Lara Heywood
Hillsborough,NJ
Summary
Versatile Special Education Teacher and Science Teacher with focus on individual student needs across academia and emotional development. Empathetic and accommodating in design and implementation of hands-on lessons, catering to diverse learning abilities. Proficient in employing constant communication, patience and positive reinforcement in team efforts to deliver exceptional educational tools, fostering academic achievement. Equipped with positive attitude and patience vital to teaching children with special needs. Extensive experience creating innovative lesson plans and comfortable learning environments. Highly qualified Science Teacher with 22 years of experience teaching middle school science. Generates student enthusiasm for learning through individual connections and motivators. Empowers students through interactive learning, offering fun and educational lessons and exciting science demonstrations.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Special Education Teacher
Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District
12.2001 - Current
- Created and managed IEPs to define student learning objectives and educational strategies, in addition to applying instructional knowledge and methods to support goals.
- Cultivated connections and strong student rapport to foster classroom engagement, in addition to recording student progress to inform parents and school administration.
- Modified general education curriculum for special-needs students using various instructional techniques and technologies to deliver effective and differentiated classroom instruction.
- Led activities that developed students' physical, emotional and social growth.
- Helped students develop self-esteem and life skills by fostering healthy conflict-resolution, critical thinking and communication.
- Established and enforced rules of behavior to drive social development, maintain positive interactions and manage classroom effectively.
- Kept classroom environments consistent and focused on learning by establishing and enforcing clear objectives and learning targets to achieve each goal.
- Boosted individual perseverance and resilience by setting challenging goals and providing realistic support.
- Fostered team collaboration between students through group projects.
- Collaborated with parents, administrators and counselors to develop improvement plans for struggling students.
- Coordinated and collaborated with other faculty members during lesson plan development.
- Assessed progress and reviewed work with struggling students to boost success chance.
- Demonstrated willingness to accept feedback and make corrections based on advice from peers, parents and principal.
- Created engaging lesson plans that included diverse learning strategies, fostered culture of discovery and provided well-organized classroom structure to help students succeed in science.
- Encouraged student interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM).
- Understood critical development years for adolescent minds and structured lessons to meet cognitive abilities.
- Arranged materials and instructional plans to implement immersive activities delving into Earth Science concepts.
Substitute Teacher
Somerset County Vocational & Technical High School
12.1998 - 12.2001
- Followed classroom plans left by class teacher to continue student education, manage assignments, student needs and reinforce core concepts.
- Repeatedly requested as substitute teacher by teachers based on excellent past referrals and trusted performance.
- Maintained day-to-day classroom management with proactive behavior modification and positive reinforcement strategies to promote learning initiatives.
- Helped students develop life-long learning skills and good study habits.
- Diversified classroom instruction and group activities to successfully support students with unique strengths and learning styles.
Teaching Assistant
Developmental Learning Center
06.2001 - 08.2001
- Summer program at school for children with Autism that utilized Applied Behavior Analysis
- Worked extensively with Discrete Trial Instruction and Task Analysis with secondary students
- Assisted teachers with classroom management and document coordination to maintain positive learning environment.
- Collaborated with other staff and participated in community based activities.
Education
Master of Science - Teacher of Geoscience
Mississippi State University
Starkville, MS05.2007
Bachelor of Science - Inclusive Elementary And Special Education & Psych
Syracuse University School of Education
Syracuse, NY12.2001
Skills
- Environmental Science
- Meteorological Science
- Astronomical Science
- Geological Science
- Curriculum Adjustments
- Motivating Students
- Individual Education Plan Expertise
- Classroom & Data Management
- Learning Style Assessment
- Autism and Spectrum Disorders
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Cognitive Disabilities & Emotional Disorders Knowledge
- Positive Learning Environment & SEL
- Positive Role Model
- Critical and Creative Thinking
- Collaborative Team Work
- Lab Management & Demonstrations
- Individualized Support & Constructive Feedback
Certification
- New York State Elementary Education (K-6)
- New York State Special Education (K-12)
- New Jersey Elementary Education (K-6)
- New Jersey Special Education (K-12)
- New Jersey Earth Science (6-12)
Artistic Painting
Realistic and Abstract Acrylic painting
Commissioned pieces
Timeline
Special Education Teacher
Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District
12.2001 - Current
Teaching Assistant
Developmental Learning Center
06.2001 - 08.2001
Substitute Teacher
Somerset County Vocational & Technical High School
12.1998 - 12.2001
Master of Science - Teacher of Geoscience
Mississippi State University
Bachelor of Science - Inclusive Elementary And Special Education & Psych
Syracuse University School of Education
- New York State Elementary Education (K-6)
- New York State Special Education (K-12)
- New Jersey Elementary Education (K-6)
- New Jersey Special Education (K-12)
- New Jersey Earth Science (6-12)
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