Joy Austin
Your task is not to foresee the future, but to enable it.
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Summary
Accomplished Educator with over 18 years of experience in the education sector, specializing in Special Education, Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS), and data-driven instructional practices. Adept at creating and implementing comprehensive educational programs that meet the diverse needs of students, ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations, and fostering inclusive learning environments. Proven track record in leveraging data analytics to inform decision-making, improve student outcomes, and enhance school performance. Highly skilled in leadership, team collaboration, and professional development, committed to advancing educational equity and excellence. Strong communicator and problem-solver with a passion for empowering educators and students alike.
Work History
Special Education Specialist
Equitable Access
07.2022 - Current
- Provided specialized instruction in various subjects, adapting teaching methods and materials to meet diverse learning needs.
- Support general education teachers and administrators in implementing strategies to meet needs of students with IEPs.
- Served as case manager overseeing the development implementation monitoring evaluation of IEPs ensuring legal compliance.
- Conducted comprehensive assessments to identify specific areas of need and track progress toward achieving individual goals.
- Enhanced student learning by developing and implementing individualized education plans tailored to each student''s needs.
- Utilize SEIS to analyze special education data to assist school districts with compliance measures.
- Support faculty members with curriculum-related issues, guiding appropriate modifications based on data analysis results.
- Provided specialized instruction in various subjects, adapting teaching methods and materials to meet diverse learning needs.
- Assisted general education teachers in modifying curriculum and instructional techniques for inclusive classrooms.
- Utilized technology effectively to enhance instruction methods and provide engaging learning experiences.
- Implemented evidence-based practices that promoted social, emotional, cognitive, and physical growth in students with disabilities.
Data Coordinator
Inglewood Unified School District
08.2021 - 07.2022
- Compiled districtwide information (14 schools, 900 students) and input into SEIS and CALPADS databases.
- Collaborated with Informational Technology department to enforce data accuracy and enhance productivity.
- Generated detailed reports from collected data to inform stakeholders.
- Applied data validation procedures to support and enforce data integrity.
- Organized, led, and conducted auditing activities and procedures following industry standards in support of assigned extraordinary audits of LEAs.
- Prepared written reports, developed procedural documents, and made presentations in accordance with FCMAT standards.
- Developed training materials and participated in and delivered districtwide presentations for professional development to LEA fiscal and management staff.
Program Specialist
Inglewood Unified School District
09.2018 - 07.2021
- Provided support to Special Education Programs: Preschool Program (5- Teachers, 6- Speech Pathologists, 3 Occupational Therapists, 1- Physical Therapist- 60 SDC students, 110 speech only students), Non-Public Schools ( 2- NPS, 75 Students), Regionalized Programs (6- Programs, 45 Students), and District Behavioral Programs (12 Classes, 125 students)
- Maintained an open line of communication between parents and staff regarding the provision of special education services. (i.e. IEP’s, programs, resources)
- Participated with staff in school site program development and innovation of special methods and approaches related to special education to ensure effective practices in instruction and compliance with federal and state laws.
- Served as resource and liaison to community and IEP teams regarding placement and programming considerations
- Participated in the development of more than 200 IEPs annually in unique and difficult cases to assure appropriate services and programs are provided in least restrictive environment
- Maintained data needed by Special Education Department for planning, coordinating, implementing and monitoring programs and procedures in District and SELPA
- Provided information and leadership to staff to assure compliance with special education laws
- Performed other related duties assigned by the Director of Special Education
- Aided in planning, organizing, and coordinating of District Preschool Special Education program
- Identified and enrolled special needs children into Preschool classes consistent with federal and state regulations
- Authorized referrals and coordinates the transition of children to and from programs in public schools, Regional Centers, and other community agencies
- Managed special education complaints, for the purpose of providing required services
- Managed fiscal resources from District funds and special education grants, prepares budgets and directs spending, and monitors maintenance of effort, for the purpose of fiscal efficiency in providing required services
- Led a cohesive team of teachers, paraprofessionals, and service providers in executing tasks according to established timelines and milestones, resulting in timely completion of deliverables
Special Education Teacher
Shelby County Schools
01.2013 - 07.2016
- Assisted teachers with classroom management and document coordination to maintain positive learning environment.
- Used behavior modeling and specialized teaching techniques to share and reinforce social skills.
- Facilitated group sessions and provided one-on-one support.
- Created, prepared and executed plans for activities and lessons daily.
- Reported on student progress, behavior and social skills to parents.
- Planned and led activities to develop students' physical, emotional and social growth.
- Documented student behaviors, interventions and outcomes to enable lead teacher to address pertinent issues.
- Supported classroom teachers in implementing developmentally-appropriate curriculum for students.
- Maintained inclusive learning environment to enable students to gain maximum benefit from lessons.
- Created and managed caseload of 30 student IEPs to define student learning objectives and educational strategies, in addition to applying instructional knowledge and methods to support goals.
