Leslie M. Harrington
PA
Summary
Positive, collaborative leader with passion for fostering inclusive learning environments. Possesses in-depth understanding of special education laws and regulations and is skilled in curriculum development and program management. Committed to driving educational excellence and creating impactful outcomes for diverse student populations.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
SPECIAL EDUCATION SUPERVISOR
Vista Autism Services
08.2024 - Current
- Coached teachers and provide feedback to improve teaching and learning and ensure fidelity of high leverage practices
- Evaluated special education staff through classroom observation, feedback and recommendations.
- Facilitated IEP meetings by using family-centered, strength-based approach.
- Collaborated with teachers to review data collection procedures and interpret data to identify student needs.
- Design professional developments, internal rubrics
DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL EDUCATION
Red Lion Area School District
07.2023 - 04.2024
- Coordinated special education services through frequent principal collaboration and consultation.
- Coordinated staff evaluations for special education personnel.
- Established partnerships with organizations to provide additional resources and supports for special education programs.
- Evaluated the effectiveness of special education services through ongoing assessment of program goals, objectives, and performance indicators.
- Ensured compliance with IDEA and PA ch. 14.
- Advocated for the needs of students with disabilities in school-wide decision-making processes, ensuring equitable access to resources and opportunities.
EXCEPTIONAL STUDENT SPECIALIST
School District of Lancaster
03.2020 - 06.2023
- Liaison between Administration & special education staff
- Clearly disseminate expectations to staff, teachers & students
- Oversee intake IEP process for newly registered students
- Promptly respond to student & parent questions or concerns
- Ensure timely completion of processes outlined in Chapters14 &16
- Led professional development workshops on special education topics for fellow educators increasing their understanding of best practices.
- managed IEP and reevaluation process
- Collaborated with other educators to problem solve
EDUCATOR-SPECIAL EDUCATION HIGH SCHOOL
School District of the City of York
12.2017 - 01.2020
- Defined & articulated learning outcomes, measurements, performance metrics & changes to improve students learning
- Helped students build social, emotional & academic skills
- Supported social-emotional growth by incorporating SEL activities into daily routines, fostering a positive classroom climate conducive to learning.
- Modified general education curriculum for special-needs students using various instructional techniques and technologies.
- Created and managed IEPs to define student learning objectives and educational strategies, in addition to applying instructional knowledge and methods to support goals.
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
Wyoming Valley West Middle School
09.2016 - 08.2017
- Supported a positive school culture by addressing student behavior concerns promptly and effectively.
- Partnered with principal to administer school program in alignment with vision and goals, providing positive, high-expectation academic environment.
- Enhanced teacher effectiveness through regular classroom observations and feedback sessions.
- Built productive relationships with parents of students facing difficult situations at school or at home.
- Fostered positive school culture, establishing programs that promoted inclusivity and respect among students.
EDUCATOR MIDDLE SCHOOL ESL
Hazleton Area School District
08.2015 - 09.2016
- Create individualized plans for students
- Create a supportive & positive classroom environment
- Maintain records of student attendance & grades
- Inform parents about student progress
- Collaborated with colleagues to develop and revise ELA curriculum, ensuring alignment with ESL standards and best practices.
- Foster a welcoming & inclusive environment
- Improved student reading and writing proficiency by implementing targeted ESL strategies and techniques.
- Assisted ESL learners in developing language proficiency through reading , writing, listening and speaking lessons.
EDUCATOR ESL & SPECIAL EDUCATION
Susquehanna Township School District
01.2013 - 06.2015
- Create individualized plans for students
- Support English reading, writing, listening & speaking skills
- Create a supportive & positive classroom environment
- Identify skill gaps & design instruction to remediate
- Foster a welcoming & inclusive environment
- Created learning materials for supporting diverse learning styles.
