Dawn Leonard
Teacher
Hampton,NJ
Summary
Compassionate and creative educator with over 26 years of diverse experience in special education and retail, adept at fostering engaging learning environments that cater to individual student needs. Proven expertise in classroom administration, professional development, and project planning, complemented by a strong command of classroom and online technologies. Demonstrated ability to maintain organized classrooms while keeping students focused and motivated, ensuring effective learning outcomes. A collaborative team player who thrives in versatile educational settings, dedicated to creating warm and safe spaces for all learners.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Self-Contained Special Education Teacher
George Washington School
01.2000 - 01.2011
- Assessed student progress through regular evaluations, adjusting instructional strategies as needed for optimal results.
- Enhanced classroom management by establishing clear expectations and maintaining consistent routines and procedures.
- Utilized various teaching methods to accommodate diverse learning styles, ensuring all students had equal opportunities to succeed.
- Mentored new teachers, sharing best practices and providing ongoing support during their transition into the profession.
- Developed strong relationships with parents and guardians, fostering open communication and increased parental involvement in their child''s education.
- Coordinated services between general education teachers, specialists, and other support staff to ensure seamless delivery of instruction and accommodations for special education students.
- Created and managed IEPs to define student learning objectives and educational strategies, in addition to applying instructional knowledge and methods to support goals.
in class support teacher
Walter O. Krumbiegel Middle School
01.2011 - 01.2015
- Collaborated with school administrators, teachers, and parents in designing and implementing educational plans
- Documented student behaviors, interventions, and outcomes to enable lead teacher to address pertinent issues.
- Maintained inclusive learning environment to enable students to gain maximum benefit from lessons.
- Collaborated with fellow teachers to develop interdisciplinary units that connected multiple subjects, enhancing overall student understanding.
- Communicated with school administrators, teachers, and parents for social events
- Delivered personalized educational, behavioral, and emotional support to individual students to enable positive learning outcomes.
- Set up visual aids, equipment, and classroom displays to support teacher's lesson delivery.
Membership Specialist
River Crossing YMCA
10.2019 - Current
- Enhanced membership retention by developing strong relationships with members and understanding their preferences.
- Increased member satisfaction by providing exceptional customer service and addressing their needs promptly.
- Provided training for new Membership Engagement Representatives, ensuring consistency in customer service standards across the department.
- Offered personalized assistance to members seeking specific resources or services within the organization, demonstrating genuine care for their needs.
- Maintained accurate records of all memberships, ensuring timely renewals and updates as needed.
- Fostered a welcoming environment at the physical locations where our members regularly interacted with one another or attended events together.
Caregiver
Comfort Keepers
05.2019 - 2020
- Assisted clients with activities of daily living, promoting independence and quality of life.
- Maintained a safe and clean environment for patients, reducing risks and ensuring optimal health outcomes.
- Enhanced patient comfort by providing compassionate and attentive care, addressing individual needs and preferences.
- Assisted patients with self-administered medications.
- Assisted with dressing guidance, grooming, meal preparation, and medication reminders.
- Engaged patients in meaningful conversation, socialization, and activity while providing personal care assistance.
studio help
Gone Paintin'
11.2015 - 03.2016
- Supported creative team in meeting project deadlines by efficiently completing assigned tasks.
- Enhanced studio workflow by organizing equipment and maintaining a clean work environment.
- Delivered exceptional customer service during events or workshops hosted at the studio space.
- Participated in brainstorming sessions with creative teams to contribute ideas and improve overall project results.
Camp Counselor (Seasonal)
The Connection for Women and Families
06.2014 - 08.2014
- Directed science activities for summer camp
- Maximized camper enjoyment by adapting programs to accommodate diverse interests and abilities.
- Worked with children of varying age, interest, skill, and developmental levels.
- Boosted camp morale by fostering a supportive, inclusive, and fun environment for all participants.
- Collaborated with other camp counselors to design fun and enriching learning activities for campers.
Sales Associate/Cashier
Becker's Parent Teacher Store
04.2001 - 05.2004
- Built relationships with customers to encourage repeat business.
- Solved customer challenges by offering relevant products and services.
- Provided positive first impressions to welcome existing, new, and potential customers.
- Engaged with customers to build rapport and loyalty.
- Collaborated with team members to improve overall store performance, sharing best practices, and offering support as needed.
Education
Bachelor's - Education
Kean University
Union, NJ09-2000
Skills
Technology integration
Creative lesson plan development
Social skills enhancement
Collaborative communication with families
Curriculum development
Curriculum design implementation
Certification
Teaching Certificate
Assessments
- Memorization & Recall — Familiar
- Verbal Communication — Expert
- Speaking clearly, correctly, and concisely.
Additional Information
- Activities and Skills:
- Wrote the newsletter for the Union County Educator's Association
- Assisted with creating signs, collecting funds, and feeding children and adults for annual fund raising event for athletic program in West Orange
- Event planning and training for professional organizations
Awards
Teacher of the Year, 2004
Timeline
Membership Specialist
River Crossing YMCA
10.2019 - Current
Caregiver
Comfort Keepers
05.2019 - 2020
studio help
Gone Paintin'
11.2015 - 03.2016
Camp Counselor (Seasonal)
The Connection for Women and Families
06.2014 - 08.2014
in class support teacher
Walter O. Krumbiegel Middle School
01.2011 - 01.2015
Sales Associate/Cashier
Becker's Parent Teacher Store
04.2001 - 05.2004
Self-Contained Special Education Teacher
George Washington School
01.2000 - 01.2011
Bachelor's - Education
Kean University