Lisa Smith
Special Education Teacher
Austin,TX
Summary
Professional special educator with 24 years of successful experience. Highly skilled in creating dynamic, inclusive classroom experiences that drive student success. I am adept at leveraging diverse instructional and behavioral strategies to meet varied student needs. I ensure each student receives comprehensive specialized instruction to ensure success for all. I am known for a collaborative approach and adaptability in ever changing settings.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
2
2
Certification
Work History
Lifeskills Special Education Teacher
Eanes ISD - Forest Trail Elementary School
08.2023 - Current
- Provide direct instruction in academic, social, and life skills areas, using differentiated teaching strategies and specialized instruction.
•Implement behavior management plans to support students in their social, emotional, and academic development.
•Use positive reinforcement strategies to encourage appropriate behavior and minimize disruptive actions.
•Assess students' abilities and needs through formal and informal assessments while regularly report on student progress to parents, school administrators, and other team members.
•Work collaboratively with special education staff, general education teachers, and support staff to ensure a cohesive educational experience.
Special Education - Total Communication Teacher
Dallas Independent School District, DISD
Dallas, Texas
2022 - 2023
- Coordinated and ran all student ARD meetings for students in Unit and Inclusion classes.
- Learned and adapted quickly to new technology and software applications TEACHTOWN and EASY IEP
- Cultivated connections and strong student rapport to foster positive and instructive classroom engagement, in addition to recording student progress to inform parents and school administration.
- Created, managed, and implemented IEPs to define student learning objectives and educational strategies, in addition to applying instructional knowledge and methods to support goals.
Exceptional Education UNIT Teacher
Martin County School District Stuart Middle School
Stuart, Florida
7.2021 - 05.2022
- Prepared lesson plans and executed differentiated lessons to accelerate individual success.
- Balanced individual and group instruction to accommodate different academic levels and learning styles.
- Administered and graded tests, homework and assignments to evaluate students' progress.
Behavior Support Special Education Teacher
Eanes ISD - Bridge Point Elementary School
Austin, Texas
08.2020 - 06.2021
- Developed and implemented positive behavior interventions to ensure student success
- Cultivated positive connections and strong student rapport to foster classroom engagement
- Collected meaningful ABC data to monitor progress on behavioral strategies and intervention plans
- Taught social skills groups to foster SEL and executive functioning skills
Lifeskills Special Education Teacher
Eanes ISD - Hill Country Middle School
Austin, Texas
08.2019 - 05.2020
- Delivered effective and differentiated classroom instruction to range of neurodiverse students.
- Communicated nonverbally with children to provide academic support, directions, encouragement, and positive reinforcement
- Coordinated special education students with moderate to severe disabilities, 20 peer partners, and teacher assistant schedules with a master schedule
Lifeskills Special Education Teacher
Eanes ISD - Cedar Creek Elementary School
Austin, Texas
08.2017 - 05.2019
- Taught multiple subjects to students with intellectual, behavioral, and emotional disabilities
- Designed and implemented behavioral systems to encourage positive behavior
- Worked with students to increase successful time in the general education setting
Lifeskills Special Education Teacher
Eanes ISD - Bridgepoint Elementary School
Austin, Texas
10.2011 - 05.2017
- Modified general education curriculum for special-needs students using various instructional techniques and technologies including but not limited to - Wilson Tier 2 Fundations, Equals Math, Read Naturally, Hand Writing Without Tears, Visualizing and Verbalizing
- Recorded student progress to inform parents and school administration of success and needs
- Worked with students on individualized areas of independence
Middle School Health Education Teacher
Niagara Falls City School District
Niagara Falls, NY
08.2001 - 05.2010
- Taught Middle School health education to students in 6-th grades
- Acted as a team leader in group projects, delegating tasks and providing feedback.
- Developed programs, materials, and events to teach students about health topics, such as managing existing conditions, drug and alcohol abuse, social emotional learning .
Education
Master of Science - Special Education
Buffalo State College
Buffalo, New York05.2001
Bachelor of Science - Health Science Education
SUNY Brockport
Brockport, New York05.1998
No Degree - School Counseling
Canisius College
Buffalo, New YorkSkills
- Solid case management skills
- Wrote strong standards based IEP and ARD paperwork
- Implemented Emergent Tree / Solid Roots Behavior Intervention program to meet the needs of Tier 2 and Tier 3 students
- Enjoy collaborating with a team of educators and parents
- Organized, calm, and self directed
Accomplishments
- 2017Eanes ISD Educational Impact Award 2014, 2017, 2019
- Dallas Independent School District School Wide ARD Facilitator 2022-23
- Niagara Falls City Schools Positive Behavior Impact Teacher Award 2009
Certification
- EC-12 Texas - Special Education
- EC-12 New York - Special Education
- EC-12 New York - Health Education
Professional Organizations / Training
- Frontline Success Ed Training /Plan Management - IEP / Progress Report Software
- Emergent Tree / Solid Roots Program
- Positive Behavior Support Specialist
- SAMA I & II Certification / Crisis Prevention Intervention
- Second Step Violence Prevention
- Wilson Fundations Language Training
- Lindamood Bell Visualizing and Verbalizing
- Lindamood Bell On Cloud Nine, Seeing Stars
- Equals Math
- Teachtown Curriculum
- Reading By Design
- Texas Reading Academy
- Vizzle
- Learning A-Z
- Unique Learning Systems
- Read Live
- News To You
- Fountas and Pinnell
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
swipe to browse
Quote
Every child deserves a champion - an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection, and insists they become the best they can possibly be.
- Rita Pierson, Teacher
Timeline
Lifeskills Special Education Teacher
Eanes ISD - Forest Trail Elementary School
08.2023 - Current
Special Education - Total Communication Teacher
Dallas Independent School District, DISD
2022 - 2023
Behavior Support Special Education Teacher
Eanes ISD - Bridge Point Elementary School
08.2020 - 06.2021
Lifeskills Special Education Teacher
Eanes ISD - Hill Country Middle School
08.2019 - 05.2020
Lifeskills Special Education Teacher
Eanes ISD - Cedar Creek Elementary School
08.2017 - 05.2019
Lifeskills Special Education Teacher
Eanes ISD - Bridgepoint Elementary School
10.2011 - 05.2017
Middle School Health Education Teacher
Niagara Falls City School District
08.2001 - 05.2010
Master of Science - Special Education
Buffalo State College
Bachelor of Science - Health Science Education
SUNY Brockport
No Degree - School Counseling
Canisius College
Exceptional Education UNIT Teacher
Martin County School District Stuart Middle School
7.2021 - 05.2022
Similar Profiles
Benjamin ChiovaroBenjamin Chiovaro
5th Grade Teacher at Forest Trail Elementary, Eanes ISD5th Grade Teacher at Forest Trail Elementary, Eanes ISD
Nikki SchiffNikki Schiff
5th Grade Teacher at Forest Trail Elementary5th Grade Teacher at Forest Trail Elementary
Rebecca BryanRebecca Bryan
Second Grade Teacher at Shawnee Trail Elementary, Frisco ISDSecond Grade Teacher at Shawnee Trail Elementary, Frisco ISD
Allison BowditchAllison Bowditch
Patient Advocate at Martin BionicsPatient Advocate at Martin Bionics
Paul BrownPaul Brown
Asset Protection Detective at Macy'sAsset Protection Detective at Macy's