Donna Stewart

Core Instructional Responsibilities

• Adapting Curriculum: Modify general education 8th-grade lessons to ensure students with diverse learning needs can access grade-level content.
• Direct Instruction: Teach academic, social, and life skills in various settings, including small groups, one-on-one sessions, or "push-in" support within general education classrooms.
• Differentiated Teaching: Utilize evidence-based strategies and assistive technologies (e.g., text-to-speech tools) to accommodate different learning styles.

IEP Management & Compliance

• Developing IEPs: Lead the creation and annual update of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), establishing measurable academic and behavioral goals.
• Data Collection & Progress Monitoring: Regularly assess student performance through formal and informal methods to track progress toward IEP milestones.
• High School Transition Planning: A specific 8th-grade priority is preparing students for the transition to high school by developing transition plans that focus on post-secondary goals and independent living.

Collaboration & Advocacy

• Team Coordination: Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team, including general education teachers, speech therapists, psychologists, and administrators.
• Parent Communication: Maintain consistent contact with families to share progress, provide resources, and address concerns.
• Student Advocacy: Ensure students receive all legally mandated accommodations (e.g., extended test time) and resources needed to succeed.

Behavioral & Emotional Support

• Behavior Management: Implement behavior intervention plans (BIPs) and utilize de-escalation techniques to maintain a positive learning environment.
• Social-Emotional Growth: Foster self-regulation, communication skills, and confidence to help students navigate the social complexities of middle school.
• Paraprofessional Supervision: Mentor and direct the work of teacher assistants or classroom aides who provide additional support to students.

• Developed engaging lesson plans tailored to diverse learning styles.
• Facilitated classroom discussions to encourage student participation and critical thinking.
• Implemented behavior management strategies to maintain a positive learning environment.
• Collaborated with parents and guardians to support student progress and development.
• Assessed student performance using various evaluation tools and methods.
• Integrated technology into lessons to enhance student engagement and learning outcomes.
• Created classroom environment that was conducive to learning, including establishing rules and procedures.