Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Affiliations
Certification
Interests
Timeline
Generic

Dawn Robinson

Goodyear,AZ

Summary

Experienced Special Education Leader with 10+ years of comprehensive experience spanning direct instruction, program coordination, and district-level administration. Proven track record of successfully managing multidisciplinary teams, ensuring state and federal compliance, and driving student achievement through evidence-based practices. Expert in IEP development, behavior intervention planning, and professional development delivery. Demonstrated ability to lead complex initiatives including state compliance monitoring, alternate assessment coordination, and high-cost child programming while fostering collaborative relationships with administrators, families, and community partners. Committed to inclusive education practices and data-driven decision making to optimize outcomes for students with diverse learning needs.

Overview

2026
2026
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Student Services Coordinator

Laveen Elementary School District
2025 - 08.2025
  • Conduct comprehensive assessments of student service needs to identify and address gaps in programming
  • Conduct comprehensive review of IEPs, METs, and Progress Reports to identify and address compliance and best practice expectations
  • Mentor instructional coaches and design targeted professional development initiatives to improve student achievement, compliance and service quality
  • Partner with building administrators to advance student achievement through evidence-based practices, regulatory compliance, and inclusive educational strategies
  • Supervise and evaluate multidisciplinary team of Student Services instructional coaches, Occupational Therapists, COTAs, and Speech Language Therapy Assistants
  • Direct recruitment and retention efforts by monitoring personnel applications, coordinating with contract agencies, conducting interviews, determining FTE allocations, and providing ongoing support to Related Service providers
  • Coordinate district-wide placement of self-contained students and oversee Open Enrollment requests for IEP students to ensure appropriate service delivery
  • Serve as Alternate Assessment Coordinator, ensuring program compliance and student access to appropriate assessment options
  • Manage High Cost Child (HCC) submissions to secure necessary funding and resources for students with intensive needs
  • Lead Nonviolent Crisis Intervention training to enhance staff preparedness and student safety protocols
  • Review and revise Student Services handbook to maintain current best practices and compliance standards

Exceptional Student Service Instructional Specialist

Littleton Elementary School District
01.2015 - 01.2023
  • Designed and delivered comprehensive professional development programs covering instructional best practices, program expectations, and state and federal compliance requirements
  • Mentored new ESS teachers and provided differentiated coaching to all ESS staff using tiered intervention model, addressing scheduling, grouping, classroom management, disability awareness, instructional strategies, data collection, and IEP completion
  • Implemented evidence-based coaching methodologies including Student Centered Coaching and Cognitive Coaching frameworks to enhance instructional effectiveness
  • Facilitated program handbook development committee and established behavior intervention protocols to standardize practices across the district
  • Developed and trained staff in Behavior Intervention Plans (BIP) implementation, including data collection protocols, behavioral observations, materials procurement and creation, direct modeling, ongoing coaching, conducting fidelity checks, and plan revision strategies
  • Participated in SEDA Special Education Directors Academy to stay current with leadership best practices and emerging trends

Special Education Teacher

Desert Star Elementary School
01.2009 - 01.2014
  • Managed self-contained cross-categorical classroom serving K-5 students with diverse disabilities (21 student caseload), delivering specialized instruction across multiple grade levels
  • Successfully transitioned to combined self-contained/resource teacher role (30 student caseload), demonstrating adaptability and expanded service delivery capacity
  • Created and managed comprehensive IEPs to define individualized learning objectives and educational strategies, applying evidence-based instructional methods to support goal attainment
  • Implemented innovative teaching techniques and differentiated instruction to accommodate diverse learning styles and individual student needs
  • Improved student behavior management through implementation of consistent routines, clear behavioral expectations, and positive reinforcement strategies
  • Fostered collaborative partnerships with parents and guardians, maintaining transparent communication channels to monitor and support student progress

Special Education Teacher

Cameo Elementary School
01.2005 - 01.2007
  • Co-taught 90-minute literacy block for 2nd-grade inclusion classroom, collaborating with general education teachers to support diverse learners in the least restrictive environment
  • Developed and implemented comprehensive IEPs and Behavior Intervention Plans tailored to individual student needs, ensuring academic success and behavioral growth
  • Modified general education curriculum for special-needs students using various instructional techniques and assistive technologies to enhance accessibility and engagement
  • Evaluated student progress systematically using multiple assessment methods to ensure accurate measurement of skill development and identify areas requiring additional support
  • Promoted positive learning environment through differentiated instruction, individualized support strategies, and evidence-based interventions for diverse learners

Education

Master of Educational Leadership -

American College of Education
Dallas, TX
01.2022

Master of Special Education - undefined

New Mexico State University
Las Cruces, NM
01.2008

Bachelor of Science - Interdisciplinary Studies, Early Childhood Education

Texas State University
San Marcos, TX
01.1997

Skills

  • Student Centered approach
  • Multidisciplinary team collaboration
  • Regulatory Compliance
  • Differentiated Instruction
  • Parent and Family Engagement
  • Effective organization and time management
  • Task analysis / backwards planning

Affiliations

  • AZCASE Member
  • Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) Member
  • Certified NCI/CPI Trainer

Certification

  • Arizona Administrative Certification
  • Professional Principal PreK-12
  • Arizona Teaching Certification
  • Early Childhood Education
  • Elementary Education
  • Cross Categorical Special Education

Interests

  • 4 legged fur babies: currently 3 dogs, 1 cat
  • Outdoor physical activity: walking, hiking, SUP, kayaking
  • Physical Fitness: strength training, rowing

Timeline

Exceptional Student Service Instructional Specialist

Littleton Elementary School District
01.2015 - 01.2023

Special Education Teacher

Desert Star Elementary School
01.2009 - 01.2014

Special Education Teacher

Cameo Elementary School
01.2005 - 01.2007

Master of Special Education - undefined

New Mexico State University

Bachelor of Science - Interdisciplinary Studies, Early Childhood Education

Texas State University

Student Services Coordinator

Laveen Elementary School District
2025 - 08.2025

Master of Educational Leadership -

American College of Education

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