Judith Weeks-Padgett
Rye,NY
Summary
Passionate educator with diverse experience across various learning environments, including specialized and mainstream settings. Skilled in creating engaging curriculums tailored to individual student needs, fostering inclusive classroom atmospheres that inspire curiosity and learning. Demonstrated ability to adapt teaching methodologies to enhance student understanding and achievement. Successfully implemented innovative teaching strategies that improved learner engagement and academic performance.
Seasoned professional familiar with using wide range of methods to deliver effective learning experiences to students. Focused on developing individual potential and cultivating learning-focused atmosphere for student success.
Innovative educator adept at fostering environments where learning is both engaging and effective. Known for high productivity levels and the ability to complete tasks with efficiency, utilizing time management skills to meet deadlines while maintaining quality standards. Specialized in curriculum development, classroom management, and educational technology integration. Excel in communication, adaptability, and empathy, ensuring positive outcomes in diverse educational settings.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Special Education Teacher
New Rochelle City School District
New Rochelle, NY
08.2001 - 06.2021
- Created an in-district therapeutic support program for high school-level students and delivered specialized education to meet individual needs.
- Collaborated with other educators and professionals to design instructional plans.
- Provided instruction in academic, communication, and social skills to special education students.
- Conducted assessments (WIAT-III & IV and Woodcock Johnson III & IV), which assess both academic achievement (what children have learned in school) and cognitive development. They are sometimes paired with an intelligence test to qualify children for gifted and talented programs.) of student performance and provided feedback to parents.
- Developed Individual Education Plans for students with disabilities.
- Identified learning needs of students with disabilities and implemented appropriate interventions.
- Established positive relationships with students and their families.
- Adapted curriculum materials as needed to meet individualized student needs.
- Attended parent-teacher conferences to discuss student progress.
- Created a safe environment conducive to learning for special education students.
- Participated in professional development activities related to teaching strategies for special education students and led professional development seminars for new teachers, including NYSUT and CTLE graduate-level courses.
- Monitored the educational progress of each student according to established timelines in accordance with IEP standards.
- Utilized technology resources such as online programs and assistive devices.
- Implemented behavior management systems that promote positive behaviors.
- Maintained accurate records of student progress towards IEP goals.
- Collaborated closely with related services providers such as speech therapists.
- Served as an advocate for special education students within the school system when needed.
- Organized field trips or community experiences to enhance learning opportunities for special education students.
- Conducted small group and individual classroom activities with students based on differentiated learning needs.
- Collaborated with general education teachers to include students in classroom activities in Inclusion-based English 11 & 12 and American History 11 classes.
- Teamed with general education teachers to plan and implement curriculum, state and district-wide assessments.
- Solved student behavioral issues according to building expectations and codes of conduct.
- Supported very diverse student populations through equitable instructional design and programming.
- Enhanced lessons using Smart Board technology and computers.
- Encouraged curiosity, exploration and problem-solving with tailored recreation programs.
- Cultivated classroom environment focused on inclusion and growth, fostering both social and academic development.
- Built relationships with students and guardians through active communication and positive feedback.
- Adapted instructional techniques to appropriate ages and skill levels of supervised students.
- Analyzed student data and prescribed remediation and enrichment to meet learning needs.
- Maintained student records in accordance with district standards.
- Enhanced students' physical, behavioral and social skills through class activities.
- Instructed students in standardized subjects as well as general learning strategies and skills for social development and character.
- Formed deep relationships with parents and students by engaging groups through conferences, emails, texts and phone calls.
- Designed and delivered personalized learning for each student and advocated for student inclusion and success in general education environments.
- Facilitated and delivered tutoring sessions to help students grasp curriculum requirements in one-on-one settings, especially virtually during the Covid epidemic.
All Eccumenical Youth Group Leader-IMPACT
Rye Presbyterian Church
Rye, NY
09.2002 - 06.2017
- The original purpose of this initiative was to promote 60 hours of community service graduation requirements by NYS. Participants also receive 1 credit toward transcripted graduation requirements and college tuition scholarship opportunities. This program grew from 15 participants in one church, to an all ecumenical inclusion group of 127 participants.
- Participated in community outreach efforts to promote the program each month with a planned event.
- Promoted open dialogue between students and assistant regarding their experiences within the program.
- Recruited volunteers from local organizations to assist with programming initiatives.
- Organized and facilitated youth group meetings weekly.
- Provided guidance to youth members on personal issues.
- Coached and mentored students in developing leadership skills.
- Developed age-appropriate activities for the group. Facilitated planning, organizing, and executing special events.
- Fostered a safe environment for all participants during activities.
- Facilitated team building exercises to encourage collaboration and communication.
- Coordinated and organized special holiday and spiritual events to boost community interest. Including a scheduled service relief trip during winter breaks to accommodate fall and spring athletes.
- Volunteered with various organizations, coordinating resources and outreach to help accomplish core mission.
- Organized charity and fundraising events to raise money for great cause.
- Attended missionary trips to various areas to help build and restore homes involved in natural disasters with Habitat for Humanity, as well as Operation Smile, Doctors Without Borders, and Heart Health International, while learning about religion and the importance of charity work.
- Led worship services to share all world faiths with congregants and community.
Girls JV Lacrosse Coach
Rye City School District
Rye, NY
01.2001 - 07.2010
- Developed and executed drills to improve defensive and offensive skills of lacrosse players.
- Organized practice sessions, game plans, team meetings, and travel arrangements for lacrosse teams.
- Assessed individual player's ability level and provided feedback on performance improvements.
- Maintained accurate records of team statistics such as goals scored, assists made, saves recorded.
- Created a positive learning environment for players to develop their physical and mental abilities in the sport.
- Provided mentorship to athletes by encouraging them to reach their full potential both on and off the field.
