MEKKA BRINCKS, M.Ed
Aurora,CO
Summary
A licensed Special Education Teacher and current Special Education Instructional Specialist with 19 years’ experience working with diverse, at-risk scholars who have social, emotional, behavioral and substance related issues with various identified learning disabilities to include ADHA, autism, dyslexia, 2E, SLD and SED in a public, residential and correctional setting obtain their GED and high school diploma.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Special Education Instructional Specialist
Denver Public Schools
07.2022 - Current
- Responsible for improving student achievement by providing individualized support to schools, leading professional learning communities for teacher leaders and school leaders, designing and leading district professional learning for teachers and partnering with Directors of Schools.
- Supports effective specialized instruction, infusing District vision for Culturally Responsive Education (CRE).
- Advise schools around all legal requirements related to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
- Provide various support and conduct activities related to logistics, reporting, training, communications, and processes.
- Assess and troubleshoot escalated problems and apply expert understanding to resolve complex challenges of stakeholders; focuse on root cause identification in order to achieve systemic and sustainable improvement.
- Implement approved enhancements to ensure consistency across the district. Identify opportunities to reduce costs; analyzes available data, trends, and feedback, and ensure compliance with expectations for optimal operation and goal achievement.
- Plan and facilitate professional development for schools on effective specialized instruction and inclusion, providing school staff with coaching and advice around curricular materials so that they are able to offer best first instruction and standards-aligned specialized instruction.
- Provide consultation, support, and direction to schools and special education teams so that they can meet all school-level Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) expectations and challenges and effectively manage special education services in support of the academic growth of students with disabilities; elevates school-level concerns, ensuring awareness around possible issues with implementation of IDEA that could result in legal risks.
- instructional systems and data-driven instruction.
- Model exemplar culturally sustaining practices for teacher leaders, such as instructional planning at the unit and lesson level, data meetings and feedback conversations.
- Analyze district local assessment data and classroom observations and uses it to inform school support.
- In collaboration with the multilingual education team, develops professional learning and coaching opportunities for teachers and leaders on best practices for supporting the achievement of multilingual learners.
Program Director
Sierra School at Aurora
01.2022 - 07.2022
- Developed and tracked benchmarks for measuring success.
- Ensured that academic policies and curriculum were followed.
- Helped teachers maximize their teaching potential.
- Met and listened to concerns of students regularly.
- Performed staff Supervisions to promote growth.
- Ensured both students and staff followed policies and procedures.
- Oversaw all programs of the school.
- Supervised all staff and students.
- Conducted PDs, trainings and meetings.
Special Education Coordinator
Mount View Youth Services Center
01.2021 - 01.2022
- Followed all rules and regulations of special education law including preparing reports for state and local indicators, submitting data to the Central office, scheduled meetings, and kept and maintained IEP records and other documents that pertain to special education.
- Facilitated Individual Education Programs (IEP) meetings using a strength based and family centered approach
- Worked with school administrators, community organizations, and state agencies to facilitate special education programming.
- Created and monitored systems to ensure successful outcomes to remain in compliance.
- Coordinated with the student's special education team to ensure all documents were completed in a timely manner prior to any IEP meeting.
- Worked with appropriate evaluators and ensured that assessments are completed in a timely manner for initials or re-evaluations
- Worked with the Director of Special Education to ensure that all materials, trainings, and supports were in place for alternative assessments if needed
- Consulted with outside agencies to support student transitional needs
- Supported school administration in resolving special education student behavior needs with the school's mental health professionals, developed and supported the implementation of behavior plans.
- Worked with special education staff, outside consultants/specialists (when necessary), and school administration to provide appropriate training for stakeholders.
- Lead/participated on MTSS.
Special Education Learning Specialist
Stargate Charter School
10.2020 - 01.2021
- Taught executive functioning skills to students identified as gifted and talented twice exceptional talk
- Monitored students IEP goals to determine effectiveness of direct instruction and use of accommodations.
- Oversaw the special education process and verified that IEP services were implemented in compliance with federal, state, and district regulations.
- Identified and assessed academic, social, emotional, and communication needs of referred students with the Learning Services team members to determine eligibility for special education services.
- Scheduled and facilitated special education evaluation and IEP meetings.
- Monitored student IEP goals to determine effectiveness of direct instruction and use of accommodations.
- Identified assessed, and problem solved around the barriers that affect learning and academic/social emotional growth
Detention Officer
The Geo Group
05.2019 - 10.2020
- Maintain the custody, care and control of inmates/detainees.
- Monitored and supervised inmates/detainees movement throughout the facility.
- Prepared reports and daily logs.
- Conducted counts and shakedowns.
- Provided immediate assistance to detainees/ inmates when in duress.