Non-Profit Director
HLA Foundation
08.2009 - 08.2018
- Supervised staff of 15 personnel by implementing company policies, protocols, work rules and disciplinary action.
- Defined clear targets and objectives and communicated to other team members.
- Cultivated positive rapport with fellow employees to boost company morale and promote employee retention.
- Assisted in organizing and overseeing assignments to drive operational excellence.
- Developed detailed plans based on broad guidance and direction.
- Established team priorities, maintained schedules and monitored performance.
- Recruited, interviewed and hired employees and implemented mentoring program to promote positive feedback and engagement.
General Education Teacher
Sunflower County Consolidated School District
08.2008 - 07.2009
- Communicated frequently with parents, students and faculty to provide feedback and discuss instructional strategies.
- Planned and implemented integrated lessons to meet national standards.
- Incorporated multiple types of teaching strategies into classroom.
- Encouraged creative thinking and motivated students by addressing individual strengths and weaknesses based on standardized testing results.
- Kept students on-task with proactive behavior modification and positive reinforcement strategies.
- Worked cooperatively with other teachers, administrators and parents to help students reach learning objectives.
- Administered assessments and standardized tests to evaluate student progress.
- Attended department meetings to develop and update course curricula.
- Utilized multimedia strategies and technology to convey information in fresh and interesting ways.
Education
Ph.D. - Education Administration K-12
12-2025
Preliminary Administrative Credential - Administration
12.2020
Teacher Credential - Special Education
12.2013
Master of Arts - Public Administration
03.2011
Bachelor of Arts - Public Administration
05.2007
Skills
- Proficient in SEIS for IEP creation, compliance tracking, and service documentation
- Skilled in virtual IEP facilitation via Zoom, including breakout rooms and screen sharing
- Strong command of Google Suite (Docs, Sheets, Forms, Classroom) for instruction and collaboration
- Experienced in data tracking and progress monitoring using Excel and Google Sheets
- Adept at writing clear, standards-based IEP goals aligned with student needs
- Effective communicator with families and multidisciplinary teams in remote settings
- Organized and tech-savvy, managing multiple caseloads while maintaining compliance and engagement
Affiliations
National Association for the Education of Young Children
Council for Exceptional Children
Part C to B for CA Kids Workgroup-California Department of Education
Western Association of Schools and Colleges
Timeline
Special Education Specialist - Equitable Access
07.2022 - Current
Data Coordinator - Inglewood Unified School District
08.2021 - 07.2022
Program Specialist - Inglewood Unified School District
09.2018 - 07.2021
Special Education Teacher - Shelby County Schools
01.2013 - 07.2016
Non-Profit Director - HLA Foundation
08.2009 - 08.2018
General Education Teacher - Sunflower County Consolidated School District
08.2008 - 07.2009
Jackson State University - Ph.D., Education Administration K-12
Orange County Department of Education - Preliminary Administrative Credential, Administration
Mississippi Valley State University - Teacher Credential , Special Education
Strayer University - Master of Arts, Public Administration
Mississippi Valley State University - Bachelor of Arts, Public Administration
Certification
California
- Administrative Services Credential-12/16/2024-1/01/2027
- Education Specialist Instruction Credential-12/01/2024-12/01/2029
Illinois
- Principal- Pre-K-12th-10/04/2024-6/30/2030
- Learning Behavior Specialist I-Kindergarten through Age 22-10/04/2024-6/30/2030
- Elementary Education (Self Contained) 1st-6th-10/4/2024-6/30/20230
- Social Science ( Sociology and Anthropology, Economics, Geography, History, Political Science, and Psychology) 9th-12th-10/04/2024-6/30/2030
Mississippi
- Elementary Education (4-6)- 05/01/2023-06/30/2027
- Mild/Moderate Disabilities (K-12)- 05/01/2023-06/30/2027
- Non-Practicing Administrator- 05/01/2023-06/30/2027
- Social Studies (7-12)- 05/01/2023-06/30/2027
- Special Education Fundamental Subject (K-12)- 05/01/2023-06/30/2027
Virginia
- Admin and Supervision-Pre-K-12-7/1/2024-6/30/2034
- History and Social Sciences-7/1/2024-6/30/2034
- Special Ed-General Curriculum K-127/1/2024-6/30/2034
Professional Developments
ACSA Institute for New and Inspiring Principals-UCLA
Special Education Training Academy-AALRR
CA MTSS Cohort 3 Training, Foundations of a Multi-Tiered System of Support
SELPA Administrators of California Alternative Dispute Resolution Conference
Culturally and Linguistically Responsive Teaching and Learning-Dr. Sharroky Hollie
Professional Developments
ACSA Institute for New and Inspiring Principals-UCLA
Special Education Training Academy-AALRR
CA MTSS Cohort 3 Training, Foundations of a Multi-Tiered System of Support
SELPA Administrators of California Alternative Dispute Resolution Conference
Culturally and Linguistically Responsive Teaching and Learning-Dr. Sharroky Hollie
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
4
4
Licenses
4
4
Credentials