Laura Bonnell
Austin,TX
Summary
Elementary and middle school teacher with 8+ years of experience in special education, reading resource, dyslexia intervention, art, and extracurricular programming; Adept at classroom management and rapport building with students, families and staff. Years of experience have been in title-I schools as an advocate for all students, including ELL's, students with a variety of cognitive/behavioral/social needs in special education and general education settings. Believes every child, regardless of circumstances, deserves access to equal emotional and academic education, and that education is the most crucial catalyst in promoting equity in our communities.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
Work History
Special Education Teacher
Austin Independent School District
10.2021 - Current
- Manage caseload of 20 students with a range of cognitive, emotional, and physical disabilities in an inclusion and resource setting
- Provide dyslexia intervention, reading resource and inclusion, math inclusion, behavioral supports, and emotional regulation skills to students.
- Provide dyslexia intervention/instruction to small groups ranging from 1st-5th grade
- Develop individualized education plans through collaboration with administration, general education teachers, evaluators/LSSP, and parents
- Progress monitor students on IEP goals, and collect data on student growth
Clinical Mental Health Counselor Intern
The Arbor Behavioral Health Intensive Outpatient
01.2023 - 08.2023
- Provide one-on-one counseling, family counseling, and group counseling for clients working through substance misuse disorders, and various mental health diagnoses
- Facilitate psychoeducational and process groups for 8-40 clients
- Develop treatment plans, discharge plans, continued care for clients and their families
- Work collaboratively with other mental health professionals to provide culturally informed and consistent care
- Consult with other staff members and internship supervisor regarding client care in an ethical manner
- Encouraged patients to discuss experiences in group and individual settings.
- Guided clients in effective therapeutic exercises integrated from a variety or theoretical orientations
Clinical Counselor Intern
St. Edward's University Counseling Center
08.2022 - 12.2022
- Provide counseling services to adolescents, adults, and couples, presenting with a variety diagnoses
- Implement therapeutic interventions and supports
- Develop treatment plans and case notes
- Used imaging and relaxation techniques to develop safe zones to facilitate processing of trauma.
Middle School Special Education Teacher
Austin Independent School District
03.2021 - 10.2021
- Cultivated connections and strong student rapport to foster classroom engagement, and relationships built on trust and trauma-informed care
- Collaborated with ARDC in order to develop appropriate IEP and supports
- Worked with 7th grade students with a diverse range of needs/eligibilities in an inclusion and co-teach model
- Modified general education curriculum for special-needs students
Middle School Art/Special Education/Reading Resource Teacher
Sci-Tech Middle School
06.2016 - 03.2021
- Positive classroom management techniques and focus of social emotional learning
- Implemented interdisciplinary and ESL based art instruction for MS students across a variety of mediums
- Asynchronous and in person teacher
- Guided students through the art/design process
- Reading resource using the REWARDS program
- Developed and implemented IEP's for caseload of 20+ 6th-9th grade students
- STAAR writing workshop to 7th grade students
- Track coach for 6th-8th grade students, NJHS sponsor
Education
Certifications:
EC-6 Generalist, ESL, SPED EC-12, 4-8 Generalist
Master of Arts - Clinical Mental Health Counseling
St. Edward's University
Austin, Texas08.2023
Bachelor of Arts - Interdisciplinary Studies, EC-6 & ESL
Texas State University
Round Rock, Texas05.2013
Skills
- Dyslexia intervention (Reading By Design and REWARDS)
- Case Management in teaching and counseling
- Cultural Sensitivity
- Trauma informed care
- Differentiated learning techniques
- Behavioral/Emotional Social Skills development
- Communication
- Adaptability
References
Brittany Madkins - BrittanyMadkins@austinisdorg; (512) 584-0304
Eric Ikonne - Saseikon@gmailcom; (469) 261-6856
Meganbeth Hedgecock - (512) 758-0274
Rock climbing, Art, Wilderness survival, Hiking/Backpacking
I enjoy a variety of recreational and creative activities, and find self care to be crucial in order to show up for my students, family, and peers in the best way that I can.
Timeline
Clinical Mental Health Counselor Intern
The Arbor Behavioral Health Intensive Outpatient
01.2023 - 08.2023
Clinical Counselor Intern
St. Edward's University Counseling Center
08.2022 - 12.2022
Special Education Teacher
Austin Independent School District
10.2021 - Current
Middle School Special Education Teacher
Austin Independent School District
03.2021 - 10.2021
Middle School Art/Special Education/Reading Resource Teacher
Sci-Tech Middle School
06.2016 - 03.2021
Certifications:
EC-6 Generalist, ESL, SPED EC-12, 4-8 Generalist
Master of Arts - Clinical Mental Health Counseling
St. Edward's University
Bachelor of Arts - Interdisciplinary Studies, EC-6 & ESL
Texas State University