Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Affiliations
Certification
Timeline
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J. Alexis ATHANS

J. Alexis ATHANS

Richardson,TX

Summary

Dedicated and highly skilled Educational Diagnostician and Special Educator with extensive experience in cognitive and academic evaluations across all education levels. Recognized for a compassionate approach to supporting children, families, and educational teams.

Educational assessment professional with strong background in diagnosing learning needs and developing effective intervention strategies. Proven track record in collaborating with educators, parents, and students to achieve measurable improvements. Skilled in data analysis, individualized education planning, and special education law. Known for adaptability and reliability in dynamic educational environments.

Overview

6
6

Years of Education Diagnostician Experience

20
20

Years of Special Education Experiece

Work History

Educational Diagnostician

Frisco Independent School District
08.2024 - Current


  • Improved student success rates by identifying specific learning challenges and creating targeted intervention strategies.
  • Deployed various assessment instruments and techniques to assist in identifying students eligible for special education services.
  • Maintained detailed documentation of student progress over time, ensuring accurate records were available for future planning purposes.
  • Facilitated Individual Education Plan (IEP) meetings with stakeholders to initiate goals and review progress towards goals and make necessary adjustments to educational plans.
  • Applied knowledge of ethnic, linguistic, cultural and socioeconomic diversity for evaluation, planning, and instruction.
  • Established rapport with students quickly during assessments by employing sensitive communication techniques.
  • Increased efficiency of assessment processes by implementing new technologies and methodologies into practice. (CSEP and trained in Cross Battery)
  • Provided expert guidance to parents and educators on appropriate accommodations and modifications for students with disabilities.
  • Contributed positively to the overall functioning of the special education department as part of a collaborative team member.
  • Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive assessments for students with diverse needs.
  • Mentored Diagnostician Intern in assessment instruments, writing full individual evaluation reports (FIE), creating Individual Education Plans (IEP) based off of the recommendations in the FIE, and establishing effective differentiation techniques, resulting in more inclusive classroom environments.
  • Conducted thorough evaluations, accurately pinpointing areas requiring additional support or intervention.
  • Selected, administered and interpreted appropriate formal and informal assessments and evaluations.
  • Completed required documentation (protocols) and reports (FIE)for compliance and educational planning.

Educational Diagnostician

Richardson ISD
08.2022 - 05.2024


  • Streamlined the evaluation process, reducing time taken to identify and address student needs. by using tools such as CSEP, Cross Battery, and CLIM.
  • Served as liaison between school staff, families, and outside service providers, coordinating efforts to maximize student success.
  • Assisted school personnel in identification and understanding of students with disabilities.
  • Contributed positively to the overall functioning of the special education department as part of a collaborative team leader.
  • Expanded knowledge of current research trends through ongoing professional development opportunities, better informing assessment practices.
  • Presented findings at professional development workshops, contributing to a greater understanding of best practices among peers.
  • Promoted a culture of continuous improvement by implementing evidence-based practices to enhance educational outcomes.
  • Completed required documentation and reports for compliance and educational planning.
  • Collaborated with educators, school administrators and external professionals in development of Individualized Education Plans (IEPs).
  • Compiled and interpreted students' test results along with information from teachers and parents to diagnose conditions and assess eligibility for special services.
  • Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive assessments for students with diverse needs.
  • Selected, administered and interpreted appropriate formal and informal assessments and evaluations to use in writing parent and teacher friendly evaluation reports (FIE).
  • Deployed various assessment instruments and techniques to assist in identifying students eligible for special education services.

