Hi, I’m
Michelle Forbis
Behaviorist
Gray,TN
Summary
Compassionate and dedicated behavior intervention professional with extensive experience supporting children and adolescents with behavioral, emotional, developmental, and learning needs in school-based settings. Skilled in behavior intervention, crisis prevention, trauma-informed care, data collection, progress monitoring, implementation of individualized behavior and education plans, and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams. Passionate about helping individuals build communication, social, adaptive, and daily living skills while promoting independence and positive behavioral outcomes.
Overview
12
years of professional experience
4
Certifications
Work History
Jhonson City Schools
Alternative Program Instructional Assistant
11.2025 - Current
Job overview
- Assisted in implementing individualized education plans (IEPs) for diverse learners, ensuring compliance with educational standards as well as Safety Plans that promote safe environment for our students when in crisis.
- Oversaw student progress and delivered actionable feedback to educators regarding academic performance and behavioral concerns.
- Collaboration with multiple departments for student support.
- Supported implementation of behavioral intervention plans for student behavior management. Applied trauma-informed practices and restorative techniques to support students effectively. Utilized evidence-based intervention strategies to enhance student engagement.
- Assist students with emotional regulation, coping skills, conflict resolution, and social skills development.
- Reinforce positive behaviors through structure behavior support.
- Crisis prevention and De-escalation.
- Data collection and Documentation.
- Direct Supervisor: Dr. Kelsey Walker.
Liberty Bell Middle School
RTI Instructional Assistant
02.2018 - 11.2025
Job overview
- Provide direct instruction to academically struggling student community.
- Use data and progress monitoring to help identify deficits and need for further support.
- Help teachers develop and implement classroom-based, developmentally appropriate interventions for individual children and groups of children to enhance their acquisition of social/emotional and cognitive skills
- Data tracking through standardized testing, Identify the GAP using universal screening techniques.
- Use Evidence based academics as well as explicit instruction and systematic progression.
- Design collaborative systems to support the sharing of RtI best practices.
- Supervisor: Sarah Taylor Ph: 423-323-2192
Frontier Health
Residential Specialist Supervisor
06.2019 - 11.2024
Job overview
- Assisted clients with daily living activities to promote independence and self-sufficiency.
- Developed individualized care plans based on client assessments and needs.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to ensure comprehensive service delivery.
- Monitored client progress and adjusted interventions as necessary for optimal outcomes.
- Facilitated group therapy sessions to enhance social skills and community engagement.
- Provided crisis intervention support in high-stress situations, ensuring safety and stability.
- Mentored new staff on best practices in client care and organizational policies.
- Assisted residents in achieving personal goals with customized support plans and regular progress reviews.
- Cultivated strong relationships with local resources, connecting residents to essential services within the community as needed.
Dobbyns Bennett High School
Inclusion Instructional Assistant
03.2020 - 06.2021
Job overview
- Works directly with students within regular education and special education classrooms providing special assistance and/or instruction.
- Assists students, under supervision of special education and/or regular education teachers, in working toward meeting IEP objectives and goals.
- Assists in administering, scoring, and recording diagnostic tests as recommended for individual students.
- Assists in designing/utilizing appropriate materials for individual students in the regular or special education classrooms.
- Assists regular and special education teachers in facilitating modifications and/or adaptations in the educational environment, instructional materials and/or equipment for special education students.
- May be required to ride school bus with students in special education classes in order to monitor conduct of students, maintain discipline and safety and prevent altercations between students and damage to the bus. Participates in school bus safety drills.
- Assists students, individually or in small groups, with lesson in order to practice and/or reinforce learning concepts and assist students in reaching academic goals and grade level standards.
- Adapts classroom activities, assignments, and/or materials under the direction of the supervising teacher.
- Supervisor: Richard Brown Ph: 423.378.8564
JR Arnold High School
Bi-Lingual Paraprofessional
02.2017 - 01.2018
Job overview
- Assist the Newcomer community in academic, behavioral,and social emotional development accommodating students with diverse learning abilities, including special education services.
- Implemented individualized supports and interventions aligned with students goals and educational plan.
- Collaborated with teachers, administrators, and families to promote student success and positive learning environments.
- Collected and analyzed student performance data to support instructional planning and intervention efforts
- Supported Newcomer students' learning by providing one-on-one tutoring and small group instruction to reinforce academic progress.
- Developed study materials that improved comprehension of complex topics for diverse learning styles.
