Jessica Walesa
Littleton,CO
Summary
I am Special Education ParaEducator skilled at working with students in an Affective Needs Center Based Program. I'm Successful at supporting all children's unique needs. I am very trauma informed and have experience working with Students whom have significant Trauma History both on a personal level and professional Level. I have experience working with students with Autism Spectrum Disorders as well. I am a Compassionate Paraeducator in the Special Education field, highly productive and efficient in task completion. Skilled in behavior management, individualized education plan (IEP) implementation, and adaptive learning techniques. Excels using empathy, patience, and effective communication to support diverse student needs and foster inclusive classroom environments.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Paraeducator Affective Needs Center
Jeffco Public Schools
Littleton, CO
08.2024 - Current
- Attended professional development workshops related to working with special needs children.
- Fostered relationships between general education peers and those receiving specialized services within the classroom setting.
- Supervised and monitored student behavior in classrooms, hallways, cafeterias, school yards, and other areas.
- Encouraged positive behavior among students through reinforcement of expectations established by the school district or classroom teacher.
- Provided feedback to teachers regarding student successes or challenges observed during instruction time.
- Maintained focused, inclusive, and supportive learning environments.
- Served as classroom aide to teachers and worked one-on-one with special needs students.
- Managed distracting or inappropriate classroom behavior.
- Kept students safe in classroom and outside environments.
- Supported students throughout academic instruction and assignments.
- Applied positive reinforcement to redirect negative behaviors.
- Communicated and collaborated well with educators from various grade levels.
- Observed students to help teachers identify potential learning blocks and opportunities for support.
- Provided one-on-one support to students requiring additional assistance with assignments.
- Supervised students during non-instructional times, including lunch and recess.
- Contributed to a safe and inclusive learning environment for all students.
- Organized and labeled student materials when setting up classrooms.
- Supervised students in classrooms, halls, cafeterias, gymnasiums and field trips.
Special Education ParaEducator
Douglas County School District
Castle Rock, CO
01.2019 - 08.2024
- Assisted teachers with preparing classroom materials and activities.
- Organized classroom supplies and equipment.
- Monitored student behavior in the classroom, playground, cafeteria, and other school areas.
- Provided individualized instruction for special needs students according to their IEPs.
- Helped students develop study skills such as note taking, time management, and organization techniques.
- Collaborated with teachers to develop lesson plans that are tailored to each student's learning style and academic level.
- Created a positive learning environment by encouraging cooperation among students.
- Assisted in creating a safe environment for all students by enforcing school policies.
- Monitored students in class, hallways and cafeteria to enforce school rules.
- Cleaned and organized classrooms, materials and supplies.
- Supported classroom teachers in creating a positive learning environment for all students.
- Collaborated with other professionals such as occupational therapists, speech pathologists, psychologists and social workers to provide comprehensive support services to special needs students.
- Participated in professional development workshops related to special education topics such as autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and Trauma/PTSD.
- Implemented evidence-based interventions tailored specifically for individuals with disabilities.
- Encouraged participation from all students by using positive reinforcement techniques.
- Supported students with personalized accommodations, extra assistance and educational assessments.
- Communicated affirmatively and promoted positive attitudes with every student.
- Worked in tandem with teacher to develop customized classroom environment conducive to students' needs.
- Improved behavior with modification and positive reinforcement techniques.
- Demonstrated appropriate behaviors using behavior modeling and positive reinforcement techniques.
- Helped students learn to persevere with challenging tasks and build resilience for later educational efforts.
- Provided emotional and psychological support to students in crisis situations.
- Encouraged positive behavior change through modeling appropriate behaviors.
- Actively listened to students in order to provide support and understanding.
- Offered emotional support during times of difficulty or crisis situations involving the student.
Special Education Paraprofessional
Mukwonago School District
Big Bend, WI
08.2016 - 11.2019
- Collaborated with classroom teachers to modify educational materials to meet the individual needs of each student.
- Provided one-on-one instruction to students who needed extra help with learning tasks.
- Monitored behavior of students in order to ensure a safe, positive learning environment.
- Supported the development of social skills through modeling appropriate behavior and interactions with peers.
- Encouraged independent thinking, problem solving, and self-advocacy skills among students.
- Supervised students during lunch periods, recesses, field trips., ensuring their safety at all times.
- Assisted with transitioning from one activity to another throughout the day as needed by the student.
- Offered emotional support during times of difficulty or crisis situations involving the student.
- Supported students with personalized accommodations, extra assistance and educational assessments.
- Improved behavior with modification and positive reinforcement techniques.
