Lakeisha Lewis
Houston,Texas
Summary
Experienced, passionate, energetic, and self-motivated educational professional utilizing 14+ years of relevant experience, acquired instructional skills, and relevant education and training. Excellent organizational skills, ability to communicate with a diverse range of individuals and groups, maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Educational Diagnostician/ARD Facilitator
Cypress Fairbanks ISD
Houston, TX
08.2022 - Current
- Administered various assessment instruments and techniques to assist in identifying students eligible for special education services.
- Assisted school personnel in identification and understanding of students with disabilities.
- Selected, administered and interpreted appropriate formal and informal assessments and evaluations.
- Consulted with teachers and parents to gain in-depth understanding of students.
- Collaborated with educators, school administrators and external professionals in development of Individualized Education Plans (IEPs).
- Compiled and interpreted students' test results along with information from teachers and parents to diagnose conditions and assess eligibility for special services.
- Assisted school personnel in identification and understanding of students with disabilities.
- Managed time efficiently in order to complete all tasks within deadlines.
- Applied knowledge of ethnic, linguistic, cultural and socioeconomic diversity for evaluation, planning and instruction.
Educational Diagnostician -Contract
Aldine ISD
Houston , TX
03.2022 - Current
- Selected and administered formal and informal assessments to determine student eligibility for special education services according to federal and Texas Education Agency regulations.
- Compiled and evaluated comprehensive student information including classroom observations; personal interviews with student, teacher(s), parents and others; and relevant assessment data from student's cumulative folder. Consult with parents and teacher concerning educational needs of students and interpretation of assessment data.
- Scheduled and facilitated ARD meetings to assist with interpretation of assessment data, appropriate placement, and development of Individual Education Plans (IEP) for students according to district procedures.
- Utilized formal and established testing protocols to evaluate educational, emotional and behavioral needs of students.
- Managed caseload of 60+ students.
- Collaborated with team members to achieve target results.
- Offered informative workshops for educators, school leaders and faculty members.
Educational Diagnostician
St. John The Baptist Parish School Board
Laplace, LA
08.2021 - 03.2022
- Functioned as evaluation coordinator for designated referred students ensuring compliance with Bulletin 1508 guidelines and local policies and procedures.
- Selected, administered and interpreted appropriate formal and informal assessments and evaluations.
- Managed caseload of 60+ students annually. Compiled information from variety of sources to produce comprehensive evaluation reports.
- Deployed various assessment instruments and techniques to assist in identifying students eligible for special education services.
- Collaborated with educators, school administrators and external professionals in development of Individualized Education Plans (IEPs).
- Compiled and interpreted students' test results along with information from teachers and parents to diagnose conditions and assess eligibility for special services.
- Utilized formal and established testing protocols to evaluate educational, emotional and behavioral needs of students.
- Provided support to school-based Student Assistance Teams (SAT) to provide pertinent information regarding progress monitoring, researched based intervention and student referral.
- Provided parents with education information about types of programs, locations of such programs, district's policies and procedures for determining eligibility and placement, and their rights as parents of exceptional students.
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor
PA Office of Vocational Rehabilitation
New Castle, PA
02.2019 - 07.2021
- Develops and maintains referral sources by personal contact to assure that potential vocational rehabilitation participants are identified. Obtains preliminary information pertinent to referral of persons with disabilities for vocational rehabilitation services. Accesses and updates participant records using web-based application.
- Conducts comprehensive face-to-face interview with applicants to gather relevant information regarding their disabling condition, educational and employment history, psycho-social factors, and other data needed to initiate vocational rehabilitation process. Explains eligibility requirements, scope of services, confidentiality, appeal rights and determines next steps with applicants and other appropriate parties.
- Manages caseload of 125+ customers with highly individualized needs
- Arranges for and approves expenditures associated with medical, psychological, psychiatric, physical or other evaluations as part of determining potential for vocational rehabilitation.
- Coordinates service delivery through completion and assures provider payment. Identifies participant and agency responsibilities, approves and authorizes services to be provided, and similar benefits to be utilized to achieve rehabilitation plan.
- Determines appropriate vocational goal and develop and approves mutually agreed upon Individualized Plan for Employment to achieve established vocational plan. Counsels and supports participants in their movement toward job placement.
- Maintains, evaluates, and documents participant progress through the vocational rehabilitation process and makes appropriate rehabilitation plan amendments to enhance their opportunity for their success.
Educational Diagnostician
Iberville School Board
Plaquemine, LA
07.2011 - 05.2018
- Functioned as evaluation coordinator for designated referred students ensuring compliance with Louisiana Bulletin 1508 guidelines and local policies and procedures.
- Selected & administered appropriate formal/informal assessments and evaluations (WIAT, WJIV, KTEA, CAYC, KBIT). Compiled information from variety of sources to produce comprehensive evaluation reports.
