Helen Funk
LAKEWOOD,CO
Summary
Versatile and dedicated SSN Center Program 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.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Special Education Teacher, Students with Students with Significant Needs, Center Program
Denver Public Schools
Denver Center Of International Studies
08.2022 - 06.2025
- Worked closely with students with significant cognitive, emotional, and physical disabilities, tailoring lesson plans to meet individual learning goals
- Tracked student progress and adjusted teaching strategies to improve academic and social outcomes for students with diverse learning needs
- Utilized assistive technology to support learning and communication for non-verbal students
- Implemented behavior management strategies and created positive learning environments for students within the center
- Collaborated with a multidisciplinary team, including speech therapists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, teacher of vision impairment, deaf and hard of hearing specialist, adapted physical education teacher, social worker, school psychologist and nurse, to develop personalized educational plans (IEPs)
- Fostered strong relationships with families to ensure a consistent support system for students at home and school
- Assisted students with medical needs, including those with epilepsy and other seizure disorders, by following established safety protocols under the supervision of the school nurse
- Administered prescribed emergency medications as directed by the school nurse during a medical emergency
- Communicated effectively with teachers, staff, and parents to coordinate care and ensure continuity of support for students with medical conditions
- Participated in annual training on seizure first aid and other medical safety protocols to remain current on best practices
- Cultivated connections and strong student rapport to foster classroom engagement, in addition to recording student progress to inform parents and school administration.
- Partnered with standard education teachers from across academic departments.
- Modified general education curriculum for special-needs students using various instructional techniques and technologies.
- Created and managed IEPs to define student learning objectives and educational strategies, in addition to applying instructional knowledge and methods to support goals.
- Taught multiple subjects to students with intellectual or emotional disabilities.
- Delivered effective and differentiated classroom instruction to range of neurodiverse students.
- Redirected students using Positive Behavior Support (PBS).
- Instructed students with physical and cognitive disabilities.
- Taught students across multiple classifications and degrees of special needs.
- Led activities that developed students' physical, emotional, and social growth.
- Assisted struggling students to maintain progress levels by designing individualized lesson plans focused on areas for improvement.
- Coordinated special education students and teacher assistant schedules with master schedule.
- Encouraged students to take ownership of learning by providing choices.
- Improved behavior by modeling positive choices and teaching socially-acceptable options.
- Coordinated regular meetings to share and analyze student performance data and success plans with colleagues and parents.
- Monitored student performance to evaluate effectiveness of instructional strategies.
- Applied proven strategies to improve students' sensory- and perceptual-motor skills.
- Utilized technology to create meaningful lessons that engage students.
- Worked closely with parents and guardians to address students' issues on multiple fronts.
- Facilitated small group instruction to address individual learning needs.
- Implemented behavior modification techniques to improve student social and academic performance.
- Promoted memory, cognition and language development with hands-on activities and individualized instruction.
- Planned daily activities to keep students engaged and on track with learning goals.
- Helped students with special needs integrate into general classroom environments by advocating for individual requirements and helping teachers solve problems.
- Developed and implemented behavior management plans to improve student behavior.
- Collaborated with other educators to develop instructional strategies.
- Designed individual education plans to encourage student growth according to different learning abilities and needs.
- Conducted assessments of students to determine individual needs.
- Maintained accurate records of student progress and attendance.
