Cicely Sims

• Provides American Sign Language instruction to university students using a virtual platform and curriculum created by Deaf/ Hard of Hearing individuals.

• Developed strong relationships with students, parents, and colleagues (including educational audiologist and psychologist) by maintaining open lines of communication and fostering a supportive learning environment.
• Facilitated virtual sessions with students to support academic achievement and provide self-advocacy skills lessons.
• Participated in required IEP meetings and conducted testing for eligibility purposes.

• Serves the community at large by providing access to functional modes of communication and educates service providers who have patrons who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing.
• Empower Deaf and Hard of Hearing Individuals through improved language and communication access.
• Teaches self-advocacy skills to DHH students operating in predominantly Hearing/Auditory environments while providing deaf awareness training to those who interact with them.
• Provides comprehensive educational services to DHH students using virtual platforms while working collaboratively with other DHH professionals (i.e. Interpreters for the Deaf/Speech Pathologist) .

Provided virtual and in-person Deaf/Hard of Hearing services to student

Developed individualized communication services to students with specialized language needs

Implemented research based language practices for students who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing

Participated in the IEP process for Deaf/Hard of Hearing Students

• Worked cooperatively with other teachers, administrators, and parents to help students reach learning objectives for deaf/hard of hearing students.
• Incorporated multiple types of teaching strategies into to develop an online interactive platform and collaborative space
• Incorporated exciting and engaging activities to achieve student participation and virtual learning.
• Conducted evaluations to measure performance and progress of students, providing guidance for areas requiring improvement and participated in IEP meetings virtually.

• Provided academic support to students who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing across all content areas
• Conducted in-service trainings to general education staff concerning appropriate accommodations and modifications for Deaf/Hard of Hearing students in general education setting
• Taught American Sign Language levels I and II in general education setting for foreign language credit

• Monitored student performance to evaluate effectiveness of instructional strategies.
• Developed Individual Education Plans for students with special needs.
• Utilized technology to create meaningful lessons that engage students.
• Applied proven strategies to improve students' sensory- and perceptual-motor skills.

• Provided specialized instruction in hearing-related areas of: auditory training, vocabulary development, social skill development, hearing aid/FM use and maintenance, and Deaf/Hard of Hearing positive coping strategies/self-advocacy
• Provided general education staff pertinent information Deaf/Hard of Hearing students' needs in general education setting

• Managed a caseload of children from the time of referral up to and throughout the Individual Education Plans (IEP) placement process.
• Conducted educational evaluations as a part of multidisciplinary team.
• Utilized data and results to create IEPs and determined appropriate educational placements for eligible children.

• Taught 6th grade Special/Deaf Education: Math, Language Arts, Social Studies, and Science
• Completed lesson planning and development; curriculum implementation; monitored the progress of students with IEPs; common assessment development; tracked students' weekly progress; instructed in small group resource classrooms and mainstream general education classrooms
• Helped deaf/hard of hearing students integrate into general classroom environments by advocating for individual requirements and helping teachers solve problems.

• Allowed for ample outdoor discovery time in schedule each day.
• Established positive communication with parents in daily conversation and formal conferences.
• Developed weekly lesson plans and activities to engage children and promote learning.