MANDY KULPIK

Dynamic educator with a proven track record at a broad range of grade levels, specializing in reading literacy, and behavior management. Expert in curriculum development and creative lesson planning, fostering inclusive environments that promote student engagement. Committed to community outreach and empowering diverse learners through tailored strategies and a growth mindset. Compassionate educator with strong communication skills and a deep understanding of student needs. Experienced in behavior management and building supportive classroom communities, ready to contribute to meaningful educational outcomes.

• Comprehensive Special Education K-12 and Elementary Education K-6, CT, 005, 065
• Wilson Reading System
• Just Words Reading Program
• Orton-Gillingham Reading Method
• Rewards Reading Intervention Program
• Ayurveda Counselor Health Teaching Certificate, Chopra Center

• Owen Vail Scholarship Award, Received the inaugural award from a fund established by a former student's family, in recognition of impactful teaching and dedication to special needs education.
• We are Stonington Public Schools Award, Received for dedication to volunteering and creating an after school healthy cooking club.
• Connecticut State Middle School of the Year, Teacher within school.
• Grants for Classroom Learning, Awarded grants to enhance classroom learning, including funding for Kindles to support reading, Orton-Gillingham Training for multisensory reading instruction, and the 'Picture This' program, integrating photography and writing for special needs students.

• Enhanced student engagement and learning by integrating technology and diverse learning platforms, offering student choice in literature and tasks, and utilizing varied response styles (e.g., thumbs up/down, fist to five). Incorporated brain breaks, culturally diverse materials, think time, and students' interests into interdisciplinary units.
• Played a pivotal role in the RTI process at both elementary and middle school levels, assisting in triaging students for targeted instruction, scaffolding lessons, and progress monitoring. Additionally, served as a Language Arts Teacher Leader, guiding curriculum implementation, supporting unit planning, and aiding in grant writing efforts.
• Successfully led the implementation of new RTI forms by breaking down the project into manageable steps, training and supporting teachers throughout the process, and providing reflective feedback to improve outcomes.
• Advocated for and successfully implemented changes to the district's approved reading list, ensuring that texts are sensitive to students' diverse backgrounds, emotional needs, and individual circumstances. This initiative now allows students to choose from a variety of books that better align with their interests, reading levels, and emotional well-being.

• Community Foundation of Middlesex County, Developed and managed a fund for nonprofit distribution in Middlesex County, working closely with CFMC leadership and nonprofit leaders to identify areas of need. Actively participated in foundation events to raise funds and expand donor awareness.
• Caring Hearts, Volunteer offering support, community resources, and empathy to those experiencing loss.
• Forgotten Felines, Volunteer.
• Multicultural Club Leader, After school club for kids fostering respect and appreciation for all cultures.
• Delta Epsilon Sigma Honor Society, Member, Mentor, Teacher.

• Diagnosed and addressed reading challenges by prescribing tailored strategies that consider not only the student’s aptitude but also their ethnicity, family background, interests, and temperament, ensuring a holistic and personalized approach to literacy development.
• Fostered a nurturing classroom community by tailoring instruction to individual learning styles, making content relevant, and incorporating hands-on learning, cooperative activities, and projects to engage and activate student learning.
• Maintained a respectful and inclusive classroom environment where every student felt safe and valued clearly communicating expectations, rules and boundaries while promoting a growth mindset and leading by example.
• Administered a range of standardized assessments, including Renaissance STAR Reading, GORT, FAR, WIST, DIBELS, Acadiance, and KTEA, to evaluate and support student literacy development.
• Actively participated in and led various after-school programs, including Homework Club, Craft Club, Multicultural Club, and Healthy Cooking Club. Served as ELA Curriculum Team Leader for the middle school and engaged with the Community Foundation of Middlesex County.
• Developed IEP goals and objectives, ensuring thorough and accurate documentation, and co-created and implemented individualized Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs) tailored to student needs.
• Implemented current with new teaching methods and educational trends by regularly engaging with resources such as NEA Magazine, Teach Junkie Blog, TeachThought Blog, and attending the International Reading Association Conference.
• Regularly communicated students’ progress to teachers and shared positive feedback and recommendations to be passed along to parents, ensuring parents are informed of their child’s achievements, areas of improvement, and development.
• Leveraged Ayurvedic counseling to support students with neurological disabilities through yoga, breathing exercises, and nutritional education, while also providing stress-relief techniques such as meditation and aromatherapy to colleagues.

• Kindergarten Paraprofessional, Deans Mill School, Stonington, CT, 11/01/24, 01/01/26
• Special Education/Language Arts/Reading Teacher, Mystic Middle School, Mystic, CT, 09/01/96, Retirement 2024
• Special Education Teacher, West Broad Street Elementary School, Stonington, CT, 09/01/94, 08/01/96
• Preschool Special Needs Teacher, Child and Family Agency of Southeastern CT, Stonington, CT, 10/01/93, 08/01/94