Karen Dodge
HUES (Hollis Upper Elementary School)
Hollis,NH
53
years of professional experience
To improve the quality of life for children. Reduce alcohol and other drug abuse by focusing on young people's personal growth and prevention/intervention skills.
Special Education Support Specialist with strong background in fostering inclusive learning environments. Skilled in behavior management, individualized instruction, and supporting diverse needs. Known for effective collaboration with educators and flexibility in dynamic situations. Highly reliable with focus on achieving positive outcomes for students.
Work History
Special Education Paraprofessional
11 Years 9 Months- Supported individualized education plans (IEPs) for students with diverse learning needs.
- Assisted teachers in implementing classroom strategies and behavior management techniques.
- Monitored student progress, providing feedback to educators on performance improvements.
- Developed supportive relationships with students, fostering a positive learning environment focused on growth.
- Developed strong rapport with students by demonstrating empathy, patience, and understanding during daily interactions both inside and outside the classroom setting.
- Monitored student classroom and outdoors activities to promote student safety.
- Delivered personalized educational, behavioral, and emotional support to individual students to enable positive learning outcomes.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive support strategies for each student, contributing to improved academic performance.
- Promoted a culture of inclusion within the school community by modeling respectful interactions and encouraging open communication among all stakeholders involved in the education of special needs students.
Executive Director
11 Years 6 Months- A 501C3 Nonprofit Affordable Housing Organization
- Led strategic initiatives to enhance affordable housing accessibility across communities.
- Oversaw operational budgets, ensuring efficient resource allocation and financial sustainability.
- Monitored compliance with laws and regulations to protect organization from legal liabilities and penalties.
- Collaborated with external organizations including non-profits, businesses and government agencies to create mutually beneficial partnerships.
Policy Analyst
3 Years- Analyzed policy implications on substance abuse and mental health initiatives.
- Developed comprehensive reports to inform decision-making processes for program implementation.
- Presented findings at national conferences, influencing policy direction within the health sector.
- Improved policy effectiveness by conducting comprehensive research and analysis on various issues.
- Participated in industry conferences and workshops as a subject matter expert to stay current on emerging trends in public policy analysis.
- Conducted quantitative and qualitative analyses to identify trends, assess risks, and evaluate potential impacts of policies.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of relevant scholarly literature by participating in professional development opportunities aimed at enhancing analytical skills.
Policy Analyst
2 Years- Built strong relationships with internal departments for effective collaboration within the organization for policymaking purposes.
- Recommended updates to current legislation, regulations and policies.
- Conducted impact assessments to evaluate the potential consequences of proposed policies, identifying both intended and unintended effects on target populations.
- Presented findings to senior leadership, informing strategic planning and decision-making processes.
Social Science Analyst
6 Years- Analyzed health data to identify trends and support decision-making initiatives.
- Developed comprehensive reports on healthcare policies and program effectiveness.
- Presented findings to senior leadership, influencing policy adjustments and resource allocation strategies.
- Improved decision-making processes, providing senior management with detailed analysis and actionable insights.
Policy Advisor
6 Years- Developed comprehensive policy recommendations to enhance national traffic safety initiatives.
- Analyzed legislative proposals and regulatory changes impacting highway safety programs.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to implement strategic safety campaigns nationwide.
- Influenced legislative outcomes through persuasive communication with policymakers and stakeholders.
- Evaluated the impact of enacted policies using data-driven methodologies, leading to informed decision making.
- Advised senior leadership on potential implications of proposed policies or regulations for the organization''s mission or operations.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to address complex policy challenges, ensuring comprehensive solutions.
- Instrumental in changing the legal drinking age to 21 in all 50 states. This reduced underage drinking fatalities by 49%
- Supported efforts of registered lobbyists and special interest groups by aiding legislative agenda.
Confidential Assistant to the Secretary
2 Years- Assisted in policy development by researching regulatory requirements and compiling relevant data.
- Handled sensitive information with discretion, maintaining confidentiality at all times.
- Wrote reports, executive summaries and newsletters.
Special Needs Teacher
2 Years- Implemented behavior management strategies to enhance student engagement and participation.
- Maintained inclusive learning environment to enable students to gain maximum benefit from lessons.
- Coordinated with general education teachers to modify lessons as needed for inclusion of special needs students into mainstream classrooms when appropriate.
- Redirected students using Positive Behavior Support (PBS).
- Delivered effective and differentiated classroom instruction to range of neurodiverse students.
- Instructed students with physical and cognitive disabilities.
- Implemented behavior modification techniques to improve student social and academic performance.
Director
1 Year- Directed curriculum development to enhance educational programming for diverse learning needs.
- Taught and supervised pre-school students to enhance their learning skills.
Special Education Teacher
3 Years- Developed individualized education plans tailored to each student's unique needs.
- Implemented effective teaching strategies that enhanced student engagement and learning outcomes.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to ensure comprehensive support for students with disabilities.
- Trained and mentored new staff on best practices in special education instruction and classroom management.
- Created and managed IEPs to define student learning objectives and educational strategies, in addition to applying instructional knowledge and methods to support goals.
- Taught students across multiple classifications and degrees of special needs.
- Coordinated with multidisciplinary teams to ensure comprehensive educational and emotional support for students.
Director/Head Teacher
1 Year- Developed and implemented innovative educational programs enhancing child development and learning outcomes.
- Managed daily operations, optimizing resource allocation to maintain program quality and staff performance.
- Managed daily operations ensuring compliance with educational standards and regulations.
- Observed children to identify individuals in need of additional support and developed strategies to improve assistance.
- Adapted teaching methods and materials to meet students' varying needs.
Support Staff
1 Year- Provided compassionate support to individuals with developmental disabilities, fostering a nurturing environment.
- Greeted visitors professionally, directing them appropriately and ensuring a positive first impression of the organization.
- Assisted in managing schedules, coordinating meetings, and maintaining calendars for optimal time management.
- Interacted with vendors, contractors and professional services personnel to receive orders, direct activities, and communicate instructions.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Child Development
- Professional Development: Behavior Modification and Special Needs Training
Skills
Fifty-five years of working with children of all ages
Trained Behavior Modification Instructor
Analyzing
researching
and advocacy expertise
Public speaking
Writing
Verbal and written communication
Autism and spectrum disorders
Special needs
Emotional support strategies
Accomplishments
Collaborated with lobbyists and achieved increasing the drinking age from 18 back to 21 in all 50 states which reduced underage drinking fatalities by 49%. This was in 1987 and it remains the legal age today.
Timeline
Special Education Paraprofessional
HUES (Hollis Upper Elementary School)
09.2013 - 06.2025Read More
Executive Director
Commonwealth Housing Corporation
09.2000 - 03.2012Read More
Policy Analyst
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
01.1997 - 01.2000Read More
Policy Analyst
Executive Office of the President Office of National Drug Control Policy
01.1995 - 01.1997Read More
Social Science Analyst
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Secretary
01.1989 - 01.1995Read More
Policy Advisor
U.S. Department of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
01.1983 - 01.1989Read More
Confidential Assistant to the Secretary
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Secretary
01.1981 - 01.1983Read More
Special Needs Teacher
Waltham Public Schools
01.1979 - 01.1981Read More
Director
Growing Tree Child Development Center
01.1977 - 01.1978Read More
Special Education Teacher
Spear Educational Center
01.1974 - 01.1977Read More
Director/Head Teacher
Hammond Square Nursery School
01.1973 - 01.1974Read More
Support Staff
Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center for Mental Retardation
01.1972 - 01.1973Read More
University of Maine
Bachelor of Science from Child Development
Read More