Gisele El Achkar
Summary
Special education professional with a proven track record of fostering inclusive learning environments and implementing effective instructional strategies. Strong emphasis on team collaboration and achieving positive educational outcomes, adaptable to changing classroom dynamics. Skilled in behavior management, curriculum development, and student advocacy, bringing reliability and flexibility to the role.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Special Education Teacher - Resource Room
Lakeville Area Schools
08.2024 - Current
- 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.
- 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.
- Coordinated with general education teachers to develop accommodations or modifications necessary for the successful inclusion of students with special needs in mainstream classrooms.
- Cultivated connections and strong student rapport to foster classroom engagement, in addition to recording student progress to inform parents and school administration.
- Advocated for the rights and needs of students with special education requirements, ensuring access to appropriate resources and accommodations.
- Worked closely with parents and guardians to address students' issues on multiple fronts.
- Adapted teaching methods and materials to meet the varied needs of students, enhancing educational accessibility.
- Boosted student engagement in mathematics by introducing problem-solving activities that connected concepts to real-world situations.
- Conducted assessments to identify students' strengths and areas for improvement, informing instructional strategies.
Special Education Teacher- Low Incidence Program
Northfield High School
09.2021 - 08.2024
- Developed and implemented Individualized Education Programs (IEP) for students with moderate to severe disabilities, ensuring legal compliance and meeting student needs.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams, including special educators, therapists, and parents, to develop comprehensive educational programs.
- Led interdisciplinary team meetings to ensure a comprehensive approach to student education, bolstering collaborative problem-solving and program development.
- Conducted professional development sessions on inclusive instructional strategies and legal compliance for educators and paraprofessionals in data collection, levels of prompting, structured work systems, and behavior intervention techniques that increased student independence and teaching efficacy by 30%, as evidenced by improved IEP goal achievement rates and PLC data goal tracking.
- Integrated assistive technologies to improve student engagement, resulting in a 40% increase in classroom participation.
- Organized field trips and community-based experiences that enriched students'' understanding of real-world applications for their skills.
- Enhanced communication skills in non-verbal students through the integration of alternative and augmentative communication systems.
- Promoted self-advocacy and independence in students with disabilities by teaching self-management and decision-making skills.
- Fostered a positive learning environment, reducing classroom disruptions through effective behavior management strategies.
- Advocated for the rights and needs of students with special education requirements, ensuring access to appropriate resources and accommodations.
- Guided students through transition planning processes, preparing them for post-secondary education and employment opportunities.
- Created a culturally responsive classroom environment, acknowledging and celebrating diversity among students.
- Developed and executed behavioral intervention plans, leading to a decrease in disruptive behaviors and an increase in classroom participation.
- Adapted teaching methods and materials to meet the varied needs of students, enhancing educational accessibility.
- Worked closely with parents and guardians to address students' issues on multiple fronts.
- Coordinated regular meetings to share and analyze student performance data and success plans with colleagues and parents.
- Helped students with special needs integrate into general classroom environments by advocating for individual requirements and helping teachers solve problems.
- Applied proven strategies to improve students' sensory- and perceptual-motor skills.
- Promoted memory, cognition, and language development with hands-on activities and individualized instruction.
- Completed due process documentation to comply with legal and regulatory requirements
- Coordinated with general education teachers to develop accommodations or modifications necessary for the successful inclusion of students with special needs in mainstream classrooms.
- Coordinated special education students and teacher assistant schedules with master schedule.
- Created and maintained schedules for paraprofessionals and students to optimize instructional time and support.
- Implemented research-based strategies to support skill acquisition and address learning challenges.
- Implemented the Treatment and Education of Autistic and Communication-related handicapped CHildren (TEACCH) method in the classroom, leading to an enhanced classroom structure and learning opportunities.
- Collaborated with parents to help students generalize skills across different settings.
- Programming student's communication devices (eye gaze, TD snap, Proloquo2go, Go Talk).
- Created innovative task box systems tailored to individual student needs, significantly improving transition and vocational skill acquisitions.
- Developed and led inclusion initiatives that increased participation of special needs students in general education classes by 25%, fostering peer relationships and academic growth.
- Co-initiated the Best Buddies program with a special education colleague, fostering relationships between general education students and those with special needs.
- Represented the high school at the Northfield Special Education Advisory Council, presenting on the program's impact and effectiveness, leading to an increase in the general education students' participation in the Best Buddies program by 30%.
- Implemented data-driven behavior management plans that reduced classroom disruptions by 40%, enhancing overall learning environments.
- Led initiatives for program development, including inclusion programs and vocational skill development.
Special Education Teacher - Center-based
Pinewood Community School
08.2020 - 08.2021
- Created and managed IEPs to define student learning objectives and educational strategies, in addition to applying instructional knowledge and methods to support goals.
- Fostered strong relationships with parents and guardians, maintaining open lines of communication to ensure student progress.
- Efficiently managed a caseload of 13+ students, balancing individualized instruction online and in person with comprehensive case documentation and parent communication
- Delivered differentiated instruction tailored to the learning needs of students with diverse disabilities in a K-2 setting
- Integrated assistive technology to facilitate access to the curriculum and enhance student engagement
- Facilitated the inclusion of students in general education activities, leading to a 30% increase in social integration
- Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities focused on evidence-based practices in special education teaching methodologies.
- 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.
- 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.
- Coordinated special education students and teacher assistant schedules with master schedule.
