Jennifer Makhanov
Braintree,MA
Summary
Driven and strategic leader committed to academic excellence and innovative growth. Deep understanding of education administration combined with expertise in institutional development and stakeholder engagement. Dedicated to fostering inclusive environment that empowers students and faculty to achieve their highest potential.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Special Education Teacher
Milton Public Schools
Milton, MA
08.2023 - Current
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to enhance student learning outcomes.
- Implemented behavioral intervention strategies to promote positive classroom behavior.
- Utilized assistive technology to support student engagement and learning progress.
- Conducted assessments to evaluate student performance and tailor instruction accordingly.
- Facilitated parent-teacher conferences to discuss student development and progress updates.
- Advocated for resources and services to improve educational access for students with disabilities.
- 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.
- Improved student behavior management by implementing consistent routines, clear expectations, and positive reinforcement strategies.
- Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities focused on evidence-based practices in special education teaching methodologies.
- Evaluated student progress regularly using various assessment methods, ensuring accurate measurement of skill development and areas requiring additional support.
- Provided targeted instructional support to struggling learners, identifying specific areas for improvement and designing effective intervention plans.
- Taught students across multiple classifications and degrees of special needs.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to provide comprehensive support for students with special needs.
- Coordinated with general education teachers to develop accommodations or modifications necessary for successful inclusion of students with special needs in mainstream classrooms.
- Enhanced students'' communication skills by implementing group activities and collaborative projects.
- Implemented individualized education plans for students with diverse learning needs, ensuring personalized support.
- Created culturally responsive classroom environment, acknowledging and celebrating diversity among students.
- Improved behavior by modeling positive choices and teaching socially-acceptable options.
- Helped students with special needs integrate into general classroom environments by advocating for individual requirements and helping teachers solve problems.
- Coordinated regular meetings to share and analyze student performance data and success plans with colleagues and parents.
- Conducted assessments of students to determine individual needs.
- Monitored student performance to evaluate effectiveness of instructional strategies.
- Collaborated with other educators to develop instructional strategies.
- Facilitated small group instruction to address individual learning needs.
- Implemented behavior modification techniques to improve student social and academic performance.
- Encouraged parent and guardian involvement in educational process, enhancing home-school connection and supporting student achievement.
- Promoted self-advocacy and independence in students with disabilities by teaching self-management and decision-making skills.
- Improved reading comprehension among students with learning disabilities by designing and delivering targeted literacy activities.
- Developed and executed behavioral intervention plans, leading to decrease in disruptive behaviors and increase in classroom participation.
- Adapted teaching methods and materials to meet varied needs of students, enhancing educational accessibility.
- Coordinated with multidisciplinary teams to ensure comprehensive educational and emotional support for students.
- Advocated for rights and needs of students with special education requirements, ensuring access to appropriate resources and accommodations.
- Conducted assessments to identify students' strengths and areas for improvement, informing instructional strategies.
Project Aware MTSS/Behavior Coach
Billings Public Schools
Billings, MT
08.2022 - 06.2023
- Developed individualized behavior intervention plans to support student success and engagement.
- Implemented positive behavior support strategies to enhance classroom management and student interactions.
- Trained staff on effective behavior management techniques, fostering a collaborative school environment.
- Monitored student progress and adjusted interventions based on behavioral data analysis.
- Led multidisciplinary team meetings to evaluate and coordinate behavioral support services for students.
- Conducted professional development sessions, enhancing staff skills in managing diverse learning needs.
- Supported special education teachers in developing appropriate accommodations for students with unique behavioral challenges.
- Reduced classroom disruptions by providing one-on-one coaching sessions for students struggling with behavioral issues.
- Improved student behavior by implementing tailored coaching strategies and interventions.
- Led professional development trainings on best practices in behavior management for fellow staff members, contributing to a cohesive approach throughout the school community.
- Enhanced overall school environment by promoting positive behavior management techniques among staff members.
