Melissa Rocconi
Camden,AR
Summary
Accomplished Special Education Supervisor with many years of experience as self-motivated teaching professional and administrator. Demonstrates commitment to collaboration, diversity, and professional development. Trained in development and maintenance of safe and productive environments.
I chose to take a step back from education due to an accident that set me back physically. I am ready to continue to pursue my passion in education and look forward to hearing from and, hopefully, serving in your teaching community.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
Special Education Supervisor
Harmony Grove School District
Camden, AR
07.2012 - 06.2022
- Engaged in ongoing professional development activities that focused on best practices in the field of special education.
- Performed assessments and evaluations of students' skills in order to develop appropriate intervention strategies.
- Participated in various committees or task forces that addressed topics related to Special Education programming at local, state, or federal levels.
- Served as an advocate for students receiving Special Education services by collaborating with administrators, teachers, parents and guardians, outside agencies.
- Maintained records of progress reports, data collection systems, and other relevant documents related to program implementation.
- Facilitated meetings between parents and guardians and school personnel regarding student's academic performance and behavior management plans.
- Developed and implemented individualized education plans for students with special needs.
- Monitored student progress towards meeting IEP goals and objectives.
- Collaborated with outside agencies such as social services, community organizations, health care providers. to coordinate services for students with special needs.
- Created team-based problem solving approaches for addressing issues related to implementing IEPs.
- Provided technical assistance when needed regarding assessment tools utilized for determining eligibility for Special Education services.
- Developed and implemented individualized education plans for special needs students.
- Evaluated current instructional practices used by teachers while providing feedback on areas needing improvement or reinforcement.
- Developed policies and procedures related to Special Education services provided by the district or organization.
- Reviewed student files regularly to ensure compliance with legal requirements pertaining to Individualized Education Programs.
- Coordinated all aspects of a comprehensive transition plan for post-secondary options for high school aged students with disabilities.
- Provided guidance on how to access available resources within the community that could benefit students with disabilities or their families.
- Conducted training sessions to ensure staff understands IEPs, accommodations, and modifications.
- Assisted families in understanding the laws and regulations governing special education programs within the district or state.
- Provided guidance and resources to teachers in order to support the educational needs of their students.
- Actively participated in developing budgets related to staffing allocations and resource acquisition necessary for successful implementation of Special Education programs.
- Demonstrated knowledge of innovative and research-based methodologies to instruct students with disabilities in virtual environment.
- Monitored special education teachers for compliance with teaching practices, curriculum and outcome measures.
- Followed procedures outlined for placing students in approved, nonpublic facility placements.
- Collaborated with program administrators to prepare budget and develop policy goals.
- Developed individualized lesson plans, goals and criteria for students.
- Analyzed data to establish goals and objectives to foster academic achievement and social-emotional growth of students.
- Administered state-required testing for students.
- Provided ongoing training to address staff needs.
- Maintained appropriate contacts with district, intermediate units and state special education leaders in continued compliance of special education programs.
- Observed classrooms to determine staff and resource needs.
- Represented school in state meetings and trainings to implement special education programs.
- Recruited, trained and evaluated staff and recommended personnel actions for programs and services.
- Prepared and submitted budget requests or grant proposals to solicit program funding.
- Monitored student progress and assisted students and teachers with resolving problems.
- Reviewed and evaluated programs for compliance with state, local and federal regulations.
- Directed and coordinated activities of teachers or administrators at schools, public agencies or institutions.
- Determined allocations of funds for staff, equipment and authorized purchases.
- Implemented policies, procedures and programs to carry out educational standards and goals.
- Planned, directed and monitored instructional methods and content of educational and vocational programs.
- Prepared and maintained personnel reports and records for officials and agencies.
- Conferred with parents and staff to discuss educational activities and policies.
Special Education Teacher
Smackover School District
Smackover AR, AR
07.2009 - 06.2012
- Established positive relationships with students and their families.
- Adapted curriculum materials as needed to meet individualized student needs.
- Instructed special education classes using evidence-based practices.
- Collaborated closely with related services providers such as speech therapists.
- Developed and implemented individualized education plans for students with special needs.
- Served as an advocate for special education students within the school system.
- Facilitated small group instruction tailored for individual student needs.
- Provided instruction in academic, communication, and social skills to special education students.
- Attended parent-teacher conferences to discuss student progress.
- Identified learning needs of students with disabilities and implemented appropriate interventions.
- Implemented behavior management systems that promote positive behaviors.
- Utilized technology resources such as online programs and assistive devices.
- Conducted assessments of student performance and provided feedback to parents.
- Collaborated with other educators and professionals to design instructional plans.
- Assisted in the development of IEP goals based on data analysis.
- Organized field trips or community experiences to enhance learning opportunities for special education students.
- Participated in professional development activities related to teaching strategies for special education students.
- Created a safe environment conducive to learning for special education students.
