Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Affiliations
Timeline
STUDENT INTERNSHIPS
Generic

Denise Zukowski

Wallingford,CT

Summary

Dedicated and compassionate Special Education Teacher with 25 years of experience, committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive learning environment. Expertise in developing and implementing individualized education programs (IEPs) and utilizing multi-sensory approaches to address diverse student needs. Proven ability to craft interactive lesson plans that engage various learning styles while employing effective classroom management techniques to create a conducive atmosphere for learning. Recognized for strong communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills, with a focus on collaboration and adaptability to meet the evolving demands of education.

Overview

28
28
years of professional experience

Work History

Special Education Teacher

Hamden Public Schools
11.2021 - Current
  • I serve as a special education teacher in the IIC program, currently teaching Kindergarten through second grade in a self-contained classroom with non-verbal autistic students. Due to staffing needs, I have also overseen multiple classrooms annually and mentored new hires within the school. I develop and manage individualized IEPs tailored to each student’s unique needs, guiding their academic achievement and personal growth. I apply targeted instructional strategies and differentiated support to promote a positive and inclusive learning environment. Additionally, I build strong partnerships with parents and guardians, maintaining open communication to keep them informed and involved in their child’s progress.


Special Education Teacher

New Haven Public School- Lincoln Bassett Community School
09.2019 - 01.2021
  • Served as a Special Education Teacher in a self-contained classroom for preschoolers aged 3 to 5. Supported students with a range of disabilities, including non-verbal communication, Autism, Cerebral Palsy, and severe behavioral disorders. Planned and implemented individualized IEP goals and objectives, collaborating closely with all school-related staff. Utilized a multi-sensory approach with learning stations focused on language, math, art, science, and gross and fine motor development.

Classroom Head Teacher

Community Nursery School
09.2015 - 01.2019
  • Classroom Head Teacher for 15 preschoolers ages ranging between 3 and 5. Head Teacher for 2-year-old Sensory Program. I am responsible for planning and implementing weekly thematic units. I use a multi-sensory approach with leaning stations for language, math, art, science, gross and fine motor development.

Special Education Teacher

Wallingford Park and Recreation Department
09.2012 - 01.2016
  • Served as a Special Education Teacher. Taught an adaptive physical education program with the focus on learning sensory needs for proper learning. Students ranging in age from 3-22 with severally disabled individuals.

Special Education Teacher/Coordinator

Elm City College Preparatory School
09.2004 - 09.2007
  • Served as a Special Education Teacher/Coordinator for a charter school in New Haven, CT. Planned and implemented student’s IEP’s. Worked closely with all school and related staff. Served as liaison between New Haven Public Education System and Elm City College Preparatory School. Provided services to students with severe behavioral/emotional disabilities as well as various learning disabilities and hearing impairments.

Head Special Education Preschool Teacher

Clinton Public School System
12.2000 - 09.2002
  • Served as the Head Special Education Preschool Teacher. Provided program services to preschool-aged children with severe behavioral/emotional concerns as well as various learning disabilities. Planned and implemented developmentally appropriate curriculum that met the specific needs for each individual child. Worked as part of a therapeutic team in creating educational and behavioral plans.

Special Education Teacher

New Haven Public School System
08.1999 - 12.2000
  • Served as a Special Education Teacher to Preschool, K, and 1st grade students attending the Katherine Brennan Elementary School. Served as a Special Education Teacher to 4th and 5th grade students attending the Urban Youth Elementary School. Provided specialized behavioral services and assessments. Coordinated bimonthly professional development and family program services. Schools worked at where Katherine Brennan, Clarence Rogers School and Urban Youth.

Special Education Teacher

Hill Health Center Birth to Three Program
08.1998 - 08.1999
  • Served as a Special Education Teacher in an inner-city health clinic. Administered tests, monitored age-appropriate development, coordinated various program services. Worked closely with a Physical Therapist, Occupational Therapist, Speech Therapist, and a Social Worker throughout the evaluation and program implementation phases.

Paraprofessional

Branford Public School System
09.1997 - 06.1998
  • Served as a Paraprofessional in a reversed-mainstreamed classroom with 3–5-year old’s. Assisted the primary classroom teacher with the day-to-day teaching activities.

Education

Certification - ARC Program

Charter Oak Community College

Masters of Science (MS) - Special Education

Southern Connecticut State University
New Haven, CT
01.2010

Bachelors of Science (BS) - Special Education with Concentration in Psychology

Southern Connecticut State University
New Haven, CT
01.1997

Skills

  • Individualized Education Program (IEP) development and implementation
  • Strong knowledge of diverse disabilities and learning needs
  • Multi-sensory and differentiated instructional strategies
  • Behavior management and positive reinforcement techniques
  • Collaboration with families, educators, and support staff
  • Patience, empathy, and strong communication skills
  • Adaptability and creativity in lesson planning
  • Use of assistive technology and accommodations
  • Crisis intervention and de-escalation skill

Affiliations

  • 2019-2024 President of Wallingford Project Graduation
  • 2011 – 2012 Chairperson, Parent Teacher Advisory Committee at E.C. Stevens Elementary School
  • 2011 – 2012 Member, System-Wide Parent Teacher Advisory Committee for Wallingford Public Schools
  • 2010 – 2011 President of the Parent Teacher Organization at E.C. Stevens Elementary School
  • 2010 – 2019 Auxiliary Board Member, Wallingford Little League Association
  • 1996 Special Olympic World Games
  • 1994-1997 Best Buddies Organization

Timeline

Special Education Teacher

Hamden Public Schools
11.2021 - Current

Special Education Teacher

New Haven Public School- Lincoln Bassett Community School
09.2019 - 01.2021

Classroom Head Teacher

Community Nursery School
09.2015 - 01.2019

Special Education Teacher

Wallingford Park and Recreation Department
09.2012 - 01.2016

Special Education Teacher/Coordinator

Elm City College Preparatory School
09.2004 - 09.2007

Head Special Education Preschool Teacher

Clinton Public School System
12.2000 - 09.2002

Special Education Teacher

New Haven Public School System
08.1999 - 12.2000

Special Education Teacher

Hill Health Center Birth to Three Program
08.1998 - 08.1999

Paraprofessional

Branford Public School System
09.1997 - 06.1998

Masters of Science (MS) - Special Education

Southern Connecticut State University

Bachelors of Science (BS) - Special Education with Concentration in Psychology

Southern Connecticut State University

Certification - ARC Program

Charter Oak Community College

STUDENT INTERNSHIPS

  • March 1997 – May 1997 Celenatano School, New Haven, CT Served as a Student Teacher for 9 through 13-year-old students.
  • January 1997 – March 1997 Saint Andrew’s Daycare, New Haven, CT Served as a Student Teacher for birth to three-year-olds.

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