Lisa Kowalski
Biloxi,MS
Summary
Resilient Special Education Teacher familiar with challenges associated with teaching special needs children. Remains positive under times of stress or conflict.
Enthusiastic SCD Teacher Support bringing 23 years of experience in education. Passionate about helping students achieve full potential. Hardworking, decisive and analytical with motivational and encouraging approach.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
SCD Teacher Support/Behavior Interventionist
Harrison County School District
08.2016 - Current
- Maintained records of ongoing assessments and documentation of updates.
- Provided crisis intervention services when necessary, ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all individuals involved.
- Promoted positive behavior change through consistent reinforcement and appropriate consequences.
- Improved student behavior by developing and implementing tailored intervention plans.
- Educated staff members on various behavioral disorders and their impact on academic performance, promoting empathy and understanding within the school community.
- Developed and implemented behavior management plans to improve student behavior.
- Helped students with special needs integrate into general classroom environments by advocating for individual requirements and helping teachers solve problems.
- Planned daily activities to keep students engaged and on track with learning goals.
- Collaborated with other educators to develop instructional strategies.
- Implemented behavior modification techniques to improve student social and academic performance.
- Developed Individual Education Plans for students with special needs.
- Provide support to teachers that work with students with Significant Cognitive Disabilities that includes curriculum, behavior support, classroom management, strategies, and classroom set up.
Special Education Teacher
Biloxi Public Schools
08.2007 - 05.2016
- Developed IEPs tailored to individual student needs, ensuring their academic success and personal growth.
- Created and managed IEPs to define student learning objectives and educational strategies, in addition to applying instructional knowledge and methods to support goals.
- Promoted a positive learning environment through the use of differentiated instruction and individualized support for diverse learners.
- Modified general education curriculum for special-needs students using various instructional techniques and technologies.
- Collaborated with teachers and therapists to develop individualized educational plans for each student, ensuring optimal progress.
- Fostered strong relationships with parents and guardians, maintaining open lines of communication to ensure student progress.
- Taught students across multiple classifications and degrees of special needs.
- Implemented behavior modification strategies, resulting in improved self-regulation and classroom participation among students.
- Instructed students with physical and cognitive disabilities.
- Assisted in creating a safe and nurturing classroom environment that promoted emotional well-being and academic growth for all students.
- Delivered effective and differentiated classroom instruction to range of neurodiverse students.
- Cultivated connections and strong student rapport to foster classroom engagement, in addition to recording student progress to inform parents and school administration.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to provide comprehensive support for students with special needs.
- Provided one-on-one support for students with learning disabilities, enabling them to excel in their coursework.
- Implemented behavior modification strategies, resulting in improved self-regulation and classroom participation among students.
- Provided targeted instructional support to struggling learners, identifying specific areas for improvement and designing effective intervention plans.
- Coordinated special education students and teacher assistant schedules with master schedule.
Special Education Teacher
Harrison County Schools
08.2001 - 05.2007
- Developed IEPs tailored to individual student needs, ensuring their academic success and personal growth.
- Created and managed IEPs to define student learning objectives and educational strategies, in addition to applying instructional knowledge and methods to support goals.
- Promoted a positive learning environment through the use of differentiated instruction and individualized support for diverse learners.
- Collaborated with teachers and therapists to develop individualized educational plans for each student, ensuring optimal progress.
- Fostered strong relationships with parents and guardians, maintaining open lines of communication to ensure student progress.
- Improved student behavior management by implementing consistent routines, clear expectations, and positive reinforcement strategies.
- Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities focused on evidence-based practices in special education teaching methodologies.
- Evaluated student progress regularly using various assessment methods, ensuring accurate measurement of skill development and areas requiring additional support.
- Provided targeted instructional support to struggling learners, identifying specific areas for improvement and designing effective intervention plans.
- Implemented behavior modification strategies, resulting in improved self-regulation and classroom participation among students.
- Taught students across multiple classifications and degrees of special needs.
- Provided one-on-one support for students with learning disabilities, enabling them to excel in their coursework.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to provide comprehensive support for students with special needs.
- Delivered effective and differentiated classroom instruction to range of neurodiverse students.
- Cultivated connections and strong student rapport to foster classroom engagement, in addition to recording student progress to inform parents and school administration.
- Assisted in creating a safe and nurturing classroom environment that promoted emotional well-being and academic growth for all students.
- Taught multiple subjects to students with intellectual or emotional disabilities.
- Coordinated special education students and teacher assistant schedules with master schedule.
- Instructed students with physical and cognitive disabilities.
- Led activities that developed students' physical, emotional, and social growth.
- Redirected students using Positive Behavior Support (PBS).
- Assisted struggling students to maintain progress levels by designing individualized lesson plans focused on areas for improvement.
- Supported students in developing social skills through structured activities and positive reinforcement techniques.
- Provided life skills programming for students with moderate to severe autism.
- Enhanced students'' communication skills by implementing group activities and collaborative projects.
Education
Special Education
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College
Gulfport, MSMaster of Arts - Elementary Education
William Carey University
Hattiesburg, MS05.2016
Bachelor of Arts - Special Education
University of Southern Mississippi
Long Beach, MS06.2001
Skills
- Problem-solving skills
- Applied Behavior Analysis
- Crisis intervention strategies
- Documentation
- Intervention Planning
- Team Collaboration
- Social Skills Development
- Behavioral Health Interventions
- Conflict Resolution Strategies
- Behavior Modification Techniques
- Collaborative Teamwork
- Functional Behavior Assessments
- Progress Tracking
- Autism Spectrum Disorder Knowledge
- Technology proficiency
- Teacher Support
- Positive Reinforcement Methods
- Program Management
- Individualized Education Plans
- IEP development
- Adaptive Skills Training
- Classroom Management
- Learning Style Assessment
Additional Information
National Board Certified Exceptional Needs Specialist Birth -21.
Crisis Prevention Institute Certified Instructor
Timeline
SCD Teacher Support/Behavior Interventionist
Harrison County School District
08.2016 - Current
Special Education Teacher
Biloxi Public Schools
08.2007 - 05.2016
Special Education Teacher
Harrison County Schools
08.2001 - 05.2007
Special Education
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College
Master of Arts - Elementary Education
William Carey University
Bachelor of Arts - Special Education
University of Southern Mississippi
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