Mellissa Rotino
Las Vegas
Summary
With a proven track record at Clark County School District, I excel in creating inclusive educational environments that foster social skills development and academic success. Leveraging emotional support and structured teaching, I've significantly enhanced student learning outcomes. My collaborative teamwork and expertise in IEP implementation have consistently improved classroom dynamics and individual student achievements. I am a versatile Special Education Teacher with focus on individual student needs across academia and emotional development. Empathetic and accommodating in design and implementation of hands-on lessons, catering to diverse learning abilities. Proficient in employing constant communication, patience and positive reinforcement in team efforts to deliver exceptional educational tools, fostering academic achievement.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
Autism Teacher
Clark County School District
08.2020 - Current
- Aligned curriculum goals with state standards while adapting materials specifically for an autism-focused classroom setting that emphasized social-emotional growth alongside academic achievement.
- Provided ongoing feedback to parents regarding their child''s progress, collaborating on strategies for success both at school and at home.
- Participated in professional development opportunities related to autism education, applying new knowledge and techniques in the classroom setting.
- Implemented behavior management techniques to maintain a structured and calm classroom atmosphere conducive to learning for students with autism spectrum disorders.
- Developed strong relationships with students by understanding their individual interests and creating engaging lesson plans that catered to those interests while still meeting academic objectives.
- Evaluated student progress regularly through assessments, adjusting instructional strategies as needed to optimize academic growth.
- Collaborated with other educators and support staff to create a cohesive and inclusive learning environment, ensuring all students received appropriate accommodations.
- Coordinated efforts with speech therapists, occupational therapists, and other specialists in order to provide comprehensive support for each student''s needs inside and outside the classroom setting.
- Utilized various forms of assistive technology when appropriate to enhance communication abilities for nonverbal or minimally verbal students in the classroom environment.
- Developed personalized learning plans for individual students, addressing their unique needs and abilities within an autism-focused classroom setting.
- Maintained accurate records of student performance data, using it to inform instruction and track progress over time.
- Fostered a positive learning environment by promoting respect, empathy, and collaboration among all students regardless of ability level or background.
- Created and managed IEPs to define student learning objectives and educational strategies, in addition to applying instructional knowledge and methods to support goals.
- Encouraged students to take ownership of learning by providing choices.
- Facilitated small group instruction to address individual learning needs.
- Implemented behavior modification techniques to improve student social and academic performance.
- Maintained accurate records of student progress and attendance.
- Promoted memory, cognition and language development with hands-on activities and individualized instruction.
- Utilized technology to create meaningful lessons that engage students.
Special Education Teacher
Somerset Academy - Sky Pointe
08.2019 - 07.2020
- Implemented behavior management techniques to create a positive learning environment.
- Developed individualized education plans by assessing student needs and collaborating with parents and support staff.
- Enhanced student self-esteem with positive reinforcement and tailored support strategies.
- Conducted assessments to identify learning challenges and adjust instructional methods.
- Advocated for student needs by participating in IEP meetings and ensuring compliance with regulations.
- Created and managed IEPs to define student learning objectives and educational strategies, in addition to applying instructional knowledge and methods to support goals.
Exhibit Front of House/Retail Employee
Experiential Media
05.2017 - 07.2019
- Handled high-pressure situations with grace, maintaining excellent service standards even during peak hours or understaffed shifts.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction by providing attentive service and addressing inquiries in a timely manner.
- Provided exceptional customer service at ticket sales and information desk, contributing to a welcoming atmosphere for all guests.
- Performed opening and closing duties diligently, ensuring the museum was ready for optimal operations each day.
- Contributed to team efficiency by promptly completing side work tasks during downtime periods.
- Implemented creative marketing strategies to increase museum attendance rates during traditionally slow periods.
- Trained new staff in front-of-house procedures, customer relations, and cleaning.
- Accurately processed POS transactions, returning coin, currency, payment cards, and receipts to customers.
Hotel Nanny
Artsy Nannies
09.2016 - 06.2017
- Prepared meals and snacks for children based on dietary guidelines.
- Developed strong communication with parents to provide updates on children''s progress, needs, and achievements.
- Supported children in play activities, meals, and snacks, hygiene and socialization.
- Enhanced children''s emotional well-being by providing attentive care and nurturing relationships.
- Played games, worked on puzzles, and read books to young children.
- Established lasting, professional connections with families and children by encouraging open communication and delivering positive feedback.
- Engaged with children on age-appropriate level.
- Maintained clean, neat and hazard-free areas to protect kids, and families.
