Resilient and versatile Special Education Teacher familiar with challenges associated with teaching special needs children and with focus on individual student needs across academia and emotional development. Empathetic and accommodating in design and implementation of hands-on lessons, catering to diverse learning abilities. Remains positive under times of stress or conflict. Works well with classroom teachers to develop accommodations and special techniques for mainstream classroom inclusion. Proficient in employing constant communication, patience and positive reinforcement in team efforts to deliver exceptional educational tools, fostering academic achievement.
Hi, I’m
Josy Luna
Harlingen,TX
Summary
Overview
20
years of professional experience
1
Certification
Work History
La Feria Independent School District
Lead Special Education Inclusion Teacher
08.2022 - Current
Job overview
- Collaborated with numerous departments and standard education teachers.
- Taught multiple subjects to students with intellectual or emotional disabilities.
- Redirected students using Positive Behavior Support (PBS).
- Instructed students with physical and cognitive disabilities.
- Cultivated connections and strong student rapport to foster classroom engagement, in addition to recording student progress to inform parents and school administration.
- Created and managed IEPs to define student learning objectives and educational strategies, in addition to applying instructional knowledge and methods to support goals.
- Partnered with standard education teachers from across academic departments.
- Taught students across multiple classifications and degrees of special needs.
- Assisted struggling students to maintain progress levels by designing individualized lesson plans focused on areas for improvement.
- Modified general education curriculum for special-needs students using various instructional techniques and technologies.
- Developed Individual Education Plans for students with special needs.
- Designed individual education plans to encourage student growth according to different learning abilities and needs.
- Applied strong leadership talents and problem-solving skills to maintain team efficiency and organize workflows.
- Gathered, organized and input information into digital database.
Girl Scouts
Volunteer
08.2018 - 10.2023
Job overview
- Assisted with special events and programs.
- Supported engaging, fun, and smooth-running events by helping with organization and planning.
- Used strong interpersonal communication skills to convey information to others.
- Maintained clean, neat, and operational facilities to serve program needs.
- Communicated with staff members to stay informed about volunteer opportunities and events.
- Represented organization positively and professionally while providing community with much-needed services.
- Collaborated with internal stakeholders to design strategies for messaging and communications.
- Built and strengthened relationships with members of media in order to promote positive coverage.
- Acted as point of contact for inbound media related calls.
- Managed budget allocation and resource utilization to maximize marketing ROI.
- Improved website visibility through development and implementation of SEO strategies.
Myra Green Middle School
Behavior Intervention Teacher
08.2021 - 07.2023
Job overview
- Work cooperatively with teachers to modify curricula as needed for special education students according to guidelines established in Individual Education Plans (IEP) and Behavior Intervention Plans (BIP)
- Prepare lessons that reflect accommodations for differences in student learning styles
- Present subject matter according to guidelines established by TEA, board policies and administrative regulations
- Develop and implement lesson plans that fulfill the requirements of district’s curriculum program and show written evidence of preparation as required
- Supervise Teachers that provided accommodations for 504 Students
- Prepare paperwork for 504 meetings and Special Education IEP meetings
- Keep all paperwork up to date and all materials needed for STAAR Testing
- Supervise paraprofessionals
Horizon Montessori
Special Education Inclusion Teacher
10.2019 - 04.2021
Job overview
- Develop and implement lesson plans that fulfill the requirements of district’s curriculum program and show written evidence of preparation as required
- Prepare lessons that reflect accommodations for differences in student learning styles
- Present subject matter according to guidelines established by TEA, board policies and administrative regulations
- Work cooperatively with teachers to modify curricula as needed for special education students according to guidelines established in Individual Education Plans (IEP)
- Plan and supervise assignments of teacher assistant(s) and volunteer(s)
- Use technology to strengthen the teaching-learning process
- Supervise Paraprofessionals and teachers providing the IEP for students in Special Education
Casa Padre
Southwest Key Teacher
09.2018 - 10.2019
Job overview
- Curriculum development which facilitates instruction appropriate for students with a variety of academic competencies, backgrounds, skills, and learning needs
- Design and implement daily instruction of all core subject areas to include: ESL, PE and Vocational Courses
- Promote a positive climate of learning and excellence where students have the opportunity to enhance their developmental growth
- Create a safe and inclusive classroom environment of respect and rapport to ensure a positive learning experience for youth with diverse backgrounds
- Organize and prepare materials for daily instruction while ensuring the inventory of classroom materials, may include: textbooks, furniture, and other equipment needed to assist in the provision of instruction
- Utilize the SWK adopted curriculum to ensure compliance with National Academic Standards
- Individualize lesson plans to meet each student’s academic level
- Assist with the coordination of Physical Education instruction with Shift Supervisor, Shift Leader or Program Director to ensure compliance with state and federal requirements
