Heather Lord
Marlborough,CT
Summary
Enthusiastic Special Education Teacher with experience assisting teachers and providing instruction to students. Monitors student progress and provides guidance and support to teachers. As a distinguished Para Educator with a proven track record at Regional School District 8 for 5 years, enhancing student engagement and academic success through individualized support and innovative classroom management. Expert in collaborative teamwork and curriculum implementation, I've significantly contributed to positive behavioral and social development. Skilled in both emotional support and mathematics instruction, my approach fosters inclusive and dynamic learning environments. Equipped with strong problem-solving abilities, willingness to learn, and excellent communication skills. Poised to contribute to team success and achieve positive results. Ready to tackle new challenges and advance organizational objectives with dedication and enthusiasm.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
Para Educator
Regional District 8
08.2019 - Current
- Assisted students in achieving academic goals by providing one-on-one tutoring and small group instruction in various subjects.
- Oversaw students in classroom and common areas to monitor, enforce rules, and support lead teacher.
- Assisted teachers in managing classrooms effectively by maintaining clear expectations, enforcing rules consistently, and reinforcing positive behavior choices.
- Monitored student classroom and outdoors activities to promote student safety.
- Improved student social skills through facilitating peer interactions, modeling appropriate behaviors, and promoting empathy among classmates.
- Maintained a safe and inclusive learning environment by addressing behavioral issues promptly and following established protocols.
- Participated in professional development opportunities to stay current on best practices within the field of special education.
- Documented behaviors, implemented interventions, and treatment results.
- Assisted teachers and worked individually with students with special needs, helping each navigate education system.
- Prepared instructional materials for group and one-on-one use to comply with established curriculum.
- Monitored classroom to observe students' progress in developing skills as well as manage distracting or inappropriate behavior.
- Supported teachers in managing diverse classroom populations by providing targeted interventions for students who required additional assistance or modifications.
- Coordinated with outside agencies such as speech therapists or occupational therapists when necessary to ensure comprehensive support for each student''s unique needs.
- Enhanced student comprehension by implementing differentiated instructional strategies tailored to individual needs.
- Encouraged student independence by teaching self-advocacy skills and fostering personal responsibility for learning outcomes.
- Fostered positive relationships with students, families, and colleagues by exhibiting a caring demeanor and maintaining open lines of communication.
- Kept classrooms clean, neat, and properly sanitized for student health and classroom efficiency.
- Enforced rules and instructions to maintain discipline.
- Developed and implemented strategies to improve student engagement.
- Assisted students in developing deeper understanding of course concepts by providing one-on-one support.
- Stepped into non-classroom environments such as libraries to help staff manage demand.
- Cleaned, organized and restocked classrooms for upcoming classes.
- Took part in professional development workshops to boost skills.
- Conducted weekly review sessions to help students prepare for exams.
Long-Term Substitute Special Education Teacher
Regional District 8
08.2024 - 10.2024
- Improved student engagement by implementing interactive teaching techniques.
- Collaborated with parents and staff to adjust strategies for student success.
- Enhanced classroom environment with adaptive technology.
- Improved student outcomes by monitoring and adjusting teaching methods.
- Implemented behavior management strategies to create supportive learning environment.
- Provided one-on-one attention to students needing additional assistance.
- Modified general education curriculum for special-needs students using various instructional techniques and technologies.
- Improved student behavior management by implementing consistent routines, clear expectations, and positive reinforcement strategies.
Para Educator
Vernon Public Schools
03.2016 - 08.2019
- Assisted students in achieving academic goals by providing one-on-one tutoring and small group instruction in various subjects.
- Oversaw students in classroom and common areas to monitor, enforce rules, and support lead teacher.
- Assisted teachers in managing classrooms effectively by maintaining clear expectations, enforcing rules consistently, and reinforcing positive behavior choices.
- Monitored student classroom and outdoors activities to promote student safety.
- Improved student social skills through facilitating peer interactions, modeling appropriate behaviors, and promoting empathy among classmates.
- Actively participated in regular team meetings to discuss student progress, share ideas, and collaborate on strategies for continued success.
- Delivered personalized educational, behavioral, and emotional support to individual students to enable positive learning outcomes.
- Maintained a safe and inclusive learning environment by addressing behavioral issues promptly and following established protocols.
- Participated in professional development opportunities to stay current on best practices within the field of special education.
- Strengthened communication between school staff, parents, and students by serving as a liaison for information sharing.
- Prepared instruction materials, constructed bulletin boards, and set up work areas.
- Documented behaviors, implemented interventions, and treatment results.
- Collaborated with teachers to help with classroom and workload management.
- Assisted teachers and worked individually with students with special needs, helping each navigate education system.
- Assisted classroom teacher in supervising snack time and indoor and outdoor play.
- Prepared instructional materials for group and one-on-one use to comply with established curriculum.
- Monitored classroom to observe students' progress in developing skills as well as manage distracting or inappropriate behavior.
- Instructed small groups of students in basic concepts such as alphabet, shapes, and color recognition.
- Enhanced student comprehension by implementing differentiated instructional strategies tailored to individual needs.
- Coordinated with outside agencies such as speech therapists or occupational therapists when necessary to ensure comprehensive support for each student''s unique needs.
- Encouraged student independence by teaching self-advocacy skills and fostering personal responsibility for learning outcomes.
- Potty Training to preschoolers who were not trained yet.
- Diaper changes to those who had an accident.
- Tailored lesson plans for students with emotional and cognitive disabilities.
- Contributed to the development of classroom materials that aligned with state standards and curriculum objectives.
- Kept classrooms clean, neat, and properly sanitized for student health and classroom efficiency.
- Monitored students on field trips, handling roll call, and group movement to keep youths safe in public settings.
- Collaborated with instructors to develop engaging lesson plans.
- Enforced rules and instructions to maintain discipline.
- Developed and implemented strategies to improve student engagement.
- Helped teacher prepare instructional material and displays.
- Cleaned, organized and restocked classrooms for upcoming classes.
- Took part in professional development workshops to boost skills.
- Assisted with school field trips and special events by collecting permission slips and payments.
- Helped teachers manage bus loading and unloading.
Education
Master of Science - Special Education
Central Connecticut State University
New Britain, CT05-2026
Bachelor of Science - Mathematics
Eastern Connecticut State University
Willimantic, CT05-2014
Associate of Science - General Studies
Manchester Community College
Manchester, CT05-2012
Skills
- Small group instruction
- Classroom management
- Collaborative teamwork
- Emotional support
- Student engagement
- Curriculum implementation
- Health and safety
- Teacher assistance
- Classroom organization
- Teacher support
- Social integration
- Behavior improvements
- Individual instruction
- Social development and integration
- Data collection
- Mathematics support
- Visual supports
- Special education support
- Educational support
- Documentation
- Classroom monitoring
- Effective communication
- Helping students with special needs
- CPR and first aid
- Teacher support and collaboration
- Relationship building
- Preparing instructional materials
- Computer skills
- Mathematics instruction
- Patient
Timeline
Long-Term Substitute Special Education Teacher
Regional District 8
08.2024 - 10.2024
Para Educator
Regional District 8
08.2019 - Current
Para Educator
Vernon Public Schools
03.2016 - 08.2019
Master of Science - Special Education
Central Connecticut State University
Bachelor of Science - Mathematics
Eastern Connecticut State University
Associate of Science - General Studies
Manchester Community College
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