Jessica Koontz
Summary
Offering 7 years in education as an exceptional student education (ESE) teacher. I am eager to transition into the role of a school psychologist. Passionate about working with students of all backgrounds and all types of emotional, behavioral and academic needs. Excellent communication, problem-solving and relationship building skills. Highly interested in Exceptional Student Education, Multidisciplinary Teams, Evidence- Based Interventions, Response to Intervention data, Cognitive Assessments, Crisis Intervention, and Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
Work History
Exceptional Student Education Teacher
Pinellas County School District
08.2017 - Current
- Communicated with parents and faculty to develop a strong sense of collaboration between teachers, students and parents.
- Balanced individual and group instruction to accommodate different academic levels and learning styles.
- Identified children's collective and individual learning needs to plan, prepare and deliver instruction designed to maximize individual learning and capture interest.
- Designed individual education plans to encourage student growth according to different learning abilities and needs.
- 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.
- Prepared differentiated lesson plans and executed multiple modalities to accelerate individual success.
- Organized learning resources and classroom environment to facilitate positive learning experience for over 15 students.
- Administered and graded tests, homework and assignments to evaluate students' progress.
School Psychology School- Based Practicum
Pinellas County School District
01.2023 - 05.2023
- Met with students to conduct individual assessments and determine academic and mental health needs.
- Compiled and interpreted students' test results along with information from teachers and parents to assess eligibility for special services.
- Utilized formal and established testing protocols to evaluate educational, emotional and behavioral needs of students.
- Consulted with teachers and parents to gain in-depth understanding of students.
- Collaborated with staff members to help students grow in social and emotional capacities.
- Participated in team meetings, demonstrating an ability to work collaboratively and effectively.
- Cultivated interpersonal skills by building positive relationships with others.
21st Century IClass Teacher
Pinellas County School District
09.2021 - 09.2022
- Assisted students in resolving deficiencies to enhance academic performance.
- Provided useful learning and study skill techniques to enhance understanding and integration.
- Developed student-specific tutoring plans in concert with teachers, parents, and administrators.
Education
Psy.S. - School Psychology
Nova Southeastern University
Clearwater, FL05.2025
M.S. - School Psychology
Nova Southeastern University
Clearwater, FL12.2023
B.S. - ESE (K-12) Infused With ESOL And Reading
Saint Petersburg College
Saint Petersburg, FL05.2017
Professional Development
Reading Cadre: 6 hour online workshop on analyzing data, developing unit plans, and creating differentiated lessons- October, 2023
Specially Designed Instruction (SDI): Professional workshop to support students with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and gain an understanding of what SDI is, how it is determined, and how to provide it- February 2021
Kognito Mental Health Awareness: Training on recognizing and responding to students in distress- February 2020
Accomplishments
Dr. H William "Bill" Heller Novice Florida Teacher of the Year Award, 2019 Council for Exceptional Children
Pinellas County Schools 2022-2023 High School Group Mentoring Advisor of the Year Award
Affiliations
- Florida Association of School Psychologists (FASP), 2022-Current
- Girlfriends of Pinellas County, 2019-Current
Assessment Instruments Administered
Adaptive Behavior Assessment Scales-II (ABAS-II)
Behavior Assessment Scale for Children- 3rd Edition (BASC-III)
Behavioral Rating Inventory of Executive Function, 2nd edition (BRIEF)
Bender Visual-Motor Gestalt Test - Second Edition (Bender-Gestalt II)
Conners Third Edition (Conners-3)
Differential Ability Scales-II (DAS-II)
Feifer Assessment of Reading (FAR)
Feifer Assessment of Math (FAM)
House-Tree-Person Projective Assessment (H-T-P)
Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children (KABC-2)
Kaufman Test of Educational Achievement -3rd Edition (KTEA-3)
Kinetic Family Drawing
Reinforcer Preference Survey
Robert’s Apperception Test for Children-2nd Edition (RATC-2)
Sentence Completion Tests
Stanford Binet Intelligence Scales, Fifth Edition (SB-V)
Strategies for Teaching based on Autism Research (STAR)
Thematic Apperception Test (TAT)
Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children - Fifth Edition (WISC-V)
Woodcock-Johnson IV Tests of Achievement (WJ IV ACH)
Woodcock-Johnson IV Tests of Cognitive Abilities (WJ IVCOG)
References
Andrea Fonti, M.S.
Varying Exceptionalities Specialist
Largo High School
727-588-3758 Ext. 2060
fontia@pcsb.org
Lucia Hagen, M.S.
Varying Exceptionalities Specialist, Retired
Boca Ciega High School
LMHagen@gmail.com
Nancy Watkins, Ed.D.
Professor, College of Education
727-341-4749
watkins.nancy@spcollege.edu
Timeline
School Psychology School- Based Practicum
Pinellas County School District
01.2023 - 05.2023
21st Century IClass Teacher
Pinellas County School District
09.2021 - 09.2022
Exceptional Student Education Teacher
Pinellas County School District
08.2017 - Current
Psy.S. - School Psychology
Nova Southeastern University
M.S. - School Psychology
Nova Southeastern University
B.S. - ESE (K-12) Infused With ESOL And Reading
Saint Petersburg College
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