- Instructed players on proper technique for passing, catching, shooting, defending, dodging, cradling, scooping ground balls.
- Conducted post-game analysis to review team performance; identified areas of improvement.
- Encouraged teamwork among players while also developing each athlete's individual capabilities.
- Motivated players during practices and games using positive reinforcement techniques.
- Enforced rules of conduct among athletes; addressed any disciplinary issues promptly.
- Administered first aid when necessary; referred serious injuries to medical personnel.
- Attended coaches' meetings regularly; shared strategies with other staff members.
- Collaborated with athletic directors in organizing tournaments or special events.
- Implemented nutritional guidelines for athletes before competition or practice sessions.
- Assessed player abilities and assigned positions according to individual strengths.
- Educated athletes in rules, strategies, sportsmanship and performance principles.
- Conducted exercising drills to improve flexibility, stamina and strength of each player.
- Coordinated pre-season tryouts, training camps and special workshops to support team goals.
- Trained athletes in proper use of equipment for safety and maximum results.
- Monitored student athlete academic performance through grade checking and boosted results with study hall and techniques.
Special Education Teacher
NYSPsychiatric Center Columbia Presbyterian
Manhattan, NY
07.1998 - 08.2001
- Provided instruction in academic, communication, and social skills to high school students with emotional disabilities and suicidal ideologies in need of therapeutic support, as well as students with special needs.
- Collaborated with outside agencies providing services for students and families to deliver cohesive support.
- Conducted assessments of patients to meet student performance, meet academic requirements, and provided feedback and collaboration with parents, teachers, physicians, and psychologists.
- Monitored the educational progress of each student according to established IEP guidelines and designated timelines required to re-enter the public education system.
- Facilitated small group instruction tailored for individual student needs.
Special Education Teacher
New York City Board of Education
The Bronx, NY
09.1996 - 08.2001
- Developed Individual Education Plans for students with disabilities and suffering from behavioral trama.
- Provided instruction in academic, communication, and social skills to special education students.
- Conducted assessments of student performance and provided feedback to parents.
- Collaborated with other educators and professionals to design instructional plans.
- Identified learning needs of students with disabilities and implemented appropriate interventions.
- Established positive relationships with students and their families.
- Adapted curriculum materials as needed to meet individualized student needs.
- Attended parent-teacher conferences to discuss student progress.
- Created a safe environment conducive to learning for special education students.
- Participated in and led professional development activities related to teaching strategies for special education students and teachers.
- Implemented behavior management systems that promote positive behaviors.
- Facilitated small group instruction tailored for individual student needs.
- Maintained accurate records of student progress towards IEP goals.
- Collaborated closely with related services providers, such as speech therapists, OT, PT, Reading, and ELL.
- Organized field trips or community experiences to enhance learning opportunities for special education students.
- Developed interesting and interactive learning methods tailored to help students with individual needs.
- Developed and maintained individualized skill-appropriate lesson plans to promote and build student confidence.
- Solved student behavioral issues according to building expectations and codes of conduct.
- Supported diverse student populations through equitable instructional design and programming.
- Collaborated with outside agencies providing services for students and families to deliver cohesive support.
- Led students on field trips to enhance educational programs.
- Adapted instructional techniques to appropriate ages and skill levels of supervised students.
- Analyzed student data and prescribed remediation and enrichment to meet learning needs.
- Maintained student records in accordance with district standards.
- Instructed students in standardized subjects as well as general learning strategies and skills for social development and character.
Education
TESOL - Teaching English To Speakers of Other Languages
College of New Rochelle
New Rochelle, NY06-2018
Master of Science - Special Education
Adelphi University
Garden City, NY05-2001
Master of Science - Educational Leadership And Management
College of New Rochelle
New Rochelle, NY05-1994
Bachelor of Arts - English Education
Marietta College
Marietta, OH05-1976
Skills
- Cognitive and behavioral development
- Motivating students
- Differentiated Instruction
- Trained in CPI
- IEP and BIP implementation
- Head Teacher Support
- Multidisciplinary Collaboration
Affiliations
- With 32 years in teaching across all levels from Pre-K to Graduate School in numerous states, I have had the opportunity to be a life time learner. Never stop learning!
- BOCES Southern Westchester Field Hockey, Girls Lacrosse Umpire 1996-2012
Accomplishments
- NYS Special Education Teacher of the Year 2003 Recognition.
- Publications:
- Sports Illustrated 1/98 "Elton Brand, A new "Brand" of Athlete" 1/98.
- Red Book 9/94,3/98 "The more you do,the more you can do", "Getting it together and keeping it there"
- Guidepost 7/97 "The Journey"
- The Reading Teacher 8/93 "Oral Language Development: Tell me a story"
Certification
- NYS Special Education Permanent Certificate 88041011
- NYC Special Education Permanent Certification 721526
- Ohio General Education Certification 129463850
- Illinois General Education Certification 129463850
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
All Eccumenical Youth Group Leader-IMPACT
Rye Presbyterian Church
09.2002 - 06.2017
Special Education Teacher
New Rochelle City School District
08.2001 - 06.2021
Girls JV Lacrosse Coach
Rye City School District
01.2001 - 07.2010
Special Education Teacher
NYSPsychiatric Center Columbia Presbyterian
07.1998 - 08.2001
Special Education Teacher
New York City Board of Education
09.1996 - 08.2001
- NYS Special Education Permanent Certificate 88041011
- NYC Special Education Permanent Certification 721526
- Ohio General Education Certification 129463850
- Illinois General Education Certification 129463850
TESOL - Teaching English To Speakers of Other Languages
College of New Rochelle
Master of Science - Special Education
Adelphi University
Master of Science - Educational Leadership And Management
College of New Rochelle
Bachelor of Arts - English Education
Marietta College
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