Dionne Golden
Lancaster,PA
Summary
Transformative educational leader specializing in special education and life skills programming. Expertise in PBIS implementation and IEP compliance, fostering academic and behavioral growth through collaborative problem-solving. Focused on empowering staff, engaging families, and establishing inclusive environments that promote student success.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Life Skills Support Teacher
School District of Lancaster
Lancaster, USA
08.2017 - Current
- Designed and implemented life skills curriculum, increasing student independence in daily routines by 40%+
- Delivered individualized instruction to a caseload of 10–15 students, with 80–90% demonstrating progress toward IEP goals
- Ensured 100% compliance with Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) through development of IEPs, SDIs, and progress monitoring systems
- Led implementation of PBIS and behavior intervention systems, reducing disruptive behaviors by 30–50% and improving classroom climate
- Utilized data-driven decision-making to adjust instruction, resulting in measurable gains in literacy, numeracy, and functional skills
- Collaborated with 5–10 general education teachers to support inclusive practices across Unified Arts and core content classrooms
- Supervised and coached 2–4 paraprofessionals, strengthening instructional consistency and student support across settings
- Led transition and vocational readiness programming, facilitating student preparation for post-secondary and community-based success
- Maintained accurate compliance documentation with zero audit findings, including evaluations, progress reports, and family communication
- Strengthened family and community partnerships, enhancing parent engagement in IEP meetings and school supports
- Championed PBIS implementation and school-wide behavior supports, fostering a positive and structured learning environment
- Facilitated collaborative problem-solving meetings with teachers, paraprofessionals, and families to improve student outcomes
- Modeled equity-driven practices to ensure access and inclusion for students with disabilities across all school settings
Emotional Support Teacher
School District of Lancaster
Lancaster, USA
08.2017 - 01.2024
- Develop and implement an effective educational program for students assigned to the ES program
- Developed lesson plans and delivered small group instruction in emotional support classroom, fostering student engagement and learning.
- Worked with students facing emotional or behavioral challenges to facilitate their learning.
- Recognized the importance of effective behavior support strategies for student success.
- Utilized specialized instructional techniques to enhance learning for diverse learners, ensuring inclusive educational experiences.
- Experience incorporating multi-sensory instruction in small group settings.
- Prepare thoughtfully tailored lesson plans with clear objectives that incorporate multi-sensory instruction techniques that align with standards.
- Organized and led activities that promoted physical, mental, and social development, enhancing overall student well-being.
- Adapt teaching methods and instructional techniques to meet students’ needs and interests.
- Assess student knowledge through a variety of formal and informal assessment techniques.
- Collect and report progress monitoring data.
- Maintain compliant special educational paperwork including input forms, IEPs, PBSPs, NOREPs, etc.
- Collaborate with other teachers, professional staff, and administrators to address instructional and/or classroom issues.
- Work collaboratively with administrators, teachers, and support staff.
- Utilized data effectively to guide decisions that support student learning.
- Utilized effective communication and leadership skills to enhance team collaboration.
- Applied creativity and initiative to solve classroom challenges and support students.
- Recognized the significance of IDEA and Pennsylvania educational standards in program development.
- Establish partnerships with parents and family members to facilitate engaging, meaningful interactions about student growth and development.
- Adopted and utilized assistive technology.
Special Education Paraprofessional
School District of Lancaster
Lancaster, USA
08.2012 - 08.2017
- Provided one-to-one and small group instruction of students.
- Facilitated full access to educational programs by assisting student with various tasks.
- Follow and assist in implementing behavior plans.
- De-escalated student crises, promoting a safe environment for learning.
- Ensure student safety by exercising the ability to identify and alert of potential hazards that may occur.
- Maintain a safe and orderly environment for students.
- Managed all personal care needs of assigned student(s), including toileting, feeding, and changing.
- Guide safe transitions from activities to movement in hallways.
- Collect data on student activity and progress assigned by the teacher.
- Complete daily logs pertaining to support provided to the student and import daily medical access logs into a software program.
- Assist in the preparation of instructional materials as directed.
- Inventory, distribute and collect educational materials from supply areas as requested.
- Supervise assigned student(s) who require(s) transportation to maintain good conduct in boarding areas and on the bus.
- Assist assigned students in getting on and off the bus in an orderly fashion.
- Follow protocol for recording and reporting student conduction violations.
- Required to attend mandatory State annual training(s).
- Perform other related duties as assigned by supervisor.
Education
Master of Education - Educational Leadership
American College of Education
Indianapolis, IN05-2026
Bachelor of Science - Elementary & Special Education
Grand Canyon University
Phoenix, Arizona06-2017
Skills
- Life Skills Instruction
- Inclusive Teaching Strategies
- Behavior systems
- Data-Driven Decision Making
- Special education law
- FERPA regulations
- Organizational & School Leadership
- Building Positive School Culture
- Family Communication & Partnerships
- Family engagement
- Stakeholder collaboration
- Responsive leadership
- Conflict resolution
Accomplishments
- Kappa Delta Pi, Alpha Theta Psi Chapter at American College of Education Nov 2025
Timeline
Life Skills Support Teacher
School District of Lancaster
08.2017 - Current
Emotional Support Teacher
School District of Lancaster
08.2017 - 01.2024
Special Education Paraprofessional
School District of Lancaster
08.2012 - 08.2017
Master of Education - Educational Leadership
American College of Education
Bachelor of Science - Elementary & Special Education
Grand Canyon University