Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Certification
Timeline
Generic

Donna Thompson

Monroe,NC

Summary

Accomplished Special Education Teacher with a proven 30 year track record in NC public schools, enhancing student success through differentiated instruction and effective classroom management. Expert in developing IEPs and fostering significant improvements in student behavior and academic performance. Skilled in collaborative teamwork and emotional support, demonstrating a commitment to fostering educational growth and emotional well-being in neurodiverse students. Familiar with challenges associated with teaching special needs children. Remains positive under times of stress or conflict.

Overview

17
17
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Special Education Teacher

Union County Schools
01.2017 - 08.2023
  • Developed IEPs tailored to individual student needs, ensuring their academic success and personal growth.
  • Created and managed IEPs to define student learning objectives and educational strategies, in addition to applying instructional knowledge and methods to support goals.
  • Promoted a positive learning environment through use of differentiated instruction and individualized support for diverse learners.
  • Modified general education curriculum for special-needs students using various instructional techniques and technologies.
  • Collaborated with teachers and therapists to develop individualized educational plans for each student, ensuring optimal progress.
  • Fostered strong relationships with parents and guardians, maintaining open lines of communication to ensure student progress.
  • Improved student behavior management by implementing consistent routines, clear expectations, and positive reinforcement strategies.
  • Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities focused on evidence-based practices in special education teaching methodologies.
  • Implemented behavior modification strategies, resulting in improved self-regulation and classroom participation among students.
  • Taught students across multiple classifications and degrees of special needs.
  • Delivered effective and differentiated classroom instruction to range of neurodiverse students.
  • Assisted in creating safe and nurturing classroom environment that promoted emotional well-being and academic growth for all students.
  • Assisted struggling students to maintain progress levels by designing individualized lesson plans focused on areas for improvement.
  • Redirected students using Positive Behavior Support (PBS).
  • Led activities that developed students' physical, emotional, and social growth.

Special Education Teacher

Charlotte Mecklenburg School System
08.2014 - 01.2017
  • Implemented behavior modification strategies, resulting in improved self-regulation and classroom participation among students.
  • Organized extracurricular activities for students, fostering teamwork and social skills while broadening interests outside traditional curriculum.
  • Led professional development workshops on inclusive teaching methods for colleagues across district.
  • Assisted in creating safe and nurturing classroom environment that promoted emotional well-being and academic growth for all students.
  • Supported students in developing social skills through structured activities and positive reinforcement techniques.
  • Enhanced classroom management by establishing clear expectations and maintaining consistent routines and procedures.
  • Developed strong relationships with parents and guardians, fostering open communication and increased parental involvement in their child's education.
  • Implemented evidence-based behavioral intervention strategies, promoting positive learning environment for all students.
  • Taught multiple subjects to students with intellectual or emotional disabilities.
  • Created and managed IEPs to define student learning objectives and educational strategies, in addition to applying instructional knowledge and methods to support goals.
  • Led activities that developed students' physical, emotional, and social growth.
  • Redirected students using Positive Behavior Support (PBS).
  • Implemented behavior modification techniques to improve student social and academic performance.
  • Developed and implemented behavior management plans to improve student behavior.
  • Worked closely with parents and guardians to address students' issues on multiple fronts.
  • Designed individual education plans to encourage student growth according to different learning abilities and needs.
  • Improved behavior by modeling positive choices and teaching socially-acceptable options.

Self-Contained Special Education Teacher

Union County Schools
08.2006 - 07.2014
  • Implemented behavior modification strategies, resulting in improved self-regulation and classroom participation among students.
  • Utilized various teaching methods to accommodate diverse learning styles, ensuring all students had equal opportunities to succeed.
  • Collaborated with teachers and therapists to develop individualized educational plans for each student, ensuring optimal progress.
  • Led professional development workshops on inclusive teaching methods for colleagues across district.
  • Assisted in creating safe and nurturing classroom environment that promoted emotional well-being and academic growth for all students.
  • Supported students in developing social skills through structured activities and positive reinforcement techniques.
  • Enhanced learning experiences by incorporating specialized tools and resources tailored to needs of special education students.
  • Enhanced classroom management by establishing clear expectations and maintaining consistent routines and procedures.
  • Developed strong relationships with parents and guardians, fostering open communication and increased parental involvement in their child's education.
  • Assessed student progress through regular evaluations, adjusting instructional strategies as needed for optimal results.
  • Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to create comprehensive education plans tailored to each student's unique needs.
  • Provided targeted remediation in reading comprehension and math skills, resulting in marked improvements in standardized test scores among special education students.
  • Implemented evidence-based behavioral intervention strategies, promoting positive learning environment for all students.
  • Monitored student performance data to identify areas of improvement and adjust instruction accordingly, enhancing overall learning outcomes.
  • Taught multiple subjects to students with intellectual or emotional disabilities.
  • Worked with students with moderate to severe autism to increase life skills.
  • Taught students across multiple classifications and degrees of special needs.
  • Created and managed IEPs to define student learning objectives and educational strategies, in addition to applying instructional knowledge and methods to support goals.
  • Delivered effective and differentiated classroom instruction to range of neurodiverse students.
  • Led activities that developed students' physical, emotional, and social growth.
  • Redirected students using Positive Behavior Support (PBS).
  • Partnered with standard education teachers from across academic departments.
  • Provided life skills programming for students with moderate to severe autism.
  • Implemented behavior modification techniques to improve student social and academic performance.
  • Developed and implemented behavior management plans to improve student behavior.
  • Improved behavior by modeling positive choices and teaching socially-acceptable options.
  • Provided emotional support to students and families.
  • Provided professional development training to educate faculty and staff on laws and regulations governing special education.

Education

Master of Education - Special Education

University of North Carolina At Greensboro
Greensboro, NC
05.2006

Skills

  • Relationship Building
  • Collaborative Teamwork
  • Autism Spectrum Knowledge
  • De-Escalation Techniques
  • Trained in CPI
  • Emotional Support
  • Crisis Prevention and Intervention
  • American Sign Language
  • Augmentative Communication
  • Mobility Assistance
  • Behavior Modification Techniques
  • Multitasking Abilities
  • Interpersonal Communication

Accomplishments

  • Special Education Department chairperson for 4 years.
  • Trained fellow teachers on the procedures for completing Individual Education Plans.
  • Received commendation Coulwood Stem Academy principal for successfully working with students with behavior problems.

Certification

National Board Certified Teacher

Crisis Prevention Intervention certified

Positive Behavior in Schools team trainer and presenter

Timeline

Special Education Teacher

Union County Schools
01.2017 - 08.2023

Special Education Teacher

Charlotte Mecklenburg School System
08.2014 - 01.2017

Self-Contained Special Education Teacher

Union County Schools
08.2006 - 07.2014

Master of Education - Special Education

University of North Carolina At Greensboro

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Donna Thompson