Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Certification
Leadership Roles
Personal Information
Training
Community Service
Languages
Timeline
Generic

Maria Talavera

Ocala,FL

Summary

Passionate Special Education Teacher for 30 years in both rural and urban settings. Proven history of creating engaged classroom environments supporting diverse educational styles. Versatile student-oriented approach consistently supporting optimum performance and advancement.

Overview

31
31
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

VE Inclusion- 3rd grade, 4th grade and 5th grade

College Park Elementary
08.2017 - Current

Inclusion Teacher

  • Implemented differentiated instruction strategies to meet the diverse needs of all learners in the classroom.
  • Assisted in creating a safe and nurturing classroom environment that promoted emotional well-being and academic growth for all students.
  • Supported students in developing social skills through structured activities and positive reinforcement techniques.
  • Provided one-on-one support for students with learning disabilities, enabling them to excel in their coursework.
  • Collaborated with teachers and therapists to develop individualized educational plans for each student, ensuring optimal progress.
  • Enhanced learning experiences by incorporating specialized tools and resources tailored to the needs of special education students.

Instructional Talent Developers (IDT)-

  • Maintained student portfolios to monitor learning progress and completion of work required for promotion to next grade level.
  • Utilized various teaching styles-visual aids, hands-on experiments-adapted for different learners'' preferences resulting in improved understanding of complex topics.

ESE Dept. Chairperson

  • Served as a mentor for new teachers, sharing best practices and offering guidance on effective classroom management strategies.
  • Served as representative on decision making for our Dept.
  • Supported and guided other ESE teachers.

Parent Liaison for Hispanic Parents

  • Participated in professional development workshops and conferences to stay current on educational trends, research, and teaching methods.
  • Connected Hispanics families with school community with family engagement activities in Spanish and English.

Family Engagement Facilitator

  • Established open communication and positive relationships with students, parents, peers, and administrative staff such as STRONG FATHERS
  • SAC Committee and Supported Hispanics Parents with translation.

7th grade Math Teacher

Fort King Middle School
08.2020 - 05.2021
  • SF Civics, US History, Math, Science
  • Provided one-on-one support for students with learning disabilities, enabling them to excel in their coursework.
  • Organized extracurricular math-related activities, fostering enthusiasm for the subject outside of the classroom setting.
  • Collaborated with fellow teachers to develop cross-curricular projects that connected math concepts to real-world applications.
  • Implemented differentiated instruction techniques to cater to diverse learning styles and abilities within the classroom.
  • Provided additional support for students with special needs and learning disabilities.
  • Mentored students on individual basis to help develop math skills.
  • Administered assessments and standardized tests to evaluate student progress.
  • Communicated with parents and guardians regarding student progress and behavioral issues.
  • Provided meaningful math instruction to improve math skills of children.

VE Inclusion- 4th grade

Maplewood Elementary
01.2016 - 01.2017
  • Collaborated with fellow teachers to design interdisciplinary lesson plans, reinforcing key concepts across subjects.
  • Supported students in developing social skills through structured activities and positive reinforcement techniques.
  • Managed classroom behavior effectively, establishing clear expectations and consequences while fostering a respectful learning environment.
  • Implemented differentiated instruction strategies, addressing the unique needs of each student in the classroom.
  • Assessed student progress regularly, providing constructive feedback and adjusting instructional approaches as needed.
  • Collaborated with teachers and therapists to develop individualized educational plans for each student, ensuring optimal progress.
  • Established open communication and positive relationships with students, parents, peers, and administrative staff.
  • Created lesson plans to correlate with state curriculum standards and devised educational programs to meet educational objectives.

Spanish 1

Florida Virtual School
07.2011 - 05.2016
  • Used written exercises to test and develop reading and writing foreign languages.
  • Boosted student engagement with interactive activities that incorporated authentic materials from Spanish-speaking countries.
  • Enhanced cultural awareness in students by incorporating Spanish customs, traditions, and history into lessons.
  • Explored and implemented innovative use of technology in language education.
  • Evaluated student performance using various assessment tools, providing constructive feedback, and working closely with struggling learners to improve outcomes.
  • Conducted foreign language exams to determine fluency and comprehension.
  • Participated in professional development opportunities to stay current on pedagogical trends and enhance teaching skills further.
  • Provided one-on-one support for students with learning disabilities, enabling them to excel in their coursework.
  • Explained concepts and assignments in both native and non-native languages.
  • Collaborated with colleagues to develop interdisciplinary lessons that connected Spanish language content to other subject areas.
  • Established strong relationships with parents, keeping them informed of their child''s progress and offering tips for supporting language development at home.
  • Monitored student progress and provided feedback to both students and parents.
  • Encouraged students to take active role in learning and academic success.

