Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
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Christina Falkenstein

New Haven,CT

Summary

Dedicated to bridging the gaps between inclusion, mainstream classrooms and the home. Committed to preserving dignity and respect amongst my students and peers, while striving to improve the overall impact inclusivity brings to the classroom.


Career Goal: To help students with disabilities learn to participate and have productive control in their education, life skills, and community goals. To teach them the skills to participate in their lives at their highest independent level.


Overview

12
12
years of professional experience

Work History

DSAP Special Education Teacher

Benhaven Inc.
06.2022 - Current
  • Promote and maintain a safe, inclusive and trustworthy learning environment that promotes independence and dignity.
  • DSAP Teacher- high school self-contained classroom of 11 students as well as overseeing 9 instructional assistants. This highly structured and individualized program caters to students who would otherwise to out placed to various placements. Students range in ability and IQ and the majority carry and Autism diagnosis.
  • Developed IEPs tailored to individual student needs, ensuring their academic success and personal growth.
  • Created and managed IEPs to define student learning objectives and educational strategies, in addition to applying instructional knowledge and methods to support goals.
  • Promoted a positive learning environment through the use of differentiated instruction and individualized support for diverse learners.
  • Modified general education curriculum for special-needs students using various instructional techniques and technologies.
  • Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities focused on evidence-based practices in special education teaching methodologies.
  • Evaluated student progress regularly using various assessment methods, ensuring accurate measurement of skill development and areas requiring additional support.
  • Coordinated with general education teachers to develop accommodations or modifications necessary for successful inclusion of students with special needs in mainstream classrooms.
  • Completed required coursework to complete teaching certification; EdTPA, state exams, coursework.
  • Anticipated Certification Spring 2024

Behaviorist, In Home Support

Individual And Family Support, Benhaven Inc.
05.2020 - 06.2022
  • Developed strong rapport with clients, establishing trust and promoting engagement in therapeutic activities.
  • Provide families the knowledge and supports needed to navigate post twenty-two and state agencies Helping families understand the services provided by state agencies like the Department of Disability Services, the Department of Social Services, and Department of Children and Families.
  • Provide direct support to individuals with pervasive developmental disabilities. Implementing planned programs to individuals in the home and community. Completing Functional Behaviors and Life skills assessments to plan and program for individual needs, while working closely with case managers, caretakers, and direct care instructors.
  • Teaching and applying job coaching, life skills coaching, activities of daily living, mentoring, supported opportunities for further education, community involvement and employment. Supervising direct care instructors on programming, maintaining data and effective communication.

Lead Registered Behavior Technician

Benhaven Academy, Benhaven Inc.
09.2015 - 05.2020
  • Developed strong rapport with clients, fostering trust and positive working relationships throughout the therapeutic process.
  • Implementing Discrete Trial Instruction to children ranging in ages from four to twenty-one. Development of new targets, analyzing data, changing program to new targets, and writing reports to reflect and document progress.
  • Collaborate with supervising BCBA’s to complete assessments, develop goals and objectives, and create or make changes to positive behavior support plans. Collaborate with supervising BCBA’s utilizing curriculum and IEP to develop educational programs.
  • Support students directly in public school setting and provide direction educational support to students at The Hospital for Special Care- Autism Inpatient Unit. Maintaining and adhering to hospital guidelines. Collaborate with school staff, and hospital staff to collect and analyze data, recommend new areas of learning and/or behavioral change at team meetings. Work alongside staff to create a safe supportive educational environment.
  • Assess data, create graphs, and recommend to the team adjustment of positive support plans. Create schedules for school staff as well as direct support staff for student schedules. Collaborate with school and district teams for students IEP goals and objectives and positive behavior plans. Report quarterly progress for IEP objectives. Keep up to date with documents for students, including, current IEP’s, support plans, token boards, etc.

Direct Care, In Home Support

Self-employeed
04.2014 - 01.2017
  • Assisted clients with daily living activities, resulting in increased independence and comfort.
  • Under the supervision on board certified behavior analysist, carry out and implement goals and objectives determined by FBA. Work closely and collaboratively with family to give student opportunities to participate positively and actively in the community. Develop recreational activities to teach independence skills To help student gain independence at home and in the community, develop learning opportunities to practice safety, money skills and ADL’s. Teach family how to use and implement programs with the individual
  • Performed basic household chores such as cleaning and laundry to maintain a clean, comfortable, and organized living environment for clients.
  • Empowered clients to maintain their dignity during personal care tasks through respectful communication techniques and discretion when handling sensitive situations.

Teaching Assistant

Benhaven Academy, Benhaven Inc.
09.2012 - 09.2015
  • Assisted teachers with classroom management and document coordination to maintain positive learning environment.
  • Support students ranging in ages from four to eighteen. Implement behavior support plans while under the direct supervision of Special Education Teachers and Board Certified Behavior Analysts. Support student in both The Benhaven Academy as well as in public school districts Effectively help children learn to communicate and express their wants to needs. Communicate with district staff to adequately provide

Clinical Assistant

Social Learning Center
09.2013 - 06.2014
  • Support clinical staff with designing lesson plans geared toward each client’s needs. Working in both small groups and individually. Follow Social Thinking Curriculum created by Michelle Garcia Winner. Helping students build social connections in home and school settings.

Intern

Benhaven Academy, Benhaven Inc.
01.2012 - 06.2012
  • Interacted with students under supervision of classroom teachers as well as class support staff. Working with children ranging in ages from five to twelve having various cognitive abilities. Learned to implement and follow specific behavior support plans. Follow the lead of trained support staff to help assist both students and staff in the safest and most effective way possible.

Education

Teacher Certification Program - Comprehensive Special Education, K-12(165)

Southern Connecticut State University
New Haven, CT
05.2024

Master of Science - Austism And Applied Behavior Analysis

University of Saint Joseph
West Hartford, CT
05.2019

Bachelor of Arts - Psychology/ Mental Health

Southern Connecticut State University
New Haven, CT
05.2012

Skills

  • Differentiated Instruction and Instructional Strategies
  • Classroom Management
  • Individual Education Plans IEPs
  • Co-teaching Experience
  • Collaborative Teamwork
  • Data Management
  • Inclusion Strategies
  • Parent Communication

Timeline

DSAP Special Education Teacher

Benhaven Inc.
06.2022 - Current

Behaviorist, In Home Support

Individual And Family Support, Benhaven Inc.
05.2020 - 06.2022

Lead Registered Behavior Technician

Benhaven Academy, Benhaven Inc.
09.2015 - 05.2020

Direct Care, In Home Support

Self-employeed
04.2014 - 01.2017

Clinical Assistant

Social Learning Center
09.2013 - 06.2014

Teaching Assistant

Benhaven Academy, Benhaven Inc.
09.2012 - 09.2015

Intern

Benhaven Academy, Benhaven Inc.
01.2012 - 06.2012

Teacher Certification Program - Comprehensive Special Education, K-12(165)

Southern Connecticut State University

Master of Science - Austism And Applied Behavior Analysis

University of Saint Joseph

Bachelor of Arts - Psychology/ Mental Health

Southern Connecticut State University

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Christina Falkenstein