching and teacher development on best practices for student support by leading Special Education Department Meetings and coaching Learning Specialists
Special Education Department Chair/Coordinator
DREAM Charter School
New York, NY
08.2020 - 06.2023
- Oversee/manage a caseload of 70-100 special education students and the implementation of their IEP/504 plans in inclusive and pull-out settings
- Ensure compliance by the school with all local and Federal laws and regulation relating to students with IEPs/504 plans and students referred to special education
- Facilitate IEP meetings using a strengths-based and family centered approach
- Ensure IEPs are developmentally appropriate, curriculum/standards-based, strength-based, relevant to individual students and incorporated into the daily lesson plans
- Monitor implementation of RTI plans and Behavior Intervention Plans through observation and feedback and provide support in facilitation of scholar talk meetings
- Provide professional developments and technical assistance to teachers and related service providers on all aspects of IEP management
- Teach and progress monitor a caseload of students to determine strengths and needs, analyze data, provide and plan interventions with fidelity
Speech-Language Pathologist
DREAM Charter School
New York, NY
07.2018 - 06.2021
- Provide speech and language therapy according to student needs in grades K-8
- Support students with diverse and multiple disabilities including articulation/phonological disorders, childhood apraxia, language impairments, Autism, hearing loss, ADHD, seizure disorders, fluency disorders, selective mutism, and learning disabilities
- Maintain documentation of treatment sessions and student progress and write IEP reports including student's present level of performance, goals, and recommendations
- Provide professional development to and collaborate with general education teachers, school leaders, and other service providers
4th Grade 12:1:1 Lead Teacher
Success Academy Charter Schools
New York, NY
07.2017 - 06.2018
- Developed and implemented differentiated instruction strategies to accommodate diverse learning styles, resulting in increased student engagement and success
- Communicated frequently with parents, students, and faculty to provide feedback and discuss instructional strategies
- Design and implement behavior modification systems
- Assess students' abilities based on the results of state/district assessments and use data to track students' academic progress
- Collaborate with school administrators, parents, and teachers in designing and implementing individualized education plans for students
Speech-Language Pathologist
Success Academy Charter Schools
New York, NY
08.2011 - 06.2017
- Provide speech and language therapy to students with diverse and multiple disabilities including articulation/phonological disorders, childhood apraxia, language impairments, Autism, hearing loss, ADHD, seizure disorders, fluency disorders, selective mutism, and learning disabilities
- Identify and address the needs of struggling students through Response to Intervention
- Provide professional development to and collaborate with general education teachers, school leaders, and other service providers
- Write IEP reports including student's present level of performance, goals, and recommendations
- Administer formal speech and language testing for initial and triennial evaluations for all schools in network
Speech-Language Pathologist
Achievements
Latham, NY
05.2009 - 07.2011
- Provide community-based and school-based speech and language services through EI, CPSE, and CSE to children with a variety of communication disorders, including expressive and receptive disorders, articulation disorders, ADHD, auditory processing disorders, and autism
- Administer informal and formal assessment tools for annual student reviews and initial evaluations
- Conduct 2-3 multidisciplinary evaluations per week
- Develop formal evaluation reports, IEPs, IFSPs, treatment goals and clinical recommendations
- Communicate student progress and carry-over techniques to parents and families
Education
Master of Science in Education - Communication Sciences And Disorders
The College of Saint Rose
Albany, NY05.2009
Bachelor of Science - Communication Sciences And Disorders
The College of Saint Rose
Albany, NY08.2007
Credentials
- ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP), 2010
- NYS Licensure in Speech-Language Pathology, 2010
- NYS Teacher of Students with Speech and Language Disabilities (TSSLD), 2009
Timeline
Interim Network Director of Student Support
DREAM Charter School
04.2024 - Current
Dean of Student Support
DREAM Charter School
07.2023 - Current
Special Education Department Chair/Coordinator
DREAM Charter School
08.2020 - 06.2023
Speech-Language Pathologist
DREAM Charter School
07.2018 - 06.2021
4th Grade 12:1:1 Lead Teacher
Success Academy Charter Schools
07.2017 - 06.2018
Speech-Language Pathologist
Success Academy Charter Schools
08.2011 - 06.2017
Speech-Language Pathologist
Achievements
05.2009 - 07.2011
Master of Science in Education - Communication Sciences And Disorders
The College of Saint Rose
Bachelor of Science - Communication Sciences And Disorders
The College of Saint Rose