Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Certification
Interests
Awards
Community Service
Timeline
Generic
Jessica A. Fisher

Jessica A. Fisher

Onondaga,MI

Summary

Dynamic and collaborative education ambassador with extensive expertise in special education, virtual instruction, and tailored learning solutions. Versatile Special Education Teacher dedicated to addressing individual student needs, emphasizing academic growth and emotional development. Committed to designing and implementing engaging, hands-on lessons that accommodate diverse learning abilities while fostering an inclusive classroom environment. Skilled in leveraging effective communication, patience, and positive reinforcement to enhance team efforts and deliver exceptional educational experiences that promote academic success.

Overview

23
23
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Middle School Special Education Teacher

Leslie Public Schools
09.2021 - Current
  • Created and managed IEPs to define student learning objectives and educational strategies, in addition to applying instructional knowledge and methods to support goals.
  • Partnered with general education teachers from across academic departments.
  • Cultivated connections and strong student rapport to foster classroom engagement, in addition to recording student progress to inform parents and school administration.
  • Modified general education curriculum for special-needs students using various instructional techniques and technologies.
  • Taught students across multiple classifications and degrees of special needs.
  • Instructed students with physical and cognitive disabilities.
  • Redirected students using Positive Behavior Support (PBS).
  • Led activities that developed students' physical, emotional, and social growth.
  • Delivered effective and differentiated classroom instruction to range of neurodiverse students.
  • 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.
  • Tailored education and development goals to match individual student abilities and needs.
  • Helped modify general education curriculum to accommodate students with mild to moderate learning disabilities.
  • Arranged for special accommodations during examinations to lengthen test times and read instructions aloud.
  • Designed and implemented Individual Education Plans (IEPs) for students with special needs.
  • Maintained accurate and complete student records to prepare reports on children and activities.
  • Developed transition plan to outline steps necessary to prepare student for move to high school.

Deputy Clerk & Elections Coordinator

Onondaga Township
03.2020 - Current
  • Tracked internal legal documents and verified submittal to Clerk's office for signature and execution to comply with predetermined guidelines.
  • Provided quality clerical support through data entry, document management, email correspondence, and overseeing operation of office equipment.
  • Maintained filing system and organized customer documents for easy retrieval of information.
  • Answered and managed incoming and outgoing calls while recording accurate messages for distribution to office staff.
  • Administer local, state and federal compliant elections
  • Collaborate with local and state officials
  • Collaborate with elected township board members
  • Manage election and township records related to permitting, voting, applications and invoicing


Special Education Teacher

Island City Academy
01.2011 - 2021
  • Manages all grades K-8 student caseloads, proctors standardizes testing, and conducts ongoing progress monitoring with accommodation adjustment approaches
  • Develops, implements and modifies student-centered, needs based curriculum
  • Collaborates with local RESA, support staff, GE teachers and administration to increase student outcomes
  • Instructs both pull-out and co-teaching service models that meet student disability needs and execute active learning strategies
  • Provides math and ELA focus for intervention groups with metric success results
  • Plans, Develops, Implements, and Communicates standard compliant IEP and related special education plans and related documentation
  • Mentors colleagues on proven solution driven strategies in classroom management, curriculum engagement, and student empowerment
  • Develops nimble strategies in learning outcomes and virtual instruction delivery

Special Education Teacher

Capital Area Academy
01.2010 - 01.2011
  • Serviced all students K-5 and managed all caseload files
  • Implemented and developed appropriate curriculum, learning goals, and strategies
  • Provided push-in and pull-out services to meet student needs
  • Developed and implemented IEP and other special education related documents
  • Collaborated with local ISD, support staff, GE teachers and administration

Special Education Teacher

Columbia School District
01.2006 - 01.2009
  • Instructed functional living skills and all subject academics in both a CI middle and high school setting
  • Launched a successful school-wide recycling program
  • Awarded grant to partner with local businesses teaching job and life skills
  • Instructed at-risk and ELA and math students to improve academic goals and life skills

Student Teacher

Townsend Elementary
01.2003 - 01.2004
  • Instructed and gained valuable experience in a cross-categorical classroom
  • Assisted directly in processing student IEPs and provided specific feedback on students' progress
  • Designed and implemented successful lessons unique in both language arts and math

Student Teacher

Parnall Elementary
01.2003 - 01.2003
  • Instructed third grade in general classroom setting
  • Witnessed important variations in both classroom style and pedagogical philosophy by successfully serving as a student teacher on a rotating schedule between two mentors
  • Participated in and contributed to Parent Teacher Conferences
  • Created and delivered original lessons and researched content

Education

State of Michigan Teaching Certificate - Special Education K-12 and Elementary Education K-5, K-8 (self-contained)

