Jennifer Zunic
Clairton,PA
Summary
Special education leader and elementary principal with extensive experience advancing inclusive practices, building staff capacity, and improving outcomes for students with disabilities. Proven ability to align systems, instruction, and IEP practices to increase access to general education and promote meaningful student participation. Strong background in autism, life skills, and mental health, with a commitment to equity, compliance, and high-quality programming. Collaborative, systems-oriented leader focused on sustainable change and student success.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
3
3
Certificates
5
5
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Elementary School Principal
Brentwood Borough School District
Pittsburgh, PA
08.2022 - Current
- Resolved problems, improved operations and provided exceptional service.
- Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
- Exercised leadership capabilities by successfully motivating and inspiring others.
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
- Managed time efficiently in order to complete all tasks within deadlines.
- Collaborated with district leaders to align school goals with broader strategic objectives focused on improving overall system performance levels across key indicators.
- Championed diversity initiatives aimed at creating a more inclusive school environment for students from various cultural backgrounds.
- Cultivated a positive school culture by promoting staff recognition programs and fostering open communication among all stakeholders.
- Facilitated parent engagement by organizing workshops, meetings, and regular communication to address concerns and support student success.
- Evaluated teacher performance using multiple measures including observation data, student growth outcomes, and stakeholder feedback for informed decision-making on staffing matters.
- Reduced disciplinary issues by developing a comprehensive behavior management plan tailored to individual student needs.
- Mentored new teachers through observation feedback sessions, contributing to their growth as educators within the school system.
- Managed budgets and resources for educational programs.
- Observed teachers, documented activities and implemented improvement plans to optimize classrooms.
- Streamlined administrative processes for improved efficiency in areas such as budgeting, scheduling, and staff evaluations.
- Reduced disciplinary issues by developing and enforcing clear expectations for student behavior and academic progress.
- Coordinated staff evaluations for special education personnel.
- Contributed to district-level committees to support needs of students on IEPs.
- Provided guidance on curriculum modifications and accommodations for students with disabilities, enabling academic success in the least restrictive environment possible.
- Evaluated the effectiveness of special education services through ongoing assessment of program goals, objectives, and performance indicators.
- Allocated special education staff and addressed requests for additional allocations throughout school year.
- Promoted an inclusive learning environment by fostering collaboration between special education and general education personnel.
- Streamlined communication between special education staff, general education teachers, parents, and external service providers to better support student needs.
- Ensured compliance with federal and state mandates related to special education services by maintaining accurate documentation and staying informed on policy updates.
- Conducted regular reviews of individual student progress towards IEP goals, adjusting instructional approaches as needed based on data analysis results.
- Provided ongoing support and mentorship for newly hired special education personnel, facilitating their successful integration into the school community.
- Managed caseloads for special education staff members, ensuring timely completion of necessary documentation and adherence to established deadlines.
- Trained teachers on effective teaching techniques, classroom management strategies, and behavior modification.
- Established positive, stimulating learning environment for students and exciting education-focused setting for teachers.
- Kept school in full compliance with established policies, legal requirements and student safety standards.
Instructional Teacher Leader
Pittsburgh Public School District
Pittsburgh, PA
01.2019 - Current
- Communicated frequently with parents, students and faculty to provide feedback and discuss instructional strategies.
- Evaluated and revised lesson plans and course content to achieve student-centered learning.
- Mentored newly hired educators and provided encouragement and feedback.
- Led meetings to convey policy changes, gather information and assess employee thoughts.
- Modeled expected and appropriate leadership to promote teaching staff and administrative personnel's positive interaction with students and families.
- Performed classroom evaluations to assess teacher strategies and effectiveness.
- Trained teachers on effective teaching techniques, classroom management strategies and behavior modification.
- Monitored student behavior and enforced discipline policies.
- Defined and enforced student academic achievement standards in line with district goals and objectives.
School Assessment Coordinator
Pittsburgh Public Schools
Pittsburgh, PA
08.2016 - Current
- Monitored testing rooms and regulation adherence.
- Analyzed testing data and identified problematic areas.
- Ordered testing materials for PSSA and Keystone tests.
- Collected test materials after assessments.