- Conducted workshops on classroom management and conflict resolution for fellow educators, strengthening their ability to handle challenging situations.
- Implemented positive reinforcement strategies within the classroom setting to encourage desired behaviors and discourage negative ones.
- Served as a liaison between students, families, teachers, and administrators to coordinate support services related to behavioral health concerns.
- Assessed individual needs to create personalized plans for behavior improvement in students.
- Collaborated with teachers and administrators to support the development of effective behavioral policies.
Special Education Teacher
School District 2
Billings, MT
08.2013 - 06.2022
- Observed and assessed student performance and kept thorough records of progress. Implemented a variety of teaching methods such as lectures, discussions and demonstrations. Established clear objectives for all lessons, units and projects. Encouraged students to persevere with challenging tasks. Set and communicated ground rules for the classroom based on respect and personal responsibility. Identified early signs of emotional, developmental and health problems in students and followed up with parents. Tutored children individually and in small groups to help them with difficult subjects. Established positive relationships with students, parents, fellow teachers and school administrators. Mentored and counseled students with adjustment and academic problems. Collaborated with other staff members to plan and schedule lessons promoting learning and student engagement. Delegated tasks to teacher assistants and volunteers. Employed a broad range of instructional techniques to retain student interest and maximize learning. Implemented remedial programs for students requiring extra assistance. Took appropriate disciplinary measures when students misbehaved. Improved students' reading levels through guided reading groups and whole group instruction. Created lesson plans in accordance with state curriculum and school-wide curriculum standards. Accepted coaching from fellow teachers and administrators and immediately incorporated feedback. Worked outside normal hours to be available to answer parent and student questions. Used children's literature to teach and reinforce reading, writing, grammar and phonics. Enhanced reading skills through the use of children's literature, reader's theater and story time. Differentiated instruction according to student ability and skill level. Taught students to exercise problem solving methodology and techniques during tests. Taught students in various stages of cognitive, linguistic, social and emotional development. Strengthened parent-teacher and parent-child communication by holding regular parent-teacher conferences. Encouraged students to explore issues in their lives and in the world around them. Employed a wide variety of fiction and non-fiction textual materials to encourage students to read independently. Encouraged parents to take an active role in their child's education.
English Language Teacher
VIPKID
Remote/Beijing, CHN
04.2014 - 01.2019
- Developed engaging lesson plans to enhance student language acquisition and retention.
- Fostered a supportive learning environment through personalized feedback and encouragement.
- Utilized interactive teaching tools to facilitate dynamic virtual classroom experiences.
- Assessed student progress regularly, tailoring instruction to meet diverse learning needs.
- Implemented innovative teaching strategies to improve student engagement and participation.
- Tutored and assisted students to help with English language comprehension and mastery.
- Planned and implemented lessons to positively increase vocabulary and sentence structure skills.
- Monitored student progress and provided feedback to both students and parents.
Behavioral Specialist
School District 2
Billings
01.2010 - 08.2013
- Observed and assessed student performance and kept thorough records of progress. Implemented a variety of teaching methods such as lectures, discussions and demonstrations. Encouraged students to persevere with challenging tasks. Established clear objectives for all lessons, units and projects. Identified early signs of emotional, developmental and health problems in students and followed up with parents. Tutored children individually and in small groups to help them with difficult subjects. Established positive relationships with students, parents, fellow teachers and school administrators. Mentored and counseled students with adjustment and academic problems. Collaborated with other staff members to plan and schedule lessons promoting learning and student engagement. Took appropriate disciplinary measures when students misbehaved. Accepted coaching from fellow teachers and administrators and immediately incorporated feedback. Differentiated instruction according to student ability and skill level. Taught students in various stages of cognitive, linguistic, social and emotional development. Encouraged students to explore issues in their lives and in the world around them. Developed and implemented behavioral plans. Worked with aggressive students to teach positive replacement behaviors. Utilized methods and strategies under the PBIS system.
