MARIA SAUCEDA
Cicero,IL
Summary
Dynamic School Psychologist with Chicago Public Schools, skilled in developing individualized education plans and implementing data-driven interventions. Proven ability to enhance student engagement through compassionate collaboration and effective behavioral assessments. Bilingual communicator adept at fostering inclusive environments, ensuring compliance, and advocating for equitable access to educational opportunities.
Overview
36
36
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
School Psychologist
Chicago Public Schools (CPS)
09.2005 - Current
- Conducted individual and group counseling sessions to support student mental health and academic success.
- Developed and implemented behavior intervention plans tailored to diverse student needs.
- Collaborated with teachers and parents to create inclusive educational environments for all students.
- Administered psychological assessments to identify learning disabilities and emotional challenges in students.
- Led multidisciplinary teams in reviewing student cases to ensure comprehensive support services were provided.
- Designed data-driven interventions that enhanced student engagement and improved classroom behavior outcomes.
- Consulted with teachers and parents to gain in-depth understanding of students.
- Conducted functional behavioral assessments to identify underlying causes of challenging behaviors and create effective behavior intervention plans accordingly.
- Collaborated with educators, school administrators and external professionals in development of Individualized Education Plans (IEPs).
- Maintained accurate records and documentation in accordance with state regulations, ensuring confidentiality and ethical practices across all professional activities.
- Utilized formal and established testing protocols to evaluate educational, emotional and behavioral needs of students.
- Enhanced student-teacher relationships through consultation services aimed at fostering empathetic understanding of individual student needs and experiences.
- Implemented data-driven decision-making processes to monitor progress and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions for continuous improvement.
- Advocated for equitable access to educational opportunities by assessing potential accommodations or modifications required for diverse learners within the general education curriculum.
- Conducted comprehensive psychological assessments to identify students' needs, facilitating tailored support plans.
- Optimized individualized education plans by incorporating psychological insights, leading to more effective learning strategies.
- Compiled and interpreted students' test results along with information from teachers and parents to diagnose conditions and assess eligibility for special services.
- Selected, administered and scored psychological tests.
City Wide Special Education Facilitator
Chicago Public Schools CPS
09.2000 - 06.2005
- Developed individualized education plans (IEPs) to meet diverse student needs.
- Collaborated with teachers and specialists to implement effective instructional strategies.
- Conducted language proficiency tests to determine students'' academic needs to inform tailored interventions.
- Led professional development workshops for parents and colleagues on best practices in (bilingual) special education facilitation, enhancing overall instructional quality.
- Ensured compliance with state and federal regulations regarding (bilingual) special education services by maintaining ongoing collaboration and communication.
Teacher
Chicago Public Schools (CPS)
09.1993 - 06.2000
- Developed and implemented engaging lesson plans aligned with curriculum standards bilingual and monolingual students with and without disabilities grades 2, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8.
- Differentiated instruction to accommodate diverse learning needs, ensuring each student had an equal opportunity for success.
- Fostered a positive classroom environment to enhance student learning and participation.
- Collaborated with colleagues to create interdisciplinary projects that integrate various subjects.
- Utilized assessment tools to evaluate student progress and adapt instruction accordingly.
- Facilitated special education meetings as Case Manager.
Teacher
Cicero Public Schools District 99
10.1990 - 09.1993
- Developed and implemented engaging lesson plans aligned with curriculum standards for Spanish speaking students.
- Mentored new teachers, providing guidance on classroom management and instructional strategies.
- Advocated for student needs by establishing strong relationships with parents and the community.
- Managed classroom behavior effectively by establishing clear expectations, modeling appropriate conduct, and consistently enforcing established rules and consequences.
Education
Master of Science - Special Education
Governors State University
Park Forest, ILEdS - School Psychology
Loyola University of Chicago
Chicago, ILSkills
- Functional behavior assessments
- Academic intervention strategies
- Solutions-focused
- Collaborative Problem-solving
- Behavioral assessment
- Psychoeducational evaluation
- Response to intervention
- Individualized education plans
- Verbal and written communication (English and Spanish)
- Multicultural competence
- Compassionate
Accomplishments
- Taught bilingual assessment classes at the graduate level.
- Contributed to "Reading Strategies Manual, Part Two: A Practical Handbook for Teachers, Paraeducators and Parents" in collaboration with the Office of Specialized Services, Resource Network published in 2001.
- Contributed to "Bilingual Special Education Manual", in collaboration with the Office of Specialized Services, Resource Network, published in 2001.
Affiliations
- Illinois School Psychologists' Association (ISPA)
Certification
- Professional Educator License
- Type 73
- Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP)
- Certified in Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition (ADOS-2)
- Certified interpreter/Spanish (CPS)
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
Interests
- Travel
- Dog lover
Timeline
School Psychologist
Chicago Public Schools (CPS)
09.2005 - Current
City Wide Special Education Facilitator
Chicago Public Schools CPS
09.2000 - 06.2005
Teacher
Chicago Public Schools (CPS)
09.1993 - 06.2000
Teacher
Cicero Public Schools District 99
10.1990 - 09.1993
Master of Science - Special Education
Governors State University
EdS - School Psychology
Loyola University of Chicago