Kristi Pestka
Ontonagon
Summary
Proactive and goal-oriented professional with excellent time management and problem-solving skills. Known for reliability and adaptability, with swift capacity to learn and apply new skills. Committed to leveraging these qualities to drive team success and contribute to organizational growth.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
General Education Lead (3rd Grade)
Ontonagon Area School District
01.2015 - Current
- LRE Compliance Oversight: Managed the daily execution of accommodations and modifications for a high-volume inclusion classroom, ensuring 100% fidelity to the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) mandate.
- Inter-Disciplinary Documentation: Maintained parent contact logs and shared cloud-based platforms in collaboration with the School Social Worker and Dean of Students.
- MTSS & Child Find Data: Directed Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) initiatives, documenting Tier 2 and Tier 3 interventions to support compliant referral and evaluation processes.
- Regularly cross-referenced daily classroom assessments with IEP/504 documents to ensure 100% compliance with mandated testing accommodations and modifications.
Special Education Coordinator
Ontonagon Area School District
01.2010 - 01.2015
- Internal Auditor: Conducted comprehensive audits of IEP files annually to ensure compliance with state and federal laws.
- Quality Control: Served as the final reviewer for all MET and IEP documents before submission to the state reporting system.
- Performed observations and evaluated supporting documents to supplement audit findings.
Special Education Case Manager (High School)
Ontonagon Area Schools District
01.2001 - 2015
- Transition Auditor: Specialized in Indicator 13 compliance, ensuring all post-secondary goals and transition services met federal standards.
- Initial Evaluations: Authored and reviewed complex initial evaluations and behavior intervention plans (BIPs).
- Coordinated services and resources for students with special needs, ensuring compliance with regulations.
- Developed individualized education programs (IEPs) in collaboration with teachers and parents.
- Managed caseloads effectively, ensuring timely evaluations, reevaluations, and annual reviews for all assigned students.
Education
Master of Science in Education (M.S.Ed.) - Special Education
Old Dominion University
05-2004
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) - Elementary Education
Northland College
05-2001
Associate of Arts (A.A.) - Teacher Education
Gogebic Community College
05-1999
Skills
- Compliance Review: Expert-level auditing of IEPs, Prior Written Notices (PWNs), and Evaluation Reports
- Regulatory Mastery: Deep knowledge of IDEA Part B, Section 504, and State-specific Monitoring Manuals
- Data Analysis: Skilled in validating progress monitoring data to support educational placement and services
- Quality Assurance: Identifying and correcting "Due Process" risks before document finalization
- Problem-solving
- Teamwork and collaboration
Timeline
General Education Lead (3rd Grade)
Ontonagon Area School District
01.2015 - Current
Special Education Coordinator
Ontonagon Area School District
01.2010 - 01.2015
Special Education Case Manager (High School)
Ontonagon Area Schools District
01.2001 - 2015
Master of Science in Education (M.S.Ed.) - Special Education
Old Dominion University
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) - Elementary Education
Northland College
Associate of Arts (A.A.) - Teacher Education
Gogebic Community College