Dawn Curley
HOLLIS,NH
Summary
With 15 years of teaching experience, including six years as a history co-teacher, I bring a proven ability to address diverse learning styles and challenges effectively. My strong written and verbal communication skills foster meaningful connections with students, parents, and colleagues. Known for my compassionate, team-oriented approach, I excel at multitasking and working collaboratively to help students build on their strengths and achieve academic success in the history classroom.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Special Education Teacher
Westford Public Schools
09.2024 - Current
- Provide individualized academic support to students based on their unique learning needs, styles, and educational backgrounds, ensuring they achieve their fullest potential
- Collaborate with teachers during team meetings to share effective strategies and tools that enhance student success
- Offer instruction to help students develop organizational skills, plan and complete long-term assignments, and strengthen math and writing skills
- Tailor interventions to support students requiring short-term, targeted assistance to meet their academic goals
- Teach executive functioning skills for organizing, time management, test taking skills
Special Education Reading Teacher
Groton-Dunstable Middle School
09.2022 - 06.2024
- Implemented the Wilson Reading System to provide structured literacy instruction for students with dyslexia and reading difficulties.
- Conducted comprehensive assessments, such as the WADE, TOWRE-2, GORT-5, WIAT-4, and CTOPP-2, to evaluate students' reading abilities and identify instructional needs.
- Developed individualized learning plans tailored to each student's specific needs and learning styles.
- Planned and delivered engaging lessons utilizing multisensory techniques to teach phonemic awareness, decoding, encoding, fluency, and comprehension skills.
- Monitored students' progress regularly, adjusted instruction to address areas of difficulty, and promoted skill development, including preparing quarterly individual progress reports.
Special Education Team Chair
Gibbs School
01.2022 - 06.2023
- Chairs team meetings: eligibility determination for initial and re-evaluation meetings
- Annual reviews
- Reviews all IEP testing reports prior to the meeting; Sets due dates for receipt of written evaluation reports; summarizes key results, records parent concerns and team vision, drafts PLEP A and B with input from Team
- Assures alignment of all sections of IEP
- Oversees goals, ensures FAPE (free and appropriate education); Ensures that the Team identifies and provides educationally relevant and required services
- Responsible for content/service delivery/placement of final IEP incorporating input from the team meetings
- Finalizes IEPs per district protocols
- Review progress reports
- Oversees adherence to entrance/exit criteria for programs, and services
- Monitors all students monthly who have Services Only IEPs in private tuition schools
- Provides monthly reports to coordinator numbers of students on IEPs at the building level including private pay students
Special Education History Co-Teacher (Grades6-8)
Ottoson Middle School/Gibbs School
09.2016 - 01.2022
- Taught World History, focusing on ancient civilizations and major events leading up to the medieval period. Covered World Geography and Ancient Civilizations, examining the past through the lens of diverse cultures and regions. Additionally, instructed on the foundational principles of the United States government, its historical development, and the institutions that define it.
- Supported students in exploring the origins of humans, ancient civilizations, world geography, and the interactions between people, the environment, and climate.
- Facilitated lessons on the evolution of societies and the interconnectedness of historical events, emphasizing critical thinking and global context.
- Designed and implemented dynamic history projects, including timelines, multimedia presentations, and research exhibits, to foster creative analysis of historical events.
- Delivered academic support through learning center classes, reinforcing key historical concepts and connecting them to modern-day events.
- Developed differentiated instructional strategies to help students access historical content, explore key developments, and achieve IEP goals and benchmarks.
- Collaborated with general education teachers to apply inclusive co-teaching models, such as parallel and team teaching, ensuring all learners were supported effectively.
- Emphasized thematic instruction on significant periods in U.S. and world history, such as Reconstruction, Industrialization, and ancient civilizations.
- Integrated primary documents, multimedia, and graphic organizers to deepen students' understanding of historical events and their global relevance.
- Regularly monitored student progress, adjusted instruction as needed, and provided detailed quarterly progress reports.
- Maintained strong interpersonal relationships with students, parents, and staff, fostering open communication and a shared commitment to student success.
