Courtney Scherer
Norwich,CT
Summary
A versatile and dedicated educator with a focus on the individual needs of special education students, with emphasis on students with reading challenges. Empathetic and accommodating in the design and implementation of engaging lessons. Exceptional skills working with teachers, parents, and specialists to meet the educational needs of students.
Overview
5
5
years of professional experience
Work History
Instructional Coordinator
Norwich Public Schools
08.2025 - Current
- Supporting teachers with implementing high-quality instruction such as structured literacy programs
- Presented to faculty about supporting students with accommodations/modifications in the classroom and how to help students be successful in the classroom
- Providing teachers with guidance on how to change instruction to meet students’ individual needs and help them progress
- Advocating for high quality specialized instruction within the entire school district
- Conducting Professional Development on the importance of systematic reading instruction that connects to science of reading and guiding our instruction to improve student’s reading success
Head Soccer Coach
Norwich Public Schools
07.2023 - Current
- I fostered a culture of sportsmanship by modeling fairness, kindness, and positivity
- I motivated the athletes to do their personal best while improving their game skill
- I created practice schedules that included fun drills allowing athletes to be engaged and excited about playing soccer
- I focused on fundamental skill development to introduce new players to soccer
- I tailored practice activities to the skills level of individual players and the progression of the team as a whole
- I have knowledge of the games rules and regulations to keep my athletes in compliance
- I have built great relationships with all my players to make them feel at ease to continue learning the game
Reading Institute Teacher
Norwich Public Schools
07.2023 - Current
- Identified where students were at for their reading instruction using the WADE (Wilson Reading)
- Started teaching based on their wade assessment
- I worked on fluency, decoding, encoding, and overall reading skills
- Helped students become strong and confident readers
- I have made substantial progress with this system over consistent daily lessons
Special Education Teacher
Kelly STEAM Magnet Middle School
Norwich, USA
08.2021 - Current
- Assess students’ skills and determine their educational needs
- Collaborate with General Education teachers to best support student’s needs
- Hold reading interventions to address student’s IEP goals
- Update IEPs throughout the school year to reflect students’ progress and goals
- Supervise and mentor teacher assistants who work with students with disabilities
- Consistently communicate with parents on the progress of their students
- Collaborate with team members to support student’s success with academics and social emotional
- Participate in PPTs to be a collaborative team member to support student’s ongoing learning
- Case manage each of my students on caseload to complete paperwork, progress updates, collaboration, instruction modifications or accommodations.
- I have consistently been implementing the Wilson reading program to struggling readers and have continued success with my students during reading intervention
- I have led PDs to all teachers to advocate for consistent systematic multisensory reading instruction across grade levels
- I have mentored new teachers regarding instructional practices, IEPs, and best practices within special education
- I am also a TEAM mentor for new teachers to guide them through the next certification process while supporting them with instructional practices, IEPs, and questions they have in their current teaching position
- Located in Norwich, CT, focused on STEAM education.
Special Education Teacher
Killingly Central School
Killingly, USA
08.2020 - 06.2021
- Assess students’ skills and determine their educational needs
- Update IEPs throughout the school year to reflect students’ progress and goals
- Supervise and mentor teacher assistants who work with students with disabilities
- Consistently communicate with parents on the progress of their students and enlist parental support with behavior control and home activities designed to supplement their classroom lessons
- Collaborate with team members to support student’s success with academics and social emotional
- Participate in PPTs to be a collaborative team member to support student’s ongoing learning
- Case manage each of my students on caseload to complete paperwork, progress updates, collaboration, instruction modifications or accommodations.
- Located in Killingly, CT, focused on special education.
Education
MA - Special Education
UCONN Avery Point
Groton, CT05.2020
BS - Educational Studies
Wheelock College
Boston, MA05.2017
Skills
- Motivating Students
- Differentiated Instruction
- De-Escalation techniques
- Instructional design
- Lesson Planning
- Creating Meaningful relationships
- Systematic reading instruction expert
- Mentoring support
- Student engagement
- Collaborative planning
References
- Laura Gray
- Wendy Mclaughlin
- Rebecca Arrigoni
- Erin Paridis
Timeline
Instructional Coordinator
Norwich Public Schools
08.2025 - Current
Head Soccer Coach
Norwich Public Schools
07.2023 - Current
Reading Institute Teacher
Norwich Public Schools
07.2023 - Current
Special Education Teacher
Kelly STEAM Magnet Middle School
08.2021 - Current
Special Education Teacher
Killingly Central School
08.2020 - 06.2021
MA - Special Education
UCONN Avery Point
BS - Educational Studies
Wheelock College