Demeris Herrera
Hyattsville,MD
Summary
Experienced educator with over 15 years of expertise designing IEPs and delivering differentiated instruction for students with a wide range of learning needs. I empower students with disabilities to thrive in both inclusive and specialized environments by modifying curriculum, implementing effective behavior management strategies, and collaborating closely with multidisciplinary teams. Currently, I serve as Lead Teacher, mentoring colleagues in evidence-based special education practices to promote student success.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Lead Teacher/Speech Language Pathologist Assistant/ Resource Teacher
UNKNOWN
Washington DC, Virginia, Maryland
01.2022 - Current
- Collaborate with general education teachers to modify curriculum and instructional materials to meet the unique learning needs of students
- Differentiate instruction based on student abilities and learning styles, providing additional support or challenging assignments as needed
- Conduct ongoing assessments to monitor student progress and adjust instructional strategies accordingly
- Collaborate with other members of the school team, such as speech therapists, occupational therapists, and psychologists, to develop comprehensive intervention plans for students requiring additional services
- Implement behavior management techniques and positive reinforcement strategies to promote a positive classroom environment conducive to learning
- Provide one-on-one or small group instruction for students who required specialized attention or remediation in specific academic areas
- Maintain accurate records of student attendance, behavior incidents/interventions, academic progress/achievements using electronic systems/software provided by the school district/organization
- Collaborate with community resources/agencies to coordinate transition planning/support services for high school seniors preparing for post-secondary education or vocational opportunities
- Foster a supportive classroom environment that promoted inclusivity and respect among all students regardless of their abilities/disabilities
- Participate in professional development opportunities, workshops, and conferences to stay updated on the latest research-based practices in special education
- Provide guidance and support to general education teachers regarding strategies for inclusion of students with special needs within the mainstream classroom setting
- Offers direct instructions, curriculum adaptation collaboration, IEP/504 planning, resources provision, and inclusion if warranted.
- Develop and implemented engaging lesson plans to enhance student learning outcomes.
Speech Language Pathologist Assistant
Prince George's County Public Schools
Maryland
01.2022 - 01.2026
- Supported speech-language pathologists in developing individualized education plans for students with communication disorders.
- Assisted in implementing therapeutic interventions to enhance students' speech and language skills.
- Conducted assessments to monitor progress and modify treatment strategies as needed.
- Collaborated with educators and parents to ensure effective communication strategies within classroom settings.
- Maintained accurate documentation of student progress and therapy sessions for compliance and reporting purposes.
Exceptional Education Paraprofessional/CoTeacher
Tucson Unified School District
Tucson, AZ
02.2007 - 05.2019
- Supported teachers in implementing individualized education plans for students with diverse learning needs.
- Assisted in classroom management, promoting a positive and inclusive learning environment.
- Collaborated with instructional staff to develop and adapt educational materials tailored to student abilities.
- Facilitated small group instruction, enhancing student engagement and comprehension of core subjects.
- Facilitated small group instruction sessions aimed at reinforcing critical skills and promoting student progress.
- Developed positive relationships with parents and communicated issues regarding students.
- Participated in professional development opportunities to stay current on best practices within education paraprofessional field.
- Established clear expectations for behavior and academic performance, holding students accountable while providing necessary support for success.
- Collaborated with fellow paraprofessionals and teachers to create engaging activities that reinforced key concepts.
- Conducted regular progress monitoring to track student growth and adjust instructional strategies accordingly for maximum effectiveness.
- Boosted overall classroom performance by implementing positive reinforcement strategies and fostering a supportive learning environment.
- Developed strong rapport with students by cultivating trust through empathetic listening, clear communication, and consistent follow-through on commitments.
- Served as a mentor for new paraprofessionals, providing guidance on best practices and effective teaching strategies.
- Supported students during extracurricular activities, fostering positive relationships and a sense of belonging within the school community.
Home and Community Based Services for Day Program
State of Arizona Division of Developmentally Disabled
Tucson, AZ
01.2006 - 12.2007
- Developed individualized support plans to enhance client engagement and skill acquisition.
- Facilitated group activities promoting social interaction and life skills development.
- Monitored client progress and adjusted strategies to ensure consistent improvement in daily living skills.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to optimize client care and address unique needs effectively.
- Implemented behavior management techniques to foster positive outcomes in challenging situations.
- Conducted regular assessments to evaluate program effectiveness and recommend necessary adjustments.
- Ensured compliance with various regulations, including HIPAA and other privacy laws by consistently maintaining client confidentiality in verbal or written communications.
- Advocated for clients' rights and needs, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and policies.
- Implemented personalized care plans for clients, ensuring their specific needs were met and exceeded.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Literacy, Learning and Leadership
The University of Arizona, College of Education
Tucson, AZ05-2020
Certification - Graphic Design
Chaparral College
Tucson, AZCertification - Paralegal
University of Arizona, College of Law
Tucson, AZ05-2021
Bachelor of Science - Literacy, Learning and Leadership
The University of Arizona, College of Education
Tucson, AZ05-2020
Skills
- Childcare needs
- Lesson planning
- Activity planning
- Conflict resolution
- Child development
- Behavior modeling
- Parent-teacher communication
- Safety awareness
- Classroom management
- Student engagement
- Educational leadership
Affiliations
- College of Education
- Mentored and Advocated for those in the Visual Impaired / Blind Community within the University of Arizona
Timeline
Lead Teacher/Speech Language Pathologist Assistant/ Resource Teacher
UNKNOWN
01.2022 - Current
Speech Language Pathologist Assistant
Prince George's County Public Schools
01.2022 - 01.2026
Exceptional Education Paraprofessional/CoTeacher
Tucson Unified School District
02.2007 - 05.2019
Home and Community Based Services for Day Program
State of Arizona Division of Developmentally Disabled
01.2006 - 12.2007
Bachelor of Science - Literacy, Learning and Leadership
The University of Arizona, College of Education
Certification - Graphic Design
Chaparral College
Certification - Paralegal
University of Arizona, College of Law
Bachelor of Science - Literacy, Learning and Leadership
The University of Arizona, College of Education
Awards
Honors Society 2015-2017, Blue Chip Leadership 2014 – 2016, Scholarship Universe 2014 – 2016
Section name
In person / virtual shared experiences about to the community such as traveling, advisement, assistive technology, student-teacher relationships, networking, resource preparedness negotiation, enabling growth and closure of these life skills and experiences.