Jonathan Rene Zapata
West Covina,CA
Summary
Compassionate Special Education Instructional Aide with 8 years of experience working with differently-abled students. Highly organized and an excellent communicator. Proficient in planning lessons that develop essential life and education skills that benefit students across the cognitive spectrum.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
Work History
Instructional Aide Moderate/Paraeducator, Severe Needs
Wescove Elementary School
West Covina, CA
09.2016 - Current
- Supported the development of students'' critical thinking skills by facilitating group activities and discussions.
- Assisted students with physical disabilities, ensuring their safety and comfort during daily activities.
- Communicated effectively with parents to discuss student progress, challenges, and areas for improvement.
- Provided one-on-one assistance to students with special needs, reinforcing concepts taught during class time and helping them build confidence in their abilities.
- Collaborated with instructional team members to create a cohesive educational experience for all students.
- Assisted in developing behavior management strategies, reducing disruptive behaviors, and promoting a positive learning environment.
- Managed crisis situations calmly, maintaining safety protocols while supporting the emotional well-being of affected students during challenging moments within the school day.
- Built trust and rapport with students through positive reinforcement and strong communication skills.
- Interacted physically and verbally with students throughout each day.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams, including speech therapists, occupational therapists, and school psychologists, to ensure holistic support for each student.
Instructional Aide One on One
YMCA
San Gabriel Valley
06.2022 - 01.2024
- Aided teachers in designing and implementing lesson plans to enhance student learning outcomes.
- Supported the development of students'' critical thinking skills by facilitating group activities and discussions.
- Assisted in monitoring student progress, providing feedback to teachers for assessment and improvement strategies.
- Collaborated with instructional team members to create a cohesive educational experience for all students.
- Provided one-on-one support for students needing additional assistance, improving their understanding of course material.
- Participated in professional development opportunities to stay current on best practices in education and improve instructional techniques.
- Promoted a culture of inclusivity within the classroom, ensuring all students felt supported and valued during instruction.
- Served as a mentor to new instructional aides, offering guidance on effective teaching methods and sharing best practices from personal experience.
- Provided support during classes, group lessons, and classroom activities.
- Provided support to help students with special needs learn and grow.
- Oversaw students in classroom and common areas to monitor, enforce rules, and support lead teacher.
- Supported student learning objectives through personalized and small group assistance.
- Maintained safety and security by overseeing students in recess environments.
Instructor
Windtree Education
Pomona, CA
06.2020 - 05.2022
- Improved student comprehension by incorporating diverse teaching methods and materials.
- Boosted student performance by providing individualized support and targeted feedback.
- Enhanced classroom collaboration through the implementation of group projects and team-building activities.
- Increased student motivation by developing engaging lesson plans that catered to various learning styles.
- Promoted a positive learning environment by establishing clear expectations and maintaining consistent classroom management techniques.
- Participated in professional development opportunities to stay current on educational trends and enhance teaching effectiveness.
- Promoted classroom safety, collaboration and best practices.
- Evaluated and revised lesson plans and course content to achieve student-centered learning.
- Increased student participation via engaging lectures and assignments.
Education
Child Development
Mount San Antonio College
WalnutBachelor of Arts - Child Development
Cal Poly Pomona
Pomona, CA05.2024
High School Diploma -
West Covina High School
West Covina, CA05.2016
Skills
- Group and Individual Instruction
- Special Education Support
- Classroom Support
- Teacher Collaboration
- Lesson Development
- Professionalism
- Teamwork Abilities
- Problem Solving
- Time Management
- Critical Thinking
- Inclusive Education
- Adaptability
Timeline
Instructional Aide One on One
YMCA
06.2022 - 01.2024
Instructor
Windtree Education
06.2020 - 05.2022
Instructional Aide Moderate/Paraeducator, Severe Needs
Wescove Elementary School
09.2016 - Current
Child Development
Mount San Antonio College
Bachelor of Arts - Child Development
Cal Poly Pomona
High School Diploma -
West Covina High School