SPECIAL EDUCATION COORDINATOR
Lackawanna Trail School District
01.2011 - 01.2012
- Collaborate effectively with staff, families & the community for the purpose of planning, developing, implementing, maintaining, & evaluating educational services & programs
- Recruit, hire, supervise & evaluate District-level special education staff
- Maintain high level of knowledge regarding developing special education issues
- Ensures that all practices in the district are legal & ethical for each student/family to ensure opportunity for all students to achieve at a high level & be prepared for post-secondary success
DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION
New Story Schools
01.2010 - 01.2011
- Maintain program financial budget & evaluate financial status on an ongoing basis
- Maintain open communication with LEAs & intake student referrals
- Communicate with parents & encourage parental participation
- Project training needs & coordinate & develop training for staff
- Participate in the collaborative IEP process
- Oversee development of lesson plans or specifically designed instruction
- Ensure teaching practices & curricula aligned with student needs
EDUCATOR-BUILDING TEAM LEAD
Harrisburg City Schools
01.2005 - 01.2010
- Complete all ESL paperwork within given deadlines
- Test, evaluate & counsel students with respect to their academic performance
- Participate in staff meetings, workshops & ongoing teacher trainings
- Facilitate parent & staff trainings
EDUCATOR ELEMENTARY
Accomack County Schools
01.2004 - 01.2005
- Prepared materials for lessons, assignments, and assessments, and evaluated, corrected and graded student performance to identify gaps in skills or knowledge and set realistic goals.
- Implemented creative classroom management techniques to maintain an orderly and focused learning environment.
- Promoted a positive classroom environment by establishing clear expectations and fostering strong communication between students, parents, and staff members.
- Scheduled and directed field trips and hands-on activities to foster student learning and creativity.
- Taught core subjects of math, science, technology, and history.
- Created lesson plans to correlate with state curriculum standards and devised educational programs to meet educational objectives.
Education
No Degree - PA Fellowship Program Special Education Leadership
PA Fellowship Program (PATTAN)
Cohort 1401-2024
No Degree - Integrative STEM PK-12 Endorsement
Misericordia University
Dallas, PA01-2023
Multicultural Education-MA Incomplete -
Eastern University
01-2010
MS Ed Educational Administration -
University of Scranton
01-2010
ESL Program Specialist K-12 -
King's College
01-2004
BS Elementary Education -
Misericordia University
01-2003
Skills
- Collaborative teaching and planning
- Transition planning
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Continuous improvement
- Behavior management
- Trauma informed practices
Certification
- Pennsylvania Instructional II Elementary K-6
- ESL Program Specialist
- Special Education N-12
- Integrated STEM PK-12 (pending)
- Pennsylvania Administrative I Principal K-12
Timeline
SPECIAL EDUCATION SUPERVISOR
Vista Autism Services
08.2024 - Current
DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL EDUCATION
Red Lion Area School District
07.2023 - 04.2024
EXCEPTIONAL STUDENT SPECIALIST
School District of Lancaster
03.2020 - 06.2023
EDUCATOR-SPECIAL EDUCATION HIGH SCHOOL
School District of the City of York
12.2017 - 01.2020
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
Wyoming Valley West Middle School
09.2016 - 08.2017
EDUCATOR MIDDLE SCHOOL ESL
Hazleton Area School District
08.2015 - 09.2016
EDUCATOR ESL & SPECIAL EDUCATION
Susquehanna Township School District
01.2013 - 06.2015
SPECIAL EDUCATION COORDINATOR
Lackawanna Trail School District
01.2011 - 01.2012
DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION
New Story Schools
01.2010 - 01.2011
EDUCATOR-BUILDING TEAM LEAD
Harrisburg City Schools
01.2005 - 01.2010
EDUCATOR ELEMENTARY
Accomack County Schools
01.2004 - 01.2005
- Pennsylvania Instructional II Elementary K-6
- ESL Program Specialist
- Special Education N-12
- Integrated STEM PK-12 (pending)
- Pennsylvania Administrative I Principal K-12
No Degree - PA Fellowship Program Special Education Leadership
PA Fellowship Program (PATTAN)
No Degree - Integrative STEM PK-12 Endorsement
Misericordia University
Multicultural Education-MA Incomplete -
Eastern University
MS Ed Educational Administration -
University of Scranton
ESL Program Specialist K-12 -
King's College
BS Elementary Education -
Misericordia University
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