Erin H. Fink
Clarksburg,MD
Summary
Forward-thinking Special Educator, experienced working in educational settings both on-campus and in the community. Focused on building connections between students, families, and the community to strengthen engagement and help students reach long-term goals. Dedicated to students with proven skills in classroom management, behavior modification and individualized support. Comfortable working with students of different abilities to promote learning and boost educational success.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Transition Classroom Teacher
Kennedy Krieger School Powder Mill Campus
08.2017 - Current
- Maintained an orderly classroom with routines, visuals, and individualized student supports and structured work systems
- Provided detailed quarterly reports on student progress
- Planned and oversaw the management of student Individual Education Plans
- Operate MOIEP, PowerSchool, Outlook, Google Drive, and SEDS work systems with fluency.
- Prepared students for transition by educating them about post-graduation financial, residential, and daily living opportunities.
- Collaborated with administrators and classroom staff to plan for programming
- Assisted with coordination between the school, caregivers, and MD Department of Rehabilitation Services (DORS), as well as DC Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA).
- Maintained regular, effective communication with parents to create a strong connection between home and school.
- Supported augmentative and alternative communication devices
- Maintained effective communication with classroom staff through clear expectations, regular feedback sessions, and ongoing training and support.
- Implemented behavior intervention plans and individual education plans
- Utilized data systems to gather and analyze information on student behaviors and completion of tasks
- Created effective teaching materials catering to different styles of learning
- Implemented special education and autism education best practices including visual and structural supports, schedules, checklists, and timers for improved instruction and classroom routines
- Played an active role in leading and participating in multiple school-based committees that fostered community engagement and drove positive changes within the school
- Demonstrated high expectations for students and knowledge of student strengths and needs
- Developed meaningful and individualized, simulated job experiences in horticulture, office-clerical, food-service/retail, and building service industries
- Provided support to students in engaging in on-campus and off-campus work-based learning experiences.
- Designed and created effective lesson plans and instructional resources to enhance student learning.
- Conducted assessments to evaluate student progress and modify instruction accordingly.
- Developed community partnerships for the Work-Based Learning program. Students attend Work-Based Learning in the community 3 days a week at a variety of locations.
- Supported on-the-job training, created job supports and attainable goals for students at worksites.
- Provided guidance on career planning, resume writing, interviewing skills, and job search techniques to students.
- Conducted staff training sessions for up to 75 staff members on autism best practice
- Assisted in organizing staff training sessions or workshops.
- Facilitated group activities and meetings to promote schoolwide engagement and community building
- Provided consistent feedback to staff quarterly and as-needed; worked to create management plans to support staff growth and success.
- Collaborated with outside agencies to provide support services for students.
- Developed transition plans that prepared students transitioning out of high school into postsecondary life settings such as college or vocational programs.
- Maintained accurate records of evaluations, assessments, reports, teacher observations. pertaining to each student's IEP.
- Compiled data from various sources into comprehensive reports used by school administrators when making decisions about student placement or service delivery models.
- Managed time effectively to ensure tasks were completed on schedule and deadlines were met.
- Maintained updated knowledge through continuing education and advanced training.
- Created collaborative partnerships with parents, administrators, and community partnerships, to promote a total support system for individuals.
Intensive Integrative Support Staff
Changing the Lives of Children with Autism (CLCA)
01.2013 - Current
- Provided intensive instructional support in home and community settings
- Provided personalized guidance and support to clients according to their specific treatment plan.
- Focused on time-structured activities through utilization of visuals and timers
- Developed and utilized visual aids such as schedules, timers, and task analysis to facilitate tasks.
- Centered on in-home functional and daily living skills
- Ensured the safety of clients through pre-planning and instructional guidance on community trips.
- Implemented a client-centered therapy approach that prioritized family involvement
- Created a fun yet structured learning atmosphere using repetition and positive reinforcement to ensure comfortable student interaction both at home and in the community
- Taught self-monitoring skills to individuals using positive reinforcement
- Maximized learning in a fun and safe environment by fostering trust and respect.
- Collected and provided written annotations on client performance towards treatment goals.
- Facilitated parent engagement activities designed to help families understand the importance of supporting their children
- Collaborated with families to provide support for students' development of skills via structure, routine, and predictability.
