Elissa Armstrong
Dover,NH
Summary
Special education paraprofessional supporting academic, emotional, and social growth through classroom assistance, behavior redirection, and one-on-one help. Brings clear communication, student safety awareness, and steady support for transitions, routines, and instructional follow-through across varied learning needs.
Overview
1
1
Language
1
1
Certification
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
Special Education Paraprofessional
Dover High School
Dover, NH
01.2014 - Current
- Assisted special education students during classroom activities, enhancing engagement and participation.
- Reinforced lesson plans under teacher direction in core academic subjects.
- Assisted students with behavior redirection and positive classroom routines.
- Oversaw student movement to ensure safety during transitions in halls, cafeteria, and throughout school environments.
- Guided students through daily organization, note taking, and task completion.
- Communicated student concerns and progress with teachers and support staff.
- Implemented behavior management strategies designed by special education staff.
- Provided one-on-one instruction to students who needed extra help with learning tasks.
- Encouraged independent thinking, problem solving, and self-advocacy skills among students.
- Supported students with personalized accommodations and extra assistance, facilitating their access to educational assessments.
Patient Nutrition Department
Wentworth Douglass Hospital
Dover, NH
01.2023 - 06.2023
- Identified and addressed customer needs promptly during interactions. customer needs and responded efficiently.
- Provided strong customer service in person and over the phone.
- Facilitated organization of tasks to enhance productivity. and prioritize tasks to meet service goals.
- Completed daily duties accurately and efficiently.
Supervised Children's Program Employee
The Works Family Health and Fitness
Somersworth, NH
01.2013 - 01.2017
- Provided attentive nursery care to children, ensuring a safe and nurturing environment., Oversaw gym activities, ensuring safety and engagement of all participants., Monitored swim activities, providing guidance and support to participants., Facilitated aqua kids camp, promoting water safety and fun activities., Organized sandlot kids camp activities to encourage social interaction and play., Arranged Parents Night Out events to provide childcare and evening activities. and Organized children’s parties and special events, creating engaging experiences.
- Completed day-to-day duties accurately and efficiently.
- Promoted high customer satisfaction by resolving problems with knowledgeable and friendly service.
Retail/sales Associate, assist managing skatepark
Red Alert Skateboard Shop
Dover, NH
01.2005 - 01.2011
- Greeted each customer and offered assistance in finding requested items, helping boost customer satisfaction and retention.
- Executed sales transactions through point-of-sale system, ensuring accurate processing and customer satisfaction
- Managed special orders for customers and communicated product arrival updates, improving customer engagement and service
- Explained product features, sizing, and setup options for skate gear
- Restocked merchandise and organized sales floor displays to enhance product visibility and accessibility
Overnight Head Camp Counselor
Waterville Valley Skateboard Camp
Waterville Valley, NH
01.2005 - 01.2007
- Coordinated counselor schedules, camper groupings, and activity flow across camp sessions.
- Modeled positive behavior and camp values for staff and campers throughout the day.
- Trained new counselors in safety procedures, emergency protocols, and activity guidelines.
- Supported new counselors with lesson setup, supervision practices, and camper management.
- Communicated with parents, staff, and camp leadership about camper needs and concerns.
- Provided feedback on program objectives achieved through individual counseling sessions.
Education
Massage Therapy -
Great Bay Community College
Portsmouth, NH09-2026
Cosmetology License -
Continental Academie
Hudson, NH01-2002
High School Diploma -
Pinkerton Academy
Derry, NH01-2001
Skills
- Instructional delivery
- Special needs
- Disability support
- Autism support
- Functional communication
- Emotional support
- Sensory support
- Activity management
- Life skills
- Safety protocol adherence
- Teacher collaboration
- Communication skills
- Relationship building
- Conflict management
- Emotional management
- Cultural competence
- Skill building
- Executive support
Certification
CRP Certified, AED Certified, CPI Certified, COACHSMART Certified
Career Highlights / Qualifications
- Provide physical, social, and educational support to special education students at Dover High School as a Special Education Paraprofessional (2014-2023) and substitute 2013-2014 school year.) Continuous personal routine care, IEP goal-oriented academics, and socialization is worked on, on a daily basis.
- Coaching and Head Coach of the Dover Green Wave Special Olympics Summer Games team (2015-2023) Coaching Dover Unified Cheerleading club (2016-2017) Assistant coach Dover Unified Soccer Team (2016 -2023) Assistant coach Dover Unified Volleyball team (2017-2023)
- Provide behavioral assistance to students while continuously working with teachers and specialists on bettering progress and providing data and record keeping.
- Becoming active in the Dover High community by volunteering and/or supporting students in Unified Sports, Unified (and general) dances, fundraisers, field trips, and various after school events.
- New Hampshire Special Olympics Youth Ambassador Mentor 2021-2023
Languages
English
Professional
Affiliations
- Volunteer Special Olympics Green Wave track and field coach
- Special Olympics New Hampshire youth ambassador Mentor 2022-2024
Timeline
Patient Nutrition Department
Wentworth Douglass Hospital
01.2023 - 06.2023
Special Education Paraprofessional
Dover High School
01.2014 - Current
Supervised Children's Program Employee
The Works Family Health and Fitness
01.2013 - 01.2017
Retail/sales Associate, assist managing skatepark
Red Alert Skateboard Shop
01.2005 - 01.2011
Overnight Head Camp Counselor
Waterville Valley Skateboard Camp
01.2005 - 01.2007
Massage Therapy -
Great Bay Community College
Cosmetology License -
Continental Academie
High School Diploma -
Pinkerton Academy