- Kayaking
- Gardening
- walking
- reading
- pilates
- yoga
Lana Kopacsi
Cranston
Summary
Dedicated Special Education Teacher with expertise in differentiated instruction, parent communication, and social skills development. Committed to fostering inclusive learning environments that promote student engagement and success.
Overview
38
38
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Special Education Teacher
Access Point
Cranston, RI
07.2024 - Current
- Developed individualized education plans (IEPs) tailored to diverse student needs.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to enhance student learning outcomes.
- Implemented behavioral management strategies to support positive classroom environments.
- Adapted instructional materials and methods for students with varying abilities.
- Monitored student progress through assessments and adjusted teaching strategies accordingly.
- Provided training and support to paraprofessionals in classroom activities and interventions.
- Engaged families in the educational process, fostering communication and collaboration.
- Utilized assistive technology tools to enhance learning experiences for students with disabilities.
- Promoted a positive learning environment through the use of differentiated instruction and individualized support for diverse learners.
- Improved student behavior management by implementing consistent routines, clear expectations, and positive reinforcement strategies.
- Coordinated with general education teachers to develop accommodations or modifications necessary for successful inclusion of students with special needs in mainstream classrooms.
- Delivered effective and differentiated classroom instruction to range of neurodiverse students.
- Cultivated connections and strong student rapport to foster classroom engagement, in addition to recording student progress to inform parents and school administration.
- Instructed students with physical and cognitive disabilities.
- Served as a mentor to new teachers, sharing best practices in special education instruction and classroom management techniques.
- Conducted assessments of students to determine individual needs.
- Planned daily activities to keep students engaged and on track with learning goals.
- Maintained accurate records of student progress and attendance.
- Worked closely with parents and guardians to address students' issues on multiple fronts.
- Improved behavior by modeling positive choices and teaching socially-acceptable options.
- Mentored new teachers on student progress monitoring and legal document preparation.
Special Education Teacher
North Providence School Department
North Providence, RI
02.2022 - 11.2024
- 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.
- Modified general education curriculum for special-needs students using various instructional techniques and technologies.
- Fostered strong relationships with parents and guardians, maintaining open lines of communication to ensure student progress.
- Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities focused on evidence-based practices in special education teaching methodologies.
- Evaluated student progress regularly using various assessment methods, ensuring accurate measurement of skill development and areas requiring additional support.
- Taught students across multiple classifications and degrees of special needs.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to provide comprehensive support for students with special needs.
- Taught multiple subjects to students with intellectual or emotional disabilities.
- Coordinated special education students and teacher assistant schedules with master schedule.
- Redirected students using Positive Behavior Support (PBS).
- Assisted struggling students to maintain progress levels by designing individualized lesson plans focused on areas for improvement.
- Enhanced students'' communication skills by implementing group activities and collaborative projects.
- Streamlined classroom processes by integrating technology tools such as interactive whiteboards and assistive devices designed for students with disabilities.
- Partnered with standard education teachers from across academic departments.
- Encouraged students to take ownership of learning by providing choices.
- Coordinated with multidisciplinary teams to ensure comprehensive educational and emotional support for students.
- Utilized data from student assessments to tailor instruction, resulting in more effective learning outcomes.
- Enhanced students' understanding of complex topics by incorporating interactive technologies and hands-on learning experiences.
- Fostered positive learning environment, reducing classroom disruptions through effective behavior management strategies.
- Adapted teaching methods and materials to meet varied needs of students, enhancing educational accessibility.
- Promoted self-advocacy and independence in students with disabilities by teaching self-management and decision-making skills.
- Integrated social skills training into curriculum, facilitating improved peer interactions and social integration.
- Advocated for rights and needs of students with special education requirements, ensuring access to appropriate resources and accommodations.
- Collaborated with parents and other educators to develop comprehensive support plans, promoting student success.
- Enhanced communication skills in non-verbal students through integration of alternative and augmentative communication systems.
- Developed and executed behavioral intervention plans, leading to decrease in disruptive behaviors and increase in classroom participation.
- Facilitated small group instruction to address individual learning needs.
- Developed and implemented behavior management plans to improve student behavior.
- Designed individual education plans to encourage student growth according to different learning abilities and needs.
- Coordinated regular meetings to share and analyze student performance data and success plans with colleagues and parents.
- Helped students with special needs integrate into general classroom environments by advocating for individual requirements and helping teachers solve problems.
- Utilized technology to create meaningful lessons that engage students.
Special Education Teacher
Northern Rhode Island Collaborative
Lincoln, RI
01.1988 - 02.2023
- Provided targeted instructional support to struggling learners, identifying specific areas for improvement and designing effective intervention plans.
- Led activities that developed students' physical, emotional, and social growth.
- Organized field trips and community-based experiences that enriched students'' understanding of real-world applications for their skills.
- Conducted assessments to identify students' strengths and areas for improvement, informing instructional strategies.
- Implemented individualized education plans for students with diverse learning needs, ensuring personalized support.
