Michelle O'Gara
New Fairfield,CT
Summary
Experienced Educational leader with strong background in guiding teams, managing complex systems, and achieving strategic objectives. Excels in developing efficient processes, ensuring high standards, and aligning efforts with organizational goals. Known for collaborative approach, exceptional communication, and commitment to excellence; recognized for taking proactive approach to identifying and addressing issues. Seeking leadership position that fosters continued professional growth.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Assistant Director of Special Education
Wappingers Central School District
01.2024 - Current
- Chair CSE/CPSE/504 meetings, and maintain high-quality confidential student records.
- Hire/Assign special education staff and addressed requests for additional allocations throughout school year.
- Supervise delivery of proper instruction, services, accommodations, and RTI/AIS/MTSS, interventions for students through preventative action and continuous assessment.
- Complete staff evaluations & observations of teacher, service providers, and teaching assistants. Supported, and guided school personnel on best practices.
- Facilitate and organize workshops and trainings for Professional Learning to foster growth and develop staff members
- Manage budgets and resources for educational programs, including funding towards equipment and software.
- Coordinate special education services through frequent Principal collaboration and consultation.
- Keep schools up-to-date and in full compliance with established policies and regulations, legal requirements and student safety standards.
- Contribute to district-level committees to support needs of students and the community.
- Communicate with parents/families to encourage active parental participation in education.
- Maintain external partnerships and contracts with varying agencies on behalf of at-risk population of students.
Coordinator of Student With Exceptionalities Prek-12
Poughkeepsie City School District
11.2019 - 12.2023
- Supervise, Evaluate & Hire Special Education Teachers, Related Service Providers, and other personnel
- Chair CSE/CPSE/504 meetings; maintain communication with out-of-district and private programs.
- Develop, analyze, and oversee special education programs and services, budgets and grants
- Facilitate and coordinate professional development for staff on IEP & 504 plan training/compliance, Explicit Direct instruction (EDI), Specially Designed Instruction (SDI), Therapeutic Crisis Intervention in Schools (TCI-S),
- Ensure Compliance with NYSED Regulations, complete fidelity checks of protocols and procedures
- Organize the Extended School Year (ESY) program
- Supervise the MTSS (Multi-tiered Systems of Support) Coordinator working throughout the district to support each building's MTSS Committee, and ensure all RTI & AIS data is tracked with fidelity
- Work closely with district-wide and building administrators, special committees; Engage regularly with families and community partners to support student needs and interests
Principal, Extended School Year (ESY) Summer Program
Poughkeepsie City School District
07.2020 - 08.2023
- Organize & Plan special programs & related services
- Hire, Supervise, & Evaluate program staff
- Oversee day-to-day operations of daily program
Special Education Teacher
NYCDOE, District 75, P186x Walter J. Damrosch
06.2012 - 11.2019
- Unit Coordinator; created and maintained daily program schedules, oversaw staff and students
- Special Class teacher (8:1:1, 12:1:1, 12:1:4, 6:1:1); worked with standardly and alternately assessed students with Learning Disabilities, Other Health Impairments, Speech Language Impairments, Multiple Disabilities, Autism, Emotional Disability, Visual Impairment, Orthopedic Impairments, and Intellectual Disabilities
- Testing Coordinator
- Professional Development Coordinator
- Extended School Year (ESY) Teacher & Afterschool Program Coordinator/Teacher
- Building Safety & Security team member, Curriculum planning Committee member, Teacher Mentor
Education
Master of Education (M. Ed) - Educational Leadership and Administration
The College of Saint Rose
Albany, NY05-2017
Master of Science - Special Education and Teaching
Pace University
New York, NY08-2014
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology, Educational Studies
University at Albany, SUNY
Albany, NY05-2012
Skills
- Organized, motivating, driven, strong communicator, productive, authentic, innovative, collaborative, problem-solver, efficient, creative, analytical, decision-maker, adaptable, tech-savvy
- Literate, with conversational skills, in Spanish
Accomplishments
- Excellence in Education, Administrator of the Year Poughkeepsie City School District June 2022
- Tenured Administrator, Poughkeepsie City School District, November 2023
Certification
School District Leader, Professional November 2017
School Building Leader, Professional March 2023
Students with Disabilities, Professional June 2017
Childhood Education (1-6), Professional June 2017
Trainings, Workshops & Additional Certifications
- CPR/AED, Theraputic Crisis Intervention in Schools (TCI-S), Orton-Gillingham- A/OGA, The Reading & Writing Project, Teachers College, Columbia University, Implicit Bias
Timeline
Assistant Director of Special Education
Wappingers Central School District
01.2024 - Current
Principal, Extended School Year (ESY) Summer Program
Poughkeepsie City School District
07.2020 - 08.2023
Coordinator of Student With Exceptionalities Prek-12
Poughkeepsie City School District
11.2019 - 12.2023
Special Education Teacher
NYCDOE, District 75, P186x Walter J. Damrosch
06.2012 - 11.2019
Master of Education (M. Ed) - Educational Leadership and Administration
The College of Saint Rose
Master of Science - Special Education and Teaching
Pace University
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology, Educational Studies
University at Albany, SUNY
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