Lauren Griffith Mercado
Summary
Instructional coach and special education leader with 15+ years of experience designing and delivering professional development, mentoring educators, and building evidence-based instructional systems across diverse school settings. Deep expertise in High-Leverage Practices, Universal Design for Learning, applied behavior analysis, and IEP development. Active Ed.D candidate with multiple Pennsylvania and Georgia teaching licenses and a proven track record training and coaching educators at the center and district level.
Overview
1
1
Certification
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Interim Director and Master Trainer
Merakey Autism Center
, Pennsylvania
08.2020 - 03.2023
- Designed and facilitated professional development workshops on evidence-based practices including High-Leverage Practices (HLPs), MTSS, and Universal Design for Learning (UDL)
- Trained teachers on writing measurable, legally defensible IEPs tied to state academic standards
- Mentored novice special educators to reduce burnout and improve retention in the field
- Conducted non-evaluative instructional rounds and provided structured feedback to help special education teachers refine classroom management, data collection, and pacing
- Delivered expert training in trauma-informed teaching, functional behavior assessments (FBAs), behavior intervention plans (BIPs), and sensory integration strategies
- Trained teachers on modifying general education curricula, selecting appropriate assistive technology, and implementing differentiated instruction for varied learning profiles
- Modeled effective instructional strategies, co-taught lessons, and observed instruction in real time
- Guided educators on building efficient systems to collect, track, and analyze student progress data for IEP goals and re-evaluations
- Designed and facilitated professional development workshops on evidence-based practices including High-Leverage Practices (HLPs), MTSS, and Universal Design for Learning (UDL)
Lead Academic Autism Support Teacher and Mentor
New Story Schools
Carlisle, PA
03.2023 - Current
- Direct, train, and model best practices for classroom assistants and support staff to ensure consistency across the school day
- Serve as the central liaison connecting SLPs, OTs, Behavioral Health Technicians, school leaders, and families
- Design lessons using Universal Design for Learning frameworks to ensure access to grade-level core concepts for all students, regardless of verbal ability or processing speed
- Implement positive behavior support plans (PBSPs), track discrete data, and identify functions of behavior through ABA integration
- Apply scaffolding techniques to deconstruct complex, abstract academic concepts into digestible, multi-step concrete tasks
- Translate raw observational data into clear, measurable, and legally sound IEP goals
- Integrate AAC devices, Picture Exchange Communication Systems (PECS), and low-tech communication boards directly into academic lessons
- Apply trauma-informed, low-arousal techniques to support students through sensory overload, emotional dysregulation, and meltdowns using NCI and advanced physical training
- Assess conceptual understanding through non-traditional means including visuals, task cards, hands-on demonstrations, scavenger hunts, project-based learning, and STEM activities
- Structure physical classroom spaces, visual schedules, and sensory boundaries to minimize anxiety and maximize student independence
- Facilitate peer-to-peer interactions, teach explicit social narratives, and support self-advocacy skills tailored to neurodivergent communication styles
- Communicate student growth, strengths, and needs clearly and empathetically to parents, district representatives, and administrative teams
Lead Teacher and Master Trainer
Merakey Autism Center
, Pennsylvania
07.2018 - 08.2023
- Taught in diverse classroom settings including public, private, rural, and urban inclusion and self-contained environments, adapting strategies to meet varied student needs
- Created and implemented a Fidelity Score Sheet enabling classroom teachers, BCBAs, and support teams to self-assess the accuracy and consistency of classroom routines, teaching strategies, and behavior intervention plans each marking period
- Supported students with BD, DD, SLD, ADHD/ADD, LD, ED, ASD, and other health impairments by implementing individualized strategies and accommodations to promote engagement and behavioral skill development
- Collaborated as lead teacher across inclusion and self-contained classrooms to implement ABA principles, FBA, PBSP, and IEP goals, ensuring compliance and consistency in student support
- Designed and delivered interactive K-12+ lessons across core and content subjects using hands-on and inquiry-based approaches to strengthen critical thinking and participation
Inclusive Title 1 Fifth Grade Teacher
Le Tort Elementary
Carlisle, PA
08.2013 - 10.2014
- Delivered instruction in a fifth grade inclusion classroom of 25 students (6 with IEPs, 2 with GIEPs, 1 with 504) using differentiated strategies to increase engagement and academic progress for diverse learners
- Designed and implemented customized curriculum, unit materials, and hands-on learning activities to increase student participation and support diverse learning styles