7th grade Inclusion

Osceola Middle School
08.2005 - 05.2011
  • Assisted in creating a safe and nurturing classroom environment that promoted emotional well-being and academic growth for all students.
  • Supported students in developing social skills through structured activities and positive reinforcement techniques.
  • Provided one-on-one support for students with learning disabilities, enabling them to excel in their coursework.
  • Participated in professional development opportunities, continuously improving instructional techniques to stay current with educational trends.
  • Established strong relationships with parents to involve them in their child''s educational journey, addressing concerns and celebrating achievements together.
  • Managed classroom behavior effectively, utilizing positive reinforcement strategies and maintaining consistent routines for smooth transitions throughout the day.
  • Evaluated student progress regularly using assessments, adjusting teaching strategies to optimize learning outcomes.
  • Developed engaging project-based assignments that encouraged creativity, collaboration, and real-world problem-solving skills among 7th-grade students.
  • Prepared and implemented lesson plans covering required course topics.
  • Taught subject matter based on information compiled from textbooks, online sites, and other educational materials.
  • Utilized multimedia strategies and technology to convey information in fresh and interesting ways.

ESOL Para-Professional

Osceola Middle School
01.2004 - 05.2004
  • Created engaging activities that supported language development while also reinforcing content knowledge in various subjects.
  • Supported classroom teachers in implementing lesson plans tailored to the diverse needs of ESOL learners.
  • Participated in professional development opportunities to stay current on best practices for teaching English language learners.
  • Assisted in administering assessments and collecting data, tracking student progress and identifying areas for improvement.

6th – 8th Inclusion Teacher and ESE Resource Teach

Fort McCoy Middle School
08.1993 - 05.2002
  • Implemented effective behavior management plans, resulting in fewer disruptions and increased focus on learning tasks.
  • Strengthened relationships with parents, students, and colleagues by maintaining open communication channels and participating in school events.
  • Maintained accurate records of student performance data, informing instructional decisions based on measurable evidence of progress toward goals.
  • Supported struggling students with targeted interventions, leading to higher levels of academic achievement.
  • Implemented behavior modification strategies, resulting in improved self-regulation and classroom participation among students.
  • Developed cross-curricular connections within lesson planning to reinforce key concepts across multiple disciplines simultaneously.
  • Collaborated with teachers and therapists to develop individualized educational plans for each student, ensuring optimal progress.
  • Assisted in creating a safe and nurturing classroom environment that promoted emotional well-being and academic growth for all students.
  • Provided one-on-one support for students with learning disabilities, enabling them to excel in their coursework.
  • Assessed individual student progress regularly, providing timely feedback and adjusting instructional methods as needed for maximum growth potential.
  • Encouraged peer collaboration through cooperative group activities that fostered teamwork skills while enhancing overall comprehension of subject matter.
  • Enhanced classroom management strategies for a more positive and productive learning environment.
  • Participated in professional development opportunities to stay current on best practices in inclusive education and apply them effectively in the classroom setting.
  • Modified general education curriculum for special-needs students using various instructional techniques and technologies.
  • Taught students across multiple classifications and degrees of special needs.
  • Created and managed IEPs to define student learning objectives and educational strategies, in addition to applying instructional knowledge and methods to support goals.
  • Cultivated connections and strong student rapport to foster classroom engagement, in addition to recording student progress to inform parents and school administration.
  • Taught multiple subjects to students with intellectual or emotional disabilities.
  • Assisted struggling students to maintain progress levels by designing individualized lesson plans focused on areas for improvement.
  • Encouraged students to take ownership of learning by providing choices.
  • Coordinated special education students and teacher assistant schedules with master schedule.
  • Facilitated small group instruction to address individual learning needs.
  • Coordinated regular meetings to share and analyze student performance data and success plans with colleagues and parents.
  • Designed individual education plans to encourage student growth according to different learning abilities and needs.
  • Maintained accurate records of student progress and attendance.
  • Applied proven strategies to improve students' sensory- and perceptual-motor skills.
  • Promoted memory, cognition and language development with hands-on activities and individualized instruction.
  • Collaborated with other educators to develop instructional strategies.

