Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Timeline
BusinessAnalyst
KAREN BRUNO

KAREN BRUNO

Nederland,TX

Summary

Adaptable and emotionally intelligent Special Education Teacher of 15 years 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. Proficient in employing constant communication, patience, and positive reinforcement in team efforts to deliver exceptional educational tools, fostering academic achievement.

Overview

15
15
years of professional experience
5
5

Certifications

Work History

Special Education Teacher

Central Middle School
Nederland, TX
09.2012 - Current
  • Developed and implemented Standards-Based Individual Education Plans (IEP’s) based on collected data, observations, and evaluations; provided six week IEP progress reports to monitor progress towards meeting annual goals for an average caseload of 18 students
  • Developed and implemented Behavior Intervention Plans (BIP's) based on Functional Behavior Analysis (FBA)
  • Used critical thinking and research skills to develop a social-emotional learning curriculum utilizing materials from a variety of academic resources
  • Empowered students with the tools for moral decision-making skills through direct instruction of social-emotional learning curriculum based on group and individual needs
  • Created multimedia presentations using videos, slideshows and other technology
  • Facilitated conflict resolution among students through direct instruction of problem-solving skills
  • Assessed student’s emotional instability in a crisis situation and determined safety risk, need for removal of other students, timing of intervention, and level of support needed to de-escalate the tension level using the Tension/Tension Reduction Cycle of the Handle with Care Verbal Program
  • Utilized the Handle with Care Primary Restraint Technique, when necessary, to safely and therapeutically prevent a student from harming him/herself or others
  • Applied de-escalation strategies and positive reinforcement to decrease targeted behaviors
  • Performed student background reviews to develop tailored academic lessons based on student needs
  • Collaborated with general education teachers across 4 grade levels in order to monitor student progress and determine needs for accommodations, modifications, and behavioral supports for special education students in the general education classroom
  • Applied differentiated instruction strategies to foster student participation and success
  • Established and enforced rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order among a class of special needs students
  • Developed, prepared, and provided accommodations and modified assignments and tests to remove learning barriers and promote inclusion by making learning accessible to all students and allow for demonstration of achievement across all cognitive levels and learning styles
  • Adapted lessons to individual student needs daily based on observed verbal and nonverbal communication
  • Routinely met with students' parents regarding in-class issues and learning interruptions to discuss solutions
  • Participated in ARD meetings
  • Observed and documented student behavior through anecdotal data collection
  • Arranged schedules and delegated duties among myself and special education paraprofessionals
  • Counseled students in emotional empathy and peer relationships
  • Assisted struggling students to maintain progress levels by designing individualized lesson plans focused on areas for improvement.
  • Instructed students with physical and cognitive disabilities.
  • Taught multiple subjects to students with intellectual or emotional disabilities.
  • Taught students across multiple classifications and degrees of special needs.

Student Council Advisor

Central Middle School
Nederland, TX
08.2014 - 05.2016
  • Advocated for students to access available resources.
  • Analyzed student academic records to assess educational and career goals.
  • Encouraged students to explore age-appropriate and career-related opportunities.
  • Coordinated student council elections
  • Guided student council members in adequately planning, coordinating, and implementing fundraising activities which support Central Middle School students in need and Relay for Life
  • Represented Central Middle School by attending student council conventions and advisors’ workshops
  • Supervised students at conventions, dances, and other off-campus school activities, such as fundraisers
  • Collaborated regularly with administration regarding planning for activities and events
  • Advised and assisted student council members in setting and implementing goals and projects
  • Monitored discussions of committee sessions to ensure that the rights of each individual were being properly respected
  • Cultivated an atmosphere of belonging, respect, and trust among members through demonstration of active listening and moral decision making, team building activities, and accountability
  • Fostered leadership by encouraging each member to take lead in key components of projects throughout the school year while providing consistent and constructive feedback
  • Conceptualized the restructuring of the student council constitution and bylaws and guided students in collaborating with peers to build a shared vision
  • Empowered students to achieve success as leader by inspiring them to learn self-acceptance, acceptance of others, open-mindedness, and the importance of diversity