Education
Master of Science - Educational Administration
Grand Canyon University
Phoenix, AZ03-2020
Specialist - Education Specialist
Grand Canyon University
Phoenix, AZ01-2018
Master of Science - Special Education
Grand Canyon University
Phoenix, AZ, United States01-2015
Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education/Special Education
Grand Canyon University
Phoenix, AZ, United States01-2013
Associate of Arts - Early Childhood Education
Ashworth University
Norcross, GA03-2010
Skills
- Innovative teaching methods
- Effective use of multi-media teaching tools
- Exceptional written and verbal communicator
- Committed to cultivating student leadership
- Innovative thinker
- Natural leader
- Alpha Chi Lifetime member
- Pi Lambda Theta member
- Kappa Delta Pi member
- NEA member
- Differentiated instruction
- Classroom management
- Individual education plans ieps
- Small group instruction
- Relationship building
- Co-teaching experience
- Lesson planning
- Collaborative teamwork
- Data management
- Inclusion strategies
- Team collaboration
- Group and individual instruction
- Motivating students
- Parent communication
- Parent-teacher collaboration
- Instructional strategies
- De-escalation techniques
- Special education
- Parent communications
- Social skills development
- Behavior intervention plans
- Verbal and nonverbal communication
- Literacy intervention
- Visual supports
- Behavior modifications
- Student support
- Curriculum adjustments
- Progress evaluations
- Life skills instruction
- Multidisciplinary collaboration
- Student records management
- Assistive technology
- Functional behavior assessment
- Instructional adaptation
- Emotional support
- Behavior modification
- Social skills training
- Crisis prevention and intervention
- Social integration
- Assessment strategies
- Child development
- Scheduling proficiency
- Conflict resolution techniques
- Skills development
- Mathematics intervention
- Sensory integration
- Positive role model
- Motor skills development
- Community resource referrals
- Elementary education
- Assessment administration
- Disability assessment testing
- Learning style assessments
- Learning style assessment
- American sign language
- Head teacher support
- Material selection
- National education association
- Data collection
- Evidence-based assessment
- Paraprofessional oversight
- Autism spectrum
- Classroom integration
- Cognitive and behavioral development
- IEP implementation
- IEP and BIP implementation
- Attention to detail
- Problem-solving
- Individualized instruction
- IEP development
- Excellent communication
- Organizational skills
- Time management
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Behavior modification techniques
- Curriculum development
- Multitasking Abilities
- Faculty collaboration
- Student needs assessment
- Interpersonal communication
- Student recordkeeping
- Analytical thinking
- Written communication
- Team building
Accomplishments
- Graduated Summa Cum Laude in 2013
- Led 20+ Special Education students to improve test scores by more than 30% during the 2014-2015, 2015-2016, 2016-2017, 2017-2018, 2018-2019, 2019-2020, 2021-2022 academic years.
- Recognized as a top teacher by district leaders and personnel.
Certification
- Licensed Academic: Teacher, Elementary, 1-6, Initial
- Licensed Academic: Teacher, Moderate Disabilities, PreK-8, Initial
- Endorsements, Sheltered English Immersion - Teacher
- Endorsements, Sheltered English Immersion - Administrator
- Licensed Administrator K-12- Montana
- Licensed Special Educator PK-12- Montana
- Licensed Elementary Educator K-8 Montana
Timeline
Special Education Teacher
Milton Public Schools
08.2023 - Current
Project Aware MTSS/Behavior Coach
Billings Public Schools
08.2022 - 06.2023
English Language Teacher
VIPKID
04.2014 - 01.2019
Special Education Teacher
School District 2
08.2013 - 06.2022
Behavioral Specialist
School District 2
01.2010 - 08.2013
Master of Science - Special Education
Grand Canyon University
Master of Science - Educational Administration
Grand Canyon University
Specialist - Education Specialist
Grand Canyon University
Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education/Special Education
Grand Canyon University
Associate of Arts - Early Childhood Education
Ashworth University