Desiree Thomas
Rancho Cucamonga,California
Summary
Dynamic Resource Specialist with a proven track record at San Bernardino City Unified School District, excelling in IEP compliance and personalized instruction. Adept at fostering parent-teacher communication and providing emotional support, I enhance student engagement and success through collaborative teaching and innovative curriculum development. Committed to empowering diverse learners in inclusive environments.
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
19
19
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Resource Specialist
San Bernardino City Unified School District
09.2007 - Current
- Implemented differentiated instruction techniques to accommodate various learning styles and abilities within the classroom.
- Collaborated with colleagues to develop interdisciplinary unit plans, fostering cross-curricular connections for deeper understanding.
- Managed classroom behavior effectively, establishing clear expectations and consequences to maintain a positive learning environment.
- Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities to stay current on educational trends and enhance teaching skills.
- Enhanced students'' critical thinking skills by incorporating problem-solving activities and group projects into the curriculum.
- Assessed student progress regularly, utilizing various assessment tools to inform instruction and provide targeted feedback.
- Organized extracurricular activities such as clubs or field trips, enriching the educational experience beyond the classroom setting.
- Served as a mentor for new teachers, providing guidance and sharing best practices to improve overall teaching quality within the school community.
- Contributed actively in IEP meetings with parents, administrators, and support staff, collaborating on strategies that best supported each student''s unique needs.
- Developed strong relationships with parents through regular communication and involvement opportunities, promoting a supportive home-school partnership.
- Utilized data-driven decision-making processes to identify areas of improvement in curriculum and instruction methods, leading to increased student performance levels.
- Created and managed IEPs to define student learning objectives and educational strategies, in addition to applying instructional knowledge and methods to support goals.
- Modified general education curriculum for special-needs students using various instructional techniques and technologies.
- Taught students across multiple classifications and degrees of special needs.
- Delivered effective and differentiated classroom instruction to range of neurodiverse students.
- Cultivated connections and strong student rapport to foster classroom engagement, in addition to recording student progress to inform parents and school administration.
- Taught multiple subjects to students with intellectual or emotional disabilities.
- Redirected students using Positive Behavior Support (PBS).
- Assisted struggling students to maintain progress levels by designing individualized lesson plans focused on areas for improvement.
- Encouraged students to take ownership of learning by providing choices.
- Coordinated special education students and teacher assistant schedules with master schedule.
- Partnered with standard education teachers from across academic departments.
- Facilitated small group instruction to address individual learning needs.
- Collaborated with other educators to develop instructional strategies.
- Monitored student performance to evaluate effectiveness of instructional strategies.
- Designed individual education plans to encourage student growth according to different learning abilities and needs.
- Developed Individual Education Plans for students with special needs.
- Worked closely with parents and guardians to address students' issues on multiple fronts.
- Helped students with special needs integrate into general classroom environments by advocating for individual requirements and helping teachers solve problems.
- Provided emotional support to students and families.
- Utilized technology to create meaningful lessons that engage students.
- Provided professional development training to educate faculty and staff on laws and regulations governing special education.
- Mentored new teachers on student progress monitoring and legal document preparation.
Educator
Pomona Unified School District
09.2006 - 06.2007
- Built relationships and communicated with parents to provide best learning environment for children.
- Collaborated with colleagues to develop and revise curriculum, enhancing learning experience.
- Established strong relationships with parents through regular communication, fostering a supportive network for student success.
- Implemented classroom management techniques that fostered a positive and inclusive learning environment for all students.
- Monitored student progress and adjusted instruction to meet individual needs.
- Developed and implemented differentiated instruction strategies for diverse learners, ensuring individualized attention and success.
- Collaborated with colleagues to develop cross-curricular projects, enhancing student learning through interdisciplinary connections.
Education
Master of Science - Educational Administration
Cheyney State University
Cheyney, PABehavioral Sciences
University of La Verne
La Verne, CANo Degree - Special Education Certification
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
Pomona, CASkills
- Evaluation procedures
- Behavioral evaluations
- IEP compliance
- Personalized instruction
- Parent-teacher communication
- Emotional support
- Collaborative teaching
- Social skills training
Accomplishments
- Collaborated with a team in the implementation of New software, titled Edmentum.
- Trained fellow teachers on the procedures for completing Individual Education Plans.
- Special Education Department chairperson for several years throughout my career.
- Served as a Foster Parent Advocate in California from 2006, off and on to present.
Certification
- Licensed Resource Specialist-
- Held two AAMFT licenses, now in progress of re-establishing in California and Arizona.
Timeline
Resource Specialist
San Bernardino City Unified School District
09.2007 - Current
Educator
Pomona Unified School District
09.2006 - 06.2007
Master of Science - Educational Administration
Cheyney State University
Behavioral Sciences
University of La Verne
No Degree - Special Education Certification
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
Similar Profiles
Yadira McKenzieYadira McKenzie
Clerk I at San Bernardino City Unified School DistrictClerk I at San Bernardino City Unified School District
Valerie AnguianoValerie Anguiano
Food Service Volunteer at San Bernardino City Unified School DistrictFood Service Volunteer at San Bernardino City Unified School District
Cynthia Jean FloresCynthia Jean Flores
Speech Language Pathologist Assistant at San Bernardino City Unified School DistrictSpeech Language Pathologist Assistant at San Bernardino City Unified School District
Marcela MuroMarcela Muro
Program Facilitator at San Bernardino City Unified School DistrictProgram Facilitator at San Bernardino City Unified School District
Jason SmithJason Smith
Warehouse Associate/Leader at FedExWarehouse Associate/Leader at FedEx