Wilson Reading Teacher
Gibbs School
07.2020 - 08.2020
- Provided Wilson Reading services to students during the extended school year program
- Completed end-of-summer progress reports for identified students
- Effectively implemented WRS Steps1-12 with students who were reading and spelling below grade level, as well as those diagnosed with a language-based learning disability, such as dyslexia
Special Education Teacher Grade1
Hopewell Crest School
09.2015 - 06.2016
- Co-taught Teacher-Provided an inviting, exciting, innovative, and challenging learning environment
- Designed and implemented curriculum-based multi-sensory lesson plans for all subject areas
- Created a classroom environment to motivate all learners and developed a warm and inclusive classroom environment
- Developed and taught clear and engaging lessons
- Provided individual/small group instruction for students who required additional academic support
- Enhanced student academic and social growth by using varied activities and teaching strategies
Long Term Special Education Substitute Teacher Grades3/4
Hopewell Crest School
01.2015 - 06.2015
- Small Group Learning Teacher who provided a high level of support and structure to meet academic, social, behavioral, and communication needs
- Developed lesson plans and other resource materials
- Translated lesson plans into learning experiences to develop pertinent sequential assignments and modifications to meet individual students' levels
- Conducted ongoing assessment of student learning and progress and modified instructional methods to fit individual students’ needs
Substitute Teacher K-8
Hopewell Crest School
09.2014 - 01.2015
- Filled in for permanent teachers
- Ability to adapt lesson plans/instruction techniques for students with special needs if lesson plans were not provided
- Closely adhered to lesson plans and had effective classroom management
- Motivated students to be engaged and focused
- Awarded school district’s substitute teacher of the year
Special Education Teacher-PreK-12
Learning Prep School
09.1996 - 06.2002
- Head of Department
- Responsible for Massachusetts State Board of Education recertification of school
- As Department Head/Teacher was responsible for all operations and for the development, implementation, planning, and coordination of the curriculum
- Lead the daily academic lessons
- Provided and promoted opportunities to learn for students in grades Pre-K to12
Education
M.S. - Teaching Students with Special Needs
Wheelock College
Boston, MAB.A. - Fine Art
The University of North Carolina
Wilmington, NCSkills
- Teaching and Learning Skills: Co-Teacher Training, Curriculum Development and Implementation, Course Development, Lesson
- Assessment Tools and Educational Software: Easy IEP, ESPED, School Brains, Powerschool, GORT-5, CTOPP-2, TOWRE-2, Wechsler Individual Achievement Test-Fourth Edition (WIAT), WADE, WIST, Dibels
- Instructional Technology and Digital Tools: Google Classroom, Google Read and Write, Pear Deck, Quizlet, Quizizz, Rewordify, Desmos, IXL (ELA and Math), UFLI, Bookshare, Learning Ally, Buzzmath, Dreambox, Extra Math, Brolly, RAVE-O
Certification
- MA Teacher of Students with Disabilities Pre K-9
- MA General Education, K-6
- NH Special Education Teaching K-12
- History and Social Sciences 5-12 (in process)
- MA Art Pre-K-9
- Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA)
- Intervention (TCI)
- MA Elementary Education K-6
- Sheltered English Immersion (SEI)
- Executive Functioning/Sarah Ward
- Wilson Reading System
- Framing Your Thoughts
- RAVE-O
- Therapeutic Crisis
- Just Words
- Responsive Classroom
Seasonal Roles
Swim Instructor and Assistant Aquatics Director
Meadowbrook School - Weston, MA
Summers 1994–1999, 2015–2021
- Served as a USA Certified Lacrosse Coach and Soccer Coach, promoting teamwork, skill development, and a positive athletic experience.
- Led Art Club, teaching a range of artistic disciplines including watercolor, oil painting, drawing, intaglio, and silkscreen printmaking, fostering creativity and artistic growth.
- Provided swim instruction and ensured safety as a certified American Red Cross Lifeguard with CPR certification.
Timeline
Special Education Teacher
Westford Public Schools
09.2024 - Current
Special Education Reading Teacher
Groton-Dunstable Middle School
09.2022 - 06.2024
Special Education Team Chair
Gibbs School
01.2022 - 06.2023
Wilson Reading Teacher
Gibbs School
07.2020 - 08.2020
Special Education History Co-Teacher (Grades6-8)
Ottoson Middle School/Gibbs School
09.2016 - 01.2022
Special Education Teacher Grade1
Hopewell Crest School
09.2015 - 06.2016
Long Term Special Education Substitute Teacher Grades3/4
Hopewell Crest School
01.2015 - 06.2015
Substitute Teacher K-8
Hopewell Crest School
09.2014 - 01.2015
Special Education Teacher-PreK-12
Learning Prep School
09.1996 - 06.2002
B.A. - Fine Art
The University of North Carolina
M.S. - Teaching Students with Special Needs
Wheelock College
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