Katie Morrison "Ms. Mo"
Rohnert Park,CA
Summary
Experienced teacher with a positive attitude, strong background in managing and teaching gen ed. and special education classes. Adept at creating inclusive learning environments, tailoring educational plans to meet diverse student needs, and collaborating effectively with colleagues and parents. Known for flexibility, reliability, and growth mindset approaches, ensuring students achieve their full potential. Skilled in curriculum development, and adaptive teaching strategies.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
Special Day Class-Autism Social Skills Support 6-8
Cotati Rohnert Park Unified School District
07.2023 - Current
- Enhanced student understanding of complex concepts by incorporating hands-on activities and real-life examples into lessons.
- Coordinate with general education teachers to integrate students into mainstream classes when appropriate, fostering meaningful inclusive educational experiences.
- Mentored new Special Day Class teachers during their transition into the role by resourcing and modeling effective teaching practices within this specialized setting.
- Implemented behavior management strategies to maintain a structured, supportive learning environment for all students.
- Boosted student engagement and motivation by creating a positive, inclusive classroom environment.
- Increased parent involvement in their child's education through consistent communication, updates on progress, and opportunities to participate in classroom events.
- Provided one-on-one support for students struggling with specific concepts or skills, leading to improved academic performance over time.
- Taught students across multiple age level and range of specialized support needs- social, cognitive, communication, visual-spacial, physical impairment, processing, memory retention
Special Day Class Teacher, Moderate to Severe, grades 6-8
Albany Middle School
07.2021 - 07.2022
- Case Manager for 10 students with wide range of support needs and program specialization (physical-hearing/eye-gaze), sensory, OHI, Autism, ID, and ED
- Lead teacher-designer for core academic subjects in coordination with successful team of five paraeducators
- Fostered excellent collegial relationships and positive classroom culture
- Creative General Education integration efforts, push-out scheduling, and co-advisor for Best Buddies Program, including wider Bay Area involvement
Special Day Class Teacher, Mild to Moderate TK-2
Venetia Valley K-8
08.2019 - 07.2021
- Case Manager for 6-9 students, created theme enriched specialized academic instruction for each student and as a group with embedded ELL supports, social-emotional learning, and support for individual behavioral/self-regulation/sensory needs
- Provided gross motor and fine motor development/visual planning activities
- Pre-academic and early literacy and math skills development support, with knowledge and use of a variety of curriculum resources
- Envisioned and made positive pivot to unique hybrid distance learning program throughout COVID shutdown with successful parent participation
Special Day Class Teacher, Moderate to Severe, grades 6-8
Altimira Middle School
08.2018 - 06.2019
- Case Manager for 13 students, specialized academic instruction, formal and informal assessment,
- Proposed and provided individualized learning plan for students, whole group instruction, targeted small groups based on learning needs, and individual one-on-one support and coordination
- Extensive data collection system to monitor progress toward goals
- Provided management and support of three full-time classroom aides, created positive classroom morale, training and resourcing staff, supervising student safety
- Provided parent outreach and education on issues related to students with moderate to severe learning and functioning challenges, through progress reports, phone calls, text messages, visits, greeting at the door, and newsletters in English and Spanish
Resource Specialist (RSP), Mild-Moderate Special Ed. Teacher
Dunbar Elementary School
08.2017 - 06.2018
- Partnered in Case-Management of 24 students, designed targeted instruction for students based on individual and group needs in push-out model, provided direct instruction for small group math intervention class, Co-taught in push-in model for ELD, LA, and math, differentiated instruction for students while in their general education settings, progress reporting, IEP goal writing.
