Lisa Wentland
Englewood,FL
Summary
Dedicated special education professional with over twenty years of experience working with learning differences and disabilities. Expertise in coordinating educational plans, support staff, parental education, and community outreach. Proven ability to foster supportive learning environments and develop individualized education plans. Seeking opportunities to continue supporting families and communities through education and advocacy.
Overview
36
36
years of professional experience
Work History
Cross Categorical Special Education Teacher
Cielo Azul Elementary School
08.2017 - 07.2021
- Taught students across multiple classifications and degrees of special needs in kindergarten through fifth grade classroom.
- Designed differentiated instruction techniques that met unique needs of each learner while maintaining high expectations for all students.
- Partnered with general education teachers from across academic departments to coordinate schedules, adapted and modify lessons to provide successful integration into general education classroom.
- Provided emotional support, and connections to community support to families.
- Coordinated regular meetings to share and analyze student performance data and success plans with educational team.
Birth to Three Developmental Specialist
Abrazos Family Support Services
09.2014 - 05.2016
- Conducted comprehensive assessments to identify children''s strengths and needs, then worked with team on creation of targeted intervention plans.
- Conducted regular home visits to support family, demonstrate developmental activities to work on each goal, and identify areas of improvement leading to timely adjustments to intervention strategies.
- Supported families in navigating complex systems of care by offering information on available resources and facilitating connections with appropriate providers.
- Promoted family engagement in early intervention process by providing resources, education, and guidance on supporting their child''s development at home.
- Facilitated smooth transitions for children from early intervention programs into school settings by collaborating closely with educational teams.
Long-Term Family Consumer Science Teacher
Concordia Lutheran High School
08.2012 - 06.2014
- Integrated culturally responsive teaching practices to create inclusive classroom environment for all students.
- Designed and prepared project based learning projects to students on childcare, personal finance, sewing and fashion design, nutrition and food science.
- Enhanced student understanding by incorporating real-world examples and hands-on activities in lesson plans.
High School Teaching Assistant
Vancouver High School
08.2010 - 06.2012
- Managed classroom behavior effectively, creating positive learning atmosphere in small groups and general education classrooms.
- Adapted teaching methods to apply learned skills in transitional work environment, to promote positive and successful experience.
- Facilitated activities in Life Skills Apartment to reinforce independent living concepts taught by class teacher.
Children's Ministry Coordinator/Preschool Teacher
Hope Lutheran Church
07.2007 - 07.2010
- Designed comprehensive curriculum for elementary religious education programs, including Sunday School, Midweek Education Programs, Children's Church and Vacation Bible School.
- Recruited trained, and managed team of volunteers to support various ministry efforts, increasing program efficiency and reach.
- Organized and executed successful fundraising events, resulting in increased financial support for ministry initiatives.
- Identified and recruited potential volunteer workers of all ages.
- Participated on Preschool Development Team, acquiring permits, licenses, insurance, and designing comprehensive preschool curriculum, purchasing furniture and supplies, and hiring staff.
- Taught three year old and pre-K classes. Adapted classroom plans to support needs of children with special learning requirements.
Elementary Special Education Teacher
Wrightstown Elementary
08.2004 - 06.2005
- Attended professional development workshops and continued graduate studies to stay current on best practices in special education teaching methodologies.
- Collaborated with fellow teachers to develop lesson plans that would accommodate diverse learning and behavioral styles, fostering comprehensive learning experience.
- Cultivated connections and strong student rapport to foster classroom engagement, in addition to recording student progress to inform parents and educational team.
High School Special Education Teacher
Menasha High School
08.1995 - 06.2000
- Collaborated with general education colleagues to develop and integrate interdisciplinary lesson plans by team teaching across academic departments.
- Promoted culture of inclusion by adapting lessons for diverse learners, ensuring equal access to educational opportunities for all students.
- Coordinated special education students and teacher assistant schedules with master schedule.
- Delivered effective and differentiated classroom instruction to range of neurodiverse students.
Elementary Special Education Teacher
Rhodes School
08.1989 - 06.1995
- Taught multiple subjects to students with diverse learning, physical, behavioral and emotional abilities.
- Assessed student performance regularly using various evaluation tools, adjusting instructional strategies as needed.
- Provided one-on-one and small group support for students struggling in specific areas, resulting in marked improvement in their understanding of the subject matter.
- Enhanced parent-teacher communication by conducting regular meetings, providing frequent progress updates and coordinating parent support group quarterly meetings.
- Provided In-Service Training Programs within the building and throughout the Cooperative Districts.
High School Special Education Teacher
Stephen Decatur High School
08.1987 - 06.1989
- Supported social-emotional growth by incorporating SEL activities into daily routines, and developed social opportunities for students of all abilities to interact.
- Improved student comprehension by implementing differentiated instruction strategies tailored to individual learning needs within general education and small group environments.
- Collaborated with educational team to develop and integrate accommodations and adaptations to lesson plans and environment throughout the school.
Residential Special Education Teacher K-12
Lincoln Developmental Center
08.1985 - 06.1987
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop and document Individual Educational Plans (IEPs).
- Managed schedules for educational assistants, general education teachers, and professional therapists.
- Initiated and coordinated a parent support group, connecting families with community resources and organizing educational events.
- Taught students with severe physical and intellectual learning differences.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Special Education
Illinois State University
Normal, ILGraduate Studies - Learning Disabilities
Illinois State University
Normal, ILGraduate Studies - Emotional/Behavioral & Cognitive Development
University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh
Oshkosh, WISkills
- Collaborative Teamwork skills
- Data-driven decision-making
- Multitasking Abilities
- Adaptability and Flexibility
- Team building skills
- Multicultural Sensitivity
- Awareness of Intellectual, Behavioral, Emotional, and Neurological Learning differences
- Functional Life Skills and Food Handling Training
- Community-Based Instruction
- Behavior Intervention and Conflict resolution Plans
Timeline
Cross Categorical Special Education Teacher
Cielo Azul Elementary School
08.2017 - 07.2021
Birth to Three Developmental Specialist
Abrazos Family Support Services
09.2014 - 05.2016
Long-Term Family Consumer Science Teacher
Concordia Lutheran High School
08.2012 - 06.2014
High School Teaching Assistant
Vancouver High School
08.2010 - 06.2012
Children's Ministry Coordinator/Preschool Teacher
Hope Lutheran Church
07.2007 - 07.2010
Elementary Special Education Teacher
Wrightstown Elementary
08.2004 - 06.2005
High School Special Education Teacher
Menasha High School
08.1995 - 06.2000
Elementary Special Education Teacher
Rhodes School
08.1989 - 06.1995
High School Special Education Teacher
Stephen Decatur High School
08.1987 - 06.1989
Residential Special Education Teacher K-12
Lincoln Developmental Center
08.1985 - 06.1987
Bachelor of Science - Special Education
Illinois State University
Graduate Studies - Learning Disabilities
Illinois State University
Graduate Studies - Emotional/Behavioral & Cognitive Development
University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh
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