Chioma P. Okonkwo
Medford,NY
Summary
Empathetic behavior and special needs professional with proven track record of helping clients improve mental health and well-being through evidence-based therapeutic approaches. Skilled in selecting and utilizing appropriate treatment modalities and interventions to meet needs of individuals. Passionate about helping people manage mental health and improve quality of life.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Behavior Specialist Consultant
Nassau BOCES
10.2022 - Current
- Conducts Functional Behavior Assessments (FBAs) and skill-based assessments.
- Assesses patient behavior, moods, and other responses to determine correct diagnosis to develop and maintain individualized treatment plans and behavior intervention plans.
- Guides clients in effective therapeutic exercises integrated from Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).
- Collaborates with families, caregivers, educators, and other service providers
- Provides comprehensive case management services, created treatment plans, and connected clients and families to appropriate resources.
- Collaborates with other professionals to coordinate comprehensive care for clients.
- Develop goal-oriented psychoeducational and activity therapy groups to improve clients' level of functioning.
- Adheres to ethical and legal standards for confidentiality, protecting clients' privacy.
Special Education Coordinator
NYC DOE
10.2016 - Current
- Provides research-based specialized trainings to address instructional goals and objectives contained within each student’s IEP.
- Assesses student progress and determines need for additional reinforcement or adjustments to instructional techniques.
- Supported general education teachers and administrators in implementing strategies to meet needs of students with IEPs.
- Collaborated with families to provide resources for children outside of school district.
- Develops and implements annual Individualized Educational Program (IEP) plans for students to include: present levels of educational performance, special education needs, instructional goals and objectives, and special education and related services required to meet those goals.
- Facilitated IEP meetings by using family-centered, strength-based approach.
- Assists teachers to assess students learning and understanding both formally and informally.
- Coached and observed over 50 teachers to improve teaching techniques.
- Collaborates with numerous departments and 18 standard education teachers.
- Redirected poor behavior using positive reinforcement method, resulting in 28% decrease in tantrums in classroom.
School of Education Adjunct Professor
St. John's University, School of Education
08.2011 - Current
- Teaches data analysis and educational research courses, providing instruction to up to 85 graduate and undergraduate students.
- Participates in course and program assessment and made improvements in teaching.
- Collaborates with dean to assess and evaluate courses and programs in appropriate discipline.
- Creates dynamic learning environment that valued instructor and student interaction.
- Provides high-quality, evidence-based instruction.
- Identifies research opportunities for students, assisting with gathering data and drawing conclusions for projects.
- Establishes and maintains scholarly research program that provided research opportunities for students.
- Supervises students' fieldwork, internship, and research work.
- Mentors and advises college students in academic and professional pursuits.
- Provided research support to School of Education’s Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC).
- Leads the team on the Annual Doctoral Symposium for School of Education
- Collaborates with directors of Non-Public Leadership Program to organize Capstone review for students in School Building and School District programs.
Education
Ph.D. - Adaptive Behavior Analysis
Florida Institute of Technology
Melbourne, FL12-2025
Master of Science - Special Education
Long Island University
Brooklyn, NY05.2020
Ph.D. - Administration & Supervision
St. John's University
Queens, NY05.2016
Master of Science - School Building Leadership
St. John's University
Queens, NY09.2013
Master of Science - Curriculum And Instruction
University of Lagos
Akoka12-2010
Bachelor of Science - Political Science
Nnamdi Azikiwe University
Lagos, Nigeria05.2005
Skills
- Qualitative research
- Applied behavior analysis
- Experimental design
- Scientific writing
- Literature review
- Crisis intervention strategies
- Behavioral health assessment
- Survey design
- Research procedures
Certification
- Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development
- American Educational Research Association
- Autism Partnership Foundation
- BCAT - Board Certified Autism Technician
Accomplishments
- Trained fellow teachers on the procedures for completing Individual Education Plans.
- Collaborated with team of eight instructional leadership team members in the professional development of Advanced Literacies Framework for Instructional Leadership (D29).
- Collaborated with team of 60 (D29) Assistant Principals and Lead teachers in the professional development of Accelerating Learning in a Blended Environment.
Affiliations
- American Educational Research Association (AERA)
- Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD)
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Behavior Specialist Consultant
Nassau BOCES
10.2022 - Current
Special Education Coordinator
NYC DOE
10.2016 - Current
School of Education Adjunct Professor
St. John's University, School of Education
08.2011 - Current
Ph.D. - Administration & Supervision
St. John's University
Master of Science - School Building Leadership
St. John's University
Ph.D. - Adaptive Behavior Analysis
Florida Institute of Technology
Master of Science - Special Education
Long Island University
Master of Science - Curriculum And Instruction
University of Lagos
Bachelor of Science - Political Science
Nnamdi Azikiwe University
Similar Profiles
Elizabeth O'ByrneElizabeth O'Byrne
Special Education Teachers Aide at Nassau BOCESSpecial Education Teachers Aide at Nassau BOCES
James CapozziJames Capozzi
Teacher Aide (1:1) at Nassau BOCESTeacher Aide (1:1) at Nassau BOCES
MaryJo BallMaryJo Ball
Special Education Teacher at Nassau BOCESSpecial Education Teacher at Nassau BOCES
Sophia HunteSophia Hunte
Customer Service Sales Clerk at United States Postal Service, USPSCustomer Service Sales Clerk at United States Postal Service, USPS
Sarowar HossainSarowar Hossain
Lead Office Associate at JefferiesLead Office Associate at Jefferies