Jessica Easter
East Aurora,NY
Overview
1
1
Certification
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Student teacher
Kennedy Day School at Franciscan Hospital for Children
- Special Education, ungraded
Student teacher
New York City Public School, PS 42
- General Education Program, Second Grade
Student teacher
New York City Public School, PS 186
- Special Education (District 75 program), Students 6-9 years old (First Grade Equivalent)
Special Education Teacher
Darien Public Schools
08.2013 - 06.2024
- Provided targeted instruction for students with severe disabilities ages 3–5 through small-group and individual support in self-contained classroom; delivered push in specialize instruction in integrated preschool classroom
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary team to implement individualized communication, motor, sensory, and behavioral plans across school day
- Facilitated student behavior support by implementing behavior plans, performing data collection, and conducting assessment.
- Completed developmental evaluations, created IEP's, and participated in IEP and placement meetings
- Developed individualized education plans (IEPs) for students with diverse learning needs.
- Collaborated with parents and caregivers to support student's developmental goals and progress across settings
Special Needs Project Manager
NYC Early Childhood Professional Development Institute
02.2011 - 02.2013
- Collaborate with NYC Administration for Children Services (ACS) to create and implement differential pay rates for childcare providers caring for children with special needs. Oversee all aspects of review process, provide ongoing technical assistance to families and child care providers, maintain weekly and monthly progress reports.
- Design training curriculum for child care providers based on NYS Early Learning Guidelines and facilitate professional development training events for childcare providers; topics include child development, working with families, special education process and procedures, and supporting children with special needs.
- Coached staff at community-based childcare programs to enhance service delivery; supported clients pursuing careers in special education and related services.
- Developed and built comprehensive database of special education information and supports, including community resources and state and federal agency contacts.
Disability Specialist, Head Start Program
Educational Alliance
09.2009 - 01.2011
- Provided case management for students (ages 3-5) identified with disabilities; provide families with educational, psychosocial, and tangible assistance as needed.
- Complete student observations to identify areas of developmental or learning needs, implement individualized behavior plans to support learning and appropriate behavior in the classroom, collaborate with classroom teachers to accommodate and include students.
- Support families with children suspected of having a developmental delay by providing assistance and guidance through evaluation and special education administrative process. Engage with collateral contacts to coordinate individual students related services at school and in community.
Clinical Social Work Intern
Center for Children with Special Needs, Tufts Medical Center
09.2008 - 05.2009
- Participated with a multidisciplinary team in an outpatient clinic to identify and diagnose children with developmental delays and specific disabilities. Participated in early autism screening and diagnosis clinic. Completed initial psychosocial intake of new patients; assisted families in accessing resources and goods to meet immediate needs, provided parental education and guidance.
- Provided ongoing weekly individual psychotherapy to children and adolescents diagnosed with learning disabilities and comorbid mental health concerns.
Teaching Assistant
May Institute
09.2007 - 09.2008
- Provide direct support to students with autism spectrum disorder, instruction aligned with Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks.
- Trained in Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) including behavior management techniques and discrete trial trainings.
- Assisted students with all aspects of daily living skills. Additional responsibilities include collecting and evaluating data, write student progress reports, and weekly conferencing with families.
Clinical Social Work Intern
Greater Boston Legal Services
09.2007 - 05.2008
- Created supportive, on-going alliances with disempowered clients, assessing overt and covert needs, engaged with clients to fulfill any needs. Learned and applied skills for continuous outreach in order to maintain client engagement.
- Assisted clients in completing tangible tasks such as welfare paperwork, attend appointments, and connecting with community resources and support.
Education
Master of Arts - Early Childhood Education & Special Education
New York University, Steinhardt School of Teaching And Learning
12-2010
Master of Social Work - undefined
Boston University, School of Social Work
05-2009
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Elmira College
05-2005
Skills
- Early childhood education expertise
- Individualized instruction
- Expertise in ABA methodology
- Sensory strategies experience
- Multi-model communication experience
- Family engagement
- Multi-disciplinary collaboration
Certification
New York State License Master Social Worker (LMSW),
New York State Teacher Certification, Early Childhood Education (Birth – Grade 2)
New York State Teacher Certification, Students with Disabilities (Birth – Grade 2)
CT professional license
Timeline
Special Education Teacher
Darien Public Schools
08.2013 - 06.2024
Special Needs Project Manager
NYC Early Childhood Professional Development Institute
02.2011 - 02.2013
Disability Specialist, Head Start Program
Educational Alliance
09.2009 - 01.2011
Clinical Social Work Intern
Center for Children with Special Needs, Tufts Medical Center
09.2008 - 05.2009
Teaching Assistant
May Institute
09.2007 - 09.2008
Clinical Social Work Intern
Greater Boston Legal Services
09.2007 - 05.2008
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Elmira College
Master of Social Work - undefined
Boston University, School of Social Work
Student teacher
New York City Public School, PS 186
Student teacher
New York City Public School, PS 42
Student teacher
Kennedy Day School at Franciscan Hospital for Children
Master of Arts - Early Childhood Education & Special Education
New York University, Steinhardt School of Teaching And Learning