Chastity Engelstad
Savage,MN
Summary
Experienced and passionate educator with a strong background in guiding teams, managing projects, and using data to make decisions. Excels in developing efficient processes, ensuring high standards for inclusion, and aligning efforts with organizational goals. Known for flexibility, adaptability, independent working skills, organization, and building relationships.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Professional Development Facilitator
Brightworks
07.2023 - Current
- Supported early childhood (special education) leaders with the implementation of evidence based practices.
- Collaborated in the development of Community of Practice groups promoting critical thinking and problem-solving skills for leaders and coaches.
- Created tools to facilitate data based decision making.
- Provided coaching and mentoring to early childhood leaders to support programmatic decisions.
- Facilitated virtual and in-person sessions, utilizing Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams.
- Attended professional development conferences and interagency work staying current on educational trends in early childhood special education and other low incidence fields.
- Participated in projects and groups moving work forward through systems change.
Special Education Coordinator
Wayzata Public Schools
08.2022 - 06.2023
- Supported teachers, student support teams, and paraprofessionals in implementing strategies to meet needs of students with IEPs.
- Partnered with student support teams to evaluate students considered for eligibility under Other Health Disabilities.
- Created a training for staff on best practices for accommodating diverse learners, fostering inclusive school culture.
- Collaborated with district motor team to develop a collection of resources identifying accessible parks and community activities.
- Provide one on one mentoring for new special education teachers across three elementary sites.
- Provided monthly professional development for paraprofessionals based on team and site needs.
- Monitored caseload data for planning purposes.
- Advocated for appropriate resources and supports necessary for special education students to succeed academically and socially.
- Coached and observed new teachers to improve teaching techniques.
- Used SPED Forms to maintain student records and prepare reports.
- Led and managed child study teams to develop interventions to support students academically and socially.
Early Childhood Special Education District Program Facilitator
Minneapolis Public Schools
04.2021 - 08.2022
- Provided one on one mentoring for new teachers.
- Collected and monitored caseload data for program wide decision making.
- Collaborated with fellow facilitators to create an equitable caseload tracking system.
- Organized and allocated resources required to meet needs of students for compensatory education.
- Planned and implemented staff development.
- Created and led due process office hours to support new case managers.
- Met the demands of the district by substitute teaching in various K-12 special education settings.
- Served as a Quality Compensation observer and participated in a combined effort to adapt the Charlotte Danielson rubric for Early Childhood Special Education.
Early Childhood Special Education Teacher/Physical and Health Disabilities Teacher
Minneapolis Public Schools
08.2016 - 04.2021
- Conducted evaluations and provided intervention for children birth to five years of age.
- Served as Physical and Health Disabilities Teacher for students in early childhood through Kindergarten.
- Worked closely with school nursing team to develop strategies supporting the initial evaluation of students with physical impairments.
- Collaborated with other district Physical and Health Disability teachers to develop process to support the needs of students Birth to 21.
- Served as a member of the early childhood special education equity team.
- Mentored new teachers, providing guidance and support with special education due process requirements, coaching caregivers, and working with interpreters.
- Provided technology distribution and ongoing support for families during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Early Childhood Special Education Teacher
Eastern Carver County Schools
07.2010 - 08.2016
- Conducted evaluations and provided intervention for children birth to three years of age.
- Served as peer trainer for Family Guided Routines Based Intervention.
- Participated in internal Part C due process compliance and monitoring with lead team
- Participated in group presentation at the Division of Early Childhood Conference on Structuring Flexible Home Visits.
- Supported evaluations for students with Physical Impairments in partnership with the district Physical and Health Disabilities teacher.
Education
Education Specialist - Educational Administration
Minnesota State University- Mankato
Mankato, MN05-2024
Master of Science - Early Childhood Special Education
St. Cloud State University
St. Cloud, MN01.2007
Bachelor of Science - Speech Language Hearing Sciences
Minnesota State University
Moorhead, MN08-1998
Skills
- Effective Facilitation Methods
- Mentoring Others
- Evaluation Techniques
- Coaching Expertise
- Flexible Learning Approaches
- E-Learning Platforms
- Effective Public Speaking
- Understanding Adult Learning Frameworks
- Needs Analysis
Accomplishments
- Served as parent member of the Early Intensive Developmental and Behavioral Intervention (EIDBI) Advisory Group.
- Received MN Division of Early Childhood Professional of the Year Award.
- Trained in using various types of assistive technology including: DynaVox, Snap Core, Dragon Speech Recognition software, and EeZee Mouse.
- Co-authored a grant proposal for the Safety Net Program in Scott County to support those at risk for wandering and elopement.
Timeline
Professional Development Facilitator
Brightworks
07.2023 - Current
Special Education Coordinator
Wayzata Public Schools
08.2022 - 06.2023
Early Childhood Special Education District Program Facilitator
Minneapolis Public Schools
04.2021 - 08.2022
Early Childhood Special Education Teacher/Physical and Health Disabilities Teacher
Minneapolis Public Schools
08.2016 - 04.2021
Early Childhood Special Education Teacher
Eastern Carver County Schools
07.2010 - 08.2016
Education Specialist - Educational Administration
Minnesota State University- Mankato
Master of Science - Early Childhood Special Education
St. Cloud State University
Bachelor of Science - Speech Language Hearing Sciences
Minnesota State University
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