Karen Bates
Mount Vernon,TX
Summary
Accomplished Educational Diagnostician with a proven track record at Mount Pleasant Independent School District, enhancing student success through expert psychoeducational assessments and collaborative problem-solving. Skilled in developing Individualized Education Plans and implementing evidence-based practices, significantly improving learning outcomes. Demonstrates exceptional ability in strategic planning and fostering inclusive educational environments.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
4
4
Certification
Work History
Educational Diagnostician
Mount Pleasant Independent School District
08.2023 - Current
- Selected, administered and interpreted appropriate formal and informal assessments and evaluations.
- Compiled and interpreted students' test results along with information from teachers and parents to diagnose conditions and assess eligibility for special services.
- Collaborated with educators, school administrators and external professionals in development of Individualized Education Plans (IEPs).
Director of Special Education
Clarksville Independent School District
07.2023 - 11.2023
- Contributed to district-level committees to support needs of students on IEPs.
- Coordinated special education services through frequent principal collaboration and consultation.
- Allocated special education staff and addressed requests for additional allocations throughout school year.
- Coordinated staff evaluations for special education personnel.
- Implemented professional development initiatives for special education staff to enhance teaching techniques and knowledge of current best practices.
- Evaluated the effectiveness of special education services through ongoing assessment of program goals, objectives, and performance indicators.
- Ensured compliance with federal and state mandates related to special education services by maintaining accurate documentation and staying informed on policy updates.
- Proven record of developing and implementing school policies to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations.
- Managed caseloads for special education staff members, ensuring timely completion of necessary documentation and adherence to established deadlines.
- Advocated for the needs of students with disabilities in school-wide decision-making processes, ensuring equitable access to resources and opportunities.
- Provided guidance on curriculum modifications and accommodations for students with disabilities, enabling academic success in the least restrictive environment possible.
- Enhanced the quality of special education programs by implementing evidence-based instructional strategies and interventions.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to conduct comprehensive evaluations of students suspected of having disabilities, guiding subsequent eligibility determination and IEP development processes.
- Promoted an inclusive learning environment by fostering collaboration between special education and general education personnel.
- Streamlined communication between special education staff, general education teachers, parents, and external service providers to better support student needs.
- Communicated with parents to encourage active parental participation in education.
- Kept school in full compliance with established policies, legal requirements and student safety standards.
- Managed budgets and resources for educational programs.
- Collaborated with administration staff to develop functional budgets within allocated funds.
- Coordinated retrieval and distribution of student records from other schools and institutions.
Educational Diagnostician
Pittsburg Independent School District
08.2014 - 07.2022
- Improved student success rates by identifying specific learning challenges and creating targeted intervention strategies.
- Supported educators in modifying curriculum and instructional methods, ensuring accessibility for all students.
- Deployed various assessment instruments and techniques to assist in identifying students eligible for special education services.
- Increased efficiency of assessment processes by implementing new technologies and methodologies into practice.
- Streamlined the evaluation process, reducing time taken to identify and address student needs.
- Contributed positively to the overall functioning of the special education department as part of a collaborative team.
- Promoted a culture of continuous improvement by implementing evidence-based practices to enhance educational outcomes.
- Conducted thorough evaluations, accurately pinpointing areas requiring additional support or intervention.
- Served as liaison between school staff, families, and outside service providers, coordinating efforts to maximize student success.
- Established rapport with students quickly during assessments by employing sensitive communication techniques.
- Enhanced student learning outcomes by implementing individualized educational plans and interventions.
- Provided expert guidance to parents and educators on appropriate accommodations and modifications for students with disabilities.
- Expanded knowledge of current research trends through ongoing professional development opportunities, better informing assessment practices.
- Assisted school personnel in identification and understanding of students with disabilities.
- Developed strong relationships with students, fostering trust and open communication during evaluations and consultations.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive assessments for students with diverse needs.
- Selected, administered and interpreted appropriate formal and informal assessments and evaluations.
- Applied knowledge of ethnic, linguistic, cultural and socioeconomic diversity for evaluation, planning, and instruction.
- Completed required documentation and reports for compliance and treatment planning.
- Consulted with teachers and parents to gain in-depth understanding of students.
- Collaborated with educators, school administrators and external professionals in development of Individualized Education Plans (IEPs).
- Compiled and interpreted students' test results along with information from teachers and parents to diagnose conditions and assess eligibility for special services.
- Met with students to conduct individual assessments and determine academic and mental health needs.
- Utilized formal and established testing protocols to evaluate educational, emotional and behavioral needs of students.
- Selected, administered and scored psychological tests.
- Collaborated with social workers to help students grow in social and emotional capacities.
- Led staff and faculty training and development to support program objectives.
Education
No Degree - Education Administration
Stephen F Austin State University
Nacogdoches, TXMaster of Education - Special Education
Texas A&M University - Commerce
Commerce, TX12.2012
Bachelor of Science - Interdisciplinary Studies
Texas A&M University - Commerce
Commerce, TX05.1994
Skills
- Assessment Interpretation
- Collaborative Problem-Solving
- Psychoeducational Assessment
- Instructional Strategies Knowledge
- Individualized Education Plan Development
- Learning Disabilities Identification
- Intellectual Disability Assessment
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Knowledge
- Evidence-based practices
- BIP understanding
- Data Collection
- Strategic Planning
- IEP compliance
- Psychological interventions
- Teacher Training
- Performance Evaluations
- Program Development
- Faculty Training
- Administration and management
- Psychological Test Batteries
- Assessment administration
- Individualized education programs
- Referral Coordination
- Resource advocacy
- Individual and family support
- Career Planning
- Individual support
- Emotional Support
- Parent-Teacher Conferencing
- Writing Intervention Techniques
- Mathematics Intervention Techniques
- Early Intervention Strategies
- Autism Spectrum Disorder Knowledge
- Behavior management techniques
Certification
- Principal: Grades EC-12
- Educational Diagnostician: Grades EC-12
- Elementary English: Grades 1-8
- Elementary Self-Contained: Grades 1-8
Timeline
Educational Diagnostician
Mount Pleasant Independent School District
08.2023 - Current
Director of Special Education
Clarksville Independent School District
07.2023 - 11.2023
Educational Diagnostician
Pittsburg Independent School District
08.2014 - 07.2022
No Degree - Education Administration
Stephen F Austin State University
Master of Education - Special Education
Texas A&M University - Commerce
Bachelor of Science - Interdisciplinary Studies
Texas A&M University - Commerce
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