- Maintained accurate records of student progress towards IEP goals.
- Communicated regularly with parents regarding their child's progress.
- Monitored the educational progress of each student according to established timelines.
- Developed Individual Education Plans for students with disabilities.
- Developed and maintained individualized skill-appropriate lesson plans to promote and build student confidence.
- Advocated for needs of the students with disabilities.
- Participated in adapted physical education activities with students to encourage overall health and instill positive routines.
- Conducted small group and individual classroom activities with students based on differentiated learning needs.
- Encouraged curiosity, exploration and problem-solving with tailored recreation programs.
- Facilitated student operation of augmented communication devices.
- Assisted with classroom observations to identify developmental delays and behavioral issues.
- Incorporated interactive visual aids into student lesson plans to support learning objectives.
- Solved student behavioral issues according to building expectations and codes of conduct.
- Enhanced lessons using Smart Board technology and computers.
- Developed IEP to leverage developmental practices and educational theories to achieve educational objectives.
- Established and maintained dynamic working relationships with students and parents to support classroom objectives.
- Developed interesting and interactive learning methods tailored to help students with individual needs.
- Supported diverse student populations through equitable instructional design and programming.
- Teamed with general education teachers to plan and implement curriculum, state and district-wide assessments.
- Maintained consistent and timely contact with parents about student behavior and upcoming events.
- Collaborated with outside agencies providing services for students and families to deliver cohesive support.
- Encouraged student empathy of others to build confidence and improve self-image.
- Led students on field trips to enhance educational programs.
- Collaborated with general education teachers to include students in classroom activities.
- Demonstrated appropriate behaviors using behavior modeling and positive reinforcement techniques.
- Designed and delivered personalized learning for each student and advocated for student inclusion and success in general education environments.
- Analyzed student data and prescribed remediation and enrichment to meet learning needs.
- Developed individual educational plans designed to promote educational, physical and social development.
- Cultivated classroom environment focused on inclusion and growth, fostering both social and academic development.
- Helped students learn to persevere with challenging tasks and build resilience for later educational efforts.
- Adapted instructional techniques to appropriate ages and skill levels of supervised students.
- Enhanced students' physical, behavioral and social skills through class activities.
- Collaborated with other educational personnel to provide inclusive activities or programs for children with disabilities.
Special Education Teacher
Camden Fairview School District
Camden, AR
07.2006 - 06.2008
- Adapted curriculum materials as needed to meet individualized student needs.
- Instructed special education classes using evidence-based practices.
- Developed and implemented individualized education plans for students with special needs.
- Attended parent-teacher conferences to discuss student progress.
- Identified learning needs of students with disabilities and implemented appropriate interventions.
- Conducted assessments of student performance and provided feedback to parents.
- Collaborated with other educators and professionals to design instructional plans.
- Assisted in the development of IEP goals based on data analysis.
- Participated in professional development activities related to teaching strategies for special education students.
- Maintained accurate records of student progress towards IEP goals.
Special Education Paraprofessional
Westside Consolidated School District
Jonesboro, AR
07.1998 - 07.2006
- Assisted with transitioning from one activity to another throughout the day as needed by the student.
- Encouraged independent thinking, problem solving, and self-advocacy skills among students.
- Motivated students to achieve academic success while fostering an environment of respect and acceptance.
- Monitored behavior of students in order to ensure a safe, positive learning environment.
- Attended professional development sessions related to working with special education populations.
- Provided feedback on how well a student is progressing towards meeting their IEP goals.
- Provided one-on-one instruction to students who needed extra help with learning tasks.
- Organized instructional materials for use in the classroom setting.
- Assisted teachers in creating and implementing Individualized Education Plans for students with special needs.
Education
Master of Science - Special Education
Arkansas State University
Jonesboro05-2006
Skills
- Disability Awareness
- Data-driven decision-making
- Behavior Intervention Plans
- Positive Reinforcement
- Instructional Strategies
- Community Partnerships
- Legal Compliance
- Progress Monitoring
- Individualized Education Plans
- Transition planning
- Parent Communication
- Instructional Leadership
- Learning disabilities
- Social-emotional learning
- Training delivery
- Adaptive Learning
- Disciplinary Actions
- State Testing Support
- Academic Standards Management
- Performance Evaluations
- Public Speaking
- Fiscal Management
- Staff Development
- Administrative Staff Coordination
- Relationship Building
- Policies and Procedures Enforcement
- Program Analysis
- Curriculum Planning
- Excellent Communication
- Budget Administration
- Written Communication
- Documentation skills
Timeline
Special Education Supervisor
Harmony Grove School District
07.2012 - 06.2022
Special Education Teacher
Smackover School District
07.2009 - 06.2012
Special Education Teacher
Camden Fairview School District
07.2006 - 06.2008
Special Education Paraprofessional
Westside Consolidated School District
07.1998 - 07.2006
Master of Science - Special Education
Arkansas State University
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