Lauren Cadena
Hudson,NH
Summary
Master's level educated with a focus in psychology and special education. Looking to join a school district to enrich and enhance student learning through specialized instruction.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Special Education Teacher
Lawrence Public School System
08.2021 - Current
- Enhanced students'' communication skills by implementing group activities and collaborative projects.
- Promoted a positive learning environment through the use of differentiated instruction and individualized support for diverse learners.
- Developed IEPs tailored to individual student needs, ensuring their academic success and personal growth.
- Improved student behavior management by implementing consistent routines, clear expectations, and positive reinforcement strategies.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to provide comprehensive support for students with special needs.
- Fostered strong relationships with parents and guardians, maintaining open lines of communication to ensure student progress.
- Streamlined classroom processes by integrating technology tools such as interactive whiteboards and assistive devices designed for students with disabilities.
- Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities focused on evidence-based practices in special education teaching methodologies.
- Provided targeted instructional support to struggling learners, identifying specific areas for improvement and designing effective intervention plans.
- Enhanced learning experiences by incorporating specialized tools and resources tailored to the needs of special education students.
- Collaborated with teachers and therapists to develop individualized educational plans for each student, ensuring optimal progress.
- Supported students in developing social skills through structured activities and positive reinforcement techniques.
- 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.
- Delivered effective and differentiated classroom instruction to range of neurodiverse students.
- Taught multiple subjects to students with intellectual or emotional disabilities.
- Taught students across multiple classifications and degrees of special needs.
- Worked with students with moderate to severe autism to increase life skills.
- Maintained accurate records of student progress and attendance.
- Utilized technology to create meaningful lessons that engage students.
Ongoing Social Worker
Department of Children and Families
05.2020 - 02.2021
- Assess, evaluate, conduct initial and ongoing case management of children and family services and needs
- Develop, review, update and ensure implementation of strength-based service plans for each child in care or custody including risk assessment, safety plans and goals
- Complete all documentation in accordance with agency and regulatory requirements
- Attend home and foster care visits; transport children to health, social services or other agency-related appointments as required
- Maintain ongoing communication with DCF staff and other constituencies; initiate court action when necessary
- Empower families to make stable commitments to children by providing counseling and coordinating visits with biological parents and/or guardians and other relatives; develop a helping relationship and ensure needed supports and services are provided
- Attend weekly supervision, weekly staff meetings, in-service training, and team meetings
- Maintain a high degree of professionalism in the community, with clients, schools, courts and with referring agencies seeking to build and sustain positive relationships.
Family Intervention Specialist
Youth Villages
10.2018 - 05.2020
- Carry caseload of 4-6 families
- Hold family sessions with each family 3 times a week scheduled at the convenience of the families
- Routine collateral contact and services referrals made
- Web-based documentation
- Provide rotating on-call availability to families during the week and rotating on-call weekend
- Provide treatment in individual families' homes in a wide array of settings and communities.
Classroom Aide
Valley Collaborative
01.2016 - 09.2018
- Assist teacher in delivery of the curriculum, lesson plans, and implementation of IEP goals and objectives
- Provide emotional, behavioral, and academic support to students
- Communicate with teachers, therapists and other administrators about student needs
- Ensure safety of students in all environments
- Assist in facilitation of independence, social awareness, language, and appropriate behavior
- Responsible for other student concerns that arise, and communicate concerns appropriate staff
- Understand and deliver appropriate behavioral plan for each student working collaboratively with the teachers and behaviorists
- Assist in collecting student data
- Assist students with school and classroom activities, e.g.: lunch, playground, bus load, personal care, toileting
- Collaborate with SLPs, OTs, PTs, BCBAs teachers and social workers
- Participate in staff meetings and in-service training as requested.
Day Support Professional
TILL, Inc.
10.2014 - 12.2015
- Manage individual caseload requirements
- Improve client quality of life by providing daily interaction as well as person centered activities
- Complete, or assist to complete, all daily living skills of individuals
- Compile daily, monthly, and yearly data collection for individual service plans
- Coordinate daily activity schedules best suited for individual needs and wants
- Attend all service needs meetings for client caseload
- Maintain all required certifications.
Residential Manager
TILL, Inc.
02.2014 - 10.2014
- Directly supervised all residential staff of a 24-hour facility at all times
- Managed client requirements including medical, financial, legal, transportation, and activities
- Developed staff scheduling, and administered payroll and time off requests
- Performed financial analysis and spend relative to monthly budgeting requirements
- Completed all administrative duties including monthly reports to corporate
- Worked in conjunction with representatives from the Department of Developmental Services, as well as representatives from clients respective work programs
- Maintained all required certifications
- Proactively communicated with client family members, maintaining positive relations, while providing and receiving feedback
- Developed working rapport with other facilities within the company.
Shift Supervisor
Team Coordinating Agency-Milestone
05.2013 - 02.2014
- Directly supervised all Direct Care Workers during shift hours
- Communicate with other shift supervisors as well as the administrative team which includes the Program Director, Assistant Program Director, Clinician, Case Manager, and Medication & Education Coordinator
- Handle relations between staff, clients, parents, collaterals, and administration team
- Act on behalf of the administration team in their absence.
Direct Care Staff
Team Coordinating Agency-Milestone
06.2012 - 05.2013
- Assist with resident management at treatment facility housing up to 12 adolescent males’ ages 12-18 years
- Act as companion and guidance counselor within facility to support and encourage residents
- Prepare residents for transition out of facility; treatment including employment assistance, treatment programs, educational support, and housing needs
- Ensure resident safety and care including medication management, nutrition, hygiene, and other basic care needs
- Proven ability to work within intense environments including dealing with truancy, behavioral treatment, substance abuse, and domestic issues including abuse and neglect
Education
MS of Psychology - Forensic Psychology
Southern New Hampshire University
10.2019
BA of Psychology -
University of Massachusetts-Lowell
07.2011
Skills
- Parent Communication
- Curriculum Adjustments
- Social Skills Development
- Skills Development
- Lesson Planning
- Differentiated Instruction
- Individual Education Plans IEPs
- Group and Individual Instruction
- Mobility Assistance
- Visual Supports
- Personal Hygiene Assistance
References
Available Upon Request
Timeline
Special Education Teacher
Lawrence Public School System
08.2021 - Current
Ongoing Social Worker
Department of Children and Families
05.2020 - 02.2021
Family Intervention Specialist
Youth Villages
10.2018 - 05.2020
Classroom Aide
Valley Collaborative
01.2016 - 09.2018
Day Support Professional
TILL, Inc.
10.2014 - 12.2015
Residential Manager
TILL, Inc.
02.2014 - 10.2014
Shift Supervisor
Team Coordinating Agency-Milestone
05.2013 - 02.2014
Direct Care Staff
Team Coordinating Agency-Milestone
06.2012 - 05.2013
MS of Psychology - Forensic Psychology
Southern New Hampshire University
BA of Psychology -
University of Massachusetts-Lowell
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