Dr. Crista Grimwood
Emporia,KS
Summary
A twenty-plus year education veteran that has served in a variety of capacities and roles of service within the public and private school sector. Technical assistance and support within conflict resolution and IDEA implementation are an area of expertise.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Dispute Resolution Coordinator
Kansas State Department Of Education
08.2022 - Current
- Provided ongoing support to clients throughout the duration of their disputes, offering empathy and understanding alongside professional advice.
- Assisted in the development of company-wide policies related to dispute resolution, ensuring consistency across departments and teams.
- Negotiated settlements between parties, achieving favorable outcomes while preserving client relationships.
- Consistently met or exceeded performance metrics related to case resolution speed and client satisfaction scores.
- Reduced the number of escalated disputes by proactively addressing issues before they became critical.
- Managed a high volume of dispute cases for successful resolution within designated timeframes.
- Implemented innovative technological tools that streamlined workflows and increased overall efficiency among team members.
- Improved case resolution times by streamlining processes and implementing efficient communication strategies.
- Developed comprehensive training materials, enhancing the skills of new staff and improving overall team performance.
- Enhanced team productivity by developing standardized documentation templates for consistent record-keeping across all cases.
- Participated in regular meetings with management to review case progress and discuss potential improvements to processes or systems.
- Actively participated in continuing education opportunities, staying up-to-date on industry trends and best practices for dispute resolution.
- Established strong working relationships with clients, fostering trust and ensuring satisfaction throughout the dispute resolution process.
- Consistently maintained a high level of professionalism and confidentiality when dealing with sensitive client information and case details.
- Served as an expert resource for colleagues, providing guidance on complex cases and offering insights into best practices.
- Utilized advanced problem-solving skills to effectively mediate conflicts and find mutually acceptable solutions.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to identify areas for improvement in dispute resolution procedures.
- Drove dispute resolutions using effective problem-solving and by guiding mutual understanding of opposing viewpoints.
- Reviewed legal documents and contracts to determine potential conflicts and disputes.
- Used mediation techniques to facilitate communication between disputants, to further parties' understanding of different perspectives and to guide parties toward mutual agreement.
- Researched and analyzed individual parties' positions to understand dispute background.
- Advised parties on dispute resolution processes, policies and procedures, helping disputants make informed choices.
Consulting Special Education Teacher/Behavior Interventionist
Topeka Public Schools USD 501
07.2019 - 05.2022
- 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 the 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.
- Evaluated student progress regularly using various assessment methods, ensuring accurate measurement of skill development and areas requiring additional support.
- Provided targeted instructional support to struggling learners, identifying specific areas for improvement and designing effective intervention plans.
- Implemented behavior modification strategies, resulting in improved self-regulation and classroom participation among students.
- Taught students across multiple classifications and degrees of special needs.
- Provided one-on-one support for students with learning disabilities, enabling them to excel in their coursework.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to provide comprehensive support for students with special needs.
- Coordinated with general education teachers to develop accommodations or modifications necessary for successful inclusion of students with special needs in mainstream classrooms.
- Delivered effective and differentiated classroom instruction to range of neurodiverse students.
- Cultivated connections and strong student rapport to foster classroom engagement, in addition to recording student progress to inform parents and school administration.
- Assisted in creating a safe and nurturing classroom environment that promoted emotional well-being and academic growth for all students.
- Taught multiple subjects to students with intellectual or emotional disabilities.
- Coordinated special education students and teacher assistant schedules with master schedule.
- Instructed students with physical and cognitive disabilities.
- Led activities that developed students' physical, emotional, and social growth.
- Redirected students using Positive Behavior Support (PBS).
- Assisted struggling students to maintain progress levels by designing individualized lesson plans focused on areas for improvement.
- Supported students in developing social skills through structured activities and positive reinforcement techniques.
- Provided life skills programming for students with moderate to severe autism.
- Enhanced students'' communication skills by implementing group activities and collaborative projects.
- Streamlined classroom processes by integrating technology tools such as interactive whiteboards and assistive devices designed for students with disabilities.
- Served as a mentor to new teachers, sharing best practices in special education instruction and classroom management techniques.
- Enhanced learning experiences by incorporating specialized tools and resources tailored to the needs of special education students.
- Partnered with standard education teachers from across academic departments.
- Encouraged students to take ownership of learning by providing choices.
- Increased parent involvement through the organization of workshops, conferences, and informational sessions on topics relevant to special education services.
- Organized field trips and community-based experiences that enriched students'' understanding of real-world applications for their skills.
- Facilitated small group instruction to address individual learning needs.
- Implemented behavior modification techniques to improve student social and academic performance.
- Conducted assessments of students to determine individual needs.
- Maintained accurate records of student progress and attendance.
- Coordinated regular meetings to share and analyze student performance data and success plans with colleagues and parents.
Low Incidences Special Education Teacher
Lake Mary Psychiatric Residential Treatment
07.2017 - 07.2019
- 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 the 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.
- Evaluated student progress regularly using various assessment methods, ensuring accurate measurement of skill development and areas requiring additional support.
- Provided targeted instructional support to struggling learners, identifying specific areas for improvement and designing effective intervention plans.
- Implemented behavior modification strategies, resulting in improved self-regulation and classroom participation among students.
- Taught students across multiple classifications and degrees of special needs.
- Provided one-on-one support for students with learning disabilities, enabling them to excel in their coursework.
- Delivered effective and differentiated classroom instruction to range of neurodiverse students.
- Cultivated connections and strong student rapport to foster classroom engagement, in addition to recording student progress to inform parents and school administration.
- Taught multiple subjects to students with intellectual or emotional disabilities.
- Led activities that developed students' physical, emotional, and social growth.
- Redirected students using Positive Behavior Support (PBS).
- Provided life skills programming for students with moderate to severe autism.
- Supported students in developing social skills through structured activities and positive reinforcement techniques.
- Encouraged students to take ownership of learning by providing choices.
- Worked with students with moderate to severe autism to increase life skills.
Adaptive Special Education Teacher
Emporia Public Schools USD 253
08.2009 - 05.2017
- 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 the use of differentiated instruction and individualized support for diverse learners.
- Modified general education curriculum for special-needs students using various instructional techniques and technologies.
Education
Ph.D. - Educational Leadership
Southwestern College
Winfield, KS05.2021
Master of Science - Adaptive Special Education
Emporia State University
Emporia, KS05.2007
Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education
Emporia State University
Emporia, KS12.2003
Skills
- Alternative dispute resolution
- Legal knowledge
- Research abilities
- Mediation Techniques
- Conflict Coaching
- Assertiveness Training
- Dispute Analysis
- Conflict resolution skills
- De-Escalation Techniques
- Document Preparation
- Professional ethics understanding
- Information Collection
- Interviewing abilities
- Meeting facilitation
- Deductive Reasoning
- Legal expertise
Certification
- Licensed ESOL Teacher
- Licensed Building Level Administrator K-12
- Adaptive Special Education Teacher K-12
- Elementary Education Teacher K-9
Timeline
Dispute Resolution Coordinator
Kansas State Department Of Education
08.2022 - Current
Consulting Special Education Teacher/Behavior Interventionist
Topeka Public Schools USD 501
07.2019 - 05.2022
Low Incidences Special Education Teacher
Lake Mary Psychiatric Residential Treatment
07.2017 - 07.2019
Adaptive Special Education Teacher
Emporia Public Schools USD 253
08.2009 - 05.2017
Ph.D. - Educational Leadership
Southwestern College
Master of Science - Adaptive Special Education
Emporia State University
Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education
Emporia State University
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