- Helped students learn to persevere with challenging tasks and build resilience for later educational efforts.
Customer Service Representative
InPro Corporation
Muskego, WI
03.2006 - 07.2013
- Developed strong relationships with customers by providing personalized assistance and support.
- De-escalated problematic customer concerns, maintaining calm, friendly demeanor.
- Liaised between customers and retail buyers to expedite orders and meet customer demands.
- Developed strong customer relationships to encourage repeat business.
- Improved customer service wait times to mitigate complaints.
- Assisted customers with product selection, ordering, billing, returns, exchanges and technical support.
- Resolved complex problems by working with other departments to provide solutions that meet customer needs.
- Informed customers about billing procedures, processed payments and provided payment option setup assistance.
- Provided outstanding service to new and long-standing customers by attending closely to concerns and developing solutions.
- Answered inbound calls, chats and emails to facilitate customer service.
- Tracked orders from start to finish to ensure timely delivery of goods or services.
- Remained calm and professional in stressful circumstances and effectively diffused tense situations.
- Promoted high customer satisfaction by resolving problems with knowledgeable and friendly service.
Manager
Sundeck Tanning Salon
Muskego, WI
03.2000 - 06.2008
- Developed and implemented strategies to increase customer satisfaction and loyalty.
- Remained calm and professional in stressful circumstances and effectively diffused tense situations.
- Completed thorough opening, closing and shift change functions to maintain operational standards each day.
- Recruited and trained new employees to meet job requirements.
- Exercised good judgment and decision-making in escalating concerns and resolving issues.
- Provided leadership during times of organizational change or crisis situations.
- Used cash registers to handle cash and credit card transactions, money and receipts.
- Promoted and sold eyewear and Tanning Lotion Products.
- Responded promptly to customer inquiries via phone, email, or text message regarding available services.
- Updated computer databases with client and inventory data.
- Opened and closed salon, hung up promotional signs and scheduled equipment maintenance.
- Provided personalized consultations to clients regarding tanning products and services.
- Processed transactions quickly and accurately while providing excellent customer service at all times.
- Greeted clients, showed to tanning facilities and educated on usage.
- Provided advice on how to maintain healthy skin while also achieving desired results from tanning sessions.
- Performed general administrative duties such as scheduling appointments, taking payments, and restocking supplies.
- Maintained cleanliness of facility by wiping down equipment after each customer.
- Maintained knowledge of current sales, promotions and policies and answered customer questions.
- Stayed up-to-date on latest tanning trends and recommended updates to facilities and treatment plans.
- Inspected tanning beds for any signs of damage or malfunctioning parts prior to every session.
Education
High School Diploma -
Mukwonago High School
Mukwonago WISome College (No Degree) - Criminal Justice
Waukesha County Technical College
Pewaukee, WISkills
- Team Player
- Time Management
- Interpersonal Skills
- Problem-Solving
- Excellent Communication
- Dependable and Reliable
- Critical Thinking
- Customer Service
- Computer Skills
- Positive Attitude
- Coordinating with Teachers and Specialists
- Organizational and Planning Skills
- Attention to Detail
- Collaborative and Team-Oriented
- Experience with Diverse Student Populations
- Student Behavior and Progress Reporting
- Adapting to Classroom Needs
- Enthusiasm for helping Students with Behavioral Disabilities, especially Trauma
- Creating a Safe Learning Environment
- Written and Verbal Communication Skills
- Supervising Classroom Activities
- Helping Students with Special Needs
- Classroom Behavior Management
- Teacher Assistance
- People Skills
- Good Work Ethic
- First Aid/CPR
- Friendly, Positive Attitude
- Conflict Resolution
- Reliable & Trustworthy
- Organizational Skills
- De-escalation Techniques
- Positive Role Model
- Crisis Prevention and Intervention
- Incident Reporting
- Detailed Activity Logs
- CPR Certified
- Detail-Oriented
- Professional Demeanor
- Attentive and Observant
- Crisis Management
- Employee and Visitor Screening
Certification
CPR/First Aid Certified
CPI Certified
Timeline
Paraeducator Affective Needs Center
Jeffco Public Schools
08.2024 - Current
Special Education ParaEducator
Douglas County School District
01.2019 - 08.2024
Special Education Paraprofessional
Mukwonago School District
08.2016 - 11.2019
Customer Service Representative
InPro Corporation
03.2006 - 07.2013
Manager
Sundeck Tanning Salon
03.2000 - 06.2008
High School Diploma -
Mukwonago High School
Some College (No Degree) - Criminal Justice
Waukesha County Technical College
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