- Improved reading comprehension among students with learning disabilities by designing and delivering targeted literacy activities.
- Encouraged parent and guardian involvement in educational process, enhancing home-school connection and supporting student achievement.
- Created culturally responsive classroom environment, acknowledging and celebrating diversity among students.
- Boosted student engagement in mathematics by introducing problem-solving activities that connected concepts to real-world situations.
- Organized and led professional development sessions for colleagues on inclusive education strategies, improving school-wide support for students with disabilities.
- Implemented behavior modification techniques to improve student social and academic performance.
- Collaborated with other educators to develop instructional strategies.
- Monitored student performance to evaluate effectiveness of instructional strategies.
- Developed Individual Education Plans for students with special needs.
- Provided emotional support to students and families.
- Applied proven strategies to improve students' sensory- and perceptual-motor skills.
- Promoted memory, cognition and language development with hands-on activities and individualized instruction.
- Developed individualized education plans (IEPs) tailored to diverse student needs.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to enhance student learning outcomes.
- Implemented behavioral management strategies to support positive classroom environments.
- Adapted instructional materials and methods for students with varying abilities.
- Monitored student progress through assessments and adjusted teaching strategies accordingly.
- Provided training and support to paraprofessionals in classroom activities and interventions.
- Engaged families in the educational process, fostering communication and collaboration.
- Utilized assistive technology tools to enhance learning experiences for students with disabilities.
- Promoted a positive learning environment through the use of differentiated instruction and individualized support for diverse learners.
- Improved student behavior management by implementing consistent routines, clear expectations, and positive reinforcement strategies.
- Delivered effective and differentiated classroom instruction to range of neurodiverse students.
- Cultivated connections and strong student rapport to foster classroom engagement, in addition to recording student progress to inform parents and school administration.
- Instructed students with physical and cognitive disabilities.
- Served as a mentor to new teachers, sharing best practices in special education instruction and classroom management techniques.
- Conducted assessments of students to determine individual needs.
- Planned daily activities to keep students engaged and on track with learning goals.
- Maintained accurate records of student progress and attendance.
- Worked closely with parents and guardians to address students' issues on multiple fronts.
- Improved behavior by modeling positive choices and teaching socially-acceptable options.
- Mentored new teachers on student progress monitoring and legal document preparation.
- 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.
- Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities focused on evidence-based practices in special education teaching methodologies.
- Taught students across multiple classifications and degrees of special needs.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to provide comprehensive support for students with special needs.
- Taught multiple subjects to students with intellectual or emotional disabilities.
- Coordinated special education students and teacher assistant schedules with master schedule.
- Redirected students using Positive Behavior Support (PBS).
- Assisted struggling students to maintain progress levels by designing individualized lesson plans focused on areas for improvement.
- Enhanced students'' communication skills by implementing group activities and collaborative projects.
- Streamlined classroom processes by integrating technology tools such as interactive whiteboards and assistive devices designed for students with disabilities.
- Encouraged students to take ownership of learning by providing choices.
- Adapted teaching methods and materials to meet varied needs of students, enhancing educational accessibility.
- Promoted self-advocacy and independence in students with disabilities by teaching self-management and decision-making skills.
- Integrated social skills training into curriculum, facilitating improved peer interactions and social integration.
- Collaborated with parents and other educators to develop comprehensive support plans, promoting student success.
- Enhanced communication skills in non-verbal students through integration of alternative and augmentative communication systems.
- Developed and executed behavioral intervention plans, leading to decrease in disruptive behaviors and increase in classroom participation.
- Facilitated small group instruction to address individual learning needs.
- Developed and implemented behavior management plans to improve student behavior.
- Designed individual education plans to encourage student growth according to different learning abilities and needs.
- Utilized technology to create meaningful lessons that engage students.
Education
Master of Science - Early Childhood Education
University of Phoenix
Tempe, AZBachelor of Science - Special Education
Bridgewater State University
Bridgewater, MAAssociate of Science - Special Education And Early Childhood Education
Community College of RI
Lincoln, RISkills
- Differentiated instruction
- Parent communications
- Social skills development
- Trained in CPI
- Visual supports
- Classroom management
- Individual education plans IEPs
- Co-teaching experience
- Lesson planning
- Collaborative teamwork
- Data management
- Inclusion strategies
Certification
Severe Intellectual Disability Teacher, All Grades-Expires 7/31/2030
Elementary/Middle Special Education Teacher, Grades K-8-Expires, 7/31/2030
Early Childhood Education Teacher, Grades PK-3 Expires 7/31/2030
CPI Certified, Expires, 9/2026
Interests
Timeline
Special Education Teacher
Access Point
07.2024 - Current
Special Education Teacher
North Providence School Department
02.2022 - 11.2024
Special Education Teacher
Northern Rhode Island Collaborative
01.1988 - 02.2023
Master of Science - Early Childhood Education
University of Phoenix
Bachelor of Science - Special Education
Bridgewater State University
Associate of Science - Special Education And Early Childhood Education
Community College of RI