- Met with students to conduct individual assessments and determine academic and mental health needs. Observed students in classroom/home/ play environments.
- Utilized formal and established testing protocols to evaluate educational, emotional and behavioral needs of students. Used data to monitor students' progress and recommend solutions for improvement.
- Compiled and interpreted students' test results along with information from teachers and parents to diagnose conditions and assess eligibility for special services.
- Managed caseload of 80+ students annually.
- Served as district wide Dyslexia Coordinator. Tasks included developing a training manual, training teachers & school staff regarding procedures, assessment and monitoring.
- Collaborated with administrators to complete all manifestation determination meetings for students with disabilities.
- Trained and provided support to school-based Student Assistance Teams (SAT). Participated in RTI, PBIS and other related meetings that determined and implemented school-wide policies.
- Provided parents with education information about types of programs, locations of such programs, district's policies and procedures for determining eligibility and placement & parental rights regarding exceptional students.
- Provided expertise & technical assistance to administrators, coordinators and teachers regarding implementation of state & federal Special Education laws for students with disabilities
- Facilitated constructive communications between educators & parents; provided referrals for community resources for families & students.
- Collaborated with educators, school administrators and external professionals in development of Individualized Education Plans (IEPs).
- Offered informative workshops for educators, school leaders and faculty members.
- Developed Functional Behavioral Assessment and Positive Behavioral Intervention Plan to identify cause of problem behavior, formulate strategies to address behavior and teach new behavioral skills.
Special Education Teacher
Iberville School Board
Plaquemine, LA
08.2005 - 05.2011
- Managed caseload of 20+ students with IEPs. Instructed students with disabilities, including Developmental Delay, Specific Learning Disability, Other Health Impairments, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and Speech/Language Impairments.
- Created and managed IEPs to define student learning objectives and educational strategies, in addition to applying instructional knowledge and methods to support goals
- Developed activities and integrated technology to diversify instruction and created lesson plans based on course objectives.
- Student Assistance Team Chair (SAT) - Coordinated/ facilitated all activities of SAT which included: assisting school personnel with identifying students requiring additional behavioral and/or academic intervention and support. Facilitated and ensured fidelity of the intervention process.
- Served as schools Dyslexia Coordinator- Administered assessments, coordinated screening procedures, and facilitated/scheduled meetings to discuss assessment results.
- Managed caseload of 25+ students with various diagnoses and academic/behavioral/physical needs.
- Worked with teachers collaboratively to modify and accommodate regular curricula as needed. Assisted teachers with progress monitoring and analyzing data from the intervention process.
- Modified general education curriculum for special-needs students based upon the variety of instructional techniques and technologies.
Education
Master of Arts - Special Education
Grand Canyon University
Phoenix, AZ10.2010
Master of Science - Rehabilitation Counseling
Southern A& M University
2004
Bachelor of Arts - Sociology
Xavier University of Louisiana
06.2000
Skills
- In depth knowledge of state and federal law, policies/procedures regarding students with disabilities
- In depth knowledge of: Psychoeducational Evaluation process, Progress Monitoring, Cross Battery Assessment Methods, Development of Behavioral intervention Plans ,Functional Behavioral Assessments
- Knowledge of: Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling, Case Management, Job Analysis, Job Coaching, Transition Planning
- Experience coordinating, scheduling /facilitating IEP & Section 504 plan meetings in a collaborative and professional manner
- Adaptable/Flexible, Ability to build/ maintain positive relationships, Self-motivated; High energy level
- Ability to work independently & collaboratively; Strong interpersonal, verbal & written communication skills
- Experience providing guidance, assistance/ technical support to district administrators, school administrators and special education staff members
Certification
- Texas Educational Diagnostician Certification 2021 to 2027
- Texas Teacher Certification, 2021 to 2027- Special Education Grades (EC - 12),
- Private School (Pennsylvania Certification) - Teacher Mentally Retarded K-12
- Educational Diagnostician (Louisiana), 6/12/2012
- Child Search Coordinator (Louisiana), 3/31/2011
- Level 3, Louisiana Teacher Certification, 2010 to 2020 - Special Education: Mild/ Moderate K-12
Timeline
Educational Diagnostician/ARD Facilitator
Cypress Fairbanks ISD
08.2022 - Current
Educational Diagnostician -Contract
Aldine ISD
03.2022 - Current
Educational Diagnostician
St. John The Baptist Parish School Board
08.2021 - 03.2022
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor
PA Office of Vocational Rehabilitation
02.2019 - 07.2021
Educational Diagnostician
Iberville School Board
07.2011 - 05.2018
Special Education Teacher
Iberville School Board
08.2005 - 05.2011
Master of Arts - Special Education
Grand Canyon University
Master of Science - Rehabilitation Counseling
Southern A& M University
Bachelor of Arts - Sociology
Xavier University of Louisiana