Edwena I. Leite
School Administrator
Glenside,PA
Summary
Organized Special Education Leader is successful at providing classroom and emotional structure for special needs children required to flourish in academic settings. Certified and licensed in PA and recognized as a highly qualified educator. Coordinates well with classroom teachers with supportive strategies for behavior management and lesson accommodations for students. Resilliant and committed Special Education Teacher familiar with challenges associated with teaching special needs children. Remains positive under times of stress or conflict. Works well with classroom teachers to develop accommodations and special techniques for mainstream classroom inclusion. Special Education Teacher equipped with positive attitude and patience vital to teaching children with special needs. Extensive experience creating innovative lesson plans and comfortable learning environments.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
3
3
Certifications
Work History
Special Education Teacher
SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PHILADELPHIA
Philadelphia, PA
09.2000 - Current
- Delivered effective and differentiated classroom instruction to arange of neurodiverse students.
- Modified general education curriculum for special-needs students using various instructional techniques and technologies.
- Completed intensive leadership training and provided training to colleagues on applied behavior analysis.
- Redirected students using Positive Behavior Support (PBS).
- Designed after school program to build, and improve spelling strategies and abilities for students
- Created a fun and exhilarating curriculum to keep students’ interest, and meet the needs of students with disabilities
Special Education Liaison
Ellwood Elementary School
Philadelphia, PA
01.2012 - 01.2019
- Knowledge of State and Federal Special Education Regulations
- Assist Principal with major school decisions
- Ability to communicate and collaborate well with staff and students.
- Evaluated special education staff through classroom observation, feedback, and recommendations.
- Monitor student progress and keep school documents in compliance
- Supported general education teachers and administrators in implementing strategies to meet needs of students with IEPs.
- Facilitated IEP meetings by using family-centered, strength-based approach.
- Collaborated with teachers to conduct behavioral assessments and intervention plans for students with behavior difficulties.
- Monitored overhead, prepared budgets and directed spending and resources to support fiscal efficiency for staff that received Access funds.
- Evaluated programs and monitored implementation and compliance with regulations to achieve objectives.
- Charged with developing professional development to differentiated instruction for all teachers and staff
- Substitute for the Principal and complete Principal duties when the principal is absent from the building
- Coach teachers and staff on proper implementation of interventions, accommodating students, behavior modification strategies and plans, accommodate students with learning challenges, improve IEP’s and Evaluation Reports
- Distribute and track intervention programs for the entire school
- Planned, controlled, and directed overall activities for the school, students, faculty, and staff such as assemblies, fun days and student and class of the month
- Organize and maintained student discipline, reward programs
- Part of the leadership team and made decisions that impact the school such as selecting new hires, budget planning, and purchasing programs for the school
- Composed and implemented character-building initiatives for the entire school that led to a reduction in misconduct
- Maintained programs for the school to enhance the culture and climate of the school to boost morale and positivity
- Engage in overseeing Early Intervention student's overall transition to Kindergarten
- Maintained program files, records, databases, and websites to gather research and prepare and submit reports to the district.
- Managed over 50 school files throughout the year
Special Education Teacher
SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PHILADELPHIA, Birney Elementary School
Philadelphia, PA
09.2002 - 06.2011
- Implemented the core curriculum and created an environment of learning and growing for Special Education and Regular Education students in grades k-6
- Key Contributions:
- Create Individual Education Plans to meet the needs of students with learning disabilities
- Originated innovative fun activities to help motivate students learning
- Accommodate students with disabilities by providing specially designed instruction
- Co-taught and collaborated for five years with a Regular Education Teacher help bridge the gaps in students’ academic abilities in an inclusion, multi-age classroom
- Incorporated the use of technology
- Taught students across multiple classifications and degrees of special needs
Manager and Curriculum Specialist/Leader Teacher
ANANSE SHIELD LEADERSHIP ACADEMY
Philadelphia, OH
04.2010 - 01.2011
- Elevated student’s knowledge of leadership characteristics and taught high school students in grades 9th -12th from some of the top high schools in the Philadelphia region about leadership skills and how to enhance their leadership abilities
- Key Contributions:
- Collaborated to develop and design a curriculum that would be hands-on and activate student curiosity and build student confidence
- Traveled to corporate sites and colleges with students to set in motion possible college goals and career paths
- Oversaw student progress while students researched companies
- Assisted students in creating simulated business plans and student portfolios
- Manage daily finance for student materials and needs
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Regular Education And Special Education
La Salle University
Philadelphia, PA05.2000
M.D. - Education
Gratz College
Elkins Park, PA 1902705.2009
M.D. - Administration and Leadership
University of Pennsylvania
3601 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 1910405.2012
Doctor of Education-Pending - Educational Leadership
Gratz College
Elkins Park, PA05.2023
Skills
- Motivating Students and Staff
- Curriculum Development
- Progress Evaluations
- Behavior Modification
- Data Management
- Excellent Classroom Management
- Remote learning
- Training and Development
Accomplishments
Won The Rose Lindenbaum Teacher of the Year for excellence in Teaching and Leadership in Special Education Services
Earned 5 year scholarship to attend La Salle University
· Published Work
Burnette, E. (2010). The Impact of Physical Activities on Reading Vocabulary Skills: An
example of how exercise can help the brain. VDM Verlag Dr, Muller.
Certification
· Principal K-12 Certification in the state of PA
· Elementary Education Certification K-6 in the state of PA
· Special Education Certification K-12 in the state of PA
Timeline
Special Education Liaison
Ellwood Elementary School
01.2012 - 01.2019
Manager and Curriculum Specialist/Leader Teacher
ANANSE SHIELD LEADERSHIP ACADEMY
04.2010 - 01.2011
Special Education Teacher
SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PHILADELPHIA, Birney Elementary School
09.2002 - 06.2011
Special Education Teacher
SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PHILADELPHIA
09.2000 - Current
Bachelor of Arts - Regular Education And Special Education
La Salle University
M.D. - Education
Gratz College
M.D. - Administration and Leadership
University of Pennsylvania
Doctor of Education-Pending - Educational Leadership
Gratz College
· Principal K-12 Certification in the state of PA
· Elementary Education Certification K-6 in the state of PA
· Special Education Certification K-12 in the state of PA
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