Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Activities
Certification
Professional Development
Timeline
Generic
Dori Cousley

Dori Cousley

Sunrise

Summary

With over 30 years of experience in special education and related services, dedicated and energetic professional. Worked with individuals of varying ages and exceptionalities, including autism spectrum disorder, Down syndrome, speech disorders, mental and emotional handicaps, and a wide range of learning disabilities. Proven track record includes providing education, tutoring, supplemental services, compassionate support, practical advice, and guidance for parents and caregivers. Passionate about creating an inclusive atmosphere and fostering a sense of belonging. Experience in assisting minority and multicultural families from living and working overseas. Embrace the uniqueness of every person and believe in their potential to succeed. Skilled member of a multidisciplinary team, collaborating with school administrators, teachers, support services, parents, and volunteers from diverse backgrounds. Expertise in motivational leadership, team building, interpersonal communication, organization, and classroom management. Experienced in developing and implementing individualized education programs for diverse learners. Utilize differentiated instruction techniques to effectively meet unique student needs and enhance learning outcomes. Possess knowledge in effective classroom management strategies and collaborative team efforts to support student success.

Overview

35
35
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Exceptional Student Education Teacher

Broward County Schools Central Park Elementary
07.2024 - Current
  • Responsibilities include writing IEPs, keeping data, implementing IEP goals, providing modified curriculum to students, Meeting with parents, and holding two parent-teacher conferences a year
  • Collaborated with school personnel, parents, and other professionals to ensure best practices were being used when working with exceptional students.

Paraprofessional

Broward County Schools Sawgrass Elementary
09.2019 - 06.2024
  • Responsibilities include but are not limited to providing support to the teacher, working with individual students or small groups, assisting the teacher in preparing materials, keeping data, supervising and helping where needed
  • And follow the teacher's lead to provide support
  • Ensured that all safety regulations were followed in the classroom environment.

Substitute Teacher

School Board Of Broward County
10.2014 - 09.2019
  • Organized lesson plans and activities for students.

Special Education Teacher

Spring Gate School
08.2012 - 06.2013
  • Taught high school students with emotional and behavioral issues
  • Facilitated small group instruction tailored for individual student needs.

Supported Employment Consultant

Employment Enterprises, Inc
02.2010 - 05.2013
  • Facilitated meetings between employers and prospective candidates in order to facilitate successful placements.

Substitute Teacher

School Board Of Broward County
10.2008 - 05.2010
  • Organized lesson plans and activities for students.

Group Home Instructor

ARC
11.1998 - 08.2000
  • Assisted residents with activities of daily living and their social activities.
  • Dispensed their medication as I was trained to do.

Early Elementary teacher

Colegio De Las Americas
09.1997 - 06.1998
  • I taught kindergarten and first grade using the American curriculum to teach English to native Spanish-speaking students.
  • I developed lesson plans for all subjects and regularly met with parents to discuss their children's academic progress and development.

Preschool ESOL teacher

Winpenny Infant School
09.1996 - 06.1997
  • I taught preschool students aged two to three years, creating engaging and interactive lessons tailored to a weekly theme and four vocabulary words.
  • My focus was on making learning fun and exciting, helping my native Spanish-speaking students develop English language skills at a young age.

Group Home Instructor

Nassau Center
01.1994 - 09.1995
  • Helped residence prepare for their day, teaching activities of daily living and dispensing medication.

Speech Therapist

New York City Schools Special Education District
09.1990 - 06.1994
  • Adapted treatments as needed based on a variety of factors including age and developmental level, cultural background.

Education

Bachelor of Arts - Speech And Hearing Therapy

State University of New York At Buffalo
Buffalo, NY
05-1990

Skills

  • Classroom organization
  • Parent-teacher collaboration
  • Positive reinforcement
  • Social skills development
  • Collaborative teaching
  • Inclusive classrooms
  • IEP implementation
  • Autism spectrum
  • IEP development
  • Classroom management
  • Lesson planning
  • Differentiated instruction
  • Individualized education programs
  • Non-verbal communication

Activities

  • Special Olympics Volunteer
  • Assistant Soccer Coach
  • Planned, organized, and implemented a range of programs for students, parents, and the community.
  • Served as room parent and classroom volunteer for special needs and typical elementary classrooms.
  • Supported teachers and administrators by preparing materials for classroom activities and school-wide events.
  • Assisted with academic programs, center time, and specials In schools.
  • Served as parent liaison in local schools.
  • Led Brownie troop, planning and implementing curriculum and bi-weekly activities for 14 girls ages 7-9.
  • Volunteered at orphanage, providing therapy and nutritional services for special needs children.
  • Prepared welcome baskets for indigent new mothers and their infants in Mexico City hospitals.

Certification

  • Certification: Speech Therapist New York City Board of Education 1990-1994
  • Certification: Exceptional Student Education Teacher (SEN) State of Florida Department of Education 2024-2029

Professional Development

PLC 24-25 2641 ELA ESE 2024-2025

Intro to CHAMPS Classroom Management August 2024

Strong Connections Tier 3 De-Escalation August 2024

Functional Behavior Assessment July 2024

Positive Behavior Support July 2024

Emergency Response Protocol January 2025

Timeline

Exceptional Student Education Teacher

Broward County Schools Central Park Elementary
07.2024 - Current

Paraprofessional

Broward County Schools Sawgrass Elementary
09.2019 - 06.2024

Substitute Teacher

School Board Of Broward County
10.2014 - 09.2019

Special Education Teacher

Spring Gate School
08.2012 - 06.2013

Supported Employment Consultant

Employment Enterprises, Inc
02.2010 - 05.2013

Substitute Teacher

School Board Of Broward County
10.2008 - 05.2010

Group Home Instructor

ARC
11.1998 - 08.2000

Early Elementary teacher

Colegio De Las Americas
09.1997 - 06.1998

Preschool ESOL teacher

Winpenny Infant School
09.1996 - 06.1997

Group Home Instructor

Nassau Center
01.1994 - 09.1995

Speech Therapist

New York City Schools Special Education District
09.1990 - 06.1994

Bachelor of Arts - Speech And Hearing Therapy

State University of New York At Buffalo
Dori Cousley