Second Grade Teacher
El Verano Elementary School
08.2016 - 06.2017
- Full-time General Education teacher
- Participated in the school-wide vision of literacy equity for all students through daily teaching of Readers and Writers Workshop, phonics, and rich academic language development
- Taught math curriculum Investigations alongside supplemental material curated by Stanford research team and Exploratorium Science Units
- A classroom was infused with the arts, 21st century skill development, and SEL community development through the Responsive Classroom model
- Participated in a twice-weekly professional learning community with grade-level colleagues
High School English Teacher
Albany High School
01.2016 - 06.2016
- Full-time teaching assignment for five English classes: 9th grade honors section college prep English 1 and one section of a Senior Writing Seminar (Mythology)
- Lesson planning, instruction, daily assessment, differentiation, English department staff collaboration, grade-wide interdepartmental project-based five-week debate learning experience
Fifth Grade Student Teacher
Cornell Elementary School
10.2015 - 12.2015
- Nine-week placement, including three weeks of solo teaching
- Other weeks included planning and teaching of a single subject within the curriculum with opportunities for personalized lesson design
- Additional experience with long-term planning, working with grade-level colleagues, parent-teacher conferences, report cards, field trips, 5th grade Common Core curriculum and standards
Second Grade Student Teacher
Ocean View Elementary School
09.2015 - 10.2015
- Six-week placement with opportunities to help facilitate the Daily 5 literacy, writing, science, math, and PE programs
- Experience with classroom management and adapting instruction for English language learners (from around the world) and students with identified individual learning needs
Certificated Substitute Teacher, (Pre-K through 12th grade)
Albany Unified School District
01.2015 - 08.2015
- Provided teacher coverage throughout the district ranging from the preschool Early Intervention Program through High School including general education, resource, and special day class settings
Special Education Para-Educator
Albany High School
03.2014 - 01.2015
- Teaching support in a specialized classroom for students with emotional disturbance
- Implemented positive behavior support plans, modified work for students, assisted staff in meeting IEP and ELD learning goals
Education
Moderate-Severe Special Education Add-On Credential Program -
Brandman University
Walnut Creek, CA12.2019
Mild-Moderate Special Education Teaching Credential Program - undefined
Dominican University of California
San Rafael, CA05.2018
Single Subject Credential Program - Social Studies
Dominican University of California
San Rafael, CA12.2016
Multiple Subject Credential Program-General Education - undefined
Dominican University of California
San Rafael, CA12.2015
Master of Divinity - undefined
San Francisco Theological Seminary
San Anselmo, CA05.1999
B.A. - American Studies and Studio Art
Colby College
Waterville, ME05.1994
Skills
- All areas of academics, social-emotional development, and behavior support informed by a commitment to cultural relevancy, empowerment, and utilizing effective strategies for supporting Dual Language Learners
- Positive classroom community building
- Engaged student participation
- Proactive communication with parents and meaningful progress monitoring
- Champion for literacy instruction and access
- Creative and responsive teaching strategies
- Thoughtful IEP development and implementation
- Verbal and nonverbal communication
- Structured, supportive learning environment for all students- multisensory, playful, self advocacy and self regulation support integrated
- Teamwork and collaboration
Timeline
Special Day Class-Autism Social Skills Support 6-8
Cotati Rohnert Park Unified School District
07.2023 - Current
Special Day Class Teacher, Moderate to Severe, grades 6-8
Albany Middle School
07.2021 - 07.2022
Special Day Class Teacher, Mild to Moderate TK-2
Venetia Valley K-8
08.2019 - 07.2021
Special Day Class Teacher, Moderate to Severe, grades 6-8
Altimira Middle School
08.2018 - 06.2019
Resource Specialist (RSP), Mild-Moderate Special Ed. Teacher
Dunbar Elementary School
08.2017 - 06.2018
Second Grade Teacher
El Verano Elementary School
08.2016 - 06.2017
High School English Teacher
Albany High School
01.2016 - 06.2016
Fifth Grade Student Teacher
Cornell Elementary School
10.2015 - 12.2015
Second Grade Student Teacher
Ocean View Elementary School
09.2015 - 10.2015
Certificated Substitute Teacher, (Pre-K through 12th grade)
Albany Unified School District
01.2015 - 08.2015
Special Education Para-Educator
Albany High School
03.2014 - 01.2015
Mild-Moderate Special Education Teaching Credential Program - undefined
Dominican University of California
Single Subject Credential Program - Social Studies
Dominican University of California
Multiple Subject Credential Program-General Education - undefined
Dominican University of California
Master of Divinity - undefined
San Francisco Theological Seminary
B.A. - American Studies and Studio Art
Colby College
Moderate-Severe Special Education Add-On Credential Program -
Brandman University
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