Katherine Mitchell
Parsippany
Summary
Dynamic special education teacher with a proven track record at the Child and Career Development Center, adept in behavior management and crisis intervention. Skilled in developing individualized education plans and fostering positive interactions, I empower students with diverse needs to achieve their goals through tailored support and effective communication.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Life Skills MDS Special Education Teacher
Child and Career Development Center
Coatesville
08.2024 - Current
- Designed individualized education plans for students with diverse learning needs.
- Taught communication skills such as sign language or picture exchange systems.
- Participated in professional development opportunities related to teaching sign language techniques.
- Assisted during meal times by hand-over-hand feeding (breakfast, lunch).
- Supported students with daily living skills, including personal hygiene and self-care routines.
- Maintained a safe and nurturing environment, including support with personal hygiene and restroom needs.
- Adapted interpreting style to suit diverse audiences and settings.
- Enhanced student engagement and communication skills through the implementation of AAC devices.
- Facilitated independent communication and participation for students with diverse needs using AAC devices.
- Supported students' learning and communication through sign language.
- Provided sign language support and communication access for deaf and hard-of-hearing students on community trips.
- Facilitated community-based trips
- Provided direct support to students utilizing AAC devices to facilitate communication and learning.
- Trained staff on best practices for supporting students with disabilities.
- Managed compliance with federal and state special education regulations.
- Engaged families in the development of educational strategies and support systems.
- Facilitated communication between parents, teachers, and administration regarding student progress.
- Coordinated the development of transition plans for high school seniors with disabilities.
- Assessed current programming and made recommendations for improvement based on data analysis.
- Communicated regularly with parents regarding their child's progress in meeting educational goals.
- Maintained accurate records of student progress according to district standards.
- Managed caseloads of assigned students, including tracking progress toward meeting IEP goals.
- Initiated communication with outside agencies, such as mental health providers, hospitals, or community-based organizations, regarding resources available for special education students.
- Trained and utilized proper physical management in times of challenging behaviors.
- Participated in IEP meetings with families, educators, related service providers, administrators, and other staff members.
- Collaborated with general education teachers to include students in classroom activities.
- Developed and maintained individualized skill-appropriate lesson plans to promote and build student confidence.
- Solved student behavioral issues according to building expectations and codes of conduct.
- Maintained consistent and timely contact with parents about student behavior and upcoming events.
- Incorporated interactive visual aids into student lesson plans to support learning objectives.
- Established and maintained dynamic working relationships with students and parents to support classroom objectives.
Babysitting
Parents Of Children
01.2023 - Current
- Caring for the well-being of children.
- Provide food and educational stimuli.
- Performs light housework.
- Keeps play areas safe and tidy.
- Proper bathing and dressing.
- Provides safe and quiet environment for nap time.
- Developed trusting relationships with both parents and children through consistent interaction throughout babysitting engagements.
Qualified Substitute Teacher
Parsippany - Troy Hills Board Of Education
Parsippany
11.2022 - Current
- Followed classroom plans left by class teacher to continue student education and reinforce core concepts.
- Uphold classroom routines to support student environments and maintain consistent schedules.
- Repeatedly requested as substitute teacher by teachers based on excellent past referrals and trusted performance.
- Kept students on-task with proactive behavior modification and positive reinforcement strategies.
Before and After School Care Assistant
Parsippany - Troy Hills Board of Education
Parsippany
03.2022 - Current
- Cared for children grades k-5 in an appropriate way.
- Set and enforced rules to maintain children's safety and created welcoming, caring environments for all children.
- Instructed children in crafts and other activities to promote gross and fine motor skills.
- Kept areas clean, organized and stocked, and sanitized surfaces and toys each day.
- Used positive reinforcement techniques to promote patience and other good behaviors in children.
Education-Oriented Summer Camp Counselor
PACE
Parsippany
06.2015 - Current
- Worked with children of varying age, interest, skill and developmental levels.
- One On One Para aid for child on the spectrum for 3 years.
- One On One Para aid for any and all SPED students, mainly on the spectrum.
- Planned and implemented therapeutic sensory aid and tools for each student on the spectrum.
- Implemented 'first, then' strategies to better facilitate the day.
- Cared for personal and health needs of disabled campers.
- Supported children by actively listening and offering encouragement.
- Implemented safe camp activities fostering physical, social and emotional growth.
- Organized and guided group activities by leading, coaching and participating with campers.
- Participated in meetings to coordinate with other staff on campers' progress, issues and goal achievement.
- Provided clear instruction to activity and program participants to deliver fun and safety.
- Resolved conflicts that arose between campers.
- Managed scheduled events pool time and field trips to maximize activities and attendance.
- Managed 25 campers every summer.
Camp Group Leader
Wide World of Summer
Parsippany
06.2024 - 08.2024
- Supervised camper activities to ensure safety and engagement throughout sessions.
- Planned and organized daily schedules for diverse group activities and events.
- Coordinated with staff to maintain a positive and inclusive camp environment.
- Trained junior leaders on effective group management and conflict resolution techniques.
- Implemented safety protocols to address emergencies and health concerns promptly.
- Facilitated team-building exercises to foster camaraderie among campers.
- Evaluated camper feedback to improve future programming and activity offerings.
- Enforced discipline and policies to protect the safety of recreational activity participants.
- Resolved conflicts between campers using appropriate problem-solving techniques.
- Fostered an inclusive environment where everyone felt welcome.
- Chaperoned field trips, ensuring that all campers returned safely from outings.