- Supervisor: Vicki Gilmore Ph: 850-767-3739
San Diego Navy Fleet and Family Readiness Programs
Child and Youth Lead
10.2015 - 10.2017
Job overview
- Provide training, mentoring, role-modeling and professional development to CYP Teacher Assistants under the leader supervision.
- Provided Leadership, mentoring and professional development support to Child and Youth program staff.
- Assisted in maintaining compliance with Department of Defense and national accreditation standards.
- Incorporates special instructions for the individual needs of each special needs child.
- Acts as an intermediate between Teacher Assistant and Parent in special situations.
- Coordinated developmentally appropriate curriculum and classroom activities for children of varying ages, stages and abilities.
- Supported classroom operations, safety procedures, training requirements, and program quality initiatives.
- Supervisor: Gisselle Ph: 858-577-4144
- Trained new staff on standard operating procedures, fostering a culture of teamwork and collaboration.
- Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations.
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
- Worked effectively in fast-paced environments.
- Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
San Diego Rady Children's Hospital
Developmental Services Worker
02.2014 - 08.2016
Job overview
- Provided clinical support services for children with developmental, behavioral, and emotional needs in a multidisciplinary healthcare environment.
- Assisted with developmental screenings, behavioral observations, assessments, and individualized treatment planning.
- Implemented therapeutic interventions designed to promote communication, social-emotional development, adaptive functioning, and behavioral success.
- Educated parents and caregivers regarding developmental milestones, behavioral strategies, and available treatment resources.
- Collaborated with physicians, psychologists, therapists, social workers, educators, and community providers to coordinate comprehensive care.
- Maintained accurate clinical documentation and entered patient information into electronic medical records while ensuring HIPAA compliance.
- Developed educational materials, family resources, and program support documents to improve patient and caregiver understanding.
- Applied child development principles while adapting interventions to each child's developmental level, abilities, disabilities, and cultural background.
- Promoted positive behavioral outcomes through patient-centered, trauma-informed, and developmentally appropriate interventions.
Education
Southwestern College
A.A. from Child Development
05-2010
Southwestern College
A.A. from Child Development Teacher
05-2010
Southwestern College
Certification from Family Child Care Program
03-2010
Tuscarawas Central Catholic
High School Diploma
05-1999
Skills
- Applied Behavior Support and Intervention
- Behavior Observation and Documetation
- Positive Behavior Support (PBS)
- Trauma-Informed Care
- Crisis Prevention and De-escalation
- Child Development and Developmental Disabilities
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Support
- Emotional Regulation and Coping Skills Instruction
- Social Skills Development
- Functional Communication Support
- Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and Behavior Support Plans
- Developmental Screening and Clinical Observation
- Treatment Planning Support
- Activities of Daily Living (ADL) Assistance
- HIPAA and FERPA Confidentiality Practices
- Multidisciplinary Team Collaboration
- Patient and Student Advocacy
- Classroom and Behavior Management
- Individual and Small Group Instruction
- Evidence-Based Intervention Strategies
- Motivational Interviewing Techniques
- Conflict Resolution and Restorative Practices
- Child Safety and Risk Management
- Cultural Competency and Family Engagement
- Staff Training, Mentoring, and Collaboration
Certification
- Handle with Care- Training /5 years
- Wyman's TOP Outreach Program/2 years
- Motivational Interviewing
- CPR
- First Aide
- Suicide prevention
References
Sarah Taylor 423-646-3222 ( Previous Supervisor)
Megan Jepson 828-7196314 ( Previous Supervisor)
Fernando De Sousa 423-767-6722 ( Professional Acquaintance)
Languages
Spanish
English
Italian
Portuguese
Languages
2,2,5,5
Timeline
Alternative Program Instructional Assistant
Jhonson City Schools
11.2025 - Current
Inclusion Instructional Assistant
Dobbyns Bennett High School
03.2020 - 06.2021
Residential Specialist Supervisor
Frontier Health
06.2019 - 11.2024
RTI Instructional Assistant
Liberty Bell Middle School
02.2018 - 11.2025
Bi-Lingual Paraprofessional
JR Arnold High School
02.2017 - 01.2018
Child and Youth Lead
San Diego Navy Fleet and Family Readiness Programs
10.2015 - 10.2017
Developmental Services Worker
San Diego Rady Children's Hospital
02.2014 - 08.2016
Tuscarawas Central Catholic
High School Diploma
Southwestern College
Certification from Family Child Care Program
Southwestern College
A.A. from Child Development Teacher
Southwestern College
A.A. from Child Development