Open To Work
Lori Cooley
CORPUS CHRISTI,Texas
Work Preference
Summary
Versatile educator and program administrator with a strong background in adult transition programming and specialized instruction for diverse learners. Expertise in developing customized educational pathways and managing high-stakes compliance ensures students achieve independence and readiness for adult life.
Overview
1
1
Certification
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Adapted Education Teacher (Severe/Profound & High School–22 Transition)
Calallen High School
01.2022 - Current
- Adult Transition Programming: Designed and executed functional academic, vocational, and independent living curricula for students up to age 22, enhancing real-world independence based on individual educational plans.
- Specialized Instruction: Direct life-skills development, community-based instruction, and physical therapy accommodations for high school students with severe/profound cognitive and physical disabilities.
- Case Management & Advocacy: Led multidisciplinary teams to develop customized educational pathways and vocational placements, facilitating successful transition goals for adult life.
- Operational Leadership: Managed team of paraprofessionals, streamlining daily schedules, community transit logistics, and classroom safety protocols to enhance student support.
High School Dance Team Assistant Director
Calallen High School
01.2020 - Current
- Performance & Choreography: Assisted with Choreographed award-winning routines for national competitions, pep rallies, and varsity football halftime shows.
- Prepared 20+ dancers for high-stakes performances through rigorous, technique-focused daily rehearsals.
- Maintained visual synchronization and performance quality across diverse venues, from field formations to stage setups.
- Leadership & Team Management: Led daily technical training in pom, lyrical, contemporary, jazz, and hip-hop to elevate overall team execution.
- Co-managed team logistics, overseeing uniform inventory, event scheduling, and budget allocations for 4 major annual events to ensure smooth operations.
- Mentored student officers, enhancing peer leadership skills and choreographic talents while fostering team unity.
- Competitive Success & Operations: Secured a National Championship title by designing strategic training schedules and executing detailed scoresheet adjustments.
- Coordinated community outreach performances, increasing local program visibility and fostering school pride.
- Collaborated with stakeholders, including parents, school administration, and athletic directors, to streamline communication and support program effectiveness.
Special Education Co-Teacher
Calallen High School
01.2019 - 01.2022
- IEP Management: Authored, monitored, and defended individualized education programs (IEPs), ensuring strict adherence to state and federal legal guidelines.
- Collaborated with general education teachers to co-deliver differentiated instruction in inclusive classrooms, enhancing student engagement and learning outcomes.
- Mediated student behavior challenges, fostering communication and solutions among parents, faculty, and administrative leadership to promote a positive learning environment.
AVID Instructor & Dual Credit Facilitator
Calallen High School
01.2016 - 01.2019
- Program Administration: Executed the AVID system to close the achievement gap and prepare underrepresented students for college eligibility.
- Data Administration: Oversaw academic compliance and registration data tracking for dual credit students, facilitating seamless transfer of higher education credits.
- Strategic Partnerships: Coordinated with university recruiters, community leaders, and corporate guest speakers to organize impactful career workshops and site visits.
- Acted as business liaison between high school administration and university partners, streamlining enrollment processes and upholding college accreditation standards.
Assistant to District Librarian
Calallen Middle School
01.2010 - 01.2016
- Managed procurement, cataloging, and distribution of print, digital, and media assets across campus libraries to ensure resource availability and accessibility.
- Database Administration: Overhauled and maintained the integrated library system (ILS) database, ensuring accurate asset tracking and inventory auditing.
- Liaised with external publishing and software vendors to evaluate contracts, resulting in technology licensing agreements that met budgetary needs.
- Developed and delivered training sessions for campus staff on new media technologies and research databases, enhancing staff proficiency and user support.
Education
Bachelor’s Degree – BA - Psychology
Texas A&M Corpus Christi
Corpus Christi, TX08-1997
Paramedic Certification -
Texas Tech University
Lubbock, TX05-1991
Skills
- Adult transition programming
- Instructional design expertise
- Behavioral intervention strategies
- Student assessment analysis
- College readiness frameworks
- Inclusive pedagogy
- Data-driven interventions
- Program management
- Team leadership and training
- Stakeholder relations
- Community resource collaboration
- Media literacy and research methods
Certification
- State Teaching Certification: Special Education, Health
- TEA ARD Committee Manager
- AVID District/School Trained Educator
- Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) Certified
- CPR and First Aid
Core Competencies
Severe/Profound Instructional Design, 18–22 Adult Transition Programming, AVID College Readiness Frameworks, Co-Teaching & Inclusive Pedagogy, Media Literacy & Research Methods, Data-Driven Behavioral Interventions, District-Wide Inventory & Logistics, Database Management & Auditing, Higher Ed Stakeholder Relations, Cross-Functional Program Management, Team Leadership & Training, Vendor & Contract Negotiation
Timeline
Adapted Education Teacher (Severe/Profound & High School–22 Transition)
Calallen High School
01.2022 - Current
High School Dance Team Assistant Director
Calallen High School
01.2020 - Current
Special Education Co-Teacher
Calallen High School
01.2019 - 01.2022
AVID Instructor & Dual Credit Facilitator
Calallen High School
01.2016 - 01.2019
Assistant to District Librarian
Calallen Middle School
01.2010 - 01.2016
Bachelor’s Degree – BA - Psychology
Texas A&M Corpus Christi
Paramedic Certification -
Texas Tech University