JoAnn Plant
Sandy,UT
Summary
For over 36 years, I have absolutely loved teaching special education. I have so many incredible memories and have met so many incredible students, parents, teachers over the years. Even though I SHOULD be retired, special education is my passion. I love teaching and feel that I still have much love to give.
Overview
35
35
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Special Education Teacher/Department Lead
Providence Hall Junior High School
08.2019 - 06.2023
- Coordinated special education students and teacher assistant schedules with master schedule.
- Designed individual education plans to encourage student growth according to different learning abilities and needs.
- Served as a mentor to new teachers, sharing best practices in special education instruction and classroom management techniques.
- Taught multiple subjects to students with intellectual or emotional disabilities.
- Instructed students with physical and cognitive disabilities.
- Provided life skills programming for students with moderate to severe autism.
- Conducted assessments of students to determine individual needs.
- Collaborated with teachers and therapists to develop individualized educational plans for each student, ensuring optimal progress.
- Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities focused on evidence-based practices in special education teaching methodologies.
- Provided professional development training to educate faculty and staff on laws and regulations governing special education.
- Improved behavior by modeling positive choices and teaching socially-acceptable options.
- Planned daily activities to keep students engaged and on track with learning goals.
- Helped students with special needs integrate into general classroom environments by advocating for individual requirements and helping teachers solve problems.
- Led activities that developed students' physical, emotional, and social growth.
- Evaluated student progress regularly using various assessment methods, ensuring accurate measurement of skill development and areas requiring additional support.
- Promoted a positive learning environment through the use of differentiated instruction and individualized support for diverse learners.
- Maintained accurate records of student progress and attendance.
- Collaborated with other educators to develop instructional strategies.
- Provided one-on-one support for students with learning disabilities, enabling them to excel in their coursework.
- Encouraged students to take ownership of learning by providing choices.
- Applied proven strategies to improve students' sensory- and perceptual-motor skills.
- Redirected students using Positive Behavior Support (PBS).
- Developed IEPs tailored to individual student needs, ensuring their academic success and personal growth.
- Taught students across multiple classifications and degrees of special needs.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to provide comprehensive support for students with special needs.
- Cultivated connections and strong student rapport to foster classroom engagement, in addition to recording student progress to inform parents and school administration.
- Developed and implemented behavior management plans to improve student behavior.
- Modified general education curriculum for special-needs students using various instructional techniques and technologies.
- Implemented behavior modification strategies, resulting in improved self-regulation and classroom participation among students.
- Worked closely with parents and guardians to address students' issues on multiple fronts.
- Fostered strong relationships with parents and guardians, maintaining open lines of communication to ensure student progress.
- Enhanced students'' communication skills by implementing group activities and collaborative projects.
- Improved student behavior management by implementing consistent routines, clear expectations, and positive reinforcement strategies.
- Provided emotional support to students and families.
- Facilitated small group instruction to address individual learning needs.
- Implemented behavior modification techniques to improve student social and academic performance.
- Coordinated with general education teachers to develop accommodations or modifications necessary for successful inclusion of students with special needs in mainstream classrooms.
- Developed Individual Education Plans for students with special needs.
- Assisted struggling students to maintain progress levels by designing individualized lesson plans focused on areas for improvement.
- Promoted memory, cognition and language development with hands-on activities and individualized instruction.
- Delivered effective and differentiated classroom instruction to range of neurodiverse students.
- Worked with students with moderate to severe autism to increase life skills.
- Supported students in developing social skills through structured activities and positive reinforcement techniques.
- Assisted in creating a safe and nurturing classroom environment that promoted emotional well-being and academic growth for all students.
- Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
- Acted as a team leader in group projects, delegating tasks and providing feedback.
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
- Oversaw efficient inventory stocking and supply rotation.
- Developed and managed department budget to monitor financial performance and minimize expenses.
- Completed documentation for school, state and federal requirements.
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
- Managed time efficiently in order to complete all tasks within deadlines.
- Passionate about learning and committed to continual improvement.
- Adaptable and proficient in learning new concepts quickly and efficiently.
- Worked effectively in fast-paced environments.
- Exercised leadership capabilities by successfully motivating and inspiring others.
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
- Developed and maintained courteous and effective working relationships.
- Cultivated interpersonal skills by building positive relationships with others.
- Organized and detail-oriented with a strong work ethic.
Special Education Teacher/Department Lead
Jordan School District/Canyons School District
08.1988 - 06.2018
- Coordinated special education students and teacher assistant schedules with master schedule.
- Designed individual education plans to encourage student growth according to different learning abilities and needs.
- Served as a mentor to new teachers, sharing best practices in special education instruction and classroom management techniques.
- Taught multiple subjects to students with intellectual or emotional disabilities.
- Instructed students with physical and cognitive disabilities.
- Provided life skills programming for students with moderate to severe autism.
- Conducted assessments of students to determine individual needs.
- Collaborated with teachers and therapists to develop individualized educational plans for each student, ensuring optimal progress.
- Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities focused on evidence-based practices in special education teaching methodologies.
- Provided professional development training to educate faculty and staff on laws and regulations governing special education.
- Improved behavior by modeling positive choices and teaching socially-acceptable options.
- Planned daily activities to keep students engaged and on track with learning goals.
- Helped students with special needs integrate into general classroom environments by advocating for individual requirements and helping teachers solve problems.