- Developed testing schedules, contingency plans, and small group testing
- Trained all staff on testing security, test administration, and all required trainings from the state.
- Maintained all required documents for the state.
Life Skills Support Teacher
Pittsburgh Public School District
Pittsburgh, PA
08.2014 - Current
- Supported people with developmental disabilities and autism in building multi-faceted skillset to promote independence and self-confidence.
- Instructed students with cognitive disabilities and/or autism.
- Offered training on personal hygiene and grooming skills.
- Maintained impeccable records for each client and daily instructional activities.
- Modeled positive behavior skills as well as good problem-solving and relationship-building abilities to improve clients' social integration.
- Delivered effective and differentiated classroom instruction to range of neurodiverse students.
- Cultivated connections and strong student rapport to foster classroom engagement, in addition to recording student progress to inform parents and school administration.
- Coordinated special education students and teacher assistant schedules with master schedule.
- Led activities that developed students' physical, emotional and social growth.
- Taught students across multiple classifications and degrees of special needs.
- Created and managed IEPs to define student learning objectives and educational strategies, in addition to applying instructional knowledge and methods to support goals.
Mental Health Therapist
FamilyLinks
Pittsburgh, PA
05.2009 - 08.2014
- Provided clients with recommendations to community resources.
- Performed client assessments and developed treatment plans.
- Utilized meditation and visualization to support clients in meeting therapeutic goals.
- Documented client progress in confidential files.
- Ran individual therapy and family therapy sessions for children ages 5-17.
- Directed family-centered, strengths-based, culturally competent and individualized sessions.
Education
EdD - Special Education
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA 05.2024 - Current
Principal Certification -
Edinboro University of Pennsylvania
Edinboro, PA07.2022
Supervisor of Special Education Certifcation -
Edinboro University of Pennsylvania
Edinboro, PA06.2021
Master in Special Education - Autism Endorcement
Edinboro University of Pennsylvania
Edinboro, PA05.2020
Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education/Special Education
Waynesburg University
Waynesburg, PA05.2005
Skills
- Student-centered learning
- Classroom management
- Group learning mechanics
- Lesson Planning
- Student engagement
- Fundraising
- Differentiated instruction
- Standardized Testing
- Instructional Leadership
- Group Facilitation and Presentations
- Team Leadership
- Conflict Resolution
- Verbal and written communication
- Student and parent relations
- Training and mentoring
- Multitasking ability
- Documentation
- Schedule Development
- Educational staff supervision
- Employee performance evaluations
- School event coordination
- Behavior management
- Social-emotional learning
- Positive behavior support
- IEP implementation
- Autism spectrum disorders
- Inclusive education
Accomplishments
- Named "Teacher of the Month" for Pittsburgh Public Schools in February 2020.
- Trained teachers on the procedures for completing Individual Education Plans.
- Observed students and documented social, emotional, motor skill, and intellectual developments.
- Managed school operations for 300 students.
- Set high-level goals for both students and teachers to encourage both parties to strive for personal best and succeeded in implementing long-term strategy with positive results.
- Established schools social media presence and automated phone system to alert parents and students of critical or time-sensitive information.
- Overhauled ineffective processes and designed behavior modification plan which successfully reduced suspension and detentions.
Certification
- Principal Certification - 2022
- Instructional Teacher Leader Certification - 2022
- Supervisor of Special Education - 2021
- Special Education Certification - 2012
- Elementary Education Certification - 2005
- EdD in Special Education - May 2027
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Timeline
EdD - Special Education
University of Pittsburgh
05.2024 - Current
Elementary School Principal
Brentwood Borough School District
08.2022 - Current
Instructional Teacher Leader
Pittsburgh Public School District
01.2019 - Current
School Assessment Coordinator
Pittsburgh Public Schools
08.2016 - Current
Life Skills Support Teacher
Pittsburgh Public School District
08.2014 - Current
Mental Health Therapist
FamilyLinks
05.2009 - 08.2014
Principal Certification -
Edinboro University of Pennsylvania
Supervisor of Special Education Certifcation -
Edinboro University of Pennsylvania
Master in Special Education - Autism Endorcement
Edinboro University of Pennsylvania
Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education/Special Education
Waynesburg University