- Fostered positive learning environment, reducing classroom disruptions through effective behavior management strategies.
- Adapted teaching methods and materials to meet varied needs of students, enhancing educational accessibility.
- Utilized data from student assessments to tailor instruction, resulting in more effective learning outcomes.
- Coordinated with multidisciplinary teams to ensure comprehensive educational and emotional support for students.
Substitute Licensed Teacher and Paraprofessional
Farmington Public Schools ISD 192
01.2020 - 03.2020
- Supported special education classrooms by delivering instruction and managing IEP goals during teacher absences
- Assisted in implementing behavior management strategies and monitoring student progress
- Collaborated with regular education teachers to ensure continuity of education and support for students with disabilities
Substitute Licensed Teacher
Apple Valley Public Schools District 196
11.2013 - 05.2014
- Supported special education classrooms by delivering instruction and managing IEP goals during teacher absences
- Assisted in implementing behavior management strategies and monitoring student progress
- Collaborated with regular education teachers to ensure continuity of education and support for students with disabilities
French and Arabic language Teacher
Learner's World International School (LWIS,AIS)
09.2008 - 06.2013
- Designed and implemented a cohesive French and Arabic curriculum with horizontal and vertical alignment across grade levels and subjects.
- Tailored teaching methods and materials to accommodate diverse learning styles and abilities, ensuring all students can access the curriculum.
- Improved student proficiency in French and Arabic, meeting or exceeding benchmarks by the end of the academic year.
- Utilized interactive and culturally relevant activities to enhance learning and student motivation.
- Collaborated with colleagues to refine language teaching practices and curriculum.
- Regularly evaluated and updated curricula based on feedback and performance data to enhance effectiveness.
- Organized cultural events and provided resources for parents to support language learning at home.
- Participated in professional development opportunities related to Bloom's Taxonomy, effective teaching practices, differentiation, technology integration, and inquiry-based learning.
- Developed and implemented behavior management plans to support student learning and classroom environment.
- Fostered an inclusive classroom environment that promotes acceptance and understanding among all students, encouraging peer interactions and social integration.
- Participated in interdisciplinary team meetings to create cohesive and multifaceted educational programs, achieving higher student satisfaction and engagement.
- Collaborated with colleagues to design interdisciplinary lessons that reinforced key concepts across multiple subject areas.
- Enhanced student comprehension by incorporating diverse teaching methodologies and multimedia resources.
Instructional Coach for Early Childhood Student Teachers
Technical School of Commercial and Touristic Sciences
09.2008 - 06.2013
- Coached teachers to improve practices through professional development and modeling instructional strategies.
- Developed and implemented tailored coaching strategies that significantly improved student teachers' classroom management and instructional techniques
- Provided consistent, individualized support and feedback that helped student teachers build confidence and proficiency in their teaching roles
- Fostered a reflective and collaborative environment that encouraged ongoing professional growth and shared best practices among early childhood educators
Education
Educational Leadership Specialist - Administrative Licensure in Special Education
Minnesota State University Mankato
Mankato, MN05-2026
Master of Arts - Special Education
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
01.2023
Bachelor of Arts - Elementary education and French language cycle II
Lebanese University
01.2008
Skills
- IEP development
- Attention to Detail
- Problem-Solving
- Organizational Skills
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- Time Management
- Faculty Collaboration
- Behavior Modification Techniques
- Data Management
- Instructional Strategies
- Inclusion Strategies
References
- Caleb Davidson, Assistant Director of Special Services
- Becca Bang, Assistant Principal at Northfield High School
- Dr. Joel Leer, Former Northfield High School Principal
- Nabil Husni, Principal of LWIS- AIS, +961-9-740 225, info@lwis-ais.edu.lb
Hobbies and Interests
- Traveling
- Reading
- Music
- Interior design
Training Certificates
- Safety Care Training, 03/23
- Conscious Discipline, 02/23
- Structured Teaching Session 3: Creating tasks that speak to the student, 03/23
Accomplishments
- Developed a low-incidence program based on varied evidence-based teaching strategies responding to multiple students' needs
- Achieved increased student independence and vocational skills through effectively implementing the TEAACH method and the development of a task box structured work system.
- Trained colleagues, teachers, and paraprofessionals on the procedures for implementing structured work systems, behavior support, levels of prompting, and data collection.
Certification
- Minnesota State Licensed Special Education Teacher Birth to 12.
- Minnesota State Licensed Teacher in French Language.
Languages
Arabic
Native or Bilingual
French
Native or Bilingual
English
Full Professional
Timeline
Special Education Teacher - Resource Room
Lakeville Area Schools
08.2024 - Current
Special Education Teacher- Low Incidence Program
Northfield High School
09.2021 - 08.2024
Special Education Teacher - Center-based
Pinewood Community School
08.2020 - 08.2021
Substitute Licensed Teacher and Paraprofessional
Farmington Public Schools ISD 192
01.2020 - 03.2020
Substitute Licensed Teacher
Apple Valley Public Schools District 196
11.2013 - 05.2014
French and Arabic language Teacher
Learner's World International School (LWIS,AIS)
09.2008 - 06.2013
Instructional Coach for Early Childhood Student Teachers
Technical School of Commercial and Touristic Sciences
09.2008 - 06.2013
Master of Arts - Special Education
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
Bachelor of Arts - Elementary education and French language cycle II
Lebanese University
Educational Leadership Specialist - Administrative Licensure in Special Education
Minnesota State University Mankato
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