Karen Adams

Special Needs Aide, 3-Years-Old to 21-Years-Old

• Partnered with bus driver to safely board and disembark students and their equipment, reducing potential risks for accidents or injuries. Placed students in their designated seats, fastened and secured seatbelts for departure.
• Utilized wheelchair lift to ensure safe and efficient boarding. Secured wheelchair to maximize student safety and stability.
• Improved student safety by closely monitoring, teaching, modeling, and assisting students during bus rides.
• Explained rules, supervised students, and maintained discipline on the bus to reduce driver distraction.
• Observed and offered techniques for conflict resolution among students, fostering a peaceful environment during transit.
• Liaised with bus driver to conduct emergency evacuation drills.
• Enhanced communication with parents and teachers by effectively relaying information regarding student behavior and progress to formulate guidelines and solutions.
• Reported incidents or concerns to supervisors for timely resolution and follow-up.
• Provided feedback to school administrators regarding potential improvements to the Special Needs Bus Aide Program, contributing to its ongoing refinement and effectiveness.
• Ensured cleanliness of bus interior to create an obstruction-free, welcoming and safe atmosphere for students.
• Participated in ongoing Professional Development opportunities to stay current on best Idaho practices for supporting special needs students during transportation.

Taught Children, 1-Year-Olds and PK 3-Year-Olds

• Developed age-appropriate lesson plans that integrated play-based learning opportunities for cognitive, social-emotional, physical, and creative development.
• Enhanced student participation through implementation of creative, interactive learning activities that fostered engagement.
• Engaged with children on an an individual basis to build positive relationships and promote learning.
• Assessed children's developmental milestones and learning progress, to develop and implement strategies which further assist children with educational gaps.
• Maintained compliance with health and safety regulations within the classroom environment. Sanitized toys and play equipment each day to maintain safety and cleanliness.
• Mentored new teachers, sharing best practices and providing guidance on effective classroom management techniques.
• Collaborated with afternoon teacher to sync weekly curriculum.
• Cultivated strong relationships with parents, through regular communication on student progress and collaboration on academic strategies.

Special Needs Client

• Enhanced the quality of life for a 34-Year-Old autistic individual by providing personalized evening care and attention, while promoting independence and dignity.
• Kept client engaged in social networks and communities for personal health and growth, and implemented engaging activities tailored to enhance social skills and cognitive development.
• Dispensed daily medication and kept detailed records.
• Safely provided transportation to work, appointments, fun outings, activities, and shopping for clothes and groceries.
• Assisted client with daily living needs to maintain independence, build self-esteem, and acquire new skills.
• Supported daily hygiene needs by reminding the individual to bathe, dress, groom, and dental care, for general wellness.
• Assisted with tasks such as meal preparation, general cleaning, laundry, change bedding, tidy bedroom, and other chores.
• Monitored client progress and reported on behavioral changes, facilitating adjustments to care strategies.
• Advocated for clients' rights and needs within community resources, fostering stronger support networks and services.
• Developed strong relationships with client and family, fostering trust and open communication regarding care plans.
• Provided respite care for family, offering peace of mind and time to recharge with.

Taught Children, 6-Weeks to 1-Year-Old

• Cultivated a nurturing environment, provided on-demand diaper changes, provided prompt food and sleep needs.
• Maintained patience and level-headedness in highly stressful and diverse situations, to support development and personal growth.
• Maintained a tidy environment to comply with cleanliness and sanitation standards.
• Managed classroom environments, ensuring safety and adherence to regulatory standards.
• Used basic sign language combined with verbal pronunciation, to promote early communication.
• Accommodated individualized and engaging activities, during tummy time, to develop eyes, build muscles, improve core stability, balance, promote sensory development, cognitive growth, and general health. Adapted teaching methods and materials to meet students' varying needs.
• Assessed milestones and recorded progress through various evaluation methods, providing timely feedback for improvement.
• Mentored junior teachers, providing guidance on classroom management techniques and educational strategies.
• Developed positive relationships with parents through in-person daily communication, and communicated throughout the day using the SandBox platform.

Transitioned from Assistant Teacher to Lead Teacher across all age groups, from Ages 6-Weeks to 12-Years-Old.

• Facilitated age appropriate learning activities that promoted cognitive learning, social emotional, fine and gross motor skill development in children.
• Facilitated a calm and helpful environment for older children to complete their homework assignments, without doing the assignments for them.
• Maintained patience and level-headedness in diverse situations to support student development and personal growth.
• Led initiatives to enhance early childhood curriculum, integrating play-based learning techniques.
• Developed individualized lesson plans tailored to diverse learning styles and needs of students.
• Implemented classroom management strategies to create a safe and nurturing environment for all children.
• Evaluated student progress through assessments, ensuring alignment with educational standards and goals.
• Sanitized toys and play equipment each day to maintain safety and cleanliness.
• Collaborated with colleagues to develop cross-curricular projects, fostering a deeper understanding of subject matter.
• Maintained a tidy environment to comply with cleanliness and sanitation standards. Taught hand washing and proper use of utensils to promote good hygiene and etiquette habits.
• Developed strong relationships with students and their families, fostering mutual trust and respect that contributed to overall student success.

Accounting, Business Office Procedures, Key By Touch, Payroll, Proofreading, Advanced Keyboarding, Legal Office Procedures, and Legal Terminology

Art History, Painting, Drawing, Computer Sciences, Graphic Design, Adobe Programs, Photography 1 and 2, Biology, English, Writing, Algebra, Modern Math in Society, Oral Communication, Written Communication, Global Perspective, Social and Behavioral Ways, ASL 1 and 2, Geology, Psychology, Philosophy, and Humanities

All General Studies and Electives