Kathleen Damron
Summary
Dedicated Special Education Paraprofessional with over 13 years of experience. Compassionate and patient, with expertise in student accommodation, individualized education plans, and promoting self-advocacy skills. Proven ability to implement tailored learning strategies and provide emotional support, ensuring students achieve the IEP goals and develop essential social skills.
Overview
37
37
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Special Education Paraprofessional
Thompson School District
Loveland, CO
10.2015 - Current
- Provided one-on-one instruction to students who needed extra help with learning tasks.
- Collaborated with teacher to develop and implement personalized learning strategies, improving student engagement and success.
- Monitored behavior of students in order to ensure a safe, positive learning environment.
- Supported the development of social skills through modeling appropriate behavior and interactions with peers.
- Encouraged independent thinking, problem solving, and self-advocacy skills among students.
- Managed class of special education students in absence of lead teacher.
- Offered emotional support during times of difficulty or crisis situations involving the student.
- Provided feedback on how well a student is progressing towards meeting their IEP goals.
- Assisted in the implementation of accommodations outlined in IEPs such as seating arrangements or modified testing procedures.
- Collaborated with classroom teachers to modify educational materials to meet the individual needs of each student.
- Prepared handouts, study materials and other teaching aids.
- Adapted instructional techniques to appropriate ages and skill levels of supervised students.
Activities Director
Sea View Senior Living
Brookings, OR
05.2009 - 05.2012
- Developed engaging programs tailored to residents' interests and abilities.
- Collaborated with staff to plan special events and celebrations.
- Managed volunteer recruitment and training for activity support.
- Organized transportation for off-site excursions and community outings.
- Led exercise sessions promoting physical health and wellness among seniors.
- Coordinated musical guests, movies and other types of resident entertainment.
- Led engaging individual and group activities to promote resident involvement.
- Visited with residents to provide sensory stimulation and reality orientation.
- Created monthly calendars of events and newsletters to inform residents and local community of upcoming activities.
- Monitored budget allocations related to programming expenses.
Special Education Paraprofessional
Brookings Harbor School District
Brookings, Oregon
08.2006 - 05.2009
- Supported teachers in implementing individualized education plans for students.
- Provided one-on-one instruction to students who needed extra help with learning tasks.
- Assisted students with daily tasks and classroom activities, fostering engagement and learning progress.
- Implemented behavioral interventions to promote student focus and participation during class.
- Offered emotional support during times of difficulty or crisis situations involving the student.
- Encouraged independent thinking, problem solving, and self-advocacy skills among students.
- Supported students with personalized accommodations and assessments, enhancing their educational experiences and success.
- Supported the development of social skills through modeling appropriate behavior and interactions with peers.
Office Manager
Storage World
Hayden, Idaho
07.2001 - 07.2006
- Managed daily operations of self-storage facility, ensuring smooth workflow.
- Handled customer inquiries and resolved issues promptly with professionalism.
- Maintained inventory of storage units, tracking availability and reservations efficiently.
- Conducted regular inspections of the facility to identify any potential safety hazards or maintenance issues.
- Identified areas where operational efficiency could be improved and implemented changes accordingly.
- Monitored financial transactions, ensuring accurate billing and record-keeping practices.
- Remained calm and professional in stressful circumstances and effectively diffused tense situations.
- Completed thorough opening, closing, and shift change functions to maintain operational standards each day.
- Participated in industry events such as trade shows and conferences in order to network with other professionals in the field.
Fitness Instructor
St. Louis Community College -Forest Park
Lake Saint Louis, Missouri
09.1989 - 05.1998
- Instructed students on proper exercise techniques and safety protocols.
- Guided participants through exercises and routines, providing support and encouragement.
- Utilized a variety of fitness equipment and techniques to keep workouts engaging and effective.
- Educated clients on nutrition guidelines for maximum results from workouts.
- Stayed current with the latest fitness trends and research to enhance training methods and advice.
- Prepared for classes in advance, selected and queued music beforehand and began and ended classes on time for maximum benefit to attendees.
- Monitored class participants for appropriate techniques to prevent injuries.
- Built and established lasting relationships using encouragement and personal support.
Education
Some College (No Degree) - Basic Classes
Northwestern College
MNSome College (No Degree) - Basic Classes
International College
Honolulu, HawaiiSkills
- Reliable and responsible
- Individualized instruction
- Effective communication
- Problem solving
- Student engagement
- Professional development
- Reading and writing support
- Individualized educational plans
- Preparing instructional materials
- Calm and patient demeanor
- Student accommodation
- First aid and CPR certified
- Social support
Languages
Japanese
Limited
Certification
- First Aid and CPR
Timeline
Special Education Paraprofessional
Thompson School District
10.2015 - Current
Activities Director
Sea View Senior Living
05.2009 - 05.2012
Special Education Paraprofessional
Brookings Harbor School District
08.2006 - 05.2009
Office Manager
Storage World
07.2001 - 07.2006
Fitness Instructor
St. Louis Community College -Forest Park
09.1989 - 05.1998
Some College (No Degree) - Basic Classes
Northwestern College
Some College (No Degree) - Basic Classes
International College