- Integrated adaptive learning strategies, behavior management techniques, and assistive technology to meet individual student needs and foster greater independence
- Managed individualized supports for students to improve engagement and behavioral regulation
- Participated in professional development including Brigance assessment scoring and Autism training, applying evidence-based practices to enhance instructional effectiveness
Inclusive Title 1 Second Grade Teacher
Eagle Springs Elementary
Byron, GA
07.2008 - 06.2013
- Delivered instruction in a second grade inclusion classroom of 22 students (8 with IEPs, 2 with GIEPs) using differentiated strategies to increase engagement and academic progress for diverse learners
- Administered diagnostic and formative assessments to collect and analyze student data, informing targeted interventions and measuring student growth
- Integrated assistive technology including text-to-speech, FM systems, word prediction tools, SMART, and STEM tools to support accessibility and student independence
- Collaborated with grade-level teachers to design and adapt standards-aligned lesson plans ensuring instruction met IEP goals and supported varied learning needs
- Communicated regularly with classroom staff to monitor student progress and align instructional support with IEP requirements
- Created unit guides and lessons for HCBOE ESOL and ELA programs as Teacher Leader Cadre
Education
Ed.D - Special Education
Liberty University
05-2027
National Certificate for STEM Education -
NISE
01-2026
M.Ed - Special Education with Gifted Education
Liberty University
05-2014
B.S. - Elementary P-5 and Special Education P-12
Middle Georgia State University
05-2008
Skills
- Professional Development Facilitation
- Teacher Mentorship & Coaching
- Family Collaboration
- Multidisciplinary Collaboration
- IEP
- FBA
- PBSP
- Transition Plan Development
- Individualized Learning Strategies
- Adaptive Learning Strategies
- Universal Design for Learning (UDL)
- Curriculum Development
- Instructional Integration
- Assistive Technology Integration
- EFL
- VB-Mapping
- RTI
- MTSS
- PBIS
- Behavior Management
- Classroom Environment Design
- NCI with Advanced Physical Training
- Student Progress Monitoring
- Achievement Assessment
- Student Assessment
- Diagnostic Evaluation
Certification
- Pennsylvania Department of Education: Special Education PK-12, 07/26
- Pennsylvania Department of Education: Instructional I, PK-4, 12/22
- Pennsylvania Department of Education: Special Education, Social and Emotionally Disturbed, P-12, 07/18
- Pennsylvania Department of Education: Special Education, Mental Retardation, P-12, 07/18
- Georgia Professional Standards Commission: Special Education Social Sciences P-5; Special Education Cognitive Sciences P-5; Special Education Cognitive Math P-5; Special Education Cognitive ELA P-5; Special Education General Education P-12; Elementary Education P-5, 07/13
Activities Leadership
- Houston County Board of Education (HCBOE), 07/10, 06/13, Teacher Leader Cadre, Conducted non-evaluative instructional rounds and provided actionable feedback to colleagues on pedagogical growth., Opened classrooms as lab sites for peer observation and co-teaching., Supported first- and second-year teachers to accelerate skill development and improve retention., Designed and led site-based professional development tailored to school-specific data and needs., Piloted new curricula, instructional technology, and assessment tools, providing critical feedback before district-wide rollouts., Served on school and district leadership teams to analyze performance data and draft strategic improvement plans., Designed and carried out action research projects to evaluate the impact of instructional interventions before scaling them across the district.
- Harvest Church, 08/04, 05/12, Elementary Age Coordinator, Coordinated and facilitated over 500 volunteers across sub-teams for children PK-5, including worship, technology, curriculum writing, large group, small group, props, safety, and check-in/check-out., Created safe, age-appropriate environments where children engaged in faith education and community., Uphold child safety as the top priority through rigorous environment sanitation, application-based volunteer screening, and federal background checks.
Skills
Professional Development Facilitation, Teacher Mentorship & Coaching, Family & Multidisciplinary Collaboration, IEP, FBA, PBSP & Transition Plan Development, Individualized & Adaptive Learning Strategies, Universal Design for Learning (UDL), Curriculum Development & Instructional Integration, Assistive Technology Integration, EFL, VB-Mapping, RTI/MTSS/PBIS, Behavior Management & Classroom Environment Design, NCI with Advanced Physical Training, Student Progress Monitoring & Achievement Assessment, Student Assessment & Diagnostic Evaluation
Timeline
Lead Academic Autism Support Teacher and Mentor
New Story Schools
03.2023 - Current
Interim Director and Master Trainer
Merakey Autism Center
08.2020 - 03.2023
Lead Teacher and Master Trainer
Merakey Autism Center
07.2018 - 08.2023
Inclusive Title 1 Fifth Grade Teacher
Le Tort Elementary
08.2013 - 10.2014
Inclusive Title 1 Second Grade Teacher
Eagle Springs Elementary
07.2008 - 06.2013
B.S. - Elementary P-5 and Special Education P-12
Middle Georgia State University
M.Ed - Special Education with Gifted Education
Liberty University
National Certificate for STEM Education -
NISE
Ed.D - Special Education
Liberty University