Josephine Simms
Kenosha Unified School District (KUSD)
Kenosha,WI
1
Certification
10
years of professional experience
Versatile Special Education Teacher with focus on individual student needs across academics and emotional development. Empathetic and accommodating in design and implementation of hands-on lessons, catering to diverse learning abilities. Proficient in employing constant communication, patience and positive reinforcement in team efforts to deliver exceptional educational tools while fostering academic achievement.
Work History
Special Education Teacher
5 Years- Created and managed IEPs to define student learning objectives and educational strategies, in addition to applying instructional knowledge and methods to support goals.
- Wrote and referenced Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs)
- Taught a small classroom of students with EBD (Emotional Behavior Disability).
- Modified curriculum to meet needs of each individual student.
- Taught students across multiple classifications and degrees of special needs.
- Redirected students using Positive Behavior Support.
Special Education Teacher
1 Year 7 Months- Create daily lesson plans that are differentiated for a group of students with autism that are at different academic levels and that use various learning styles.
- Work with a team of specialists and therapists to ensure that each student is receiving the supports they need based on their IEPs.
- Assist students in self regulating themselves by offering calming strategies and support (and/or referencing their BIP if they have one) when they seem to be upset or triggered by something in their environment.
- Take daily data on each student’s progress toward their academic, behavioral and functional IEP goals.
Paraprofessional
1 Year 11 Months- Assist the teacher in implementing lesson plans by providing academic and behavioral support for students with intellectual disabilities that have severe behavior issues.
- Help students self regulate by offering calming strategies and support based on their BIPs.
- Create classroom visuals and social stories using the program, Boardmaker.
- Assist students in using the toilet or potty training/ changing their diapers.
Assisted Living Assistant
2 Years- Provide in home care for a child with autism.
- Monitor the child’s at home functional goals- such as hanging up his backpack and coat, completing his chores, and doing his homework.
- Offer calming strategies to the student when he is upset because his mom is at work.
- Attended quarterly meetings with my supervisor and the parent to discuss progress and next steps.
Habilitation Aide
1 Year 1 Month- Provide care for women with various disabilities in a group home setting
- Keep track of each women’s progress toward their academic and/or behavioral goals.
- Perform housekeeping duties, such as cooking, cleaning, washing clothes or dishes, or running errands.
- Instruct or advise clients on issues such as household, utilities, hygiene and nutrition
- Assist the women in using the bathroom, bathing, and going to bed.
Education
Master of Arts - Special Education
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Skills
Detailed IEP & BIP Writing
De-Escalation Techniques
Data management
Classroom management
Collaborative teamwork
Differentiated instruction
Certification
- Licensed Special Education Teacher
- Nonviolent Crisis Intervention (NCI) certified
Timeline
Special Education Teacher
Kenosha Unified School District (KUSD)
08.2021 - CurrentRead More
Special Education Teacher
Special Education District of Lake County (SEDOL)
01.2020 - 08.2021Read More
Paraprofessional
Special Education District of Lake County (SEDOL)
06.2017 - 05.2019Read More
Habilitation Aide
Mount Saint Joseph
09.2016 - 10.2017Read More
Assisted Living Assistant
Clearbrook
08.2016 - 08.2018Read More
Carthage College
Bachelor of Arts from Psychology
Read More
Marian University
Master of Arts from Special Education
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