Colleen Wessling
Omaha,NE
Summary
An upbeat 2nd grade teacher devoted to promoting student learning and enhancing individual potential. Skillful in directing classroom environments and enhancing student behavior through positive and forward-thinking approaches. Caring relationship-builder with analytical mindset and good decision-making skills.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
2nd Grade Teacher
Omaha Public Schools/Ashland Park Robbins
08.2022 - Current
- Built positive relationships with parents to involve families in educational process.
- Taught students subject-specific material, learning strategies, and social skills.
- Planned lessons according to district standards to cover requirements and prepare for standardized tests.
- Implemented classroom management improvements to enhance class morale and engagement.
- Assessed student progress by administering tests and evaluating results.
- Kept classroom clean, organized, and safe for students and visitors.
- Collaborated with administrators on classroom policies, management strategies, and discipline.
- Stayed abreast of new trends in education by attending professional development courses and in-service trainings.
- Sourced supplies to fill gaps in student activities.
- Prepared materials for lessons, assignments, and assessments, and evaluated, corrected and graded student performance to identify gaps in skills or knowledge and set realistic goals.
- Communicated student progress, academic difficulties, or behavioral concerns to parents, guardians and administration using tact and professionalism to improve student academic performance.
- Helped students develop self-esteem and life skills by fostering healthy conflict-resolution, critical thinking, and communication.
- Worked one-on-one with students to determine strengths, weaknesses, and learning patterns.
- Provided individualized and diversified instruction to support student comprehension and assist with navigating challenges.
- Developed and implemented discipline strategies to maintain classroom order.
- Maintained student portfolios to monitor learning progress and completion of work required for promotion to next grade level.
- Adapted lessons to differentiate instruction and meet students' diverse learning needs and abilities.
- Provided regular feedback to students on progress and assigned grades based on performance.
- Organized classroom supplies and decorated walls to create fun, nurturing settings, and meet learning needs.
Early Childhood Special Education Teacher
Omaha Public Schools/Ashland Park Robbins
01.2015 - 05.2022
- Led activities that developed students' physical, emotional, and social growth.
- Instructed students with physical and cognitive disabilities.
- Created and managed IEPs to define student learning objectives and educational strategies, in addition to applying instructional knowledge and methods to support goals.
- Coordinated special education students and teacher assistant schedules with master schedule.
- Taught students across multiple classifications and degrees of special needs.
- Cultivated connections and strong student rapport to foster classroom engagement, in addition to recording student progress to inform parents and school administration.
- Worked with students with moderate to severe autism to increase life skills.
- Engaged students with specialized play and educational activities to boost learning.
- Developed and taught engaging and developmentally appropriate lesson plans to differentiate needs for learners.
- Established safe play environment for students.
- Administered, interpreted and reported student evaluations to parents and guardians.
- Assessed student achievement through data analysis and maintained appropriate documentation for school-based and individual reporting purposes.
- Prepared, scheduled and led IEPs to provide right help to meet child's present needs.
- Redirected poor behavior using positive reinforcement method, resulting in decrease in tantrums in classroom.
- Implemented positive discipline strategies to manage student behavior and build relationships.
- Encouraged students to take ownership of learning by providing choices.
Education
Master of Arts - Special Education
University of Nebraska At Kearney
Kearney, NE05.2019
Bachelor of Science - Early Childhood Education
Grand Canyon University
Phoenix, AZ12.2014
Skills
- Safety Awareness
- Problem-Solving Skills
- Team Collaboration
- Classroom Management
- Activity Planning
- Relationship Building
- Standardized Tests
- Organizational Skills
- Parent-Teacher Communication
- Lesson Planning
- Behavior Management
- Differentiated Instruction
Timeline
2nd Grade Teacher
Omaha Public Schools/Ashland Park Robbins
08.2022 - Current
Early Childhood Special Education Teacher
Omaha Public Schools/Ashland Park Robbins
01.2015 - 05.2022
Master of Arts - Special Education
University of Nebraska At Kearney
Bachelor of Science - Early Childhood Education
Grand Canyon University
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