DOUGLAS L. RUSSELL

• Taught in regional special education program where students are grouped homogeneously by social emotional stages
• Taught students aged 18-21 with Intellectual and Learning Disabilities, including Autism Spectrum Disorders
• Focused on the preparation of students for life after high school with strong community involvement
• Collaborated with other teachers & related professionals to develop assessments & academic plans
• Modified general education curriculum for special-needs students using various instructional techniques and technologies.
• Cultivated connections and strong student rapport to foster classroom engagement, in addition to recording student progress to inform parents and school administration.
• Created and managed IEPs to define student learning objectives and educational strategies, in addition to applying instructional knowledge and methods to support goals.
• Redirected students using Positive Behavior Support (PBS).
• Provided remote learning to students using a Google platform

• Taught self-contained classes for students with Intellectual and Learning Disabilities
• Taught collaborative courses in Science & Mathematics concentrating in Algebra I / II, Geometry & Intermediate Algebra
• Collaborated with general education teachers & counselors to develop assessments & academic plans
• Developed and managed Individual Education Plans
• Responsible for case management of 15+ students on an annual basis
• Assessed students with standardized tests (WIAT-III) & planned for triennials.
• Modified general education curriculum for special-needs students using various instructional techniques and technologies.

6-Time CT Southwest Conference Champions

• Promoted proper stretching, warmups and conditioning exercises to prevent sports injuries.
• Introduced games and drills, which helped students to better develop skill levels.
• Established clear benchmarks for performance and monitored individual and team progress.
• Increased player strength, agility and skills through successful practices.
• Maintained a positive team environment which included encouragement of sportsmanship behavior within the team as well as when in competition. Team received multiple Conference Sportsmanship awards.

• Noted for building skills that are transferrable from sports to adult life.
• Named Connecticut High School Coaches Association Girls Cross Country Coach of the Year - 2016.
• Served on CT Southwest Conference Cross Country and Track & Field Boards for 8 years.
• Assistant Track &Field Coach (2001 - 2004) Prior to becoming Head Coach
• Updated player files with necessary forms to fulfill state and district requirements.
• Consistently completed year-end reports by scheduled deadlines.
• Maintained certification in CPR and first-aid procedures to respond to player injury.
• Worked directly with Director of Athletic Programs to create budgets for equipment upgrades and travel.
• Established strong working relationships with news media outlets, school administration and team parents.
• Monitored student players' compliance with satisfactory academic performance standards.

• 2-Time CT Southwest Conference Champions
• Pushed athletes through rigorous training drills following practice schedule, enforcing appropriate exertion levels.
• Coached individual participants in skills necessary for excellent achievement in target sports.
• Honed competency in rules, meet procedures and coaching techniques prominent in track and field to build strong routines of training and conditioning.
• Enforced discipline and sportsmanlike behavior at all times. The team received multiple Conference Sportsmanship awards.
• Exercised and taught control and care of sports equipment to promote good habits and preserve life of school-owned equipment.
• Completed necessary attendance forms, insurance records and similar paperwork.
• Increased player strength, agility and game skills through successful practices.
• Promoted proper stretching, warmups and conditioning exercises to prevent sports injuries.
• Established clear benchmarks for performance and monitored individual and team progress.

• Completed necessary attendance forms, insurance records and similar paperwork.
• Enforced reasonable expectations for team conduct on trips and during meets to build positive image for organization and team alike.
• Honed competency in rules, meet procedures and coaching techniques prominent in track and field to build strong routines of training and conditioning.
• Coached individual participants in skills necessary for excellent achievement in target sports.
• Oversaw safety conditions of facility or sports area during rehearsal and event times.
• Planned and scheduled regular program of in-season practices.
• 1-Time CT Southwest Conference Champions

• Established new education program for Newtown concentrating on smaller class sizes in an alternative setting
• Adapted traditional models to create new curriculums for non-traditional education
• Guided students through the process of identifying community and employment opportunities
• Partnered with recreational leaders to incorporate various methods of learning
• Developed individualized programs for students
• Taught courses in Mathematics, English and Science.

• Responded to requests for secondary transition training and technical assistance from educators, families, administrators, community organizations and adult service providers
• Provided training and technical assistance to educators at the middle and high school levels
• Used various training and technical assistance methods including group workshops, consultation, & literature research
• Collaborated with Training and Technical Assistance Centers, Virginia Intercommunity Transition Council, Virginia Department of Education, Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services, local Community Service Boards, Centers for Independent Living and other interagency efforts
• Served as Co-Chair for Virginia’s statewide Transition Forum for two years and served on the planning team for over 10 years
• Primary lead on selective long-term technical assistance plans proposed through specific school systems
• Provided technical assistance to grant recipients of Community Partnership Employment Projects.
• Conducted trainings/presentations at the Local, State and National levels regarding trends within the Transition area of Special Education

• Developed partnerships with parents, educational institutions and organizations to build awareness, increase support and share resources in regards to the transition of students with disabilities into adult life.
• Monitored grants and other sources of funding for educational programs and projects and assisted in the drafting of proposals and agreements to support proper allocation.
• Planned and implemented staff development and in-service training programs to enhance knowledge and skills.
• Identified issues, analyzed information and provided solutions to challenges in regards to transition planning of students with disabilities

• Collaborated with Secondary level teachers to provide effective transition planning.
• Provided training and technical assistance to teachers, parents and community resource providers
• Assisted individuals with addressing disabilities and developing career plans.
• Coordinated and partnered with community resources
• Prepared and maintained records and case files, including documentation such as students' personal and eligibility information, services provided and relevant correspondence.
• Researched and located appropriate services for students
• Developed interagency counsels to improve communication throughout local communities regarding services to students with disabilities
• Attended Individual Education Planning meetings to assist with the transition plan development

• Coordinated with local school districts to implement job development opportunities for students with disabilities
• Worked with local employers to provide job opportunities for school-aged individuals with disabilities
• Educated employers on incentives for hiring individuals with disabilities
• Provided on-the-job training for students
• Supervised a work enclave for multiple students at a university food service facility

• Assisted students with Intellectual disabilities with achieving career and learning goals.
• Planned and documented programs of study meeting individual needs and abilities of students. This was done through the development and monitoring of Individualized Education Plans.
• Provided detailed instruction and role modeling for acceptable social and work-related behaviors.
• Maintained documentation on educational services and tracked students' progress to gauge overall success of learning program.
• Worked with local business owners to develop job opportunities for my students
• Provided on the job training to assist with students being successful at those work sites

• Delivered effective and differentiated classroom instruction to students with intellectual disabilities ranging from ages 12 to 21.
• Implemented and taught life skills program, enabling students to master concepts as functional academics to employability skills.
• Designed and implemented point system to encourage positive behavior.
• 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.
• Coordinated special education students and teacher assistant schedules with master schedule.
• Organized instruction materials, which includedi setting up work areas.
• Redirected students using Positive Behavior Support (PBS).

• Provided assistance to Placement Specialist through the project
• Provided supported employment job coaching services to individuals placed in local job sites
• Filed, organized and archived training materials to support future training sessions.
• Assisted in the development of training materials used in local, state and national presentations