Work Preference
Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Timeline
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Kathleen K. Blandford
Open To Work

Kathleen K. Blandford

St.George,VA

Work Preference

Job Search Status

Open to work
Desired start date: Open to discussion

Desired Job Title

Special Education TeacherSocial Emotional Learning EducatorAutism Specialist

Work Type

Full Time

Location Preference

On-SiteRemoteHybrid
Location: Charlottesville, VAKilmarnock, VAWarrenton, VA
Open to relocation: Yes

Salary Range

$65000/yr - $150000/yr

Important To Me

Work-life balancePersonal development programsCareer advancementCompany Culture

Summary

Dedicated Special Education Teacher with 35 years of experience providing compassionate, evidence-based support to students with diverse disabilities across home and classroom settings. Expertise in social cognition, Social Thinking® frameworks, and behavior intervention. Proven track record of collaborating with families to bridge the gap between school and home life.

Overview

34
34
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Learning Center Specialist

Blue Ridge School
St. George, VA
08.2023 - Current
  • Led the creation and execution of individualized learning success plans for a neurodiverse group of boys. Partnered with faculty and staff to enhance student support across academic and extracurricular environments.
  • As an Advisor: create authentic student relationships, maintain family outreach, provide student success support & advocacy, lead meaningful and engaging advisory meetings and provide social/emotional support.
  • As a Hall Parent: provide supportive hall management, lead meaningful and engaging residence life curriculum sessions, foster a sense of community and security among the boys living on the hall, train, mentor and support student leaders on hall, build trusting relationships with boys on hall and provide family outreach.

Owner/Director

Making Connections, LLC
Fredericksburg, Virginia
09.2009 - 06.2023
  • Directed social skills instruction for individuals facing social cognition challenges, including those on the autism spectrum, ADHD, anxiety, and non-verbal learning disabilities. Led training sessions for public school districts and community college faculty/staff to enhance understanding of social skills development and autism characteristics. Provided strategic consultation to independent school faculty on addressing social cognition and executive function challenges. Collaborated in IEP meetings and support plan meetings to develop comprehensive academic performance plans in partnership with educational teams.

Social Skills Tutor, Grades 3-12Social Skills Group Instructor, Grades K-12

Making Connections, LLC
Fredericksburg, Virginia
08.2008 - 09.2009
  • Delivered tailored in-home tutoring and group instruction for individuals with social cognition challenges.

Autism Resource Specialist K-12

Spotsylvania County Schools
Fredericksburg, Virginia
08.2005 - 06.2006
  • Directed implementation of services in accordance with student educational plans. Guided IEP teams in assessing students with autism spectrum disorders across multiple educational environments. Led efforts in conducting functional behavior assessments and formulating positive support plans. Partnered with teachers and specialists to enhance teaching strategies and support systems for optimal student outcomes.

Education Specialist, Autism ServicesEducation Specialist Multiple Disabilities Services

Special Education Service Agency (SESA)
Anchorage, Alaska
08.2001 - 12.2004
  • Assisted rural school districts in Alaska by providing technical support to students with autism spectrum disorders. Conducted functional assessments and delivered in-service training for staff. Collaborated on the development and implementation of tailored instructional programs and supports.

Low Incidence Specialist

Anne Arundel County Schools
Annapolis, Maryland
08.1999 - 06.2000
  • Led collaborative efforts among parents, teachers, principals, IEP teams, and student services department to enhance planning and delivery of special education services for students with low incidence disabilities. Oversaw support for 76 elementary schools and 3 developmental centers, ensuring effective service implementation.

Special Education Teacher

Heritage Elementary
West Chester, Ohio
08.1998 - 06.1999
  • Facilitated educational experiences for children with diverse disabilities, including autism spectrum disorders, in a K-5 self-contained classroom. Partnered with educators and parents to design and execute effective educational programs. Informed parents, staff, and administrators about modifications and accommodations to foster student engagement in mainstream classrooms.