State of Michigan
06-2025

Master's in Educational Leadership - Curriculum and Instruction

Concordia University
Ann Arbor, MI
01.2010

Bachelor's Of Science - Special and General Education Cognitively Impaired, General Education

Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, MI
01.2004

Associate of Arts - Education

Jackson College
Jackson, MI
01.2000

Skills

  • Engagement: Intervention Team Member, DIBELS Team Member, Parents and Colleague Partnerships, Professional Development
  • Leadership: Caseload Manager, Student File Records Manager, Curriculum Designer, Election Coordinator, Deputy Clerk, Coach, Program Director
  • Instruction: 19 Years Teaching Virtual Instruction, MTTS/Student Assistance Team Chair, Behavior Response Team Member, 504 Team Member, Tutor, At-Risk Trainer, Reaching Higher At Risk Teacher
  • Data collection
  • Communication: Curriculum Plans, Assessment & Evaluations, Federal, State & District Compliant Reporting
  • Software: MS Office Suite
  • Web Based Programs: TieNet, PowerSchool, PowerSchool SE, QVF
  • Platforms: Mac, PC
  • Project Sharing Tools: Box, Dropbox, Google Docs
  • Communication Tools: GoToMeeting, GoogleMeet, Outlook, Skype, Zoom
  • Social Software: Facebook
  • Positive reinforcement

Accomplishments

  • Trained teachers on the procedures for implementing Individual Education Plans and documenting accommodations used
  • Collaborated with team of 20 in the implementation of running smooth elections
  • Supervise and train a team of 20 staff members for running successful elections
  • Train district staff on special education processes and procedures

Certification

  • CPR/AED
  • CPI

Interests

  • Youth mentor, providing guidance and support to empower the next generation of leaders
  • Outdoor Recreation
  • Enjoy hobbies that combine physical activity with outdoor exploration
  • Gardening
  • I enjoy helping others and giving back to the community
  • I participate in a variety of outdoor recreational activities
  • Animal Care

Awards

Pheasants Forever 2014-present, National Honor Society 2003-2011, Council for Exceptional Children, 2003-2004, Golden Key National Honor Society 2002-2004, EMU Education Excellence Award 2002-2004, EMU Dean's List 2002-2004, Project Wild Certified 2003

Community Service

  • Onondaga Township, Deputy Clerk, Elections Coordinator, Onondaga, MI, 2020, Present, Administers state/federal compliant elections while collaborating with state officials and township elected board members, Manages records related to voting, applications, and invoicing, Serves as an active community member
  • Foster Home Setting, Student Tutor and Home Caretaker, Jackson, MI, 2010, 2010, Provided tutoring for both foster care special needs children and adults, Performed home care duties for both quadriplegic children and adults, Collaborated with team members to provide a safe and enriching experience
  • Cracker Jack Camp, Sitting Tall Handicap Riding Program Volunteer Program Director, Jackson, MI, 2005, 2014, Directed volunteers recruitment and program horses, scheduling and activities, training, overall program outcomes, and safe conditions for all riders, Collaborated closely with the certified riding instructor and 4-H extension office, Executed the program’s overall mission of enabling students with cognitive, emotional and physical challenges to become confident and independent horse riders
  • Vandercook Lake Team, Equestrian Team Coach, Vandercook Lake, MI, 2005, 2006, Guided team members in the art and act of horse showing, Mentored students to become confident and successful riders, Donated personal horses when students did not have access to their own mounts
  • US Census Bureau, Crew Leader, Enumerator, Jackson, MI, 2000, 2000, Served as crew team lead of enumerators to conduct household interviews, Coordinated daily meetings, time sheets, assignments, and official filing paperwork, Managed fast-paced environment and provided solutions to anomaly situations, Recognized as model leader to mentor other local teams

Timeline

Middle School Special Education Teacher

Leslie Public Schools
09.2021 - Current

Deputy Clerk & Elections Coordinator

Onondaga Township
03.2020 - Current

Special Education Teacher

Island City Academy
01.2011 - 2021

Special Education Teacher

Capital Area Academy
01.2010 - 01.2011

Special Education Teacher

Columbia School District
01.2006 - 01.2009

Student Teacher

Townsend Elementary
01.2003 - 01.2004

Student Teacher

Parnall Elementary
01.2003 - 01.2003

Master's in Educational Leadership - Curriculum and Instruction

Concordia University

Bachelor's Of Science - Special and General Education Cognitively Impaired, General Education

Eastern Michigan University

Associate of Arts - Education

Jackson College

State of Michigan Teaching Certificate - Special Education K-12 and Elementary Education K-5, K-8 (self-contained)

State of Michigan