Diana Rivera
Florence,AZ
Summary
Compassionate Special Education Coordinator known for high productivity and efficient task completion. Skilled in implementation of curriculum for neurodiverse learners, managing individualized education plans (IEPs), and fostering collaborative environments between teachers, parents, and students. Excel in communication, empathy, and problem-solving to ensure student success and support educational staff.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
P/T Special Education Teacher on Evaluation Team
Florence Unified School District
Florence, AZ
07.2017 - Current
- Assist with transition of students aged three from Arizona Early Intervention Program to the Florence school district, including transition conference intakes, and scheduling evaluations and MET/IEPs
- Assist in conducting Child Find screenings every 45 days for potentially qualifying preschoolers, to include preparation for screenings, preparation of MET paperwork, scheduling and conducting evaluations, development of IEPs, and participation in MET/IEP meetings
- Maintain ongoing cumulative data on current placements and AZEIP students
- Coordinated activities of school psychologists, speech therapists, and other related service team members to comply with Special Education timelines
- Administered Battelle Developmental Inventory-II standardized test to determine eligibility and developmental needs of incoming preschoolers
Special Education Preschool Classroom Teacher
Florence Unified School District
, AZ
07.2009 - Current
- Planned lessons and implement developmental curriculum for a caseload of 35+ preschoolers with developmental delays between the ages of 3 and 5
- Piloted a preschool program for the STAR (Strategies for Teaching based on Autism Research) program for a caseload of 16 preschool students between the ages of 3 and 5 with Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Supervised a team of paraprofessionals to ensure proper implementation of developmentally appropriate practice and STAR curriculum
- Developed and implemented MET and Individualized Education Plans for incoming AZEIP and current preschool students, tracking their progress utilizing ADE-mandated assessment (Teaching Strategies GOLD), and maintained close communication with parents regarding students' progress.
- Engaged in professional development opportunities to stay current on best practices.
- Met with parents and guardians to discuss students' progress and areas requiring improvement.
- Implemented behavior management strategies to maintain classroom discipline.
Preschool Teacher - Emergency Certification
Coolidge Unified School District
, AZ
07.2008 - 05.2009
- Planned lessons and implemented developmentally-appropriate curriculum for a caseload of 34+ special education preschool students between the ages of 3 and 5.
- Supervised a team of paraprofessionals as they assisted in implementing lesson plans.
- Developed and implemented Individualized Education Plans for preschool students, keeping data, and tracking their progress.
- Maintained records of attendance, grades, health concerns, and other relevant information about the children in my care.
- Developed professional relationships with parents, teachers, directors and therapists.
Education
M.S - Early Childhood Education
Queens College of CUNY
1994
B.S - Early Childhood Education
New York University
1990
Skills
- IEP development
- Child Find screenings
- Data management
- Special education compliance
- Team collaboration
- Parent communication
- Coaching teachers
- Autism strategies
- Effective supervision
- Special education law
- Multitasking capacity
- Student support
- Reliability
- Adaptability
- Collaborative leadership
- Professional demeanor
- Time management
- Self motivation
Certification
- ADE CERTIFICATE: STANDARD EARLY CHILDHOOD SPECIAL EDUCATION, 0-8
- ADE CERTIFICATE: STANDARD EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION, 0-8
Languages
Spanish
Limited
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
P/T Special Education Teacher on Evaluation Team
Florence Unified School District
07.2017 - Current
Special Education Preschool Classroom Teacher
Florence Unified School District
07.2009 - Current
Preschool Teacher - Emergency Certification
Coolidge Unified School District
07.2008 - 05.2009
M.S - Early Childhood Education
Queens College of CUNY
B.S - Early Childhood Education
New York University
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