GED Teacher
The Learning Source, Denver County Jail
03.2019 - 05.2019
- Taught the GED to an inmate/detained population.
- Scheduled, administered and proctored GED Practice and Official GED tests.
- Maintained accurate records of attendance, missed exams and test results though established tracking systems.
- Conducted skills assessments to uncover performance gaps.
- Recommended curriculum choices and created lesson plans to maximize effectiveness of instruction.
Field Claims Representative
Bristol West Insurance
09.2018 - 05.2019
- Investigated auto claims to determine coverage and liability.
- Used negotiating skills to settle claims.
- Accurately documented all electronic files with a sense of urgency.
Education Coordinator
UC Denver
04.2015 - 09.2018
- Interpreted and analyzed data.
- Conducted academic (WIAT-III, KETA-3 & WJ-IV) and cognitive (WISC-V,WJ-IV) testing.
- Supervised 3 staff members and 15 clients ranging in age from 14-20.
- Evaluated, monitored and implemented policies and procedures.
- Managed the hiring process and training for new staff members.
- Complied with federal billing and paperwork regulations
- Redirected students using Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS)
- Liaison between clients and stakeholders
- Assisted clients with making a transition toward their post-secondary goals.
- Met with clients and stakeholders monthly to discuss educational and treatment progress.
- Ability to prioritize and make great decisions.
Special Education Teacher
Cenpatico
08.2014 - 04.2015
- Taught Basic Math, Earth Science, Introduction to Art and Physical Education to students with affective needs.
- Redirected students using Positive Behavior Support (PBS).
- Lead activities that developed students physical, emotional and social growth.
- Gave one-on-one attention to students, while maintaining overall focus for all students
- Developed and implemented IEP's.
- Communicated with parents, teachers, and administrators to provide a support system for the student.
- Implemented Professional Crisis Management (PCM)
Special Education Teacher
Englewood High School
08.2012 - 08.2014
- Team taught Algebra 1 to culturally diverse students with and without learning disabilities using Common Core standards.
- Encouraged higher level thinking for all students by having students explain their thinking.
- Successfully improved student's active participation in the classroom by providing a positive learning environment.
- Modified the general education curriculum for students accessing special education services by using a variety of instructional techniques and technologies
- Consulted and collaborated with parents, teachers, psychologists and administers to provide optimum learning success for students.
- Developed and implemented IEPs and BIPs.
- Managed a caseload of 15-18 students.
Special Education Teacher
Shiloh Home Inc
07.2008 - 08.2012
- Increased students math scores by 29% by teaching using Multi-Sensory Language Education (MSLE).
- Taught Basic Math, Geometry, Pre-algebra and Algebra to at-risk students with learning disabilities Implemented technology in teaching through the use of a smart board, a math lab, and scientific calculators.
- Successfully improved students negative behaviors in the classroom by implementing a reward system and creative role-playing exercises.
- Implemented a literacy program to improve reading and writing.
- Wrote lessons plans to specifically target the needs for all students.
- Consulted and collaborated with teachers, therapists, administrators and house staff to effectively teach students social and academic skills.
Education
Master of Arts - Special Education
University of Colorado At Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs, COBachelor of Science - Psychology
University of Colorado At Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs, COMaster of Arts - Principal Licensure Program
University of Colorado At Colorado Springs
Colorado12.2025
Skills
- Proficient in Google and Microsoft suites
- Proficient with Zoom, Teams and Google Meet
- Strong collaborator; build rapport with clients, colleagues and stakeholders
- Actively participate in professional developments/ trainings
- Ability to problem solve by implementing negotiation and critical thinking skills and motivational interviewing
- Highly structured and consistent
- Implement DEI
- Differentiate Instruction
- IEP Compliance
- Classroom Integration
- Implement pedagogy approaches
Timeline
Special Education Instructional Specialist
Denver Public Schools
07.2022 - Current
Program Director
Sierra School at Aurora
01.2022 - 07.2022
Special Education Coordinator
Mount View Youth Services Center
01.2021 - 01.2022
Special Education Learning Specialist
Stargate Charter School
10.2020 - 01.2021
Detention Officer
The Geo Group
05.2019 - 10.2020
GED Teacher
The Learning Source, Denver County Jail
03.2019 - 05.2019
Field Claims Representative
Bristol West Insurance
09.2018 - 05.2019
Education Coordinator
UC Denver
04.2015 - 09.2018
Special Education Teacher
Cenpatico
08.2014 - 04.2015
Special Education Teacher
Englewood High School
08.2012 - 08.2014
Special Education Teacher
Shiloh Home Inc
07.2008 - 08.2012
Master of Arts - Special Education
University of Colorado At Colorado Springs
Bachelor of Science - Psychology
University of Colorado At Colorado Springs
Master of Arts - Principal Licensure Program
University of Colorado At Colorado Springs
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