ECSE Program/Behavior Specialist

Richardson ISD
10.2021 - 05.2022
  • Supported ECSE classrooms, conducted play based evaluations, and facilitated multidisciplinary meetings to determine special education eligibilities and educational placement decisions.
  • Reduced classroom disruptions through careful observation and analysis of student behaviors, leading to tailored interventions.
  • Provided crisis intervention support during critical incidents, deescalating situations and ensuring the safety of all involved parties.
  • Conducted functional behavior assessments to identify root causes of challenging behaviors and inform intervention planning.
  • Trained staff in evidence-based practices for addressing challenging behaviors and promoting positive outcomes.
  • Crafted Behavioral Intervention Plans for individual students.
  • Coached teachers in proactive classroom management techniques, reducing instances of disruptive behavior during instructional time.
  • Presented professional development workshops for educators on topics related to classroom management, behavior modification strategies, and understanding the needs of students with emotional and behavioral disorders.
  • Designed visual supports and environmental modifications to promote optimal learning environments for students with behavioral challenges.
  • Educated parents on best practices for managing difficult behaviors at home, fostering consistency across settings.

Educational Diagnostician

Richardson ISD
08.2019 - 10.2021
  • Selected, administered and scored cognitive, adaptive behavior and academic achievement assessments.
  • Conducted thorough evaluations, accurately pinpointing areas requiring additional support or intervention.
  • Interpreted appropriate formal and informal assessments and full evaluation reports as a part of a multidisciplinary team.
  • Served as liaison between school staff, families, and outside service providers, coordinating efforts to maximize student success.
  • Assisted school personnel in identification and understanding of students with disabilities.
  • Collaborated with educators, school administrators and external professionals in development of Individualized Education Plans (IEPs).
  • Compiled and interpreted students' test results along with information from teachers and parents to diagnose conditions and assess eligibility for special services.
  • Trained Diagnostician Interns on choose test measures, how to implement instruments, understand results, and write reports based off their findings.

Special Education Teacher/Dyslexia Interventionist/Early Childhood Interventionist

Richardson ISD
01.2010 - 01.2019
  • ECSE Teacher in Richardson ISD (2010-2019)
  • 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.
  • Coordinated special education students and teacher assistant schedules with master schedule.
  • Instructed students with physical and cognitive disabilities.

Education

Educational Diagnostician Certification -

Region 10
07-2019

M.Ed. - Special Education, Early Childhood Intervention

Stephen F. Austin State University
01.1998

B.S.I.S. - Elementary Education, Special Education Emphasis

Stephen F. Austin State University
01.1996

Skills

  • Psychoeducational evaluations
  • Experienced identification of a variety of learning disabilities and intellectual Disabilities
  • Skilled Evaluator of cognitive impairments, learning disabilities, and executive functioning struggles
  • Collaborative multidisciplinary evaluator to determine educational eligibility for Autism and other emotional disability conditions
  • Assessment analysis and reporting
  • Effective written and verbal communication
  • Cross-functional collaboration
  • Responsive to new challenges

Accomplishments

  • Supervised Diagnostician Interns to develop their skills and become successful certified Texas Educational Diagnosticians.
  • Used Microsoft Excel and Google products to develop inventory tracking spreadsheets to assist educational teams to track evaluations, due dates, and team accountability.
  • Scheduled and Conducted Multidisciplinary Team meetings twice monthly to determine eligibilities and programming recommendations for students going through the evaluation process.

Affiliations

  • Member of Texas Educational Diagnosticians Association (TEDA).
  • Expertise in Cross Battery Assessment (XBA) and Core Selective Evaluation Process (CSEP).
  • Founder of "Hooves and Paws," an equine and canine therapy program.
  • Volunteer for Special Olympics and mentor teacher for five years.

Certification

  • Certified Educational Diagnostician
  • Generic Special Education Teacher (PK-12)
  • Elementary Self Contained Teacher ((1-6)

Timeline

Educational Diagnostician

Frisco Independent School District
08.2024 - Current

Educational Diagnostician

Richardson ISD
08.2022 - 05.2024

ECSE Program/Behavior Specialist

Richardson ISD
10.2021 - 05.2022

Educational Diagnostician

Richardson ISD
08.2019 - 10.2021

Special Education Teacher/Dyslexia Interventionist/Early Childhood Interventionist

Richardson ISD
01.2010 - 01.2019

M.Ed. - Special Education, Early Childhood Intervention

Stephen F. Austin State University

B.S.I.S. - Elementary Education, Special Education Emphasis

Stephen F. Austin State University

Educational Diagnostician Certification -

Region 10

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J. Alexis ATHANS