- Co-ran an annual 5k and Fun Run to Fundraise for our Deaf Education Program (grossing $100,000 in 9 years) https://runsignupcom/Race/TX/Plano/DeafinitelyNotDifferent5kandFunRun
- Setting up and running local Transition Fairs for 5 RDSPDs with zero budget
- Setting up annual Career Fairs for middle school students bringing in multiple Deaf professionals
- Running free-semester sign language classes for parents, staff, and students
- Teen Night Presentations that cover topics such as reproduction, drugs, alcohol, cyber security, etc
- Coached Academic Bowl
- Took High Schoolers to Close-Up (https://wwwcloseuporg/)
- Setting up Dual credit courses for RIT and Plano
Leslie Allen
Plano
Summary
Dynamic Licensed Professional Counselor with extensive experience at Plano ISD, skilled in crisis intervention and intervention planning. Bilingual in American Sign Language and English, I excel in fostering communication and developing individualized strategies that empower students. Proven ability to enhance mental health awareness and promote student success through tailored support and education.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Licensed Professional Counselor
Plano Regional Day School Program for the Deaf
08.2024 - Current
- Used solution-focused therapy to assist students in recognizing and redirecting poor habits.
- Conducted informal assessments to determine progress and performance and report findings to relevant authorities.
- Guided students in developing skills and strategies for dealing with problems.
- Developed individualized counseling plans for students to incorporate short-term and long-term goals.
- Supported students dealing with mental health and emotional issues.
- Listened to students' concerns and provided encouragement and support.
- Determined students' risk of self-harm or other dangerous behaviors.
- Provided education on mental health topics and resources to staff
Elementary Team Leader
Plano ISD
08.2023 - 07.2024
- Lead and facilitated the daily operations of a department of Deaf Education teachers and paraprofessionals who serve approximately 80 students.
- Assisted in master schedule development—including class schedules, room availability, and teacher assignments.
- Facilitated Admission, Review and Dismissal (ARD) Meetings.
- Communicate effectively with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds
- Assisted administration in interviewing and selecting new staff members
- Served as member of the campus Leadership Team
- Assisted administration in conflict resolution with students and staff
- Served as an ARD facilitator as well as administrative representative, requiring knowledge of all areas of the curriculum
- Assisted teachers in the facilitation of innovative methods and materials to produce effective learning experiences
Secondary Team Leader Deaf Education
Plano ISD
07.2005 - 08.2023
- Lead and facilitated the daily operations of 3 campuses grades 6-12, 45 plus- students, 10 teachers, 3 paraprofessionals, related service personnel, and sign language interpreters
- ·Assisted in master schedule development—including class schedules, room availability, and teacher/interpreter assignments.
- Facilitated and prepared Admission, Review and Dismissal (ARD) Meetings.
- Communicated effectively with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds
- Assisted administration in interviewing and selecting new staff members
- Served as member of the campus Leadership Team
- Assisted administration in conflict resolution with students and staff
- Served as an ARD facilitator as well as administrative representative, requiring knowledge of all areas of the curriculum as well as graduation requirements.
- Served as a member of the campus Site Based Improvement Committee
- Served as a mentor new teachers and teachers new to PSHS campus
- Developed campus assessment calendar to assess students in compliance with district and state requirements to inform instruction and make appropriate educational programming decisions.
- Assisted teachers in the facilitation of innovative methods and materials to produce effective learning experiences
- Created and administered transition assessments to provide students with feedback targeting areas of improvement and align their strengths with course objectives and intended future outcomes.
- Contributored to departmental restructuring
- Increased departmental compliance with District and State Audits
Team Leader for Sign Language Interpreters
Plano ISD
08.2004 - 08.2014
- Plan and develop interpreter training for staff
- Schedule interpreters and captioners for class assignments
- Schedule interpreters and captioners for after school interpreting assignments
- Maintain a log of all substitutes and interpreter/captioning request forms
- Coordinate all substitute needs
- Check and verify all interpreter/captioner time sheets for accuracy prior to submitting to supervisor
- Provide interpretation services for ARD meetings, testing of students and where/as needed
- Travel daily between campuses using own transportation
- Evaluate sign skills of staff interpreters
- Monitor transcripts of captioners
- Follow all rules, regulations and policies of Plano ISD and follow directives from supervisor
- Follow attendance policy as assigned by supervisor
- Perform other functions that may be assigned by the administration and/or supervisor
- Follow and enforce school rules, administrative regulations and state and local board policy
- Maintain and submit a weekly schedule of activities and assignments to supervisor
- Work directly with non-certified/basic interpreting staff to prepare for the BEI test through teaming, modeling and assisting with the development of their skills
Deaf Education Teacher
Plano ISD
08.1999 - 08.2005
- Collaborated with students, parents and other members of the staff to develop Individual Education Plans (IEP) through the Admission, Review and Dismissal (ARD) Committee process for each student assigned
- Developed and implement plans for the curriculum program assigned and show written evidence of preparation as required
- Worked cooperatively with classroom teachers to modify regular curricula as needed and assist students included in regular classes with assignments
- Prepared lessons that reflect accommodation for individual student differences.
