KAREN DUNSMORE
Richmond,VA
Summary
Versatile Special Education Teacher with focus on individual student needs across academic and emotional development. Empathetic and accommodating in design and implementation of a variety of lessons, catering to diverse learning abilities. Proficient in employing timely communication, patience and positive reinforcement in team efforts to deliver exceptional educational tools, fostering academic achievement. Organized and dependable candidate successful at managing multiple priorities with a positive attitude. Willingness to take on added responsibilities to meet team goals.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Special Education Teacher
Chesterfield County Public Schools
2003.08 - Current
- Delivered effective and differentiated classroom instruction to range of neurodiverse students.
- Assist struggling students to maintain progress levels by designing individualized lesson plans focused on areas for improvement.
- Cultivated connections and strong student rapport to foster classroom engagement, in addition to recording student progress to inform parents and school administration.
- Taught multiple subjects to students with intellectual or emotional disabilities.
- Modified general education curriculum for special-needs students using various instructional techniques and technologies.
- Led activities that developed students' physical, emotional, and social growth.
- Instructed students with physical and cognitive disabilities.
- Created and managed IEPs to define student learning objectives and educational strategies, in addition to applying instructional knowledge and methods to support goals.
- Redirected students using Positive Behavior Support (PBS).
- Encouraged students to take ownership of learning by providing choices.
- Worked with students with moderate to severe autism to increase life skills.
- Provided life skills programming for students with moderate to severe disabilities and autism.
- Coordinated special education students and teacher assistant schedules with master schedule.
- Provided emotional support to students and families.
- Implemented behavior modification techniques to improve student social and academic performance.
- Promoted memory, cognition and language development with hands-on activities and individualized instruction.
- Developed and implemented behavior management plans to improve student behavior.
- Facilitated small group instruction to address individual learning needs.
- Worked closely with parents and guardians to address students' issues on multiple fronts.
- Developed Individual Education Plans for students with special needs.
- Provided professional development training to educate faculty and staff on laws and regulations governing special education.
- Improved behavior by modeling positive choices and teaching socially-acceptable options.
- Designed individual education plans to encourage student growth according to different learning abilities and needs.
- Collaborated with other educators to develop instructional strategies.
- Mentored new teachers on student progress monitoring and legal document preparation.
- Monitored student performance to evaluate effectiveness of instructional strategies.
- Planned daily activities to keep students engaged and on track with learning goals.
- Coordinated meetings to share and analyze student performance data and success plans with colleagues and parents.
- Applied proven strategies to improve students' sensory- and perceptual-motor skills.
- Helped students with special needs integrate into general classroom environments by advocating for individual requirements and helping teachers solve problems.
- Conducted assessments of students to determine individual needs.
- Maintained accurate records of student progress and attendance.
- Utilized technology to create meaningful lessons that engage students.
Supervisor of Instruction
Grafton School, Inc.
2002.01 - 2003.08
- Supervised academic services provided in assigned program
- Established and maintained overall curriculums
- Established standards and supervised use of educational assessments
- Monitored quality of classroom environment and delivery of services
- Supervised staff who plan, develop, and implement daily lesson plans and classroom activities
- Monitored academic and vocational budgets
- Approved and reconciled related expenditures and purchases
- Implemented crisis intervention strategies
- Responded to inquiries from agencies, parents and/or guardians
- Hired and trained staff; assigned work and provided technical guidance.
- Evaluated employee performance and coached and trained to improve weak areas.
- Mentored newly hired employees on laws, regulations, and procedures governing special education and developed mentor training.
- Created successful work schedules for each team member to maintain deadlines and fully staff shifts.
- Applied strong leadership talents and problem-solving skills to maintain team efficiency and organize workflows.
- Educated staff on organizational mission and goals to help employees achieve success.
Education
Adapted Curriculum Coursework - Special Education
Radford University
Radford, VA05.2022
Post-Baccalaureate Graduate Certificate in Autism Spectrum Disorders -
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VA05.2009
Masters of Education in Special Education - Mental Retardation specialization -
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VA05.2001
Bachelor of Science in Psychology -
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA05.1990
Skills
- De-Escalation Techniques
- Individual Education Plans IEPs
- Lesson Planning
- Skills Development
- Data-driven decision-making
- Relationship Building
- Problem-Solving
- Multitasking
- Adaptability and Flexibility
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- Interpersonal Communication
- Organizational Skills
Certification
- Postgraduate Professional License, Commonwealth of Virginia, Intellectual Disabilities K-12, 06/30/2031
- National Board Certified Teacher, NBPTS, Exceptional Needs Specialist/Early Childhood through Young Adulthood, 11/30/2027
Accomplishments
- Member of Chesterfield County's National Board Certified Teacher's Advisory Board
- Participated on Chesterfield County Public Schools' Grading Practices Committee in the development of teacher guidelines and best practices to reflect student learning and 21st Century Skills
- Participated on school's Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports team and provided training in behavior management and understanding various perspectives
- Provided in-service training on IEP development and writing, data collection methods, lesson plan writing and implementation, visual strategies, and behavior management
- Developed a school-based peer mentoring program to increase student engagement and socialization across settings
- Successfully mentored beginning teachers
- Participated in the development of the Grafton School Teacher Development Program
- Participated in vocational program development workgroup (Grafton School)
References
Available on request
Timeline
Special Education Teacher
Chesterfield County Public Schools
2003.08 - Current
Supervisor of Instruction
Grafton School, Inc.
2002.01 - 2003.08
Adapted Curriculum Coursework - Special Education
Radford University
Post-Baccalaureate Graduate Certificate in Autism Spectrum Disorders -
Virginia Commonwealth University
Masters of Education in Special Education - Mental Retardation specialization -
Virginia Commonwealth University
Bachelor of Science in Psychology -
James Madison University
- Postgraduate Professional License, Commonwealth of Virginia, Intellectual Disabilities K-12, 06/30/2031
- National Board Certified Teacher, NBPTS, Exceptional Needs Specialist/Early Childhood through Young Adulthood, 11/30/2027
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