- Assisted in maintaining a safe and healthy environment, ensuring cleanliness and proper supervision of children.
- Used patience, skill and various behavior modification techniques to maintain order and safety.
- Fostered creativity through engaging arts and crafts projects, stimulating imagination and expression.
Preschool Teaching Assistant
UNLV/CSUN Preschool
10.2016 - 05.2017
- Interacted with children one-on-one and in small groups to enhance and support learning activities.
- Maintained classrooms by disinfecting and sterilizing surfaces and toys.
- Engaged and entertained children through recreational and educational activities.
- Fostered a love for music with fun sing-alongs, rhythm exercises, and exposure to different musical instruments.
- Increased fine motor skill development with hands-on art projects, puzzles, and manipulative toys.
- Supported classroom management strategies for maintaining an orderly, safe, and nurturing learning environment.
- Assisted with snack time, meal preparations, and maintaining food safety guidelines during daily routines.
- Assisted lead teachers in creating comprehensive lesson plans tailored to diverse learning needs and abilities.
- Collaborated on developing differentiated instruction methods aimed at meeting all students'' unique strengths and weaknesses.
- Promoted early literacy skills by incorporating daily reading time and introducing age-appropriate literature to the classroom library.
- Contributed to a positive school culture by actively participating in staff meetings, training workshops, and school-wide initiatives.
Claire's Sales Associate
Claire's Boutique
05.2014 - 07.2014
- Organized racks and shelves to maintain store visual appeal, engage customers, and promote specific merchandise.
- Handled cash transactions efficiently while adhering to company cash handling policies, ensuring accuracy in all financial exchanges.
- Built relationships with customers to encourage repeat business.
- Managed returns, exchanges and refunds in accordance with store policy.
- Maintained calm demeanor and professionally managed issues in busy, high-stress situations.
- Prepared merchandise for sales floor by pricing or tagging.
- Helped customers locate products and checked store system for merchandise at other sites.
- Assisted in store operations by managing inventory and restocking supplies as needed, contributing to overall efficiency and productivity.
- Maintained a high level of professionalism while interacting with customers to ensure their comfort during the piercing process.
- Increased customer satisfaction by performing precise and efficient ear piercings in a clean, sanitary environment.
Sales Ambassador
Armani Exchange
09.2013 - 12.2013
- Increased brand awareness by engaging with customers at promotional events.
- Maintained detailed knowledge of product offerings to address customer inquiries.
- Organized racks and shelves to maintain store visual appeal, engage customers, and promote specific merchandise.
- Handled cash transactions efficiently while adhering to company cash handling policies, ensuring accuracy in all financial exchanges.
- Prepared merchandise for sales floor by pricing or tagging.
- Helped customers locate products and checked store system for merchandise at other sites.
- Answered customer questions about sizing, accessories, and merchandise care.
- Provided positive first impressions to welcome existing, new, and potential customers.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Elementary And Special Education
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NYBachelor of Science - Psychology
Hawaii Pacific University
Honolulu, HIBachelor of Science - Special Education
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV05-2019
Associate of Arts - Creative Writing
College of Southern Nevada
Las Vegas, NV05-2027
Skills
- Emotional regulation support
- Collaborative teamwork
- Functional communication training
- Parent-teacher collaboration
- Social skills development
- Inclusive education
- Visual supports
- Data collection
- Motor skills development
- Picture exchange communication system
- Augmentative communication
- Structured teaching
- Transition planning
- Team collaboration
- Relationship building
- Emotional support
- Lesson planning
- Trained in CPI
- Behavior intervention plans
- Differentiated instruction
- Compiling data collection to create Individual Education Plans (IEP)
- IEP implementation
- Creating individualized goals and benchmarks to ensure student success
- Student records management
- Parent communication
- Assessment administration
- Time management
- Analytical thinking
Timeline
Autism Teacher
Clark County School District
08.2020 - Current
Special Education Teacher
Somerset Academy - Sky Pointe
08.2019 - 07.2020
Exhibit Front of House/Retail Employee
Experiential Media
05.2017 - 07.2019
Preschool Teaching Assistant
UNLV/CSUN Preschool
10.2016 - 05.2017
Hotel Nanny
Artsy Nannies
09.2016 - 06.2017
Claire's Sales Associate
Claire's Boutique
05.2014 - 07.2014
Sales Ambassador
Armani Exchange
09.2013 - 12.2013
Bachelor of Science - Elementary And Special Education
Syracuse University
Bachelor of Science - Psychology
Hawaii Pacific University
Bachelor of Science - Special Education
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Associate of Arts - Creative Writing
College of Southern Nevada
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