- Presented the subject matter according to guidelines established by Texas Education Agency, Board policies, and administrative regulations
- Planned and used appropriate instructional/learning strategies, activities, materials, and equipment that reflected accommodations for individual needs of students assigned
- Conducted assessment of student learning styles and use results for instructional activities
- Worked cooperatively with classroom teachers to modify curricula as needed for deaf education students according to guidelines established by Individual Education Plans (IEP)
- Cooperated with other members of the staff in planning and implementing instructional goals, objectives, and methods according to district requirements
- Used technology in the teaching/learning processfor teacher aide(s) and or volunteer(s)
- Use technology in the teaching/learning process
- Consistently assessed student achievement through formal and informal testing
- Provided or supervised personal care, medical care and/or feeding of students as stated in IEP
- Assumed responsibility for extracurricular activities as assigned and may sponsor outside activities approved by the school
- Presented a positive role model for a student that supports the mission of the school district
- Developed and maintained a classroom environment conducive to learning and appropriate to the physical, social, and emotional development of students
- Managed student behavior in the classroom and administered discipline according to Board policies, administrative regulations, and IEP
- Consulted with general education teachers regarding management of student behavior according to IEP
- Took all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, equipment, materials, and facilities
- Assisted in the selection of books, equipment, and other instructional materials
- Established and maintain open lines of communication with students and their parents
- Maintained a professional relationship with all colleagues, students, parents, and community members
- Used student’s preferred communication mode to present information accurately and clearly
- Kept the principal fully informed with respect to conditions and needs of the classroom and of new techniques and materials being used
- Attended and participated in staff meetings, committee meetings, and work sessions as required by the principal
- Demonstrated behavior that is professional, ethical, and responsible
- Promoted professional improvement through reading educational journals and books, exploring educational research, enrolling in college courses, participating in staff development activities, and membership in professional organizations
- Upheld and enforced school rules, administrative regulations, district philosophy, and board policies, and present subject matter according to established guidelines
- Kept informed of and complied with state, district, and school regulations and policies for classroom teachers
- Compiled, maintained, and filed all reports, records, and other documents required
- Attended and participated in faculty meetings and served on staff committees as required
- Followed all rules, regulations, and policies of Plano ISD and follow directives from superiors
- Followed attendance policy as assigned by supervisor
- Performed other functions that may be assigned by the Administration and/or supervisor
Education
Master of Education - Mental Health Counseling
Lamar University
Beaumont, TX07-2019
Master of Science - Deaf Education
Texas Woman's University
Denton, TX08-1999
Bachelor of Science - Communication Sciences And Disorders
Texas Woman's University
Denton, TX08-1998
Skills
- Bilingual in American Sign Language and English
- Extensive DSM-iV knowledge
- Crisis intervention techniques
- Superior communication skills
- Intervention planning
- HIPAA
Accomplishments
- Owned and operated a successful private practice for three years in Plano, Texas.
- Recipient of the Foundation 45 Award.
- Supervised team of 20 staff members.
Certification
- Licensed Professional Counselor
- Teacher for the Deaf EC-12
- TASC
- BEI Level 2
- Facilitator Battery Intervention and Prevention
- CPI
Interests
Timeline
Licensed Professional Counselor
Plano Regional Day School Program for the Deaf
08.2024 - Current
Elementary Team Leader
Plano ISD
08.2023 - 07.2024
Secondary Team Leader Deaf Education
Plano ISD
07.2005 - 08.2023
Team Leader for Sign Language Interpreters
Plano ISD
08.2004 - 08.2014
Deaf Education Teacher
Plano ISD
08.1999 - 08.2005
Master of Education - Mental Health Counseling
Lamar University
Master of Science - Deaf Education
Texas Woman's University
Bachelor of Science - Communication Sciences And Disorders
Texas Woman's University
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