Michelle Middendorf
Wayne City Schools District.100
McLeansboro,IL
23
years of professional experience
Experienced Special Education Teacher with a strong record of IEP and BIP implementation, instructional adaptation, and parent communication. Known for building trust, supporting diverse learners, and improving academic and behavioral outcomes.
Dedicated Special Education Teacher with 15+ years of experience supporting students with diverse learning needs. Skilled in differentiated instruction, progress monitoring, and positive behavior supports. Partners closely with families, general educators, and support staff to strengthen student success and inclusion.
Work History
Special Education Teacher
9 Years 3 Months- Developed individualized education programs aligned with student needs, goals, and compliance requirements.
- Adapted instruction using differentiated strategies to support diverse learning styles and ability levels.
- Collaborated with parents, general educators, and support staff to strengthen student progress.
- Assessed student performance and adjusted instructional plans to improve academic and behavioral outcomes.
- Implemented positive behavior supports to maintain structured, inclusive classroom routines.
- Documented progress, accommodations, and services in accordance with special education regulations.
- Led case conference discussions to coordinate services and resolve instructional challenges.
- Mentored peers on classroom management, intervention strategies, and instructional best practices.
- Developed IEPs tailored to individual student needs, ensuring their academic success and personal growth.
- Created and managed IEPs to define student learning objectives and educational strategies, in addition to applying instructional knowledge and methods to support goals.
- Promoted a positive learning environment through the use of differentiated instruction and individualized support for diverse learners.
- Modified general education curriculum for special-needs students using various instructional techniques and technologies.
- Fostered strong relationships with parents and guardians, maintaining open lines of communication to ensure student progress.
- Improved student behavior management by implementing consistent routines, clear expectations, and positive reinforcement strategies.
- Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities focused on evidence-based practices in special education teaching methodologies.
- Provided targeted instructional support to struggling learners, identifying specific areas for improvement and designing effective intervention plans.
- Coordinated with general education teachers to develop accommodations or modifications necessary for successful inclusion of students with special needs in mainstream classrooms.
- Taught multiple subjects to students with intellectual or emotional disabilities.
- Cultivated connections and strong student rapport to foster classroom engagement, in addition to recording student progress to inform parents and school administration.
- Redirected students using Positive Behavior Support (PBS).
- Assisted struggling students to maintain progress levels by designing individualized lesson plans focused on areas for improvement.
- Enhanced students'' communication skills by implementing group activities and collaborative projects.
- Streamlined classroom processes by integrating technology tools such as interactive whiteboards and assistive devices designed for students with disabilities.
- Served as a mentor to new teachers, sharing best practices in special education instruction and classroom management techniques.
- Partnered with standard education teachers from across academic departments.
- Encouraged students to take ownership of learning by providing choices.
- Conducted assessments to identify students' strengths and areas for improvement, informing instructional strategies.
- Developed and executed behavioral intervention plans, leading to a decrease in disruptive behaviors and an increase in classroom participation.
- Collaborated with parents and other educators to develop comprehensive support plans, promoting student success.
- Promoted self-advocacy and independence in students with disabilities by teaching self-management and decision-making skills.
- Implemented individualized education plans for students with diverse learning needs, ensuring personalized support.
- Advocated for rights and needs of students with special education requirements, ensuring access to appropriate resources and accommodations.
- Improved reading comprehension among students with learning disabilities by designing and delivering targeted literacy activities.
- Facilitated small group instruction to address individual learning needs.
- Implemented behavior modification techniques to improve student social and academic performance.
- Planned daily activities to keep students engaged and on track with learning goals.
- Worked closely with parents and guardians to address students' issues on multiple fronts.
- Utilized technology to create meaningful lessons that engage students.
- Mentored new teachers on student progress monitoring and legal document preparation.
- Provided professional development training to educate faculty and staff on laws and regulations governing special education.
- Promoted memory, cognition and language development with hands-on activities and individualized instruction.
Special Education Teacher
4 Years 9 Months- Led case conference discussions to coordinate services and resolve instructional challenges.
- Documented progress, accommodations, and services in accordance with special education regulations.
- Implemented positive behavior supports to maintain structured, inclusive classroom routines.
- Mentored peers on classroom management, intervention strategies, and instructional best practices.
- Developed individualized education programs aligned with student needs, goals, and compliance requirements.
- Adapted instruction using differentiated strategies to support diverse learning styles and ability levels.
- Collaborated with parents, general educators, and support staff to strengthen student progress.
- Assessed student performance and adjusted instructional plans to improve academic and behavioral outcomes.
- Developed IEPs tailored to individual student needs, ensuring their academic success and personal growth.
- Promoted a positive learning environment through the use of differentiated instruction and individualized support for diverse learners.
- Fostered strong relationships with parents and guardians, maintaining open lines of communication to ensure student progress.
- Taught students across multiple classifications and degrees of special needs.
- Coordinated with general education teachers to develop accommodations or modifications necessary for successful inclusion of students with special needs in mainstream classrooms.
- Coordinated special education students and teacher assistant schedules with the master schedule.
- Led activities that developed students' physical, emotional, and social growth.