Program Support Specialist

SouthEastern Cooperative Educational Program (SECEP)
Norfolk, Virginia
08.1996 - 07.1998
  • Supported teachers, paraprofessionals, and parents in programming for students with autism spectrum disorders and intellectual disabilities across all grade levels (PreK-12). Collaborated with service providers to facilitate smooth transitions for students entering and exiting SECEP, including early intervention and adult services. Assisted in developing professional development activities for staff and provided constructive feedback on best practices.

Special Education Teacher

Windsor Elementary
Isle of Wight, Virginia
12.1995 - 06.1996
  • Supported children with developmental disabilities in K/1 resource setting. Collaborated with teachers, parents, and administrators to develop tailored programming for each student. Assisted teachers in modifying classroom activities to promote student success.

Habilitation Specialist

Onslow County Mental Health
Jacksonville, North Carolina
08.1995 - 12.1995
  • Provided case management for individuals receiving Developmental Disabilities services.

Special Education Teacher

Richlands Elementary
Richlands, North Carolina
12.1991 - 06.1995
  • Supported children with learning and intellectual disabilities, including autism spectrum disorders, in resource and inclusion settings. Collaborated with teachers, parents, and administrators to develop tailored academic programs for each student. Assisted fellow educators in understanding and applying the inclusion model. Partnered with general education teachers to create and implement lesson plans utilizing a multi-sensory approach.

Education

M.S./B.S. - Special Education

Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL
12-1991

Skills

  • IEP Development & Management: Expert knowledge of writing, implementing, and monitoring Individualized Education Programs (IEPs)
  • Behavioral Interventions: Proficiency in Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) as well as creating Functional Behavior Assessments (FBA)
  • Differentiated Instruction: Ability to modify lesson plans and materials to meet diverse learning styles and abilities
  • Legal Compliance: Understanding of federal and state laws, including the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504
  • Curriculum Adaptation: Modifying general education curriculum to make it accessible for students with various disabilities
  • Patience & Empathy: Crucial for building rapport and remaining calm during challenging behavioral moments
  • Adaptability & Flexibility: The ability to pivot teaching strategies mid-lesson if a student becomes frustrated or disengaged
  • Collaboration: Working effectively with general education teachers, therapists (OT/PT/SLP), and parents in a multidisciplinary team
  • Crisis De-escalation: Staying composed and using verbal or physical techniques to manage student crises safely
  • Active Listening: Essential for understanding student needs that may not be expressed verbally
  • Social-Emotional Learning (SEL): Implementation of curriculum like Zones of Regulation or Second Step
  • Perspective Taking: Helping students understand "the hidden rules" and others’ thoughts/feelings
  • Pragmatic Language Support: Coaching students on the nuances of social communication
  • Executive Functioning Coaching: Supporting students with organization, emotional regulation, and task initiation
  • Generalization Training: Ensuring students can use social skills in the community, not just the classroom


Certification

Virginia Postgraduate Teaching License

Timeline

Learning Center Specialist

Blue Ridge School
08.2023 - Current

Owner/Director

Making Connections, LLC
09.2009 - 06.2023

Social Skills Tutor, Grades 3-12Social Skills Group Instructor, Grades K-12

Making Connections, LLC
08.2008 - 09.2009

Autism Resource Specialist K-12

Spotsylvania County Schools
08.2005 - 06.2006

Education Specialist, Autism ServicesEducation Specialist Multiple Disabilities Services

Special Education Service Agency (SESA)
08.2001 - 12.2004

Low Incidence Specialist

Anne Arundel County Schools
08.1999 - 06.2000

Special Education Teacher

Heritage Elementary
08.1998 - 06.1999

Program Support Specialist

SouthEastern Cooperative Educational Program (SECEP)
08.1996 - 07.1998

Special Education Teacher

Windsor Elementary
12.1995 - 06.1996

Habilitation Specialist

Onslow County Mental Health
08.1995 - 12.1995

Special Education Teacher

Richlands Elementary
12.1991 - 06.1995

M.S./B.S. - Special Education

Florida State University

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Kathleen K. Blandford