Maria Paris
Casper
Summary
Professional educator with strong expertise in developing and implementing effective instructional strategies, and fostering collaboration. Skilled in curriculum design, classroom management, and data-driven decision-making. Known for flexibility and dependability in dynamic educational environments.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Work Study Facilitator, Secondary Instructional Strategist, Secondary Special Education Teacher, ASL TEACHER
Natrona County School District #1
Casper, WY
01.2006 - Current
- 2006-2007 Work Study Facilitator (Kelly Walsh HS) supported students in special education at the high school level to obtain entry level job skills through work exploration, work experience, and use of job coaches that lead to employment.
- 2007-2010 Secondary Instructional Strategist (District) supported teachers with students identified as at risk or special education through professional developments that enhanced inclusion, prevention, intervention and strategy based practices for the purpose of improving student achievement. Primary responsibilities were assessment, research, instructional strategies and collaboration.
- 2010-2012 Secondary Special Education Teacher (Kelly Walsh HS)
- 2010-present World Language Teacher (American Sign Language-Kelly Walsh HS)
- Enhanced program effectiveness by collaborating with colleagues to review and revise curriculum content regularly.
- Strengthened community relations by organizing events that brought together diverse groups for dialogue and learning.
- Supervised extracurricular activities such as clubs or tutoring programs, further enriching students'' educational experiences outside of the classroom setting.
ASL Instructor (Adjunct)
Casper College
Casper, WY
01.2009 - 2024
- (2009-2012) -Taught evening courses in American Sign Language 1 and 2 (One class per semester), and participated in community activities supporting the Deaf community.
- (2013-2015) -Taught evening courses in American Sign Language 1 and 2 (One class per semester), and participated in community activities supporting the Deaf community.
- (2018)-Taught evening courses in American Sign Language 1 and 2 (One class per semester), and participated in community activities supporting the Deaf community.
- Facilitated workshops on advanced ASL techniques to enhance student engagement and comprehension.
- Immersed students in unfamiliar cultures by devising hands-on activities.
Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Pinellas County Schools (Pinellas Park High School)
Largo, FL
01.1999 - 01.2006
- Taught courses that focused on acquisition of functional life skills, resource class and American Sign Language (ASL) to both students in regular and special education 9-12 grade.
- Provided case management services, collaborated with general educators, coordinated interpreter staff, community base instruction, transition program, alternate assessment chair, co-teaching, and new mentor pilot program.
- Co-chair professional learning community, maintained amplification and successful use of data.
Itinerant Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Waukesha Special Education Cooperative (WSEC), Elmbrook Schools
Elmbrook, WI
01.1998 - 01.1999
- Provided itinerant services to students with varying levels of deafness.
- Developed and maintained IEP's, assessed students using formal and informal assessments for triennial evaluation purposes.
- Maintained amplification, collaborated with and provided inservice training with general education teachers regarding accommodations and modifications.
Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Collier County Schools (Lely Elementary)
Naples, FL
01.1996 - 01.1997
- Instructed students with special needs and Deafness in a K-5 classroom environment.
- Developed and implemented IEP's, monitored progress and maintained records, adapted materials to meet the needs of individual students.
- Reinforced auditory skills, evaluated students using informal assessments and maintained assistive technology relating to amplification.
Education
Non-Degree Seeking (18 cr) - ASL Education
Flagler College
St. Augustine, FL05-2019
Masters of Special Education - Special Education
Bemidji State University
Bemidji, MN05-2008
Master of Arts - Education
Viterbo University
LaCrosse, WI07-1999
Bachelor of Arts - Deaf Education/Elementary Education
Flagler College
St. Augustine, FL12-1995
Skills
- Lesson Planning
- Communication with Parents
- Problem Solving
- Student Performance
- Accountable
- Collaboration
- Community outreach
Accomplishments
Phi Theta Kappa – Zeta Alpha Chapter (PTK) Teacher of the Month (Casper College 2010)
Trained Local Elementary School (Sagewood Elementary) certified and classified staff in American Sign Language to support their school language choice (2020)
Nominated NCSD#1 Teacher of the Year (2025)
Nominated WY Teacher of the Year (2026)
Affiliations
- ASL Teacher Association (ASLTA)
- ASL Honor Society (ASLHS)
- Wyoming Education Association (WEA)
Certification
- National Board For Professional Teaching Standards: Exceptional Needs Specialist/Early Childhood Through Young Adult: Deaf
- Wyoming Professional Teaching Standards Board: Elementary K-6, Exceptional Specialist-DEAF K-12, Exceptional Specialist-Generalist K-12, Teaching ASL as a Foreign Language K-12
Leadership
Fluent in American Sign Language.
Established the first and only WY Chapter of American Sign Language Honor Society (2012 to present)
Collaborated with Casper College ASL program which led to the development of two annual public events for ASL students. Deaf Expressive Arts Festival and SIGN FEST (2016 to present)
Served on WY State committee to establish ASL teacher of World Language K-12 certification (2014)
Established weekly zoom calls for 3rd grade team at local elementary school (Sagewood School) allowing my HS students to teach Elementary students learn ASL. (Ongoing support to teachers, students at both levels) (2020 to present)
Served on NCSD#1 World Language Curriculum Committee (2020 and 2026)
Served on WY DOE World Language Standards review committee (2024)
Timeline
ASL Instructor (Adjunct)
Casper College
01.2009 - 2024
Work Study Facilitator, Secondary Instructional Strategist, Secondary Special Education Teacher, ASL TEACHER
Natrona County School District #1
01.2006 - Current
Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Pinellas County Schools (Pinellas Park High School)
01.1999 - 01.2006
Itinerant Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Waukesha Special Education Cooperative (WSEC), Elmbrook Schools
01.1998 - 01.1999
Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Collier County Schools (Lely Elementary)
01.1996 - 01.1997
Non-Degree Seeking (18 cr) - ASL Education
Flagler College
Masters of Special Education - Special Education
Bemidji State University
Master of Arts - Education
Viterbo University
Bachelor of Arts - Deaf Education/Elementary Education
Flagler College