L. Michelle Benefield
Special Education Teacher
Cleveland,TN
Summary
Versatile and dedicated Special Education Teacher with focus on individual student needs across academia and emotional development. Empathetic and accommodating in design and implementation of hands-on lessons, catering to diverse learning abilities. Proficient in employing constant communication, patience and positive reinforcement in team efforts to deliver exceptional educational tools, fostering academic achievement.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Special Education Teacher
Mason Elementary School
Duluth, GA
07.2014 - Current
- Cultivated connections and strong student rapport to foster classroom engagement, in addition to recording student progress to inform parents and school administration
- Communicated nonverbally with children to provide comfort, encouragement and positive reinforcement
- Created learning and content strategies to meet needs of students with disabiliites
- Created and managed IEPs to define student learning objectives and educational strategies, in addition to applying instructional knowledge and methods to support goals
- Redirected students using Positive Behavior Support (PBS)
- Coordinated special education students and teacher assistant schedules with master schedule
- Modified general education curriculum for special-needs students using various instructional techniques and technologies
- Gave one-on-one attention to students, while maintaining overall focus on entire group
Special Needs Paraprofessional
Gwinnett County School System
Suwanee, GA
10.2010 - 12.2013
- Assisted classroom teachers with daily record keeping and clerical tasks, developed small group lesson plans, instructed students in both small and large groups, encouraged student participation, adapted materials as needed, graded papers, and evaluated student performance
- Kept classrooms clean, neat and properly sanitized for student health and classroom efficiency
- Oversaw students in classroom and common areas to monitor, enforce rules and support lead teacher
- Tutored struggling students individually and in small groups to reinforce learning concepts
Substitute Teacher
Gwinnett County School System
Suwannee, GA
01.2008 - 10.2010
- Substitute teacher for elementary and middle schools
- Followed classroom plans left by class teacher to continue student education and reinforce core concepts
- Upheld classroom routines to support student environments and maintain consistent schedules
- Kept accurate and current attendance records and assignment sheets to maintain file compliance
Education
Master's - Special Education
Columbus State University
Columbus, GA12.2017
Bachelor of Arts For Teaching - Childhood Education
University of North Georgia
Dahlonega, GA05.2014
Skills
- Group and individual instruction
- Child development
- Differentiated instruction
- Student records management
- Conflict resolution techniques
- Classroom Management
- Lesson Planning
Additional Information
* Runner-up for Teacher of the Year (2018)
* Gwinnett County Public Schools teacher mentor (2016 to present)
* Local school GAA contact (2016 to present)
* Local school AAC trainer (2017 to present)
* Local school Lead MOID teacher (2019 to present)
* Chairperson for Exceptional Children's Week committee (2015 to present)
* Co-chair Sunshine Committee (2018 to present)
* Box-Tops Coordinator (2016 to present)
* Co-sponsor Readers Rally (2018 to present)
* Co-founder Coffee Cart Team (2019 to present)
* Co-founder Mason Ringers (bell choir) (2019 to present)
* Co-sponsor Recycle Team (2017 to present)
Timeline
Special Education Teacher
Mason Elementary School
07.2014 - Current
Special Needs Paraprofessional
Gwinnett County School System
10.2010 - 12.2013
Substitute Teacher
Gwinnett County School System
01.2008 - 10.2010
Master's - Special Education
Columbus State University
Bachelor of Arts For Teaching - Childhood Education
University of North Georgia
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