- Redirected students using Positive Behavior Support (PBS).
- Enhanced students'' communication skills by implementing group activities and collaborative projects.
- Streamlined classroom processes by integrating technology tools such as interactive whiteboards and assistive devices designed for students with disabilities.
- Organized field trips and community-based experiences that enriched students'' understanding of real-world applications for their skills.
- Collaborated with parents and other educators to develop comprehensive support plans, promoting student success.
- Implemented individualized education plans for students with diverse learning needs, ensuring personalized support.
- Enhanced communication skills in non-verbal students through integration of alternative and augmentative communication systems.
- Fostered a positive learning environment, reducing classroom disruptions through effective behavior management strategies.
- Adapted teaching methods and materials to meet varied needs of students, enhancing educational accessibility.
- Coordinated with multidisciplinary teams to ensure comprehensive educational and emotional support for students.
- Facilitated small group instruction to address individual learning needs.
- Designed individual education plans to encourage student growth according to different learning abilities and needs.
Substitute Teacher
9 Months- Managed student behavior with consistent expectations, de-escalation techniques, and positive reinforcement.
- Delivered classroom instruction using teacher lesson plans, maintaining continuity across diverse grade levels.
- Adapted quickly to changing schedules, classroom needs, and instructional priorities.
- Documented attendance, assignments, and classroom incidents accurately for follow-up by permanent staff.
- Supported students with individualized guidance, reinforcing comprehension and participation.
- Collaborated with school staff to ensure smooth daily operations and lesson transitions.
- Supervised classroom activities, lunch periods, and transitions while maintaining a safe learning environment.
Special Education Substitute Teacher
3 Months- Delivered classroom instruction aligned with lesson plans and teacher substitutes, maintaining continuity across grade levels.
- Adapted instructional strategies quickly to support diverse learning styles and disability-related needs.
- Supervised students closely to promote safety, engagement, and orderly classroom routines.
- Delivered classroom instruction aligned with lesson plans and teacher substitutes, maintaining continuity across grade levels.
- Documented attendance, student progress, and behavioral concerns for follow-up by school staff.
- Communicated effectively with teachers, paraprofessionals, and administrators to ensure consistent student support.
- Managed classroom transitions, materials, and technology to sustain productive learning environments.
- Reinforced positive behavior expectations and de-escalation techniques to reduce disruptions.
- Adapted lesson content to accommodate various learning styles within the classroom while maintaining alignment with curriculum standards.
Paraprofessional
4 Years 8 Months- Implemented individualized behavior support strategies to reinforce IEP goals and improve classroom participation.
- Adapted instructional materials to match student needs, learning styles, and accommodation requirements.
- Supported special education teachers with classroom instruction, materials preparation, and student supervision.
- Monitored student safety during transitions, recess, lunch, and arrival or dismissal routines.
- Collaborated with teachers and related service staff to maintain consistent support across activities.
- Documented student progress, behavior concerns, and daily observations for instructional review.
- Supervised students during non-instructional periods such as lunch, recess, or field trips, ensuring safety at all times.
- Fostered a positive learning environment by establishing strong rapport with students, parents, and faculty members.
- Supported special education teachers in implementing accommodations and modifications for students with diverse learning needs.
- Prepared instructional materials, constructed bulletin boards, and set up work areas.
- Assisted in the collection and analysis of data on student performance, contributing to ongoing progress monitoring efforts.
- Supported school initiatives by participating in professional development opportunities and collaborating with colleagues on best practices for student growth and achievement.
- Improved classroom management with the development of behavior modification plans.
- Provided one-on-one support to students with special needs, fostering a supportive learning environment.
Education
Associate of Science - Education
Bachelor of Science - Special Education
Skills
IEP implementation
Individualized education programs
Co-teaching experience
Lesson planning
Instructional strategies
Behavior intervention plans
Social skills development
Collaborative skills
Literacy intervention
Functional behavior assessment
Crisis de-escalation
Crisis intervention
Parent collaboration
Collaborative teamwork
Team collaboration
Crisis intervention techniques
Parent communication
Group instruction
Small group instruction
Motivating students
Emotional support
Visual supports
Sensory integration
Community resource referrals
Progress evaluations
Data management
Behavior management
Curriculum adjustments
Scheduling proficiency
Instructional adaptation
Resource scheduling
Assessment strategies
Sensory support strategies
Positive modeling
Physical development strategies
Resource coordination
Written communication
Behavioral crisis management
Teamwork and collaboration
Autism spectrum
Problem-solving
Organizational skills
Teamwork and collaboration
Instructional analysis
Timeline
Special Education Teacher
Wayne City Schools District.100
02.2017 - 05.2026Read More
Special Education Teacher
Franklin Jefferson Spcl Educ District
08.2011 - 05.2016Read More
Substitute Teacher
Hamilton County Schools
08.2008 - 05.2009Read More
Special Education Substitute Teacher
Hamilton County Schools
02.2008 - 05.2008Read More
Paraprofessional
Wabash Ohio Valley Special Education District
09.2003 - 05.2008Read More
Eastern Illinois University
Bachelor of Science from Special Education
Read More
Rend Lake College
Associate of Science from Education
Read More