Deborah DeGiovine
Allentown,PA
Summary
Flexible and caring special education teacher specializes in academic and behavior interventions with a focus on Autistic Spectrum Disorder. Customizes academic and behavioral approaches based on the individual strengths and needs of each student. Focused on meeting students' needs using data based decision making strategies, positive behavior supports, verbal behavior strategies, and flexible communication strategies. A compassionate teacher who is eager to help each student make progress in a way that is functional and carries equity across settings.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Autism Support Interventionist
Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit 21
Schnecksville, PA
08.2022 - Current
- Implemented Positive Behavior Support Strategies with students Kindergarten through fourth grade.
- Wrote and maintained individualized positive behavior support plans based on functional assessment data for each student.
- Guided classroom staff on how to use specific behavioral strategies; including behavioral momentum, first then language, scaffolding, positive reinforcement, and specific verbal feedback.
- Supported students in a variety of MDS-B classrooms who exhibit challenging behaviors
- Worked closely with classroom staff to create and maintain a safe classroom environment for all teachers in students.
- Collaborated with the classroom teacher, instructional assistants and supervisors to strategically create a physical classroom environment that is supportive of students who have a vastly different behavioral needs, but similar academic needs.
Special Instructor (birth-3years)
K & S Therapies
Pennsburg, PA
04.2018 - 12.2019
- Developed individualized family service plans designed to promote educational, behavioral, and social development.
- Maintained student records in an organized and timely manner.
- Conducted functional behavioral assessments and developed positive behavior support plans.
- Collaborated with other educational personnel to provide inclusive activities and prosocial skills training.
- Adapted instructional techniques to a developmentally appropriate level.
- Implemented and trained classroom staff on how to use positive behavior support plans, scaffolding, sensory integration therapy, and verbal behavior strategies.
- Evaluated student strengths and needs to provide helpful resources and support in the home, daycare, and preschool setting.
- Fostered regular communication with students' families and service coordinators to create an effective team.
- Resolved interpersonal conflicts by listening, validating concerns, and focusing on the common goal of student progress.
- Motivated and encouraged team members by providing positive feedback for implementing new strategies with students.
Special Education Teacher
Helping Hands Family - ABA Therapy
East Northport, NY
09.2009 - 06.2010
- Conducted functional behavioral assessments and developed a positive behavior support plans.
- Collected and analyzed daily progress monitoring data.
- Communicated daily with the client's family regarding academic and behavior progress.
- Supported clients and their families in both the community and academic settings
- Served as an educational advocate for a client and testified in a Due Process hearing. (As per the New York City Public Schools)
Special Education Teacher
Allentown School District
Allentown, PA
08.2006 - 08.2009
- Instructed students in all subject areas in a primary level, self-contained, autistic support classroom.
- Facilitated multidisciplinary team meetings to evaluate functional assessment data, academic and behavioral progress data, and specific strengths and needs of each child to develop and appropriate Individualized Education Program.
- Implemented applied behavior analysis methods to manage behaviors of concern and increase on task behavior and pro social skills.
- Adopted a classroom-wide positive behavior support plan based on five student goals, which tie into daily rewards at school and home.
- Included students in the general education classroom by providing the necessary supplementary aids and services as determined by the multidisciplinary team.
- Utilized various co-teaching models with special education and general education colleagues in the self-contained and general education classroom settings.
- Implemented and made accommodations for the following elementary level curriculums: Rigby Guided Reading, Soar to Success, Edmark Functional Reading, National Geographic, SRA Reading Mastery, Read Well, Sidewalks Reading, Open Court Reading, Saxon Math, Math investigation, Houghton-Mifflin Math and Touch Math.
- Developed functional skill unit plans and curriculum materials based on alternate assessment standards for Pennsylvania.
- Assessed student progress using DIBELS, ABELLS, Fountas & Pinnell, task analysis graphs, detailed anecdotal records, daily behavior point sheets, and teacher observations.
- Differentiated and managed instruction and skill practice for students K-5, based on verbal behavior strategies adopted from the TEACCH method. (Treatment and Education of Autistic and related Communication-handicapped Children)
- Trained paraprofessionals on classroom-wide positive behavior support plans, data collection methods, and prompting levels.
- Coordinated observations and professional contributions to write reevaluation reports.
- Attended multiple in-service trainings on urban education.
- Participated on the district-wide least restrictive environment team to help write the corrective action plan for the special education department of Allentown School District.
- Maintained daily written contact with students' parents and guardians and made biweekly phone contact to ensure generalization of skills from school to home.
- Implemented homebound instruction for students in the district who were on medical leave.
- Taught extended school year kindergarten through fifth grade.
- Implemented verbal behavior strategies for increasing communication in nonverbal students.
- Collaborated with the speech language pathologist to create communication boards, picture schedules, and circle time visual aids.
- Teamed with general education teachers to plan and implement curriculum, state and district-wide assessments.
- Administered the PASA.
- Developed and maintained individualized lesson plans to promote and build student confidence and success.
- Organized and led students on comunity based field trips to enhance educational programs.
- Utilized data-based decision making strategies when making educational programming decisions.
- Differentiated instruction in a diverse self-contained autistic support classroom.
Special Education Teacher
Centennial School of Lehigh University
Bethlehem, PA
08.2004 - 06.2006
- Instructed students in all subject areas in the primary level, self-contained, emotional support classroom.
- Conducted functional assessments for all students resulting in individualized behavior intervention plans.
- Coordinated observations and professional contributions to write reevaluation reports.
- Devised and utilized unit plans in math, reading, science and language arts for grades K-5.
- Differentiated instruction in all subject areas grades K-5.
- Conducted parent-teacher conferences and participated in school-wide open houses.
- Maintained weekly written and/or phone contact with special education and general education colleagues.
- Attended weekly in-service trainings on various topics including: response to intervention, data based decision making, math and reading interventions, IEP changes and updates, progress monitoring, extended school year, and team teaching.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education
Kutztown University
Kutztown, PA05.2004
Bachelor of Science - Special Education
Kutztown University
Kutztown, PA05.2004
Bachelor of Science - Academic And Behavior Interventions
Lehigh University
Bethlehem, PASkills
- Current Experience as an Autism Support Interventionist
- In-Depth knowledge of Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Verbal Behavior Communication Strategies
- VB-MAPP Assessment and Goal Development
- Functional Behavioral Assessment
- Individualized Behavior Support Plans
- Applied Behavior Analysis Strategies
- Sensory Integration Therapy Strategies
- Excellent Classroom Management
- Effective Parent Communication
- Team Collaboration
- Implementation of a variety of AAC devices
- Individualized Education Plans
- Progress Monitoring and Data Management
Timeline
Autism Support Interventionist
Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit 21
08.2022 - Current
Special Instructor (birth-3years)
K & S Therapies
04.2018 - 12.2019
Special Education Teacher
Helping Hands Family - ABA Therapy
09.2009 - 06.2010
Special Education Teacher
Allentown School District
08.2006 - 08.2009
Special Education Teacher
Centennial School of Lehigh University
08.2004 - 06.2006
Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education
Kutztown University
Bachelor of Science - Special Education
Kutztown University
Bachelor of Science - Academic And Behavior Interventions
Lehigh University
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