Jill O'Rourke
Bristol,New Hampshire
Summary
Dedicated Special Education Teacher focused on building students' strengths and confidence. Committed to providing students with firm guidelines, structure, routines, and dependability to foster social and academic growth. Prepared to handle onsite, online, or blended instruction. Intuitive professional offers expertise in curriculum implementation and student assessment.
A hardworking and kind professional commended for teaching and mentoring students to help them transition to the next grade level. Strong communicator passionate about providing appropriate learning techniques and behavioral redirection for children with learning, intellectual, and emotional disabilities.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
Special Education Teacher/Team Leader
Newfound Area School District
Bristol, New Hampshire
08.2018 - Current
- Developed individualized education plans for diverse student needs.
- Collaborated with parents and specialists to support student progress.
- Trained and mentored new teachers on special education practices.
- Monitored student assessments and documented progress regularly.
- Participated in professional development workshops to refine teaching methods.
- Adapted curriculum materials as needed to meet individualized student needs.
- Created a safe environment conducive to learning for special education students.
- Developed Individual Education Plans for students with disabilities.
- Collaborated closely with related services providers such as speech therapists.
- Implemented behavior management systems that promote positive behaviors.
- Facilitated small group instruction tailored for individual student needs.
- Participated in professional development activities related to teaching strategies for special education students.
- Advocated for needs of the students with disabilities.
- Established positive relationships with students and their families.
- Collaborated with general education teachers to include students in classroom activities.
- Attended parent-teacher conferences to discuss student progress.
ESY Teacher
Newfound Area School District
Bristol, NH
07.2019 - 06.2025
- Implemented engaging lesson plans to enhance student learning experiences.
- Provided behavioral support to students in various learning environments.
ESY Summer School Program
Franklin School District
Franklin, N.H.
07.2010 - 08.2018
- Managed accommodations/modifications for students with IEPs
- Planned and ran small group rotations of reading and math lessons/activities
- Integrated iPads into rotations
- Managed Study Island pre- and post- test data
Special Education Teacher/Case Manager
Franklin Middle School
Franklin, N.H.
08.2011 - 06.2018
- Building Special Education Team Leader, 2012-18 school years
- Case manage students from grades 4-8
- Orton-Gillingham reading intervention with individuals and small groups
- Co-taught Math with 8th-grade Math teacher, 2013-14
- Co-taught with 7th-grade ELA and Math teachers, 2012-13, 2014-15
- Provide support to staff regarding accommodations, modifications, and behavior management of students
- Mentored two student teachers from Franklin Pierce
- Mentored new special education teachers, PAC teacher
- Administer academic evaluations (KTEA-III, WJ-IV)
- Study Island Power User, provided staff support
- IReady, Dynamic Learning Map, and Smarter Balanced/SAS assessment facilitator
- CPI trained and certified, 2010-2019
- Advisory Committee member, 2013-15
- S.T.A.R.R. Advisory Team member, 2012-15
- PBIS Green Team member 2012-2017
- MTSS & Mental Health First Aid trained, 2017
Special Education Teacher/Case Manager
Bessie Rowell School
Franklin, N.H.
08.2005 - 06.2011
- Taught Orton-Gillingham reading intervention to individuals and small groups
- Integrated an interactive whiteboard into lessons
- Building's Special Education Team Leader
- Provided support to classroom teachers
- Developed and scored NH Alternative Portfolios
Special Education Teacher
Paul Smith School
Franklin, N.H.
08.2004 - 06.2005
- Worked individually with a student with autism
- Maintained ABA trial data for the Behavior Consultant
- Maintained ABC data of behaviors
- Developed menu boards and activities to support the behavior plan
- Assisted in modifications of assignments based on academic ability
Education
Master of Education - Reading Education
National University
San Diego, CA03.2023
Bachelor of Arts - Elementary Education K-6, General Special Education K-12
Rivier University
Nashua, N.H.01.1996
Skills
- NHSEIS Easy IEP
- Co-taught literacy and math
- Proctor Dynamic Learning Map and NH SAS
- Coordinate, train, and manage special education support staff assignments
- Administer, score, and report academic assessments KTEA-III and WIAT-4
- Administer NWEA diagnostic assessments
- Assign NWEA skill plans
- Administer DRA/DRA2 informal assessments
- Intermediate IMSE O-G Training
- Eureka²
- Zearn
- Great Minds Wit & Wisdom
- Promethean board
- iPad applications for AAC use
References
- Jennifer Carita, 603-858-0558
- Chris Ulrich, 603-856-3284
- Sheila Carita, 603-785-3591
Timeline
ESY Teacher
Newfound Area School District
07.2019 - 06.2025
Special Education Teacher/Team Leader
Newfound Area School District
08.2018 - Current
Special Education Teacher/Case Manager
Franklin Middle School
08.2011 - 06.2018
ESY Summer School Program
Franklin School District
07.2010 - 08.2018
Special Education Teacher/Case Manager
Bessie Rowell School
08.2005 - 06.2011
Special Education Teacher
Paul Smith School
08.2004 - 06.2005
Master of Education - Reading Education
National University
Bachelor of Arts - Elementary Education K-6, General Special Education K-12
Rivier University