JAN NICOLE PRUDEN
Marquette,MI
Summary
I am an accomplished and passionate special educator who transitioned from teaching in the classroom to administration, leadership, monitoring for compliance, providing professional development and training for special education teachers, administrators and related staff for school districts. I have supported individuals with a broad range of disabilities and abilities. Analytical and intuitive in approaching problems, creative and resourceful in developing personalized solutions, I am a natural collaborator, researcher and leader. Lastly, relationships are at the core of what I do. I am gifted at connecting with a diverse range of people and facilitating individualized support and tapping into the needs of a community.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Special Education Director
Gwinn Area Community Schools
Gwinn, MI
08.2023 - Current
- Provided ongoing support to teachers, staff and parents concerning special education services.
- Served as an advocate for students with disabilities in school settings.
- Supervised and evaluated special education personnel.
- Collaborated with administrators, counselors, psychologists and other professionals to ensure appropriate services were provided to students with disabilities.
- Conducted team meetings to develop IEPs that meet individual student needs.
- Attended conferences, workshops and seminars related to special education laws and regulations.
- Initiated communication with outside agencies such as mental health providers, hospitals or community based organizations regarding resources available for special education students.
- Participated in multidisciplinary evaluations of students referred for evaluation of possible eligibility under IDEA or Section 504 regulations.
- Reviewed all referral documents prior to scheduling initial assessment appointments.
- Ensured compliance with all local, state, federal laws and regulations pertaining to Special Education Services.
- Facilitated collaboration between general education teachers and specialists to provide necessary accommodations for students receiving Special Education services.
- Communicated regularly with parents regarding their child's progress in meeting educational goals.
District Resource Teacher
West Hawaii Special Education District Office
Kealakekua, Hawaii
07.2017 - 12.2022
- Supported, trained and mentored new special education teachers
- Collaborated with education instructors across multiple departments to optimize student learning
- Developed and delivered IEP related professional developments (Present Levels, Goals and Objectives, Post High School Goals and Transition, Data Collection, Prior Written Notices etc...) to leverage best practices, national compliance standards and evidence-based educational practice to achieve student success
- Participated in leadership trainings about inclusive practices, literacy, professional learning communities and data interpretation to subsequently provided training to colleagues on such subjects
- Monitored for IDEA compliance for a 14 school district
- Supported administrators with special education matters on the school level Pre K-22
- Director of Extended School Year
Student Services Coordinator/Special Education Teacher
Department Of Education
Kealakekua, HI
07.2012 - 06.2017
- Coordinated student's disability services on a school level.
- Fostered trusting parent/guardian communication and relationships.
- Worked closely with students, families, speech language pathologists, school psychologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, counselors, social workers, board certified behavior analysts, educators
- Experience in report writing, conducting assessments and observations to inform IDEA eligibility, programming and placement.
- Facilitated special education meetings in regards to evaluation, eligibility and plan implementation.
- Implemented specially designed instruction and oversaw lesson planning to meet instructional goals.
- Excellent Classroom Management/Behavior Modifications
- Evaluated and supervised para-educators to assess performance and offer support.
- Provided specially designed instruction to multiple students with disabilities.
- Worked in a very diverse community meetings the needs of all learner and removing barriers to learning.
Illustrator
Island Research Education Initiative
Palikir, Pohnpei, Micronesia
01.2009 - 03.2012
- Illustrated textbooks and other educational materials for the Federated States of Micronesia.
- Studied the flora and fauna of the region to create an accurate depiction via illustration, with a concentration on endemic species.
- Supporting representation through the publication of works in the Micronesian languages.
- Collaborated with other artists for our collection of publications.
- Researched the culture, language, and mythology of the region.
Art Teacher
Holualoa Foundation for Arts and Culture
Holualoa, HI
12.2009 - 06.2011
- Created engaging activities for students to explore their creativity through art projects.
- Developed and implemented lesson plans to teach art concepts such as perspective, color theory, drawing, painting, print making, and mixed-media
- Encouraged students to think critically about artwork and discuss its meaning or purpose.
- Demonstrated techniques in a variety of mediums including charcoal, pastels, acrylics, watercolors, collage, mosaic and sculpture.
- Collaborated with other artists to curate meaningful art education experiences for students.
- Planned special events such as art shows to showcase student work.
- Encouraged student creativity with motivation, positive feedback and constructive criticism.
Education
Master of Arts - Special Education
University of Texas Permian Basin
Odessa, Texas08.2023
Post Baccaluareate Certification in - Special Education - Mild To Moderate Disabilities
University of Hawaii At Manoa
Honolulu, HI05.2011
Bachelor of Arts - Oil Painting
Northern Michigan University
Marquette, MI12.2005
Skills
- Comprehensive knowledge of the IEP process and implementation of IDEA
- Trained school-level staff on IEPs, related documents, and special education law and best-practices
- In-Depth Knowledge of Autism, ADHD, medical fragility, high and low incident disabilities; co-morbidities
- Created and delivered professional development to school level staff on a variety of topics: the IEP process, differentiated instruction, Indicator 13(IDEA), disabilities, inclusion, ESY, PWNs
- Quickly gains trust in colleagues and individuals I support
- Public speaking, presenting, effectively conveys messages and engaging
- Proficient and enthusiastic about technology
- Able to conduct day to day operations virtually
- Many years experience providing in-person and virtual trainings
- Certified and trained mentor-National Teaching Center
- Skilled at connecting individuals with resources and agency linkages, partnering with other departments and catering wrap around services
- Parent/Family Communication/Confidentiality
- Over 10 yrs experience collaborating and working on teams
- Able to interpret norm-referenced, standardized, assessments Familiar with various diagnostic tools
- Monitoring for compliance and data management
References
Dr. Tammy Nyen - Executive Director of Special Education - tnyen@maresa.org -
715-409-9626
Kyli Lyn Webb - Colleague - kylia@goalbookapp.com - 808.640.3762
Jason Glikas - Former Supervisor - jasonglikas@gmail.com - 817.992.7844
Timeline
Special Education Director
Gwinn Area Community Schools
08.2023 - Current
District Resource Teacher
West Hawaii Special Education District Office
07.2017 - 12.2022
Student Services Coordinator/Special Education Teacher
Department Of Education
07.2012 - 06.2017
Art Teacher
Holualoa Foundation for Arts and Culture
12.2009 - 06.2011
Illustrator
Island Research Education Initiative
01.2009 - 03.2012
Master of Arts - Special Education
University of Texas Permian Basin
Post Baccaluareate Certification in - Special Education - Mild To Moderate Disabilities
University of Hawaii At Manoa
Bachelor of Arts - Oil Painting
Northern Michigan University
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