Krystyna Farquhar
Longmont
Summary
Elementary Special Education/Autism Teacher
Special education professional with proven track record of fostering inclusive learning environments and implementing effective instructional strategies. Strong emphasis on team collaboration and achieving positive educational outcomes, adaptable to changing classroom dynamics. Skilled in behavior management, curriculum development, and student advocacy, bringing reliability and flexibility to role.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Special Education Teacher
St. Vrain Valley School District
12.2019 - Current
- Developed IEPs tailored to individual student needs, ensuring their academic success and personal growth.
- Created and managed IEPs to define student learning objectives and educational strategies, in addition to applying instructional knowledge and methods to support goals.
- Promoted a positive learning environment through the use of differentiated instruction and individualized support for diverse learners.
- Modified general education curriculum for special-needs students using various instructional techniques and technologies.
- Improved student behavior management by implementing consistent routines, clear expectations, and positive reinforcement strategies.
- Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities focused on evidence-based practices in special education teaching methodologies.
- Coordinated with general education teachers to develop accommodations or modifications necessary for successful inclusion of students with special needs in mainstream classrooms.
- Coordinated special education students and teacher assistant schedules with master schedule.
- Served as a mentor to new teachers, sharing best practices in special education instruction and classroom management techniques.
- Organized field trips and community-based experiences that enriched students'' understanding of real-world applications for their skills.
- Developed and executed behavioral intervention plans, leading to decrease in disruptive behaviors and increase in classroom participation.
- Integrated social skills training into curriculum, facilitating improved peer interactions and social integration.
Instructional Assistant/ Substitute Teacher/ Paraeducator
Imagine Charter School at Firestone
01.2014 - Current
- As an instructional assistant, responsible for managing the lunchroom and recess, leading small groups, etc
- As a long-term substitute teacher for 2nd grade, responsible for organizing curriculum, creating lesson plans, analyzing data, creating groups, administering formative, summative, and standardized tests, assisting in field trip planning with fellow grade level teachers, direct instruction, classroom management, classroom discipline
- As a Paraeducator, responsible for working with teachers to differentiate instruction for Special Education students, designing and implementing Special Education instruction for grades K-8 in math, reading, and writing; Managing difficult behaviors and coaching students on strategies to self regulate, self advocate, and communicate; Member of the MTSS team for two and a half school years; helped with observations and assisted in the completion of Functional Behavior Assessments; Crisis Prevention and Intervention certified
Early Childhood Assistant/Executive Assistant
Kumon Math and Reading Center
08.2011 - 01.2014
- Responsible for tutoring Transition Students (Kindergarten-2nd Grade) in math and reading
- Responsible as part of a team for tutoring Junior students (Ages 2-5) in math and reading
- Assistant to the Director in center administration, such as testing and signing new students, assessing students and lesson planning, assisting students in all grades at the center, website administration, preparing students worksheets for the week, preparing payroll, and staffing special events
- Responsible for scheduling and managing center staff, supply ordering and stocking, and center maintenance
Program Coordinator
Longmont Council for the Arts
01.2012 - 12.2012
- Curator and Manager of the Muse gallery, responsible for coordinating and curating exhibitions, coordinating artists for the shows, installation, interpretation, coordinating artist volunteer shifts, staffing the gallery, and deinstallation
- Responsible for managing, coordinating and installing exhibits as part of the Artist Registry program
- Responsible for coordinating the Longmont Studio Tour Program, including planning the Tour, including jurying artists, collecting and managing artist information, managing artists volunteer hours, coordinating Tour publicity (newspaper ads, mailers, maps, banners, etc) curating the pre-Tour show, and planning pre-tour events such as the Kids Tent activity at Art Walk events, workshops provided by Tour artists, presentations for Tour publicity, and the Dia de los Ninos activity at Salud Family Health Center
- Staff liaison for all other Longmont Council for the Arts programs, such as the Friday Afternoon Concert Series, Sunday Afternoon Concerts, Artist in Residence, Art Fund and more
Exhibits Work Study
Greeley History Museums
08.2010 - 05.2011
- Assistant to the Head Exhibits Curator
- Trained in artifact preservation and handling, frequently handling extremely sensitive artifacts
- Responsible for preparing artifacts for exhibition (including building custom non-invasive preservation mounts and general artifact preservation), coordination and installation of the exhibits as well as research, writing and proofreading text for the exhibitions and published works
- Assisted in the planning, coordination and execution of events put on by the Museum such as Baby Animal Days and History Days at Centennial Village
Work Study/Docent
University of Northern Colorado Galleries
08.2010 - 12.2010
- Responsible for assisting the Gallery Manager to curate and install shows as well as set up and supervise opening receptions
- Supervision of the Gallery
Intern
The Muse Gallery
09.2009 - 12.2009
- Assistant to the Executive Director
- Duties included assisting in the installation of shows, setting up receptions, assisting to coordinate artists for shows and volunteer hours, assisting the Executive Director with PR, learning the gallery budget and operating the gallery including completing sales, engaging customers and gallery maintenance
Cashier
Michaels Inc.
