Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Core Qualifications
Timeline
Generic

Kathy Kastelan

Northridge,CA

Summary

Seeking an opportunity to work as a reading specialist where I can help students achieve their potential using a variety of high quality, research-based reading, writing, and spelling strategies.

Overview

30
30
years of professional experience

Work History

Reading Intervention Teacher

Westmark School
08.2023 - Current
  • Gathered, organized, and analyzed data on student needs and progress.
  • Developed interventions for students currently struggling or at risk of falling behind.
  • Implemented tracking tools to evaluate successes and areas in need of improvement.
  • Utilized data-driven assessments to monitor student progress and adjust instructional approaches accordingly.
  • Developed strong rapport with students by building trust through consistent encouragement, feedback, and respect for individual learning styles.
  • Improved overall literacy rates by implementing research-based reading intervention strategies.
  • Attended professional development workshops to stay current on best practices in reading intervention, using new knowledge to enhance curriculum effectiveness.
  • Facilitated communication between parents and school personnel regarding student progress and available resources for additional support.
  • Created positive and engaging environment in classroom that encouraged literacy skills.
  • Collaborated with other educators to develop instructional strategies.

Special Education Reading Specialist

Sherman Oaks Educational Therapy
01.2009 - Current
  • Delivered effective and differentiated multi-sensory reading instruction using Wilson Reading System to range of students with learning differences.
  • Used approaches, such as Orton Gillingham, to achieve dramatic results with students.
  • Delivered vocabulary, comprehension, and fluency strategies.
  • Assisted struggling students to maintain progress levels by designing individualized lesson plans focused on areas for improvement.
  • Monitored student performance to evaluate effectiveness of instructional strategies using AimsWeb.
  • Conducted assessments of students to determine individual needs.
  • Collaborating with teachers or other specialists to determine how to best help students.
  • Meeting with parents or guardians to discuss their child's progress.

Special Education Reading Specialist

Ravinia Reading Center
06.1999 - 08.2008
  • Delivered effective and differentiated multi-sensory reading instruction using Wilson Reading System to range of students with learning differences.
  • Used approaches, such as Orton Gillingham, to achieve dramatic results with students.
  • Assisted struggling students to maintain progress levels by designing individualized lesson plans focused on areas for improvement.
  • Monitored student performance to evaluate effectiveness of instructional strategies using AimsWeb.
  • Conducted assessments of students to determine individual needs.
  • Collaborating with teachers or other specialists to determine how to best help students.
  • Meeting with parents or guardians to discuss their child's progress.

Elementary Teacher, Various Grades

Oriole Park Elementary School
09.1996 - 06.1999
  • Delivered hands-on-science instruction to lower elementary grades.
  • Delivered special education instruction to upper grade students during teacher's maternity leave.
  • Prepared materials for lessons, assignments, and assessments, and evaluated, corrected and graded student performance to identify gaps in skills or knowledge and set realistic goals.
  • Worked one-on-one with students to determine strengths, weaknesses, and learning patterns.
  • Adapted lessons to differentiate instruction and meet students' diverse learning needs and abilities.
  • Promoted exploration of building blocks of learning by leading diverse, hands-on activities.

Assistant Kindergarten Teacher

Socrates Greek-American Elementary School
09.1995 - 06.1996
  • Delivered structured lessons on readiness skills by emphasizing phonics, language skills, literature, and handwriting.
  • Created and supervised variety of hands-on learning activities for fun and engagement.
  • Rewarded student success by utilizing praise and positive reinforcement techniques.
  • Established and maintained consistent classroom rules and expectations for obedience.

Education

Master of Arts - Special Education/Learning Disabilities

Northeastern Illinois University
Chicago, IL
06.2000

Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education

DePaul University
Chicago, IL
06.1995

Skills

  • Ability to work well with children
  • Patience
  • Empathy
  • Communication
  • Adaptability
  • Passion for literacy

Core Qualifications

  • Mastery of multisensory reading instruction through Wilson Reading program.
  • Experience working with students who have dyslexia, learning differences, and other academic and developmental disabilities.

Timeline

Reading Intervention Teacher

Westmark School
08.2023 - Current

Special Education Reading Specialist

Sherman Oaks Educational Therapy
01.2009 - Current

Special Education Reading Specialist

Ravinia Reading Center
06.1999 - 08.2008

Elementary Teacher, Various Grades

Oriole Park Elementary School
09.1996 - 06.1999

Assistant Kindergarten Teacher

Socrates Greek-American Elementary School
09.1995 - 06.1996

Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education

DePaul University

Master of Arts - Special Education/Learning Disabilities

Northeastern Illinois University

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