Laura Huish
Farmington,NM
Summary
Highly motivated and dedicated special education administrator with a demonstrated work ethic committed to cultivating a positive educational environment. Effective communicator and collaborative leader adept at building strong relationships with teachers, administrators, and families to foster a safe, supportive and collaborative culture.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Assistant Director of Exceptional Programs
Farmington Municipal Schools
07.2019 - Current
- Assist the EPO director in upholding state and federal law by overseeing processes and procedures that monitor compliance of SAT referrals, evaluations, and IEPs.
- In collaboration with director and EPO staff, re-designed the EPO Staff Guide of Policies and Procedures.
- Developed procedures to improve SAT referrals, which included the process to digitize SAT and 504 in eduCLIMBER and Unified Insights. Provided individual training to schools' SAT/504 chairs and administrators.
- In collaboration with EPO staff, re-designed the EPO Discipline Guide for Administrators.
- Assist EPO director with IDEA budget, and EPO budgets.
- Assist EPO director and facilitators through collaborative problem solving around programs, staffing, and parent concerns.
- Attend IEP meetings when needed for student and/or parent concerns.
- Supervise and evaluate staff.
- Participate in regular professional development including FMS district trainings, NMPED Office of Special Education trainings and webinars, LRP Special Education Law Conferences, NAME (Medicaid) Conferences.
Coordinator of Programs, Support Services Office
Central Consolidated Schools
08.2017 - 06.2019
- 21st Century Program Director for six school sites. Supervised program sites, entered data, managed 21st CCLC grant and purchasing.
- Managed and supervised the Nursing, and Health and Wellness Departments to ensure health offices were meeting students' health and medical needs.
- Managed and supervised the Social Worker and Cultural Assistance Team to ensure mental health needs were being met for the different cultures on and off the Navajo Reservation.
- Managed and supervised the RTI/SAT/504 coach. Implemented training and support teachers and SAT/504 chairs at all school sites.
- Oversaw Medicaid funding, Healthy Schools grant, and IHS grant.
- Participated in Principals Pursuing Excellence as a member of the District Core Team..
Teacher
Farmington Municipal Schools
01.2012 - 05.2017
- Planned and implemented lessons aligned to Common Core State Standards in all content areas.
- Implemented positive reinforcement classroom management strategies to keep students on track.
- Created and developed lesson plans to meet students' academic needs.
- Gathered and analyzed data to regularly adjust and differentiate instruction to meet the various skill levels of all students.
- Maintained up-to-date student tracking records for standards referenced reporting, providing feedback to students and parents on progression of learning goals.
- Incorporated engaging activities to achieve student participation and hands-on learning.
- Worked collaboratively with grade level PLC teams and administration to discuss student data, achievement, and improvement.
School Secretary - Bluffview Elementary
Farmington Municipal Schools
10.2004 - 06.2011
- Provided front office support to students, staff, and families.
- Processed student registrations and withdrawals.
- Purchased supplies for teachers and school using district and activity funds.
- Monitored school absences and substitute system for staff, and arranged for coverage as needed.
- Generated required 20-day state reporting for general and special education counts.
- Prepared and filed workman's compensation claims.
- Supervised and trained office aide, and delegated duties as needed.
- Exercised judgment when handling parent concerns.
Education
Certification - Special Education
Eastern New Mexico University
Portales, NM05.2021
Masters - Educational Leadership
New Mexico Highlands University
Las Vegas, NM05.2017
Bachelor of Arts - Interdisciplinary Studies K-8
Western Governors University
Salt Lake City, UT11.2011
Associate of Applied Science - Legal Assistants
San Juan College
Farmington, NM12.1990
Skills
Leadership
Communication
Organization
Process and procedure development
Relationship and team building
Collaborative problem solving
Certification
New Mexico TESOL Endorsement (July 2009)
New Mexico Level I K- 8 Elementary License (January 2012)
New Mexico Level II K- 8 Elementary License (August 2015)
New Mexico Educational Administrator License III-A (July 2017)
New Mexico Level II Pre K-12 Special Education License (May 2021)
New Mexico Council of Administrators of Special Education (NMCASE)
- Secretary of NMCASE Executive Board (2022 - Present)
- Member of NMCASE (2019 - Present)
Timeline
Assistant Director of Exceptional Programs
Farmington Municipal Schools
07.2019 - Current
Coordinator of Programs, Support Services Office
Central Consolidated Schools
08.2017 - 06.2019
Teacher
Farmington Municipal Schools
01.2012 - 05.2017
School Secretary - Bluffview Elementary
Farmington Municipal Schools
10.2004 - 06.2011
Certification - Special Education
Eastern New Mexico University
Masters - Educational Leadership
New Mexico Highlands University
Bachelor of Arts - Interdisciplinary Studies K-8
Western Governors University
Associate of Applied Science - Legal Assistants
San Juan College