- Led activities that developed students' physical, emotional, and social growth.
- Evaluated student progress regularly using various assessment methods, ensuring accurate measurement of skill development and areas requiring additional support.
- Promoted a positive learning environment through the use of differentiated instruction and individualized support for diverse learners.
- Maintained accurate records of student progress and attendance.
- Provided one-on-one support for students with learning disabilities, enabling them to excel in their coursework.
- Encouraged students to take ownership of learning by providing choices.
- Redirected students using Positive Behavior Support (PBS).
- Developed IEPs tailored to individual student needs, ensuring their academic success and personal growth.
- Organized field trips and community-based experiences that enriched students'' understanding of real-world applications for their skills.
- Taught students across multiple classifications and degrees of special needs.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to provide comprehensive support for students with special needs.
- Cultivated connections and strong student rapport to foster classroom engagement, in addition to recording student progress to inform parents and school administration.
- Developed and implemented behavior management plans to improve student behavior.
- Modified general education curriculum for special-needs students using various instructional techniques and technologies.
- Implemented behavior modification strategies, resulting in improved self-regulation and classroom participation among students.
- Worked closely with parents and guardians to address students' issues on multiple fronts.
- Fostered strong relationships with parents and guardians, maintaining open lines of communication to ensure student progress.
- Enhanced students'' communication skills by implementing group activities and collaborative projects.
- Improved student behavior management by implementing consistent routines, clear expectations, and positive reinforcement strategies.
- Provided emotional support to students and families.
- Facilitated small group instruction to address individual learning needs.
- Implemented behavior modification techniques to improve student social and academic performance.
- Developed Individual Education Plans for students with special needs.
- Assisted struggling students to maintain progress levels by designing individualized lesson plans focused on areas for improvement.
- Promoted memory, cognition and language development with hands-on activities and individualized instruction.
- Delivered effective and differentiated classroom instruction to range of neurodiverse students.
- Worked with students with moderate to severe autism to increase life skills.
- Supported students in developing social skills through structured activities and positive reinforcement techniques.
- Monitored student performance to evaluate effectiveness of instructional strategies.
- Created and managed IEPs to define student learning objectives and educational strategies, in addition to applying instructional knowledge and methods to support goals.
- Assisted in creating a safe and nurturing classroom environment that promoted emotional well-being and academic growth for all students.
- Gained strong leadership skills by managing projects from start to finish.
- Resolved problems, improved operations and provided exceptional service.
- Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
- Paid attention to detail while completing assignments.
- Proved successful working within tight deadlines and a fast-paced environment.
- Acted as a team leader in group projects, delegating tasks and providing feedback.
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
- Assisted with day-to-day operations, working efficiently and productively with all team members.
- Demonstrated strong organizational and time management skills while managing multiple projects.
- Oversaw efficient inventory stocking and supply rotation.
- Developed and managed department budget to monitor financial performance and minimize expenses.
- Oversaw daily operations of the department, ensuring smooth workflow and adherence to deadlines.
- Kept employee workloads fair and balanced to achieve objectives while maintaining high job satisfaction.
- Mentored new teacher in successful strategies, techniques, materials and supplementary technologies.
- Collaborated with other departments to improve interdepartmental communication, enhancing overall organizational effectiveness.
- Boosted overall employee morale by fostering a positive work environment and promoting open communication.
- Supervised existing employees and recruited, interviewed and hired new ones.
- Chaired department meetings covering new implementations, problem-solving and other operational areas.
- Identified areas for improvement within the department, developing action plans to address those needs effectively.
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
- Managed time efficiently in order to complete all tasks within deadlines.
- Passionate about learning and committed to continual improvement.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Special Education
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT06.1987
Skills
- Conflict resolution techniques
- Learning Style Assessments
- Social Skills Development
- Individual Education Plans IEPs
Accomplishments
My career in teaching special education spans over 36 years and is quite varied. I have been fortunate enough to be able to go to work each day and love it!
I have taught Home & Hospital, for both special education students and regular education students, for over 25 years, after school, while teaching at Hillcrest High School, full-time during the day.
I taught young ladies with an IEP in the Young Mother's Program, once a week, after school, in Jordan School District/Canyons School District for over 18 years.
I started and was the advisor for the Husky Club at Hillcrest High School, for over 30 years, holding fun activities and parties for the special education department's students, regular education students, peer tutors, teachers, anyone who wanted to join.
I started and coached the Special Olympics Soccer Program at Hillcrest for 5 years, taking STATE honors for 3 years.
I held a yearly talent show for over 30 years for the special education department students, peer tutors, at Hillcrest High School, inviting parents, teachers, administrators, anyone who wanted to attend.
Certification
- Licensed Special Education (K-12+) - 07/01/20-06/30/26
- Reading, Special Education,
- NCLB-HQ in Language Arts
- Mild/Moderate,
- English as a Second Language
Timeline
Special Education Teacher/Department Lead
Providence Hall Junior High School
08.2019 - 06.2023
Special Education Teacher/Department Lead
Jordan School District/Canyons School District
08.1988 - 06.2018
Bachelor of Science - Special Education
University of Utah
- Licensed Special Education (K-12+) - 07/01/20-06/30/26
- Reading, Special Education,
- NCLB-HQ in Language Arts
- Mild/Moderate,
- English as a Second Language
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