Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Affiliations
Timeline
Generic

Martha Equihua Alvarez

Summary

Special Education Teacher and educational leader with 15+ years of experience supporting students as a Special Education Assistant, Teacher, and Department Leader. Skilled in IEP management, specialized instruction, data-driven practices, PBIS implementation, and supporting diverse academic, behavioral, and social-emotional needs. Experienced in leading teams, facilitating PLCs, mentoring educators, and developing systems that improve collaboration and student support. Bilingual in English and Spanish with a commitment to culturally responsive and inclusive education.

Overview

1
1
Certification
20
20
years of professional experience

Work History

Special Education Teacher (ILC)

Woodburn High School
Woodburn, Oregon
07.2022 - Current

Intensive Learning Center (Self-Contained Classroom)

  • Provided instruction and support for students with significant disabilities in a self-contained classroom.
  • Implemented modified and alternative curriculum aligned with students' IEP goals.
  • Monitored student progress and developed compliant IEPs using data-driven instruction.
  • Utilized Unique Learning System (ULS), TeachTown, Everyday Speech, and Curriculum-Based Measures (CBM) to enhance instruction and track student progress.
  • Planned and taught Social-Emotional Learning (SEL), social skills, self-regulation, adaptive living skills, and behavior support lessons.
  • Facilitated IEP meetings, engaging families and multidisciplinary team members to ensure collaborative support for students.
  • Served as a member of the school Safety Committee, collaborating with staff to support a safe and positive learning environment.

Special Education Department Head

  • Led Professional Learning Community (PLC) meetings for the special education team.
  • Mentored special education teachers in instruction, IEP development, and compliance.
  • Managed schedules for special education teachers, instructional assistants, and support staff.
  • Maintained the annual IEP meeting calendar to ensure compliance.
  • Collaborated with the special education secretary to coordinate IEP meetings and improve team systems and communication.

Resource Teacher

French Prarie Middle School
Woodburn, OR
07.2019 - 07.2022

Special Education Teacher

  • Developed, implemented, and monitored Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) to support student growth and compliance.
  • Facilitated IEP meetings with school teams and families to set goals, evaluate student progress, and enhance student achievement and inclusion.
  • Provided specialized instruction and individualized support to students with disabilities based on academic, behavioral, and social-emotional needs.
  • Delivered differentiated instruction aligned with student IEP goals and diverse learning needs.
  • Conducted assessments to identify student strengths and needs; utilized data to monitor progress and tailor instruction.
  • Implemented Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) and Check-In/Check-Out (CICO) strategies to promote positive behavior, self-regulation, and student success.
  • Collaborated with general education teachers to implement accommodations and instructional strategies, ensuring effective support for students with disabilities.
  • Fostered an inclusive learning environment aligned with district values and focused on measurable student growth.

Student Teacher Practicum 4th Grade

Lincoln Elementary School
Woodburn, Oregon
01.2019 - 04.2019
  • Managed classroom activities for 24 students, implementing positive behavior management strategies to foster a conducive learning environment.
  • Delivered instruction across academic content areas aligned with Common Core State Standards.
  • Participated in the IEP team process and implemented individualized interventions to support student learning and growth.
  • Collaborated with grade-level teams, resource teachers, and instructional coaches to create targeted interventions and define academic goals for student success.
  • Tailored instruction to address diverse learning needs, supporting students with IEPs, 504 plans, ELLs, and TAG students.
  • Integrated educational technology to enhance instruction and student engagement.
  • Completed professional development in E.L. Achieve strategies to support English Language Learners and develop effective instructional practices.
  • Designed and delivered Spanish language instruction for native English speakers learning Spanish as a second language.
  • Provided bilingual instruction in English and Spanish across math, language arts, reading, writing, social studies, and science.

Special Education Assistant

French Prairie Middle School, WACA and AIS
Woodburn, OR
03.2006 - 06.2019

Secretarial/Drop-In

August 2017 – April 2019

  • Assisted Special Education teachers with instructional strategies and managed clerical tasks to enhance classroom effectiveness.
  • Functioned as a bilingual liaison, facilitating communication among students, families, and school staff.
  • Provided Spanish interpretation for IEP meetings, parent conferences, and school communications.
  • Translated IEP documents and educational materials to support Spanish-speaking families.
  • Managed IEP calendars, scheduled meetings, and maintained confidential special education records.
  • Coordinated logistics for Special Olympics events, ensuring smooth transportation and venue arrangements to promote student participation. transportation, event locations, and game logistics.
  • Coordinated the 2018 Respect Campaign to promote inclusion and student engagement.
  • Utilized TIENET, a web-based special education management system, to support IEP documentation and organization.

Structured Learning Program (Self-Contained)
August 2016 – June 2017

  • Provided instructional support to students with Individual Education Plans (IEPs) in the Structured Learning Program.
  • Supported students in the Drop-In Center by implementing IEP accommodations and individualized supports.
  • Provided Spanish interpretation for IEP meetings, parent conferences, and school communications.
  • Translated IEP documents and educational materials into Spanish.
  • Communicated with families through phone calls, home visits, and parent meetings.

Resource
March 2006 – June 2016

  • Provided instructional and behavioral support to students with Individual Education Plans (IEPs).
  • Collaborated with general education teachers to support student accommodations, modifications, and individualized learning needs.
  • Assisted students with educational technology and classroom learning tools.
  • Provided bilingual family communication support through phone calls, home visits, and parent meetings.
  • Managed IEP calendars, scheduled meetings, and maintained confidential special education documentation.
  • Facilitated Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) practices and mentored students to foster a positive learning environment.
  • Engaged in Northwest PBIS (NWPBIS) conferences and participated in professional development opportunities.

Education

Master of Education - Special Education

George Fox University
Newberg, OR
04-2022

Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education & ESOL Program

George Fox University
Newberg, OR
04-2019

Associate of Arts Oregon Transfer - Lower Division Collegiate

Chemeketa Community College
Salem, OR
08-2005

Skills

  • IEP Management & Special Education Compliance
  • Data-Driven Instruction & Progress Monitoring
  • Specialized Instruction & Differentiated Instruction
  • Curriculum-Based Measures (CBM)
  • Behavior Management & PBIS Implementation
  • Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) & Student Support
  • Collaborative Teaching & Team Leadership
  • PLC Facilitation & Teacher Mentoring
  • Systems Development & Process Improvement
  • Parent and Family Engagement
  • Bilingual Communication (English/Spanish)
  • Culturally Responsive Teaching Practices

Certification

  • MANDT Certified
  • CPR, First Aid, and EAD Certified

Affiliations

  • Heritage Summer School SPED Staff 2023
  • Valor Summer School SPED Staff 2024
  • WHS Safety Committee

Timeline

Special Education Teacher (ILC)

Woodburn High School
07.2022 - Current

Resource Teacher

French Prarie Middle School
07.2019 - 07.2022

Student Teacher Practicum 4th Grade

Lincoln Elementary School
01.2019 - 04.2019

Special Education Assistant

French Prairie Middle School, WACA and AIS
03.2006 - 06.2019

Master of Education - Special Education

George Fox University

Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education & ESOL Program

George Fox University

Associate of Arts Oregon Transfer - Lower Division Collegiate

Chemeketa Community College
Martha Equihua Alvarez