Special Education Teacher

Groves Middle School
Groves, TX
08.2011 - 09.2012
  • Led team trainings to certify coworkers in Handle with Care Behavior Management System
  • Developed and implemented Standards-Based Individual Education Plans (IEP’s) based on collected data, observations, and evaluations; provided six week IEP progress reports to monitor progress towards meeting annual goals for an average caseload of 15 students
  • Facilitated conflict resolution among students through direct instruction of problem-solving skills
  • Assessed student’s emotional instability in a crisis situation and determined safety risk, need for removal of other students, timing of intervention, and level of support needed to de-escalate the tension level using the Tension/Tension Reduction Cycle of the Handle with Care Verbal Program
  • Utilized the Handle with Care Primary Restraint Technique, when necessary, to safely and therapeutically prevent a student from harming him/herself or others
  • Applied de-escalation strategies and positive reinforcement to decrease targeted behaviors
  • Performed student background reviews to develop tailored academic lessons based on student needs
  • Applied differentiated instruction strategies to foster student participation and success
  • Established and enforced rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order among a class of special needs students
  • Developed, prepared, and provided accommodations and modified assignments and tests to remove learning barriers and promote inclusion by making learning accessible to all students and allow for demonstration of achievement across all cognitive levels and learning styles
  • Adapted lessons to individual student needs daily based on observed verbal and nonverbal communication
  • Routinely met with students' parents regarding in-class issues and learning interruptions to discuss solutions
  • Participated in ARD meetings
  • Observed and documented student behavior through anecdotal data collection
  • Arranged schedules and delegated duties among myself and 9 special education paraprofessionals
  • Counseled students in emotional empathy and peer relationships
  • Assisted struggling students to maintain progress levels by designing individualized lesson plans focused on areas for improvement.
  • Instructed students with physical and cognitive disabilities.
  • Taught multiple subjects to students with intellectual or emotional disabilities.
  • Taught students across multiple classifications and degrees of special needs.

Special Education Teacher

Port Neches, TX
Port Neches, TX
08.2009 - 05.2011
  • Led team trainings to certify coworkers in Handle with Care Behavior Management System
  • Developed and implemented Standards-Based Individual Education Plans (IEP’s) based on collected data, observations, and evaluations; provided six week IEP progress reports to monitor progress towards meeting annual goals for an average caseload of 4 students
  • Facilitated conflict resolution among students through direct instruction of problem-solving skills
  • Assessed student’s emotional instability in a crisis situation and determined safety risk, need for removal of other students, timing of intervention, and level of support needed to de-escalate the tension level using the Tension/Tension Reduction Cycle of the Handle with Care Verbal Program
  • Utilized the Handle with Care Primary Restraint Technique, when necessary, to safely and therapeutically prevent a student from harming him/herself or others
  • Applied de-escalation strategies and positive reinforcement to decrease targeted behaviors
  • Performed student background reviews to develop tailored academic lessons based on student needs
  • Applied differentiated instruction strategies to foster student participation and success
  • Established and enforced rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order among a class of special needs students
  • Developed, prepared, and provided accommodations and modified assignments and tests to remove learning barriers and promote inclusion by making learning accessible to all students and allow for demonstration of achievement across all cognitive levels and learning styles
  • Adapted lessons to individual student needs daily based on observed verbal and nonverbal communication
  • Routinely met with students' parents regarding in-class issues and learning interruptions to discuss solutions
  • Participated in ARD meetings
  • Observed and documented student behavior through anecdotal data collection
  • Arranged schedules and delegated duties among myself and a special education paraprofessional
  • Counseled students in emotional empathy and peer relationships
  • Assisted struggling students to maintain progress levels by designing individualized lesson plans focused on areas for improvement.
  • Instructed students with physical and cognitive disabilities.
  • Taught multiple subjects to students with intellectual or emotional disabilities.
  • Taught students across multiple classifications and degrees of special needs.

Education

Completed Special Education Course Work -

Lamar State College - Orange
Orange, TX

Bachelor Of Business Administration - Accounting

Lamar University
Beaumont, TX

Skills

  • MS Word, Excel, & Powerpoint
  • Google Suite
  • Google Classroom
  • Trained in Handle with Care BMS
  • Trained in Capturing Kids' Hearts
  • IEP Development
  • Behavior Intervention Plans
  • Remote Assistance
  • Team Collaboration
  • Conflict Resolution Techniques
  • Staff Supervision
  • Strategic Planning
  • Performance Optimization Strategies
  • Crisis Prevention and Intervention
  • Complex Problem-Solving
  • Constructive Feedback
  • Performance Tracking and Evaluations
  • Volunteer Tasking
  • Plan Projects
  • Scheduling and Coordinating
  • Cultural Awareness
  • Behavior Modification
  • Positive Reinforcement Methods
  • Emotional Disorders
  • Evidence-Based Assessment
  • Social Integration
  • Classroom Management
  • Differentiated instruction
  • Lesson Planning
  • Communication (verbal & nonverbal)
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Willingness to Learn
  • Compassion
  • Empathy
  • Active Listening
  • Self-organization
  • Self-motivation
  • Positivity
  • Calmness in Stressful Situations
  • Open-mindedness
  • Collaboration
  • Cooperation
  • Dependability
  • Stress Management
  • Coping
  • Decision Making
  • Patients
  • Tolerance

Certification

  • Texas Teacher Certification, Generalist EC-4
  • Texas Teacher Certification, Generalist 4-8
  • Texas Teacher Certification, Special Education EC-12
  • Certified in Handle with Care Behavior Management System
  • Certified in CPR

Timeline

Student Council Advisor

Central Middle School
08.2014 - 05.2016

Special Education Teacher

Central Middle School
09.2012 - Current

Special Education Teacher

Groves Middle School
08.2011 - 09.2012

Special Education Teacher

Port Neches, TX
08.2009 - 05.2011

Completed Special Education Course Work -

Lamar State College - Orange

Bachelor Of Business Administration - Accounting

Lamar University

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KAREN BRUNO