Marla Ritchey
Albuquerque,NM
Summary
Dedicated educator with extensive experience in early childhood, special education, and visual impairment services. Skilled in creating inclusive, developmentally appropriate learning environments for preschool children with diverse needs. Strong background in assessment, IEP development, family collaboration, and individualized instruction. Experienced in supporting children with visual impairments, developmental delays, and multiple disabilities while partnering with multidisciplinary teams to promote student growth and independence.
Overview
37
37
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Itinerant Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments
Albuquerque Public Schools
Albuquerque, NM
01.2020 - Current
- Conduct Functional Vision Assessments (FVA) and Learning Media Assessments (LMA) for district referred students and eligible students’ reevaluation IEPs.
- Provide direct instruction in braille literacy, assistive technology, auditory skills, compensatory skills, and access tools.
- Adapt instructional materials into braille, tactile graphics, and large print formats to ensure curriculum access.
- Consult with teachers, therapists, and families regarding accommodations, classroom modifications, and student needs.
- Support students from preschool through high school in academic, independence, and self-determination skills.
- Participate in transition planning, IEP meetings, and collaborative problem-solving with school teams.
- Provided district professional development on visual and tactile calendars.
Developmental Preschool Teacher
McCollum Elementary School
Albuquerque, NM
01.2017 - 01.2020
- Planned and delivered individualized instruction for preschool students with significant developmental and educational needs.
- Created an inclusive classroom environment where students with disabilities and typically developing peers learned together.
- Developed and implemented IEP goals aligned to developmental and academic priorities.
- Monitored progress and reported Early Childhood Outcomes using required district and state tools.
- Collaborated with related service providers and paraprofessionals to coordinate instruction and classroom supports.
- Fostered communication, social-emotional growth, early literacy, and school readiness skills.
Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments
Zia Elementary School
Albuquerque, NM
01.2014 - 01.2017
- Completed assessments including FVAs, LMAs, sensory profiles, and skill-based evaluations.
- Designed and implemented individualized educational goals for students with visual impairments and multiple disabilities.
- Trained school staff and educational assistants to support student access and learning.
- Partnered with families and related service providers to ensure consistent support across settings.
Certified Teacher of the Visually Impaired
New Mexico School for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Albuquerque, NM
01.2004 - 01.2013
- Provided direct instruction to preschool and kindergarten students with visual impairments and additional disabilities.
- Taught braille readiness and foundational literacy skills through hands-on, multisensory instruction.
- Conducted assessments and prepared written reports to guide programming and placement decisions.
- Developed IEP goals and individualized strategies to maximize student participation and progress.
- Collaborated with district teams to support successful transitions into school programs.
Classroom Teacher, Kindergarten/First Grade
St. Charles Borromeo School
Albuquerque, NM
01.1999 - 01.2003
Classroom Teacher, Kindergarten/First Grade
Our Lady of Fatima School
Albuquerque, NM
01.1994 - 01.1999
Classroom Teacher, Fifth Grade/Title I Teacher
Los Lunas
Los Lunas, NM
01.1991 - 01.1994
Preschool Teacher
W.S.O.S. Child Development Programs
Northwood, NM
01.1989 - 01.1991
Education
Master of Arts - Education
New Mexico State University
Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education
Bowling Green State University
Skills
- Early Childhood Special Education
- IEP Development
- Classroom Management
- Family Collaboration
- Visual Impairment Services
- Braille Readiness
- Inclusive Practices
- Student Assessment
- Differentiated Instruction
- Team Collaboration
- School Readiness
- Assistive Technology
Certification
- New Mexico Professional K-8 Elementary License
- New Mexico Professional K-12 Blind and Visually Impaired License
Timeline
Itinerant Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments
Albuquerque Public Schools
01.2020 - Current
Developmental Preschool Teacher
McCollum Elementary School
01.2017 - 01.2020
Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments
Zia Elementary School
01.2014 - 01.2017
Certified Teacher of the Visually Impaired
New Mexico School for the Blind and Visually Impaired
01.2004 - 01.2013
Classroom Teacher, Kindergarten/First Grade
St. Charles Borromeo School
01.1999 - 01.2003
Classroom Teacher, Kindergarten/First Grade
Our Lady of Fatima School
01.1994 - 01.1999
Classroom Teacher, Fifth Grade/Title I Teacher
Los Lunas
01.1991 - 01.1994
Preschool Teacher
W.S.O.S. Child Development Programs
01.1989 - 01.1991
Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education
Bowling Green State University
Master of Arts - Education
New Mexico State University