Molly Ashbaugh
Springfield
Summary
Special Education Teacher equipped with positive attitude and patience vital to teaching children with special needs. Extensive experience creating innovative lesson plans and comfortable learning environments. Empathetic and accommodating in design and implementation of hands-on lessons. Exceptional skills working with teachers, parents and specialists to meet educational needs of students.
Dedicated to supporting emotional, social and academic development of young children. Trained in developmental stages and knowledgeable about offering safe, nurturing environments to boost learning. Desire to complement education-based strategies with techniques to promote overall health and wellness.
Equipped with strong problem-solving abilities, willingness to learn, and excellent communication skills. Poised to contribute to team success and achieve positive results. Ready to tackle new challenges and advance organizational objectives with dedication and enthusiasm.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Developmental Therapist
Little Lambs Developmental Therapy
03.2024 - Current
- Evaluated progress and provided data-driven reports to school staff and parents.
- Developed and implemented Individual education plans to promote students' educational, physical and social development.
- Attended team and content meetings to plan for student needs.
- Implemented trauma-informed and evidenced-based practices specific to learners with social, emotional and behavioral needs.
- Worked collaboratively on multidisciplinary team.
- Worked with interdisciplinary treatment team to develop treatment plans.
- Maintained client confidentiality to protect patient privacy.
- Utilized evidence-based techniques to deliver successful treatment.
- Attended continued education sessions to maintain professional standards and stay up-to-date with new developments.
- Helped clients work through emotional and psychological issues in both individual and group therapy sessions.
- Developed treatment plans to outline steps necessary for clients to achieve goals.
- Educated clients and families on mental health issues to promote understanding and support.
- Addressed cultural and diversity issues to provide clients with culturally responsive care.
- Facilitated support groups, supporting safe and collaborative environments for clients.
- Provided crisis intervention to support clients during times of urgent need.
- Conducted follow-up assessments to monitor clients' progress and adjust treatment plans as necessary.
- Documented client progress to track effectiveness and inform future treatment plans.
- Built and maintained therapeutic relationships, fostering positive, supportive and empowering client environments.
- Worked with clinical psychiatrist and primary care physician to review patient progress and update treatment plans.
- Introduced meditation, guided imagery, breathing techniques, and reiki to patients and families.
- Raised awareness about mental health issues and reduce stigma through community education and outreach.
- Performed assessments to evaluate clients' mental health status, needs and goals.
- Supported clients in developing coping skills to help patients manage life challenges and difficulties.
- Delivered mental health support for female patients suffering from post-partum depression and generalized anxiety disorder.
High School Special Education Teacher
Wcusd15
12.2022 - Current
- Redirected students using Positive Behavior Support (PBS).
- Taught multiple subjects to students with intellectual or emotional disabilities.
- Taught students across multiple classifications and degrees of special needs.
- Led activities that developed students' physical, emotional, and social growth.
- Cultivated connections and strong student rapport to foster classroom engagement, in addition to recording student progress to inform parents and school administration.
- Delivered effective and differentiated classroom instruction to range of neurodiverse students.
- Instructed students with physical and cognitive disabilities.
- Modified general education curriculum for special-needs students using various instructional techniques and technologies.
- Partnered with standard education teachers from across academic departments.
- Assisted struggling students to maintain progress levels by designing individualized lesson plans focused on areas for improvement.
- Created and managed IEPs to define student learning objectives and educational strategies, in addition to applying instructional knowledge and methods to support goals.
- Coordinated special education students and teacher assistant schedules with master schedule.
- Encouraged students to take ownership of learning by providing choices.
- Assembled resource materials to communicate helpful information to parents and staff regarding special needs topics.
- Provided technology and equipment training for staff to facilitate student interaction and learning.
- Set rules and guidelines to manage classroom and maintain discipline.
- Generated long-term action plans to help struggling students succeed academically.
- Prepared classrooms for class activities and provided variety of materials and resources for children to explore, manipulate and use throughout day.
- Maintained accurate and complete student records to prepare reports on children and activities.
- Performed research on latest instructional tools to inform purchase decisions by school administrators according to budget.
Daycare Teacher
Pleasant Park Child Development Center
08.2019 - Current
- Consulted with parents to build and maintain positive support networks and support continuing education strategies.
- Implemented curriculum to enhance classes with learning-focused activities.
- Instructed children in health and personal habits, such as eating, resting, and toileting.
- Engaged with children on individual basis to build positive relationships and promote learning.
- Sanitized toys and play equipment each day to maintain safety and cleanliness.
- Documented behavior, development and learning of children to enable tracking history and maintain accurate records.
- Gathered materials and resources to prepare for lessons and activities.
- Maintained tidy environment to comply with cleanliness and sanitation standards.
- Actively encouraged children to develop their communication, problem-solving and social skills.
- Assisted in preparation of meals and snacks to provide children with proper nutrition.
- Intervened in disruptive behavior, using positive reinforcement strategies to redirect and calm children.
- Taught hand washing and proper use of utensils to promote good hygiene and etiquette habits.
- Organized and supervised large and small group activities.
- Guided students to develop social, emotional and physical skills.
- Established positive relationships with students and families.
- Increased student satisfaction by frequently communicating with students about needs and adapting lessons to interests and classroom progress.
- Monitored classroom to verify safe and secure environment.
- Created safe and nurturing learning environment for preschoolers.
- Supported students in developing self-esteem and self-confidence.
- Developed innovative activities to engage young children in learning process.
- Encouraged use of technology to support student learning.
- Protected children in-class, at recess and off-site with observational skills and positive reinforcement for good behavior.
- Planned and executed activities to stimulate physical, social and intellectual growth.
- Organized activities to teach preschool children foundational learning skills such as letters and numbers.
- Assessed student progress and provided feedback on educational development.
- Helped new preschool children get used to classes by giving one-on-one support.
- Implemented age-appropriate curricula to meet needs of young learners.
- Incorporated music, art and literature into curriculum.
- Utilized creative teaching strategies to engage students in classroom.
- Collaborated with teachers, parents and administrators to facilitate positive outcomes for students.
- Modeled positive behavior and communication skills for students.
- Developed and implemented behavior management plans.
Education
Master of Arts - Special Education
American College of Education
Indianapolis, IN12-2025
Bachelor of Arts - Special Education
Illinois State University
Normal, Illinois, IL12-2022
Associate of Arts -
Lincoln Land Community College
Springfield, Illinois, IL05-2020
High School Diploma -
Rochester High School
Rochester, IL05-2019
Skills
- Excellent classroom management
- Motivating students
- IEP and BIP implementation
- Job readiness training
- Cognitive and behavioral development
- Conflict resolution techniques
- Verbal and nonverbal communication
- Skills development
- Paraprofessional oversight
- Adept at working with special needs children
- Social skills development
Certification
LBS1
Developmental Therapist
Early Childhood Learning Endorsement
Languages
English
Timeline
Developmental Therapist
Little Lambs Developmental Therapy
03.2024 - Current
High School Special Education Teacher
Wcusd15
12.2022 - Current
Daycare Teacher
Pleasant Park Child Development Center
08.2019 - Current
Master of Arts - Special Education
American College of Education
Bachelor of Arts - Special Education
Illinois State University
Associate of Arts -
Lincoln Land Community College
High School Diploma -
Rochester High School