- Develop Individualized Educational Plans to report and document student’s developmental progress (cognitive, emotional, social and physical)
- Use effective instructional strategies to meet the academic needs of the students
- Provide a vocational course and curriculum in a subject area approved by program director or designee which introduces youth to career choices
- Maintain a record of student’s academic progress (grade book) for the development of report cards
BISD Benavides Elementary
Paraprofessional PPCD/Life skills
07.2012 - 08.2018
Job overview
- Work with Special Ed students
- Planned and led activities to develop students' physical, emotional and social growth
- Instructed small groups of students in basic concepts such as the alphabet, shapes and color recognition
- Tailored lesson plans for students with emotional and cognitive disabilities
- Assisted the classroom teacher in supervising snack time and indoor and outdoor play
- Led reading and arts and crafts lessons
- Assisted in preparing reports and paperwork for parent-teacher conferences
- Supported 1 classroom teacher in implementing a developmentally-appropriate curriculum for a group of 10 students
- Identified warning signs of emotional or developmental problems and reported to parents
- Prepared instruction materials, including making copies, constructing bulletin boards and setting up work areas
- Relieved the classroom teacher during breaks
- Maintained head count and attendance sheets
- Assigned homework assignments and quizzes and wrote corresponding keys
- Taught an average of 10 students per class
- Kept classrooms clean by sterilizing and disinfecting toys and surfaces
Brownsville Independent School District
Substitute Teacher
10.2010 - 07.2011
Job overview
- Teach class when Teacher absent
- Led reading and arts and crafts lessons
- Relieved the classroom teacher during breaks
- Maintained head count and attendance sheets
- Kept classrooms clean by sterilizing and disinfecting toys and surfaces
BISD Aquatic Center
Lifeguard
08.2007 - 10.2010
Job overview
- Supervise pool
- Cultivated positive relationships with participants by interacting with them during group fitness classes
- Promoted fitness center programs such as the youth and adult swim team programs
- Explained the use of exercise equipment to all participants, prioritizing safety at all times
- Developed safe and effective exercise programs for all members
- Immediately reported any damaged or broken equipment
- Explained class objectives and rules
- Taught a variety of group exercise classes, including Aquaerobics and Swimming Lessons for children and adults
Sylvan Learning Center
Teacher Assistant
03.2006 - 07.2007
Job overview
- Prepare assignments for students
- Instructed small groups of students in basic concepts such as the alphabet, shapes and color recognition
- Supported average of 6 classroom teachers in implementing a developmentally-appropriate curriculum for a group of 3 students to provide small group instruction
- Prepared instruction materials, including making copies, constructing bulletin boards and setting up work areas
- Maintained head count and attendance sheets
- Kept classrooms clean by sterilizing and disinfecting toys and surfaces
Colvin Chaney Saenz Rdgz LLP
Secretary
06.2005 - 07.2005
Job overview
- Answer phone calls, paperwork
- Obtained signatures from attorneys for legal documents
- Transcribed legal documents and phone conversations
Convergys’s Corporation
Customer Service Representative
02.2005 - 05.2005
Job overview
- Improved call center functionality and service capacity by resolving customer complaints efficiently and quickly
- Analyzed call volume and average call time to monitor Customer Service Representative performance and productivity
- Managed customer calls effectively and efficiently in a complex, fast-paced and challenging call center environment
- Accurately documented, researched and resolved customer service issues
- Conducted performance reviews for all Customer Service Representatives to reduce resolution time and improve customer satisfaction rates
- Managed high call volume with tact and professionalism
- Addressed and resolved customer product complaints empathetically and professionally
- Effectively managed a high-volume of inbound and outbound customer calls
- Resolved service, pricing and technical problems for customers by asking clear and specific questions
Education
University of Texas At Rio Grande ValleyBrownsville, TX
Bachelor of Arts from Interdisciplinary Studies
07-2016
University Overview
- Dean's List 4 consecutive semesters
- Ranked in Top 5% of class
- Extracurricular Activities: Social Media Management
- Media and Technology Club Member
Skills
- Communication strategies
- Social media strategy
- Crisis management
- Marketing communications
- Social media management
- Teamwork
- Public speaking
Accomplishments
Accomplishments
- Trained fellow teachers on the procedures for completing Individual Education Plans.
- Supervised team of 25 staff members.
- Collaborated with team of 4 in the development of School Year Book.
Certification
Social Media Marketing Certification
Languages
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Lead Special Education Inclusion Teacher
La Feria Independent School District
08.2022 - Current
Behavior Intervention Teacher
Myra Green Middle School
08.2021 - 07.2023
Special Education Inclusion Teacher
Horizon Montessori
10.2019 - 04.2021
Southwest Key Teacher
Casa Padre
09.2018 - 10.2019
Volunteer
Girl Scouts
08.2018 - 10.2023
Paraprofessional PPCD/Life skills
BISD Benavides Elementary
07.2012 - 08.2018
Substitute Teacher
Brownsville Independent School District
10.2010 - 07.2011
Lifeguard
BISD Aquatic Center
08.2007 - 10.2010
Teacher Assistant
Sylvan Learning Center
03.2006 - 07.2007
Secretary
Colvin Chaney Saenz Rdgz LLP
06.2005 - 07.2005
Customer Service Representative
Convergys’s Corporation
02.2005 - 05.2005
Social Media Marketing Certification
University of Texas At Rio Grande Valley
Bachelor of Arts from Interdisciplinary Studies
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