Lia Mason
Richmond,Virginia
Summary
Experienced energetic professional educator committed to the advancement of student learning and growth.
Twenty-six years of administrative and teaching experience. Experienced with supporting students, teachers, parents, and community members from diverse socio-economic and cultural backgrounds. Creative and intuitive problem solver-positively, overcoming complex educational issues and providing best practices to support students, teachers, parents, and school staff. Deeply committed to high quality education and training for all individuals. Student-focused Assessment Coordinator versed in collaborating with both staff and students to promote assessment success. Excellent at data entry and analysis with commitment to streamlining assessment procedures.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
Work History
Alternate Assessment Specialist
Division of Student Assessment and School Improvement- Virginia Department of Education
01.2007 - Current
- Assist in new test item development and review of test forms developed for the Virginia Alternate Assessment Program
- Review and provide feedback on contractor documentation related to VAAP test administration activities, contractor’s customer support center, and contractor’s web-based test administration system (e.g., Customer Requirement Allocation Documents, Customer Requirement Questionnaires, System Enhancement Documents, Student Registration Import File Requirements and Templates)
- Write, review, and revise communications and documents (e.g., emails, guidelines, presentations) to inform school divisions of assessment policy and procedures
- Assist local school division staff in resolving issues related to the implementation of alternate assessments
- Address and resolve test irregularities with consistency and accuracy; assign and review corrective action plans assigned to schools/school divisions because of test irregularities; and provide guidance to school division staff responsible for conducting and documenting investigations of alleged testing violations; and Participate in weekly team meetings with assessment staff and contractor staff related to the Virginia Alternate Assessment Program
- Assist with testing and reviewing proper functionality of contractor systems
- Collaborate with other Student Assessment staff to ensure accuracy and consistency of technical assistance provided to school divisions
- Coordinate and support the Special Forms Review Committee (Braille, Large Print, Audio versions)
- Coordinate the internal review of special forms and submission of materials to the assessment contractor
- Assist in the review and identification of appropriate testing accommodations
- Provide prompt and accurate technical assistance to school division staff regarding Virginia Assessment Program test administration policies and procedures via telephone, email, and web conferencing; identify areas where additional support and clarification are needed, recommend training options, and develop training and presentation materials
- Write, review, and revise communications and documents (e.g., emails, guidelines, presentations) to inform school divisions of assessment policy and procedures
- Collaborate with Special Education Staff and others within and external to VDOE to ensure that programs meet federal and state policies and guidelines
- Work with contractors to ensure that program activities are planned and executed in a timely manner and are of high quality.
Special Education Assessment Specialist
Division of Student Assessment and School Improvement- Virginia Department of Education
05.2006 - 01.2007
- Assisted in managing state assessment programs for students with disabilities and English Learners
- Provide technical assistance to local education agencies with implementation and administration of Virginia’s alternative and alternate assessments
- (VGLA/VSEP and VAAP)
- Provide data interpretation and statistical information to local education agencies for the alternative and alternate assessments
- Manage multiple tasks of assessment projects through spreadsheets, presentations, and statistical software.
Special Education Teacher (Grade 8)
Stonewall Jackson Middle School - Hanover County Public Schools
08.2002 - 01.2006
- 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.
- Provided targeted instructional support to struggling learners, identifying specific areas for improvement and designing effective intervention plans.
- Improved student behavior management by implementing consistent routines, clear expectations, and positive reinforcement strategies.
- Assessed students with disabilities in the Standards of Learning (SOL) tests and the Virginia Alternate Assessment Program (VAAP)
- Evaluated students' educational capability through Woodcock-Johnson Test of Achievement and the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC III) for eligibility under IDEA.
- Work collaboratively with regular education teacher to ensure proper accommodations were met according to the student IEP plan
- Served on the School Improvement Team
- Plan and implemented professional development activities for staff involving instructional strategies and practices, differentiated instruction, and classroom and behavioral management.
