Jessica Harrington

STEPS: Positive Social Thinking and Executive Planning Supports (Autism Program) and ACHIEVE: Academics, Community, Headways, Independence, Educational, Vocational, and Enrichment for Life

• Co-taught inclusive academic classes, adapting general education curriculum in real-time to ensure full accessibility and engagement for students with autism.
• Designed and delivered specialized pull-out instruction, targeting individualized IEP goals in core academic areas.
• Instructed research-based social-emotional and executive functioning curricula, equipping students with essential skills for self-advocacy, emotional regulation, and organization.
• Cultivated strong, collaborative partnerships with families, maintaining consistent communication and hosting progress reviews to align home and school support strategies.
• Designed and implemented highly individualized, multi-sensory lessons in a pull-out setting for students presenting a wide spectrum of academic, social, and functional needs.
• Fostered student independence and life skills by designing transition-oriented programming focused on vocational readiness and community integration.
• Managed and tracked diverse IEP progress data, continuously adapting instructional delivery to maximize growth toward long-term functional goals.
• Utilized assistive technology tools to support diverse learning styles and foster independence.
• Led professional development workshops for staff on best practices in special education instruction.
• Monitored and evaluated student performance, adjusting teaching strategies to ensure academic success.
• Coordinated with guardians to establish effective communication regarding student progress and goals.
• Mentored new teachers on student progress monitoring and legal document preparation.
• Supervised, trained, and directed the daily work of paraprofessionals, ensuring consistent implementation of individualized education plans (IEPs) and classroom routines.
• Facilitated ongoing professional development for classroom support staff on behavior intervention plans, academic modifications, and student independence strategies.
• Collected, analyzed, and graphed behavioral data to monitor student progress, identify antecedents, and evaluate the effectiveness of intervention strategies.
• Implemented positive behavior support plans and crisis intervention strategies, fostering a safe, regulated, and productive learning environment.
• Collaborated closely with a multidisciplinary team—including BCBAs, Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs), Occupational Therapists (OTs), and Physical Therapists (PTs)—to design holistic student goals and benchmarks.
• Integrated specialized therapeutic strategies into daily classroom routines, ensuring seamless reinforcement of communication, sensory, motor, and behavioral therapy plans.
• Serve as an active member of key school leadership bodies, including the School Safety Team and Crisis Support Team.

• Co-taught across two second-grade classrooms, utilizing collaborative teaching models to deliver high-quality, differentiated instruction within the general education environment.
• Co-planned all integrated curriculum and activities as part of a cohesive teaching team, aligning daily lessons with state standards while ensuring accessibility for all learners.
• Designed and implemented targeted interventions for students receiving Response to Intervention (RTI) support and those with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs).
• Shared instructional and supervisory responsibilities for the general education student population, fostering an inclusive, community-focused classroom culture where all students thrived.
• Monitored, analyzed, and documented student progress data to dynamically adjust intervention strategies and report on IEP/RTI goal benchmarks.

• Oversee and run the district autism program for grades 2–4, a specialized social thinking classroom designed for students with social thinking and executive processing skill deficits.
• Manage and guide a team of 5 paraprofessionals, coordinating their efforts to provide optimal academic and social support.
• Partner closely with Speech-Language Pathologists, Occupational Therapists, and Behavioral Consultants to ensure cohesive, wrap-around support for every student.
• Deliver tailored instruction across all curriculum areas ranging from Kindergarten to early middle school levels to accommodate a highly diverse range of student abilities.
• Partner with general education teachers to co-teach during ELA and Math, ensuring special education students can successfully access the mainstream curriculum.
• Provide intensive, full-curriculum instruction in a sub-separate setting for students temporarily unable to participate in integration due to interfering behaviors or academic gaps.
• Utilize specialized programs with a high track record of success, including Reading A-Z (Reading Triangle), Road to Reading, and the Framing Your Thoughts writing curriculum.
• Lead and chair all Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings, including annual reviews, 3-year re-evaluations, and initial/additional assessment meetings.
• Complete all necessary special education paperwork, including initial evaluations and complex IEP documents, ensuring strict adherence to timelines and regulations.
• Design and execute highly customized student plans, dynamically balancing integration and pull-out services based on evolving student needs.
• Maintain strong, collaborative relationships with families through daily communication logs and flexible weekly or monthly check-ins.
• Partner actively with the Special Education Parent Committee to develop and provide educational opportunities and resources for families.
• Serve as an active member of school leadership bodies, including the School Council, Student Support Team (ISST), and Crisis Support Team.