DEANNA REDA
Norwalk,CT
Summary
Special Education leader with experience in facilitating student transitions and ensuring successful integration into new environments. Strong focus on collaboration and achieving outcomes, adaptable to changing needs and reliable in team settings. Skilled in individualized education plans, student assessments, and family engagement, with positive approach that fosters growth and learning.
Organized and equipped with strong problem-solving abilities, willingness to learn, and excellent communication skills. Poised to contribute to team success and achieve positive results. Ready to tackle new challenges and advance organizational objectives with dedication and enthusiasm.
Proactive and goal-oriented professional with excellent time management and problem-solving skills. Known for reliability and adaptability, with swift capacity to learn and apply new skills. Committed to leveraging these qualities to drive team success and contribute to organizational growth.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Special Education Transition Coordinator
The Speech Academy
07.2023 - Current
- Develops individualized transition plans for students with disabilities, facilitating smoother transitions to post-secondary settings.
- Collaborates with families and educators to assess student needs and set achievable goals for independence.
- Leads interdisciplinary team meetings to discuss student progress and refine transition strategies collaboratively.
- Establishes partnerships with community organizations to provide additional resources and opportunities for students with disabilities.
- Trains staff on best practices for supporting students during transition phases, fostering a culture of inclusivity and support.
- Advocates for policy changes within the school district to improve services available for transitioning students with disabilities.
- Establishes a positive rapport with students, building trust and encouraging open communication throughout the transition process.
- Conducts regular meetings with parents/guardians to discuss student progress, address concerns, and collaborate on future planning strategies.
- Streamlines communication between school staff, families, and outside agencies by serving as the primary point of contact for all transition-related matters.
- Serves as an integral member of IEP teams, providing expert guidance on realistic goal setting and contributing to the development of effective transition strategies.
- Organizes special events that promoted awareness of disability issues and celebrated the achievements of students in transition programs.
- Improves post-secondary outcomes by providing comprehensive career assessments and developing tailored vocational training programs.
- Enhances student transition success by implementing individualized education plans and coordinating with multidisciplinary teams.
- Increases community involvement for students with disabilities by establishing partnerships with local businesses and organizations.
- Coordinates transportation services for off-site educational experiences, enabling students to participate in real-world learning environments safely and efficiently.
- Promotes self-advocacy skills through targeted instruction, empowering students to communicate their needs effectively.
- Builds solid and trusting rapport with children and families, fostering trust and communication to meet case needs.
- Intervenes in crisis situations and counseled children experiencing emergencies and disruptive incidents.
- Works with educational team to develop Individual Education Plans (IEPs) for students.
- Facilitates family meetings to ensure communication and collaboration between family members.
Special Education Life Skills Teacher/Lead Job Coach
The Speech Academy
07.2023 - Current
- Develops individualized lesson plans to enhance students' life skills and promote independence.
- Implements interactive activities that improved social interactions and decision-making abilities among students.
- Collaborates with parents and caregivers to align support strategies for effective student development.
- Facilitates group discussions to foster communication skills and build confidence in students.
- Mentors junior staff on best practices for teaching life skills in diverse classroom settings.
- Assesses student progress regularly, adjusting lesson plans to meet evolving needs effectively.
- Organizes workshops focused on essential life skills, empowering students with practical knowledge for daily living.
- Leads initiatives promoting community engagement, enhancing students' real-world application of learned skills.
- Supports people with developmental disabilities and autism in building multi-faceted skillset to promote independence and self-confidence.
- Intervenes in crisis situations to provide counseling and support.
- Customizes strategies based on individuals' goals and strengths and offered each positive reinforcement to continue progress against goals.
- Serves as a mentor for new teachers, sharing best practices and offering guidance on classroom management techniques.
- Partners with families to address any concerns or challenges related to their child''s education, fostering strong home-school connections.
- Enhances classroom engagement through the implementation of interactive activities and group projects.
- Collaborates with colleagues to develop interdisciplinary lesson plans, enriching students'' educational experience.
- Promotes a positive learning environment by establishing clear expectations and fostering respectful communication among students.
- Implements project-based learning experiences that allowed students to apply acquired life skills in real-world situations.
- Coordinates extracurricular activities, providing additional opportunities for skill development outside of the traditional classroom setting.
- Improves student understanding by utilizing differentiated instruction techniques.
- Empowers students to take ownership of their learning by setting attainable goals and tracking progress throughout the year.
New Hire Training Lead
Building Blocks Early Learning Center
09.2022 - 07.2023
- Facilitated training sessions, ensuring clear communication of company policies and procedures.
- Collaborated with department leaders to identify skill gaps and tailor training materials accordingly.
- Streamlined onboarding processes, improving efficiency and reducing time to productivity for new employees.
- Evaluated training effectiveness through feedback assessments, making adjustments as needed for continuous improvement.
- Mentored new employees, providing guidance and support throughout their initial months at the company.
- Maintained detailed records of each trainee''s progress, providing regular feedback to both employees and management teams.
- Facilitated hands-on learning experiences, ensuring practical application of concepts in a real-world context.
Classroom Teacher
Building Blocks Early Learning Center
08.2020 - 06.2023
- Developed and implemented engaging lesson plans to enhance student understanding and retention.
- Utilized diverse instructional strategies to accommodate different learning styles and abilities.
- Fostered a positive classroom environment that encouraged student participation and collaboration.
- Collaborated with colleagues to design interdisciplinary projects that integrated multiple subjects.
Preschool Music Enrichment Teacher
Building Blocks Early Learning Center
09.2010 - 06.2020
- Fostered a creative environment that encouraged self-expression through musical activities.
- Collaborated with educators to integrate enrichment programs into existing curricula.
- Developed positive relationships with parents, conducting informative conferences and maintaining open lines of communication.
- Developed and implemented engaging enrichment activities to enhance cognitive and social skills.
- Developed and implemented workshops for teachers to promote increased motivational learning through music & movement.
- Collaborated with educators to integrate music into interdisciplinary lesson plans.
- Led group activities promoting teamwork and social skills through music participation.
- Mentored junior staff on effective teaching strategies and classroom management techniques.
- Assessed individual student progress, adapting instruction to meet diverse learning needs.
- Organized community performances, enhancing children's confidence and public speaking skills.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Child Studies
Charter Oak State College
New Britain05-2025
Associate of Science - Early Childhood Education
Housatonic Community College
Bridgeport, CT05-2018
Skills
- Emotional Intelligence
- Career exploration
- Community resource coordination
- Transportation planning
- Communication strategies
- Life skills instruction
- Self-advocacy training
- Vocational training
- Postsecondary education support
- Transition assessment
- Job coaching
- Collaborative planning
Certification
- First Aid & CPR
- Handle with Care
Timeline
Special Education Transition Coordinator
The Speech Academy
07.2023 - Current
Special Education Life Skills Teacher/Lead Job Coach
The Speech Academy
07.2023 - Current
New Hire Training Lead
Building Blocks Early Learning Center
09.2022 - 07.2023
Classroom Teacher
Building Blocks Early Learning Center
08.2020 - 06.2023
Preschool Music Enrichment Teacher
Building Blocks Early Learning Center
09.2010 - 06.2020
Bachelor of Science - Child Studies
Charter Oak State College
Associate of Science - Early Childhood Education
Housatonic Community College