MARIA SORIA
Houston
Summary
Experienced educational leader with strong focus on fostering collaborative team environments and driving student success. Skilled in curriculum development, classroom management, and staff mentoring. Known for adaptability and reliability, consistently meeting changing needs and achieving results. Highly organized, communicative, and passionate about creating positive and inclusive school culture.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Founding Bilingual Assistant Principal
YES Prep, Southwest Oaks ES
07.2024 - Current
- Spearheaded a robust coaching program for Pre-K through 2nd grade bilingual and special education teachers, enhancing instructional quality and promoting evidence-based practices that directly impacted student achievement and engagement.
- Led the successful establishment and execution of the Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS), providing strategic direction for intervention teams and ensuring targeted, data-driven interventions for students across all performance tiers, significantly improving academic outcomes.
- Directed the campus-wide planning and administration of the Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System (TELPAS), including professional development for staff and the strategic alignment of instructional practices to ensure accurate assessment and high proficiency levels for English Language Learners.
- Launched and continue to oversee a comprehensive afterschool care program, designed to provide academic support and enrichment opportunities for students, promoting both social-emotional growth and academic success outside of regular school hours.
- Played a key role in mentoring aspiring school leaders, offering guidance and structured support to leadership team members pursuing principal certification, and facilitating their growth into effective, results-oriented educational leaders.
- Actively contributed to the professional development of grade-level leadership teams, fostering collaboration and facilitating the sharing of best practices, leading to improved instructional practices, team cohesion, and overall student performance.
- Delivered high-impact, campus-wide professional development sessions tailored to diverse learning needs, focused on instructional strategies, differentiated teaching methods, and effective classroom management to support faculty in their continuous improvement efforts.
- Established a culture of data-driven decision-making, empowering teachers to utilize student performance data to adjust instruction, monitor progress, and refine strategies, ultimately resulting in increased student achievement and teacher efficacy.
Director of Special Populations
Yellowstone Schools- Yellowstone College Prep
10.2023 - Current
- Monitored implementation of campus special education services to maintain compliance
- Monitored campus ARD/IEP process and case management system implementation to ensure compliance
- Reviewed and analyzed student performance, LRE, and other campus data to ensure accuracy and compliance
- Provided training and consultation for general and special education teachers
- Coordinated the compilation of information related to litigation for TEA or OSEP complaints
- Managed Special Education Budget, supply ordering, and billing for the Special Education Department
Special Education Department Chair
Cage Elementary & Project Chrysalis Middle School- Houston Independent School District
07.2023 - 09.2023
- Trained staff on Special Education best practices
- Consulted with special education and general education staff on student needs
- Collaborated with administration and special education department on specially designed instruction
- Maintained compliance in accordance to district and state requirements
SLC-Alt Teacher
Structured Learning Classroom- Houston Independent School District
09.2020 - 07.2023
- Implemented plans and procedures to meet the individual needs of Students with Autism
- Incorporated intensive individualized lesson plans for the academic, social, communication, and behavioral needs of each student
- Responsible for working with a multi-grade level spectrum from 1st-5th
- Provided IEPs for every activity
- Documented and analyzed data on progress for each student
- Creating and modifying Goals and Objectives for yearly IEP meetings
- Working with parents through individual contact based on home needs
Autism Teacher
Center for Early Autism Intervention: Alief Independent School District
07.2019 - 08.2020
- Implemented plans and procedures to meet the individual needs of Students with Autism
- Incorporating intensive individualized lesson plans for the academic, social, communication, and behavioral needs of each student
- Responsible for working with a multi-grade level spectrum from EC- PK
- Providing IEPs for every activity
- Documenting and analyzing data on progress for each student
- Creating and modifying Goals and Objectives for yearly IEP meetings
- Working with parents through monthly training based on home needs
- Working directly under a Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Preschool Program for Children with Disabilities Teacher
Mahanay Elementary: Alief Independent School District
08.2018 - 06.2019
- Implemented plans and procedures for meeting the needs of individual needs of Special Education Students
- Incorporating differentiated lesson plans for the individual needs of my PPCD students
- Responsible for working with a multi-grade level spectrum from EC- PK
- Providing IEPs for every activity
PALS Program TeacherPPCD
Fonwood Early Childhood Center: Houston Independent School District
08.2017 - 07.2018
- Implemented plans and procedures in meeting the needs of individual needs of Special Education students
- Incorporating differentiated lesson plans to the individual needs of my PALS students
- Responsible for working with a multi-grade level spectrum from PK-3-Kindergarten
- Providing IEPs and 504 accommodations for every activity
Dual Language Kindergarten Teacher/ Special Education Resource Teacher
Amigos Por Vida: Charter School
02.2016 - 08.2017
- Responsible for meeting the individual needs of Special Education students
- Design and implemented lessons for students varying in levels of English
- Increased reading levels in English through frequent exposure to language using workstations and hands on activities
- Worked collaboratively with all teachers to meet our students needs in the areas of Math, and Reading
- Generate lessons that incorporate curriculum guidelines for grade Pre-K thru 8th grade
- Incorporated IEPs and 504 accommodations into every activity
- Incorporated a guided math program into the class, as well as the practice of workstations
- Provided one on one instruction to students with ADHD, LD and ID for 10 mins
- Designed lesson to meet the needs for students ranging from the beginning level of English to Advance
Education
Master’s in Education - Educational Leadership Program
Houston Christian University
Houston, TX05-2024
Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education with Special Education
Houston Baptist University
Houston, TX12.2015
Skills
- Instructional leadership
- Parent engagement and communication
- Student achievement
- Data-driven instruction
- Restorative practices
- Staff development
- Discipline management
- Organizational leadership
Certification
- Core Subjects, 01/31/2028
- Special Education, 01/31/2028
- ESL Supplement 01/31/2028
- Principal as Instructional Leader, 01/31/2028
Profile - Highlights
- Houston ISD’s Elementary Teacher of the Year 2022
- Bilingual: Spanish
- Behavioral management skills
- Reading By Design Trained
- Advancing Educational Leadership Trained
- T-TESS Appraiser Trained
- Proven organizational & time management skills
- Applied Behavior Analysis Trained
Languages
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Founding Bilingual Assistant Principal
YES Prep, Southwest Oaks ES
07.2024 - Current
Director of Special Populations
Yellowstone Schools- Yellowstone College Prep
10.2023 - Current
Special Education Department Chair
Cage Elementary & Project Chrysalis Middle School- Houston Independent School District
07.2023 - 09.2023
SLC-Alt Teacher
Structured Learning Classroom- Houston Independent School District
09.2020 - 07.2023
Autism Teacher
Center for Early Autism Intervention: Alief Independent School District
07.2019 - 08.2020
Preschool Program for Children with Disabilities Teacher
Mahanay Elementary: Alief Independent School District
08.2018 - 06.2019
PALS Program TeacherPPCD
Fonwood Early Childhood Center: Houston Independent School District
08.2017 - 07.2018
Dual Language Kindergarten Teacher/ Special Education Resource Teacher
Amigos Por Vida: Charter School
02.2016 - 08.2017
- Core Subjects, 01/31/2028
- Special Education, 01/31/2028
- ESL Supplement 01/31/2028
- Principal as Instructional Leader, 01/31/2028
Master’s in Education - Educational Leadership Program
Houston Christian University
Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education with Special Education
Houston Baptist University
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