Elizabeth Varano
Boynton Beach,FL
Summary
Accomplished Director of ESE Services with a proven track record at Palm Beach School for Autism, enhancing compliance and educational outcomes for special needs students. Expert in differentiated instruction and public speaking, I excel in leveraging instructional best practices to meet diverse student needs. Skilled in student records management and fostering significant improvements in learning assessments. Highly organized and detail-oriented professional with strong work ethic and dedication to achieving goals. Skilled at developing and maintaining documentation systems, managing calendars and preparing reports. Knowledgeable in project management principles, business processes and customer service best practices.
Overview
43
43
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of ESE Services/ESE Coordinator
Palm Beach School for Autism
04.2018 - Current
- I actively lead and oversee a range of responsibilities, including conducting IEP meetings for students from grade 6 through post-high school, ensuring teachers and therapists adhere to federal, state, and district mandates, and providing appropriate instruction and accommodations to all students. I also supervise and mentor ESE coordinator for pre-K through 5th grade, attend district-wide ESE meetings, maintain accurate records in Student Information System (SIS) for compliance, and collaborate with other schools to obtain educational records for incoming students. Furthermore, I facilitate necessary accommodations for students with disabilities during state assessments as outlined in their IEPs.
ESE Coordinator
Eagle Arts Academy Charter School For The Arts
11.2016 - 04.2018
- Disaggregated data, generated reports, and produced tracking documents.
- Brought school up to FLDOE compliance
- Held all IEP meetings within legal timelines
- Conducted all School-Based Team meetings
- Conducted all 504 meetings
- Trained staff regarding federal, state and local legislation/requirements
- Completed all IEP scheduling for both staff and parents
Educational Diagnostician
Conroe ISD
08.2010 - 05.2016
- Assisted school personnel in identification and understanding of students with disabilities.
- Selected, administered and interpreted appropriate formal and informal assessments and evaluations.
- Applied knowledge of ethnic, linguistic, cultural and socioeconomic diversity for evaluation, planning, and instruction.
- Offered informative workshops for educators, school leaders and faculty members.
- Deployed various assessment instruments and techniques to assist in identifying students eligible for special education services.
- Collaborated with social workers to help students grow in social and emotional capacities.
- Led staff and faculty training and development to support program objectives.
- Completed required documentation and reports for compliance and treatment planning.
- Compiled and interpreted students' test results along with information from teachers and parents to diagnose conditions and assess eligibility for special services.
- Met with students to conduct individual assessments and determine academic and mental health needs.
- Consulted with teachers and parents to gain in-depth understanding of students.
- Collaborated with educators, school administrators and external professionals in development of Individualized Education Plans (IEPs).
- Proved successful working within tight deadlines and a fast-paced environment.
- Developed strong organizational and communication skills through coursework and volunteer activities.
Educational Diagnostician
Aldine ISD
08.2000 - 05.2010
- Assisted school personnel in identification and understanding of students with disabilities.
- Selected, administered and interpreted appropriate formal and informal assessments and evaluations.
- Applied knowledge of ethnic, linguistic, cultural and socioeconomic diversity for evaluation, planning, and instruction.
- Deployed various assessment instruments and techniques to assist in identifying students eligible for special education services.
- Selected, administered and scored psychological tests.
- Utilized formal and established testing protocols to evaluate educational, emotional and behavioral needs of students.
- Compiled and interpreted students' test results along with information from teachers and parents to diagnose conditions and assess eligibility for special services.
- Led training for Educational Diagnosticians
- Held IEP meetings for elementary, middle and high school students
Special Education Teacher
Waco ISD
08.1995 - 06.2000
- Partnered with standard education teachers from across academic departments.
- Taught multiple subjects to students with intellectual, emotional and Autistic disabilities.
- Delivered effective and differentiated classroom instruction to range of neurodiverse students.
- Modified general education curriculum for special-needs students using various instructional techniques and technologies.
- Developed Individual Education Plans for students with special needs.
- Worked closely with parents and guardians to address students' issues on multiple fronts.
- Utilized technology to create meaningful lessons that engage students.
- Created and managed IEPs to define student learning objectives and educational strategies, in addition to applying instructional knowledge and methods to support goals.
- Taught students across multiple classifications and degrees of special needs.
Special Education Teacher
Houston ISD
09.1987 - 06.1995
- Created and managed IEPs to define student learning objectives and educational strategies, in addition to applying instructional knowledge and methods to support goals.
- Taught students across multiple classifications and degrees of special needs.
- Assisted struggling general education students to maintain progress levels by designing individualized lesson plans focused on areas for improvement.
Oil and Gas Head Hunter
Self-Employed
09.1981 - 07.1987
- Operated and maintained applicant tracking and candidate management systems.
- Coordinated schedules to arrange management interviews with applicants.
- Conducted phone interviews to assess applicants relevant knowledge, skills, experience and aptitudes.
- Studied job descriptions and qualifications to determine applicant requirements.
- Conducted reference checks, background screening and other pre-employment checks to verify information on applicant's resume.
Education
No Degree - Educational Diagnostician
University of St. Thomas
Houston, TX08.2001
Master of Science - Special Education
University of St. Thomas
Houston, TX06.1996
Bachelor of Science - Communications/minor Speech And Language Disorders
State University of New York
Oneonta08.1981
Skills
- Public Speaking
- Differentiated Instruction
- Instructional Best Practices
- Learning Style Assessment
- Student Records Management
- Alternative Learning Methods
- Student evaluations
- Texas, Florida teaching credential
- Special Education
- Special Needs Students
Timeline
Director of ESE Services/ESE Coordinator
Palm Beach School for Autism
04.2018 - Current
ESE Coordinator
Eagle Arts Academy Charter School For The Arts
11.2016 - 04.2018
Educational Diagnostician
Conroe ISD
08.2010 - 05.2016
Educational Diagnostician
Aldine ISD
08.2000 - 05.2010
Special Education Teacher
Waco ISD
08.1995 - 06.2000
Special Education Teacher
Houston ISD
09.1987 - 06.1995
Oil and Gas Head Hunter
Self-Employed
09.1981 - 07.1987
No Degree - Educational Diagnostician
University of St. Thomas
Master of Science - Special Education
University of St. Thomas
Bachelor of Science - Communications/minor Speech And Language Disorders
State University of New York
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