06.2007 - 02.2009
- Front End Supervisor; Responsible for managing other cashiers as well as the appearance and flow of the Front End; able to work every position in the store, including that of the store managers
- Certified Custom Framer
Education
Master of Elementary Education -
Grand Canyon University
Phoenix, Az02.2016
Bachelor of Arts - Art History
University of Northern Colorado
Greeley, Co08.2011
Associate of Arts -
Front Range Community College
Longmont, Co12.2009
Skills
- Differentiated instruction
- Individual education plans (IEPs)
- Lesson planning
- Collaborative teamwork
- Data management
- De-escalation techniques
- Parent communications
- Behavior intervention plans
- Trained in CPI
- Verbal and nonverbal communication
- Functional behavior assessment
- Paraprofessional oversight
Accomplishments
- Trained fellow teachers on the procedures for completing Individual Education Plans.
- Piloted a socially assistive robotics program for the district.
- Supervised team of 3 staff members.
- Served on the leadership team of Longmont Estates Elementary School for 2 years.
- Served on the District Special Education Advisory committee at the behest of the assistant superintendent of Special Education.
- Developed data collection tools and systems for each student in the classroom and effectively trained my staff on their implementation.
- Served on the school safety team.
- Teacher of the Year for Longmont Estates Elementary School in 2021.
- One of four finalists for Teacher of the Year for the entire St. Vrain Valley School District in 2021.
Languages
Hindi
Limited Working
Polish
Limited Working
Italian
Limited Working
German
Limited Working
Spanish
Limited Working
Hebrew
Elementary
Timeline
Special Education Teacher
St. Vrain Valley School District
12.2019 - Current
Instructional Assistant/ Substitute Teacher/ Paraeducator
Imagine Charter School at Firestone
01.2014 - Current
Program Coordinator
Longmont Council for the Arts
01.2012 - 12.2012
Early Childhood Assistant/Executive Assistant
Kumon Math and Reading Center
08.2011 - 01.2014
Exhibits Work Study
Greeley History Museums
08.2010 - 05.2011
Work Study/Docent
University of Northern Colorado Galleries
08.2010 - 12.2010
Intern
The Muse Gallery
09.2009 - 12.2009
Cashier
Michaels Inc.
06.2007 - 02.2009
Master of Elementary Education -
Grand Canyon University
Bachelor of Arts - Art History
University of Northern Colorado
Associate of Arts -
Front Range Community College
Similar Profiles
Erin BlackErin Black
Specialized Program Paraeducator at St. Vrain Valley School DistrictSpecialized Program Paraeducator at St. Vrain Valley School District
Robin HowardRobin Howard
Instructional Program Consultant Coordinator at St Vrain Valley School DistrictInstructional Program Consultant Coordinator at St Vrain Valley School District
Jennifer PicconeJennifer Piccone
Principal at St Vrain Valley School DistrictPrincipal at St Vrain Valley School District