Education

ESE certification -

Florida Southern University, Ocala
01.1994

Bachelor of Arts in High School Education -

University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras
01.1989

Skills

  • Parent-Teacher Communication
  • Growth Mindset
  • Instructional Strategies
  • Peer Mentoring
  • Special Education
  • Mathematics Teaching
  • Team Collaboration
  • Organizational Skills
  • Problem-solving skills
  • Safety awareness
  • Classroom Management

Accomplishments

  • Earned Apple Teacher of the Year at Osceola Middle School " in 2009.

Certification

  • Math 5-9
  • ESE K-12
  • Spanish K-12

Leadership Roles

  • Instructional Talent Developers (IDT), College Park Elementary, Ocala, FL, 2022-01-01, 2024-12-31
  • ESE Dept. Chairperson, College Park Elementary, Ocala, Florida, 2021-01-01, 2024-12-31
  • Parent Liaison, 2017-01-01, 2018-12-31
  • Teacher of the Year, Osceola Middle, Ocala, Florida, 2008-01-01
  • School Advisory Councilmember, Ocala, Florida, 2007-01-01, 2009-12-31
  • National Junior Honor Society Advisor, Ocala, Florida, 2007-01-01, 2009-12-31
  • Grade Level Chairperson, Ocala, Florida, 1995-01-01, 2002-12-31
  • Supervising Teacher, Ocala, Florida, 1995-01-01, 2002-12-31
  • Presenter, Chautauqua, Ocala, Florida, 2004-01-01
  • Sunshine Committee, Ocala, Florida, 2004-01-01, 2006-12-31
  • Mentor to beginning Teacher, Ocala, Florida, 1995-01-01, 2001-12-31

Personal Information

Title: Educator

Training

  • Family Engagement: Strong Fathers, Strong Families
  • Connecting Content and Language for English Language Learners
  • ALICE Protocol Training
  • Writing Workshop
  • Fun-dational Reading K-2
  • CPE i-Ready Training
  • FDLRS Inclusion Model, Ocala, Florida
  • FDLRS Summer Workshop, Ocala, Florida
  • ASD Workshop for Inclusion, Ocala, Florida
  • Reading Research Project, Ocala, Florida
  • Technology tools for Inclusion, Ocala, Florida
  • Project Learning Tree, Ocala, Florida
  • State ESE Conference, Ocala, Florida
  • AIMS Training, Ocala, Florida
  • Boosting Students Performance, Ocala, Florida
  • WOW, I’m a Writer, Ocala, Florida
  • Success Strategies for Struggling Learners, Ocala, Florida
  • Holistic scoring for writing, Ocala, Florida
  • Computer as Classroom tools, Ocala, Florida
  • Brain-Based Learning, Ocala, Florida
  • Address Diverse Learners, Ocala, Florida
  • ESOL
  • Multiple Intelligence
  • Power Standards for Science
  • State Math Conference

Community Service

  • Parent Liaison- Visited Green Gables Families – Summer 2016
  • Volunteer Tutoring students, Marion County, Florida
  • Jr. Ladies of Ocala, Florida
  • Volunteer Tutoring teachers focusing on preparation for state test, Marion County, Florida
  • Volunteer Tutoring teachers on ESOL classes, Marion County, Florida
  • Chamber of Commerce, Marion County, Florida
  • Heritage Day Festival, Marion County, Florida
  • La Voz Latina Newspaper, Marion County, Florida

Languages

Spanish
Native or Bilingual

Timeline

7th grade Math Teacher

Fort King Middle School
08.2020 - 05.2021

VE Inclusion- 3rd grade, 4th grade and 5th grade

College Park Elementary
08.2017 - Current

VE Inclusion- 4th grade

Maplewood Elementary
01.2016 - 01.2017

Spanish 1

Florida Virtual School
07.2011 - 05.2016

7th grade Inclusion

Osceola Middle School
08.2005 - 05.2011

ESOL Para-Professional

Osceola Middle School
01.2004 - 05.2004

6th – 8th Inclusion Teacher and ESE Resource Teach

Fort McCoy Middle School
08.1993 - 05.2002

ESE certification -

Florida Southern University, Ocala

Bachelor of Arts in High School Education -

University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras
Maria Talavera