Karen Passchier
Hudsonville,Michigan
Summary
Accomplished Special Education Resource Room Teacher at Forest Hills Public Schools, adept in Orton-Gillingham methodologies, The Writing Revolution strategies, Read Live Naturally, Math Recovery Specialist Program. Excels in deescalating student behaviors to ensure the safety of the student, peers and staff through implementation of Crisis Prevention Intervention, and Ukeru Systems, significantly enhancing student academic and behavioral outcomes. Demonstrates expertise in fostering collaborative relationships with parents, administrators, general education teachers, support staff and encore teachers.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Special Education Resource Room Teacher
Forest Hills Public Schools
08.2019 - Current
- Consistent in building strong, collaborative relationships with teachers, special education staff, parents, and administrators through clear and professional communication to ensure student success, as well as to be most effective in responsibilities listed below;
- Caseload manager, primary contact and special education professional responsible for ensuring all parts of students Individualized Education Plan (IEP) are being followed, more specifically described below;
- Deliver meaningful specialized instruction specific to IEP goals and objectives, in resource room and carryover in to general education classroom.
- Apply behavioral strategies to support individual student needs, communicate those strategies to parents and other staff in adherence to Positive Behavior Support Plans (PBSP).
- Gather, maintain, and analyze student progress data, adjust instruction based on findings.
- Develop and adjust student support schedules to align with student needs, classroom and building schedules, instructional demands, and IEP objectives.
- Ensure accurate and complete records, specific to students' IEP and PBSP, in accordance with state and federal regulations and district policies.
- Prepare quarterly and bi-annual progress reports to show student growth.
- Facilitate Initial IEP meetings, as well as annual reviews.
- Work with school Psychologist to interpret results of formal testing, to determine area(s) of qualification.
- Perform additional baseline testing specific to areas of delay identified in formal testing.
- Provide small group testing, following IEP supplemental aides and factors, as well as accommodations for district and state-wide testing, (NWEA-Map, MSTEP).
- Primary contact as certified member of school Crisis Prevention Intervention Team (CPI), to lead or assist another team member, when a student isin crisis; follow CPI strategies and protocol.
- Certified to provide trauma informed care, using non-restraint strategies, when student is in danger to themselves or others, specific to Ukeru Systems.
- Active member of building Child Study Team, to support general education teachers with Tier 2 support within classroom.
- Develop variety of visual support aides to assist students with their ability to succeed academically and behaviorally in resource room and general education classroom.
- Effective communication (Articulation Meetings) with special education providers in feeder schools, to ensure smooth transition from one grade level school to another.
- Enhance learning experiences by incorporating specialized tools and resources tailored to needs of special education students.
- Provide ongoing feedback to students, offering constructive criticism and praise to motivate continued improvement in academic performance.
- Implement behavior modification strategies, resulting in improved self-regulation and classroom participation among students.
- Support students in developing social skills through structured activities and positive reinforcement techniques.
- Assist in creating safe and nurturing classroom environment to promote emotional well-being and academic growth for all students.
- Communicate effectively with parents regarding student progress, collaborate on strategies to support continuous growth both inside and outside classroom.
- Develop strong relationships with students built on trust and mutual respect, inspiring increased confidence in their own abilities to achieve academic success.
- Participate in professional development opportunities regularly, staying current with best practices in education and incorporating new ideas into teaching methodologies.
- Modify general education curriculum for special-needs students using various instructional techniques and technologies.
- Deliver effective and differentiated classroom instruction to range of neurodiverse students.
- Teach students across multiple classifications and degrees of special needs.
- Mentor/Master teacher for GVSU students obtaining degree in Special Education.
Young Fives Lead Teacher
Fair Haven Ministries
08.2017 - 05.2019
- Created safe and nurturing classroom environment that promoted emotional well-being and academic growth for all students.
- Established positive relationships with parents through regular communication regarding student progress, collaborating on strategies for academic success at home and school.
- Designed and delivered age-appropriate lesson plans that aligned with early childhood education standards and promoted holistic development.
- Incorporated variety of teaching methods, including hands-on activities, play-based learning, and structured academic instruction.
- Assessed and adapted curriculum to meet individual needs and interests of each child.
- Established and maintained positive, inclusive, and safe classroom environment conducive to learning.
- Developed and implemented strategies to manage classroom behavior effectively, encouraged positive interactions and minimized disruptions.
- Observed students while working independently, and in peer groups to track each child's progress in various developmental domains.
- Prepared report cards and communicated findings with parents/guardians.
- Organized and participated in parent-teacher conferences, workshops, and school events.
- Served as resource for parents, offered guidance on child development and ways to support learning at home.
Kindergarten Teacher, Math Recovery Specialist
Roaring Fork Public Schools
08.2005 - 10.2010
- Implemented curriculum aligned with state standards, as well as positive learning environment with use of collaborative group work and hands-on activities.
- Created safe and nurturing classroom environment that promoted understanding of neurodiverse students, to enhance well-being and academic growth for all students.
- Implemented differentiated instruction strategies to meet diverse learning needs of all students.
- Improved student mathematical skills by implementing components of Advantage Math and Math Recovery Programs.
- Developed strong relationships with families, initiated action to address behavioral and academic concerns that impacted student success.
- Utilized assessment data to modify instruction and target areas of weakness for individual students.
- Supported students in developing social skills through structured activities and positive reinforcement techniques.
- Served as mentor for new teachers, providing guidance on lesson planning, classroom management, and instructional strategies.
- Provided one-on-one support for students with learning disabilities, enabling them to excel in their coursework.
- Enhanced learning experiences by incorporating specialized tools and resources tailored to needs of special education students, Math Recovery Program
- Developed and implemented individualized educational plans for special needs children.
- Arranged parent-teacher conferences to address student progress and collaboratively set goals for areas of improvement.
- Developed and implemented behavior management strategies for creation of ideal learning environment.
Education
Master of Science - Reading Specialist
Lehman University
Bronx, New York06.2003
Bachelor of Science - Teacher of Speech And Hearing Handicapped
SUNY Cortland
Cortland, NY12.1998
Skills
- Orton-Gillingham Comprehensive Plus
- Orton-Gillingham Morphology Plus
- The Writing Revolution (TWR)
- Read Live Naturally
- Teacher's College Reading and Writing Program
- Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI)
- Ukeru Systems (restraint-free trauma informed care)
- Reproductive Health: HIV/AIDS Certification Training
- Problem Behavior: Finding the Function and Identifying Effective Strategies
- Grand Valley State University Mentor Teacher Conference
- Restorative Practices 2019-20
- IEP University 101
- Leveled Literacy Intervention (LLI)
Timeline
Special Education Resource Room Teacher
Forest Hills Public Schools
08.2019 - Current
Young Fives Lead Teacher
Fair Haven Ministries
08.2017 - 05.2019
Kindergarten Teacher, Math Recovery Specialist
Roaring Fork Public Schools
08.2005 - 10.2010
Master of Science - Reading Specialist
Lehman University
Bachelor of Science - Teacher of Speech And Hearing Handicapped
SUNY Cortland
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