Heather Da'Mes
Special Education Teacher
King George,VA
Summary
Versatile and dedicated Special Education Teacher with focus on individual needs of special education students. Empathetic and accommodating in design and implementation of hands-on lessons. Exceptional skills working with teachers, parents and specialists to meet educational needs of students. Extensive experience working with autistic children.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
6
6
Years of Special Education Experience
3
3
Certifications
Work History
Special Education Teacher
King George Elementary School
King George, VA
08.2018 - Current
- Taught multiple subjects to students with intellectual or emotional disabilities.
- Modified general education curriculum for special-needs students using various instructional techniques and technologies.
- Instructed students with severe to moderate Autism and Intellectual disabilities to increase life skills.
- Created and managed IEPs to define student learning objectives and educational strategies, in addition to applying instructional knowledge and methods to support goals.
- Communicated nonverbally with children to provide comfort, encouragement and positive reinforcement.
- Taught students in variety of settings, including self-contained and resource environments and virtual home learning.
- Coordinated special education students and teacher assistant schedules with master schedule.
Teacher Assistant Sped 6th-8th Grade
Harrisonburg City Public Schools
Harrisonburg, VA
01.2017 - 06.2018
- Partnered with teacher to plan and implement lessons following school's curriculum, goals, objectives, philosophies and student IEPs.
- Supported student learning objectives through personalized and small group assistance.
Teacher 2nd Grade
Staunton City Schools
Staunton, VA
08.2012 - 12.2016
- Planned lessons according to district standards to cover all requirements and prepare for standardized tests.
- Helped students develop self-esteem and life skills by fostering healthy conflict-resolution, critical thinking and communication.
- Stayed abreast of new trends in education by attending professional development courses and in-service trainings.
- Assessed student progress by administering tests and evaluating results.
- Built positive relationships with parents to involve families in educational process.
Teacher 1st Grade
Staunton City Schools
Staunton, VA
08.2010 - 06.2012
- Taught students subject-specific material, learning strategies and social skills.
- Assessed student learning progress and comprehension with routine tests and standardized examinations.
- Taught lessons encompassing skill-building activities in speaking, writing, reading and listening.
- Incorporated IXL, Interactive Achievement technology into lesson planning to create engaging, multi-dimensional lessons.
Student Teacher-Graduate Level
Augusta County Public Schools
Stuarts Draft, VA
01.2009 - 06.2009
- Stood in for teachers, checking lesson plans to provide consistent teaching to students.
- Designed lessons on RTI for struggling students using various teaching methods and modern classroom technologies.
- Took over all class for 3 months, managing all classroom assignments, student needs and recordkeeping.
- Developed all lesson plans for 1st grade classrooms, took detailed notes on impact and adapted methods based on results.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Elementary Education
Mary Baldwin College
Staunton, VA 08.1996 - 05.2000
Master of Arts - Masters of Art in Teaching
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA 08.2006 - 05.2009
No Degree - Autism Spectrum Disorder Certificate
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA 03.2020 - Current
Skills
Student records management
Classroom management
Group and individual instruction
Disability assessment testing
Lesson Planning
Trained in CPI
Differentiated instruction
Special education
Verbal and written communication
Affiliations
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
Council of Exceptional Children
VCTM2
Shenandoah Valley Reading Council
NEA
Certification
MANDT Training
Professional Development
Cathy Fosnot Math Conference Training
CPI and MANDT Trained
Letrs Literacy Training
VA IEP Online Training
Canvas Training
Virtual Virginia Training
Timeline
No Degree - Autism Spectrum Disorder Certificate
James Madison University
03.2020 - Current
Special Education Teacher
King George Elementary School
08.2018 - Current
Teacher Assistant Sped 6th-8th Grade
Harrisonburg City Public Schools
01.2017 - 06.2018
Teacher 2nd Grade
Staunton City Schools
08.2012 - 12.2016
Teacher 1st Grade
Staunton City Schools
08.2010 - 06.2012
Student Teacher-Graduate Level
Augusta County Public Schools
01.2009 - 06.2009
Master of Arts - Masters of Art in Teaching
James Madison University
08.2006 - 05.2009
Bachelor of Arts - Elementary Education
Mary Baldwin College
08.1996 - 05.2000