Megan Bayless
Sullivan
Summary
Dedicated and driven special education process coordinator with 19 years of experience in intervention, individualized education, character education, leadership skills, and positive behavioral support. Expertise in preparing compliant evaluation reports, annual reviews, progress report paperwork, functional behavior assessments, and behavior intervention plans. Leading in the field of special education, committed to creating differentiated, student-centered lessons that incorporate technological advancements and dynamic literacy and numeracy pedagogical techniques for a diverse population. Upholding local, state, and federal compliance requirements for special education while striving to enhance student performance, foster parent engagement, and promote staff collaboration within the Sullivan School District.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Special Education Process Coordinator
Sullivan School District
08.2019 - Current
- Supervise the special education process of referral, appropriate identification, placement of students with disabilities, and provision of services
- Collaborate with psychological examiner/educational diagnostician and related service providers to develop and complete necessary testing processes for students in the special education referral and evaluation process
- Ensure district compliance with local, state, and federal requirements for special education
- Establish and maintain effective communication with all staff members and outside agencies as related to students, programs, co-located services, multi-agency efforts, and professional organizations
- Perform all duties as assigned by the Director of Special Education
- Assist the director with researching and/or implementing new program components and attend meetings and training sessions related to special education as appropriate
- Assist the director in the implementation of the following programs: Special Education (including computer programs for special education management and evaluation), homebound, home school, data management, and reporting requirements for these programs
- Assist with planning and implementation of professional development with district and building staff for the purpose of providing staff with continuing education.
- Collaborate with district personnel and others (e.g. parents, staff, community) for the purpose of implementing and maintaining services and/or programs.
- Facilitate meetings and processes (e.g. transition among building programs and grade levels) for the purpose of implementing and maintaining programs and services which provide free and appropriate public education for students meeting eligibility under IDEA.
- Create agenda for and lead special education team meetings, reviewing compliance requirements and analyzing student data for improved performance
Special Education Teacher
Sullivan Middle School
08.2017 - 05.2019
- Instructed students with special learning needs in grades 6-7
- Analyzed student assessment tools to determine the need for interventions
- Utilized assessment data to organize curriculum, lessons, and interventions for special education students
- Created student-centered lessons for special education classes
- Evaluated student progress via district benchmark testing, student grades, and observation
- Created and wrote Individualized Education Plans
- Determined student needs and built individualized education
- Planned goals and objectives based on student observation and progress
- Lead annual review IEP meetings
- Built relationships and collaborated with student guardians regularly
- Progress monitored students to determine weekly, monthly, and quarterly progress
- Modified the general education curriculum for special-needs students based on a variety of instructional techniques and technologies
- Collaborated with teachers to determine needed modifications and accommodations and to discuss student progress
- Co-taught mathematics
Special Education Teacher
Belle Valley School
08.2008 - 05.2017
- Instructed students with special learning needs in grades 5-8
- Analyzed student assessment tools to determine the need for interventions
- Utilized school improvement plans to organize curriculum, lessons, and interventions for special education students
- Created student-centered lessons for special education classes and resource groups
- Evaluated student progress via district benchmark testing, assessment data, and observation
- Created and wrote Individualized Education Plans
- Determined student needs and built individualized education
- Planned goals and objectives based on student observation and progress
- Lead annual review IEP meetings
- Built relationships and collaborated with student guardians regularly
- Progress monitored students to determine weekly, monthly, and quarterly progress
- Modified the general education curriculum for special-needs students based on a variety of instructional techniques and technologies
- Collaborated with teachers to determine needed modifications and accommodations and to discuss student progress
- Co-taught reading and mathematics
- Created agenda for and led Professional Learning Community special education meetings where teachers shared expertise and worked collaboratively to improve teaching skills and the academic performance of students
- Trained teachers, set up teacher and student accounts, and set up a schedule for Dynamic Learning Maps-Alternate Assessment Test
- Trained fellow teachers on Ruby Payne-A Framework for Understanding Poverty
- PRIDE (Perseverance, Responsibility, Integrity, Determination, Enthusiasm) Team Coordinator, Lead PRIDE Team consisting of 14 teachers
- Created agenda for and lead monthly PRIDE Team meetings
- Monitored the PRIDE Team budget and account
- Coordinated and led school-wide events and activities through PRIDE Team
Special Education Teacher
Flora School District
12.2005 - 05.2008
- Instructed students with special learning needs in grades kindergarten through 8th grade
- Utilized school improvement plans to organize curriculum, lessons, and interventions for special education students
- Created student-centered lessons for special education classes
- Evaluated student progress via student data and observation
- Created and wrote Individualized Education Plans
- Determined student needs and built individualized education
- Planned goals and objectives based on student observation and progress
- Lead annual review IEP meetings
- Built relationships and collaborated with student guardians regularly
- Progress monitored students to determine weekly, monthly, and quarterly progress
- Modified the general education curriculum for special-needs students based on a variety of instructional techniques and technologies
- Collaborated with teachers to determine needed modifications and accommodations and to discuss student progress
Education
Special Education Director Certification - Special Education Administration
Evangel University
Springfield, Missouri06-2025
Master of Arts - Educational Administration and Leadership
McKendree University
Lebanon, Illinois05.2012
Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education and Special Education
Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, Illinois12.2005
Skills
- Meeting students' individualized needs
- Individualized Education Plan implementation
- Behavior Intervention Plan implementation
- Special Education Compliance
- Problem-solving skills
- Data Analysis
- Decision-making skills
- Team Building
- Communication
- Collaboration
- Scheduling and planning
Committees
- Sullivan School District Special Education Leadership Team
- Sullivan Middle School Building Leadership Team
- Franklin County Community Transition Team
- Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Special Education Advisory Group
- Sullivan School District Superintendent Advisory Committee
Accomplishments
- Earned the Emerson Excellence in Teaching Award in 2016
- Earned the VFW Citizenship Education Teacher of the Year Award for implementation of the PRIDE (Perseverance, Responsibility, Integrity, Determination, Enthusiasm) Program at Belle Valley School- 2015-2016
- Participated in Ruby Payne-A Framework for Understanding Poverty training courses and trained colleagues in a cognitive approach to understanding student poverty issues
- Participated in technology training courses and trained colleagues in new technology concepts and practices using Interactive Smartboard Technology
- Served as faculty representative for student council and student PRIDE Team, supervising monthly meetings and leading school-wide events and activities
Timeline
Special Education Process Coordinator
Sullivan School District
08.2019 - Current
Special Education Teacher
Sullivan Middle School
08.2017 - 05.2019
Special Education Teacher
Belle Valley School
08.2008 - 05.2017
Special Education Teacher
Flora School District
12.2005 - 05.2008
Special Education Director Certification - Special Education Administration
Evangel University
Master of Arts - Educational Administration and Leadership
McKendree University
Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education and Special Education
Eastern Illinois University
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