Department Chair of Exceptional Education
Richmond City Public Schools
01.1996 - 01.2002
- Chaired and attended IEP meetings, Child Study meetings, Manifestation Hearings, Eligibility, Triennial, Functional Behavior Analysis
- Ensure Federal and State policies and procedures are followed in the school building and classroom
- Maintain individual and collective special education records and files necessary to comply with IDEA requirements and guidelines
- Work cooperatively with Instructional Specialist for Central Administration
- Plan and implemented professional development activities for staff involving instructional strategies and practices, differentiated instruction, and classroom and behavioral management.
- Strengthened team cohesion among special education teachers, fostering a collaborative work environment.
- Streamlined processes for IEP development, ensuring timely completion and compliance with state regulations.
- Promoted inclusion by collaborating with general education teachers to adapt lesson plans for students with disabilities.
- Allocated resources effectively, prioritizing specialized materials and tools for students'' unique needs.
- Drove professional development within the department by organizing workshops, trainings, and conferences for staff members.
- Optimized data collection methods to track student progress more accurately and inform instructional decisions.
- Collaborated closely with other department chairs to establish interdisciplinary connections in curriculum planning.
Education
Master of Science - Special Education
Virginia State University
Petersburg, VA12.2002
Bachelor of Arts - English Education
St. Paul’s College
Lawrenceville, Virginia05.1996
Skills
- Stakeholder communication
- Item writing
- Team collaboration
- Test administration and Test Security
- Standard setting
- Assessment design
- Test development
- Multicultural sensitivity
- Teacher Training
- Individualized Education Programs
- IEP Compliance
- Cultural Competency
- Evidence-Based Practices
- Assessment Administration
Professional Highlights
- Knowledgeable of diverse student populations (students with disabilities, English Learners, Title I and III programs) and the unique demands required on state assessment programs.
- Knowledge of special education laws and insight on students with disabilities as mandated by federal and state legislation.
- Knowledge of assessment practices, including item and form development, test security procedures for online and paper/pencil delivery methods.
- Developed curriculum and materials for training school staff and local education agencies on best practices in assessments as it relates to students’ achievement for disabled and non-disabled student.
- Planned and conducted professional developments for school divisions to provide insight on the learning styles of individual students and assessment practices and procedures.
- Collaborated with school personnel on planning and implementing instruction best suited for students of diverse backgrounds.
- Worked and developed business partnerships with area business to form a working relationship between school and work.
- Capable of managing multiple assignments and collaborating with colleagues.
- Knowledgeable of Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Access, Publisher, and Outlook)
References
Available Upon Request
Timeline
Alternate Assessment Specialist
Division of Student Assessment and School Improvement- Virginia Department of Education
01.2007 - Current
Special Education Assessment Specialist
Division of Student Assessment and School Improvement- Virginia Department of Education
05.2006 - 01.2007
Special Education Teacher (Grade 8)
Stonewall Jackson Middle School - Hanover County Public Schools
08.2002 - 01.2006
Department Chair of Exceptional Education
Richmond City Public Schools
01.1996 - 01.2002
Master of Science - Special Education
Virginia State University
Bachelor of Arts - English Education
St. Paul’s College
Similar Profiles
Roberta TattiRoberta Tatti
Environmental Consultant at Florida Department of Environmental Protection- Division of Environmental Assessment and Restoration, Biology Program, Molecular biology labEnvironmental Consultant at Florida Department of Environmental Protection- Division of Environmental Assessment and Restoration, Biology Program, Molecular biology lab
JESSA ANAS LOGANJESSA ANAS LOGAN
English Teacher at DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION- VIRGINIA RAMIREZ-CRUZ NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOLEnglish Teacher at DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION- VIRGINIA RAMIREZ-CRUZ NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
BRITTANY MILLSBRITTANY MILLS
Human Resource Associate at West Virginia Department of Transportation Division of Highways - Human Resources DivisionHuman Resource Associate at West Virginia Department of Transportation Division of Highways - Human Resources Division