18-21 Transition Program, Special Education/ Sped Itinerant Teacher/Case Manager
Denver Public Schools
08.2013 - 06.2022
- Taught Classes- Created and implemented specialized direct instruction to support students' post-secondary goals: Self Determination, Community Access, Independent Living Skills, functional literacy skills, Unified sports, Job Readiness Training, and Friday Activities
- Negotiated customized integrated employment positions with business partners in the community
- After completing a semester of community access class, the data shows 97% success rate in student independence on public transportation (RTD) on SLO
- Developed a scope and sequence for self determination, independent living skills, community access courses
- Analyze and evaluate formal and informal student progress
- Facilitate leadership of job coaches and students in DPS 18-21 Transition Program, hire personnel for the program, assist in the referral process
- Collaboration-Worked as a team to create our schedule, PLT member, Social Committee for staff, participated and led committees for professional development, planned social activities for students, graduation, behavior supports and intervention
- Worked closely with the ACE and DPS Transition team as well as SWAP to coordinate transition services for students
Work Study Coordinator/Special Education Instructor/Department Chair
Denver South High School
08.2008 - 05.2013
- Company Overview: Denver Public Schools
- Led as Department Chair of Special Education at Denver South High School, responsible for developing classes to meet the needs of students and worked with all school departments to problem-solve concerns for students, and held teachers accountable for meeting deadlines
- Promote cooperative link between special needs students and community resources such as: DVR,SWAP, and Rocky Mountain Human Services
- Instruct students in resume writing, interviewing and completing employment applications
- Develop realistic, measurable post-secondary school goals that address students' skill sets, career planning, decision-making abilities, interpersonal skills, and employment attitudes
- ACE Teacher- Taught Career Ready and Discovery Classes.Financial Literacy, Life skills Co-Taught Social Studies
- Facilitated professional development for general education teachers
- Taught an advisory class for mentoring and support
- Denver Public Schools
Work Study Coordinator/Special Education Instructor
Montbello High School
08.2006 - 05.2008
- Company Overview: Denver Public Schools
- Successfully developed job training site for the Work Study Program
- Foster a stimulating environment to orient and inform parents and students of the process of the Work Study Program and the pathways each student can choose
- Achieved 85-95% employment rate for students in the Work Study Program
- Develop realistic, measurable post-secondary school goals that address students' skill sets, career planning, decision-making abilities, interpersonal skills, and employment attitudes
- Taught Career Ready and Discovery classes, Functional Financial literacy, and Inclusion English
- Denver Public Schools
Education
Bachelor of Science - Physical Education K-12/Coaching
Western Illinois University
Macomb, IllinoisCertification in Special Education - K-12 Generalist
Arkansas State University
Jonesboro, ArkansasAlternative Cooperative Education Endorsement (ACE) - undefined
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, ColoradoCertification in Health Education - K-12 grades
Southeastern Louisiana University
Hammond, LouisianaSkills
- Excellent classroom management
- IEP and BIP implementation
- Evidence-based assessment
- Paraprofessional oversight
- Instructional strategies, Differentiated instruction
- Multidisciplinary collaboration
Servicesandhonor
- Distinguished recognition in the SSN Center program, 2024
- Distinguished recognition in the 18-21 Transition program, 2016-2018
- Special Olympics Unified Community based sports team organized and managed, 2017-2025
- Mile High Teacher, The City and County of Denver
- Certificate of appreciation for serving the Montebello community, 05/01/08
- Softball Hall of Fame inductee, 2009
- Illinois Amateur Softball Association Hall of Fame with teammates from the Macomb Magic, 2008
- Committee for the Louisiana State Department of Education, established Benchmarks for Physical Education for the state, 2000
- Executive Committee for Louisiana High School Softball Coaches Association, 1999-2004
- Vice President, Marianna Recreation Department, Marianna, Arkansas, 1989
- Director of Programs, Educational and Community Affairs, Whiten Elementary School, Marianna, Arkansas, 1988-1990
- 100% success with students participation in Project Search at Children's Hospital
- 100% success with matriculation to Arapahoe Community College Elevate Program
- ELA-É certification, 2022
- Perfect Attendance Award, 1972
Timeline
Special Education Teacher, Students with Students with Significant Needs, Center Program
Denver Public Schools
08.2022 - 06.2025
18-21 Transition Program, Special Education/ Sped Itinerant Teacher/Case Manager
Denver Public Schools
08.2013 - 06.2022
Work Study Coordinator/Special Education Instructor/Department Chair
Denver South High School
08.2008 - 05.2013
Work Study Coordinator/Special Education Instructor
Montbello High School
08.2006 - 05.2008
Certification in Special Education - K-12 Generalist
Arkansas State University
Alternative Cooperative Education Endorsement (ACE) - undefined
Colorado State University
Certification in Health Education - K-12 grades
Southeastern Louisiana University
Bachelor of Science - Physical Education K-12/Coaching
Western Illinois University