- Trained new staff members on proper policies and procedures related to programming.
- Established clear expectations for behavior while maintaining a fun atmosphere.
- Communicated effectively with parents regarding their child's experience at the camp.
- Provided support as needed for special events or programs hosted by the organization.
- Engaged children in arts and crafts, singing, sports activities, games, and field trips while maintaining a safe environment.
- Established and built relationships with campers to ease fears in a new environment.
Emotional Support, Special Education Teacher (Grades 3-4)
CCIU
Coatesville
08.2023 - 06.2024
- Company Overview: Child & Career Development Center - Coatesville, PA
- Created a safe, positive classroom environment where each student’s unique emotional and behavioral needs are met
- Researched, designed, and implemented SPED curriculum
- Instructed students identified as EBD, ASD, OHI, SLD, ADD, ADHD
- Coached students on academic material and behavior management
- Coached students on replacement behaviors
- Maintain regular communication with students, parents, and colleagues regarding student progress
- Responsible for IEP development, data collection, implementation, student staffing, transition plans, and goals
- Maintained special education student caseload
- Implemented strategies and coping skills for each students specifics needs
- Child & Career Development Center - Coatesville, PA
- Developed individualized education plans for diverse student needs.
- Implemented behavior management strategies to support student engagement.
- Delivered specialized instruction using adaptive teaching methods.
- Conducted assessments to monitor student progress and adjust plans.
- Communicated regularly with parents about student development and needs.
- Trained and mentored new staff on best practices in special education.
- Maintained accurate records of student performance and interventions.
- Maintained consistent and timely contact with parents about student behavior and upcoming events.
- Developed IEP to leverage developmental practices and educational theories to achieve educational objectives.
- Incorporated interactive visual aids into student lesson plans to support learning objectives.
Dance Studio Receptionist
From The Top Studio of Dance
Newtown Square
10.2022 - 06.2024
- Consulted with customers to assess needs and propose optimal solutions.
- Answer phone calls, parent liaison, register new students.
- Aid in support of instructors when needs with all students, mainly children on the spectrum.
Pre-Student Teacher/Student Teacher
Child & Career Development Center
01.2022 - 12.2022
- Lesson planning and implementation
- Collaborative teamwork
- Coordinated with lead teacher to create age-appropriate lesson plans for students with special needs
- Behavior management strategies
- Helped plan and participate in parent-teacher conferences.
- Became head teacher for two weeks
- Created and implemented lesson plans
- Handled behaviors and behavior management on own
Volunteer high school field hockey coach
01.2019 - 12.2019
- Mentored athletes during high school athletics.
- Assisted in techniques and game plans and drills.
Volunteer Girls Lacrosse Coach
Parsippany Phoenix Lacrosse Club
Parsippany
01.2016 - 12.2019
- Assisted head coach for girls in grades 2-8 Each year worked in grades according to need.
Education
Bachelor of Education - Early Childhood Special Education
Immaculata University
Immaculata, PA05.2023
Skills
- Organization and Planning
- Enforcing Classroom Rules
- Classroom Management
- Positive Interactions
- Positive Reinforcement Strategies
- Instructional Strategies
- Behavior Management
- Staff Collaboration
- Reassuring
- Patience
- Ability to be flexible
- Empathetic
- Behavior Redirection
- Problem-solving techniques
- Behavior intervention plans
- Motor skills development
- Data management
- Crisis prevention and intervention
- Personal hygiene support
- Verbal and nonverbal communication
- Parent-teacher collaboration
- De-escalation techniques
- Progress evaluations
- Parent communications
- Sensory integration
- Life skills instruction
- Behavior modification
- Visual supports
- American sign language
- Highly involved
- Special Needs Care
- Safety and Physical Intervention Training
- Trained in Crisis Intervention and Physical De-escalation
Related Experience
- Pre-Student Teacher/Student Teacher, 2022, Child & Career Development Center, Emotional Support (Grades 3-5), Lesson planning and implementation, Collaborative teamwork, Coordinated with lead teacher to create age-appropriate lesson plans for students with special needs, Behavior management strategies, Helped plan and participate in parent-teacher conferences, Became head teacher for two weeks, Created and implemented lesson plans, Handled behaviors and behavior management on own
- Participated in the Target Teach Program, 2018-2019, Senior year of high school, Teaching Assistant, Program for high school students interested in obtaining an education degree. This is a program that must be applied for. The location I chose was a 3rd grade Special Education classroom. It was three times a week for the entire school year.
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Life Skills MDS Special Education Teacher
Child and Career Development Center
08.2024 - Current
Camp Group Leader
Wide World of Summer
06.2024 - 08.2024
Emotional Support, Special Education Teacher (Grades 3-4)
CCIU
08.2023 - 06.2024
Babysitting
Parents Of Children
01.2023 - Current
Qualified Substitute Teacher
Parsippany - Troy Hills Board Of Education
11.2022 - Current
Dance Studio Receptionist
From The Top Studio of Dance
10.2022 - 06.2024
Before and After School Care Assistant
Parsippany - Troy Hills Board of Education
03.2022 - Current
Pre-Student Teacher/Student Teacher
Child & Career Development Center
01.2022 - 12.2022
Volunteer high school field hockey coach
01.2019 - 12.2019
Volunteer Girls Lacrosse Coach
Parsippany Phoenix Lacrosse Club
01.2016 - 12.2019
Education-Oriented Summer Camp Counselor
PACE
06.2015 - Current
Bachelor of Education - Early Childhood Special Education
Immaculata University
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