Karin Garza

• Assisted school personnel in identification and understanding of students with disabilities.
• Applied knowledge of ethnic, linguistic, cultural and socioeconomic diversity for evaluation, planning and instruction.
• Selected, administered and interpreted appropriate formal and informal assessments and evaluations.
• Deployed various assessment instruments and techniques to assist in identifying students eligible for special education services.
• Receive student referrals and implement the assessment and evaluation process within federal and state timelines.
• Select and administer formal and informal assessments to determine student eligibility for special education services according to federal and state regulations. Adhere to assessment timelines as set forth by federal and state regulations.
• Produce clear, understandable, and comprehensive written evaluation reports that include all components of a psycho-educational evaluation. Consider linguistic, ethnic, and cultural diversity during the course of the evaluation and appropriately documents such within the context of the evaluation report.
• Collect and organize relevant assessment data from student's cumulative folder, classroom teachers(s), principal, support staff, parents, and outside resource people.
• Conduct classroom observation and personal interviews.
• Coordinate and participate in the Eligibility Determination Team (EDT) to assist with interpretation of assessment data, appropriate placement, and development of Individual Education Plans (IEP) for students according to district procedures.

Consultation

• Provide staff development training in assigned schools to assist school personnel in identification and understanding of students with disabilities.
• Consult with other professionals when in doubt with assessment findings.
• Assist classroom teachers with implementation of IEP.
• Consult parents concerning the educational needs of students and interpretation of assessment data.
• Consult parents, teachers, administrators, and other relevant individuals to enhance their work with students.

Program Management

• Accepts ultimate responsibility for IEP compliance at each assigned campus and, with the knowledge and approval of the Director of Special Education, takes whatever actions are necessary and appropriate to address and correct the compliance issues.
• Become competent using the district's evaluation report writer system; Write and archive all evaluation reports using this system.
• Develop and maintain effective individual and group relationships with students and parents.
• Assist in the selection of assessment materials and equipment.
• Develop and coordinate a continuing evaluation of the assessment program and make changes based on findings.
• Protect confidentially of all information obtained during student evaluations.
• Comply with policies established by federal and state law, State Board of Education rule, and local policy in the areas of assessment, placement, and planning for special education services.
• Comply with all district and local campus routines and regulations.
• Maintain an inventory of assessment and other related materials checked out to the educational diagnostician.
• Participate in professional development opportunities addressing current research, professional development, and practice. Attend monthly diagnostician meetings as well as special education department meetings and/or trainings.

• Assisted school personnel in identification and understanding of students with disabilities.
• Applied knowledge of ethnic, linguistic, cultural and socioeconomic diversity for evaluation, planning and instruction.
• Selected, administered and interpreted appropriate formal and informal assessments and evaluations.
• Deployed various assessment instruments and techniques to assist in identifying students eligible for special education services.
• Collaborated with educators, school administrators and external professionals in development of Individualized Education Plans (IEPs).
• Consulted with teachers and parents to gain in-depth understanding of students.

• Created and managed IEPs to define student learning objectives and educational strategies, in addition to applying instructional knowledge and methods to support goals.
• Cultivated connections and strong student rapport to foster classroom engagement, in addition to recording student progress to inform parents and school administration.
• Taught students across multiple classifications and degrees of special needs.
• Modified general education curriculum for special-needs students using various instructional techniques and technologies.
• Assisted struggling students to maintain progress levels by designing individualized lesson plans focused on areas for improvement.
• Led activities that developed students' physical, emotional and social growth.
• Redirected students using Positive Behavior Support (PBS).
• Delivered effective and differentiated classroom instruction to range of neurodiverse students.
• Taught multiple subjects to students with intellectual or emotional disabilities.
• Worked with students with moderate to severe autism to increase life skills.