- Encouraged parent engagement by providing resources and translating materials into home languages when necessary.
Autism Lead Teacher
James E. Duckworth Regional School
01.2012 - 01.2017
- Provided education to children with autism aged 5-9 in a classroom environment
- Provided education to children with autism aged 14-17 in a classroom environment
- Served as a PGCPS council member and Assistant Teacher Union Representative
- Actively contributed to the professional development of team members
- Created visual supports, utilized alternative communication devices, and supported augmented communication devices
- Fluent in conducting Functional Behavioral Analyses and creating effective Behavior Intervention Plans.
- Utilized visual schedules and picture communication symbols for communication support.
- Assisted parents with navigating the intricacies of transition planning, delivering valuable support throughout the process.
- Prepared students for post-graduation vocational environments.
- Responsible for the development and coordination of individualized academic, behavioral, social, community, and transitional programming
- Autism; Emotional Disabilities; Physical, and Multiple Disabilities classrooms
- Provided instructional guidance and mentorship to teachers in the development of lesson plans, instructional materials, and assessments
- Coordinated community-based instruction with local businesses and programs and facilitated the planning process and scheduling of activities and coordinated off-campus transportation directly with PGCPS bus depot.
- Conducted observations of classrooms to provide feedback on instructional practices and suggest improvements.
- Supervised paraprofessionals working directly with students receiving special education services.
- Conducted meetings with teachers, parents, and school administrators to discuss eligibility criteria for special education services.
- Collaborated with outside agencies to provide support services for students.
- Served as a liaison between school personnel, families, and external service providers in order to ensure successful implementation of IEPs.
- Coordinated the evaluation process of all IEPs to ensure compliance with federal and state regulations.
Bakery Clerk
Foodland Markets
Kittanning, PA
06.2008 - 07.2011
- Baked breads, rolls, muffins, cakes, cupcakes, cookies and other pastries following established recipes.
- Provided excellent customer service by promptly addressing complaints or concerns about product quality or availability
- Greeted customers, answered questions and provided product knowledge.
- Assisted bakery manager with coordinating product ordering, receiving, and stocking.
- Provided excellent customer service to foster satisfaction and loyalty.
- Greeted incoming patrons, offered menu advice and documented order details and special preferences.
- Managed customer complaints and resolved issues in a timely and professional manner.
- Maintained a clean and organized bakery area, complying with health and safety regulations.
Education
Masters of Education -
Slippery Rock University
05.2013
Bachelor of Science of Education -
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
01.2011
Some College (No Degree) - Continuing Education
University of California San Diego (UCSD) Division
San Diego, CASkills
- Attention to Detail
- Work Planning and Prioritization
- Collaboration
- Cultural knowledge and sensitivity
- Team Building and Leadership
- Documentation and Reporting
- Time management
- Schedule Coordination
- Employee Supervision
- Public speaking skills
- File management
- Parent and student communication
- Student needs assessment
- Data-Driven Decisions
- Community Outreach
- Adaptability
- Problem-Solving
- Written Communication
- Community Relations
- Self-Driven and Motivated
Certification
- Advanced Professional License
- First Aid/CPR
- Prevention and Crisis Management (PCM) Practitioner I
Languages
English
Native/ Bilingual
American Sign Language
Limited
Affiliations
- Rockville Baseball Association Assistant Coach
- Lead Car Detailer at Car Repair Services LLC
- Mom to a 13 year old and a 10 month old
Accomplishments
- School Improvement Team
- Several School Event Planning Committees
- Restorative Practices Committee
- Croc Cares Work Group
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Transition Classroom Teacher
Kennedy Krieger School Powder Mill Campus
08.2017 - Current
Intensive Integrative Support Staff
Changing the Lives of Children with Autism (CLCA)
01.2013 - Current
Autism Lead Teacher
James E. Duckworth Regional School
01.2012 - 01.2017
Bakery Clerk
Foodland Markets
06.2008 - 07.2011
Masters of Education -
Slippery Rock University
Bachelor of Science of Education -
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Some College (No Degree) - Continuing Education
University of California San Diego (UCSD) Division
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