Molly Benson
Beverly,USA
Summary
Qualified Special Education Teacher, Transition Specialist, and Behavior Analyst with a proven track record of creating inclusive learning environments and implementing effective instructional strategies. Emphasis on fostering team collaboration and achieving positive educational outcomes. Skilled in positive behavior supports, curriculum development, community and vocationally based instruction, and student advocacy, bringing reliability and flexibility to every role.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Special Education Teacher, Transition Specialist
Ipswich High School
08.2022 - Current
- Provide individualized instruction and support to students ages 18–22 with disabilities, focusing on the development of vocational, independent living, and community engagement skills.
- Collaborated with vocational sites, community organizations, and families to facilitate real-world learning experiences and meaningful employment opportunities. Design and implement transition-focused IEP goals and activities that promote student self-advocacy, independence, and post-secondary readiness.
- Fostered strong relationships with parents, guardians, and adult service providers, maintaining open lines of communication to ensure student progress.
Special Education Teacher
Gloucester High School
08.2021 - 01.2022
- Promoted a culture of inclusion by adapting lessons for diverse learners, ensuring equal access to educational opportunities for all students.
- Supported social-emotional growth by incorporating SEL activities into daily routines, fostering a positive classroom climate conducive to learning.
- Increased parent engagement through regular communication, building strong relationships and fostering a supportive learning environment at home.
Special Education Teacher
Beverly High School
08.2018 - 11.2020
- Worked as teacher and liaison to students in grades 9-12 with moderate-severe disabilities. Collaborated with teachers, administrators, support providers, parents/guardians, and students to develop and implement Individualized Education Plans, and deliver comprehensive programming. Worked with school personnel to facilitate inclusion. Created student run businesses, and exposed students to a variety of occupational/vocational skills. Embedded core subject matter within pre-vocational routines, to facilitate skill generalization. Developed MCAS-Alt portfolios, and created behavior programs as needed.
Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Northeast Arc
11.2016 - 01.2018
- Work as a behavior analyst providing Applied Behavior Analysis services, supervision, consultation, and parent training for individuals on the autism spectrum. Conduct assessments, write treatment plans, and conduct reauthorizations as needed.
Behavior Specialist
Hamilton-Wenham Regional School District
01.2012 - 02.2015
- Served as a behavior consultant to two elementary schools and district Clinical I Teams. Helped create a tiered system of behavioral support through the Instructional Support Teams. Provided parent trainings, consultation, and home services as determined through the IST or IEP processes. Assisted teachers and/or teaching assistants working with students requiring significant environmental supports. Conducted district and/or school based trainings as needed. Engaged in Functional Behavior Assessment, wrote IEP goals to reflect areas of need. Created materials and data sheets, graphed data to track student learning and monitor interventions.
Special Education Teacher
Beverly High School
01.2009 - 01.2012
- Worked as teacher and liaison to students in grades 9-12 with moderate-severe disabilities. Collaborated with teachers, administrators, support providers, parents/guardians, and students to develop and implement Individualized Education Plans, and deliver comprehensive programming. Worked with school personnel to facilitate inclusion. Created student run businesses, and exposed students to a variety of occupational/vocational skills. Embedded core subject matter within pre-vocational routines, to facilitate skill generalization. Developed MCAS-Alt portfolios, and created behavior programs as needed.
Special Education Teacher
Triton Regional High School
01.2008 - 01.2009
- Established the High School Life Skills Program at Triton Regional High School. Developed and implemented IEPs. Collaborated with service providers and high school staff. Developed MCAS-Alt portfolios and behavior programs as needed.
- Fostered strong relationships with parents and guardians, maintaining open lines of communication to ensure student progress.
Special Education Teacher
Sweetwater Union High School District
01.2004 - 01.2008
- Established a new school in the district, aimed at taking back nonpublic school students receiving out of district placements.
- Improved student behavior management by implementing consistent routines, clear expectations, and positive reinforcement strategies.
- Promoted a positive learning environment through the use of differentiated instruction and individualized support for diverse learners.
Special Education Teacher
Stein Education Center
01.1999 - 01.2004
- Provided appropriate educational and behavioral programs for all students in a non-public school setting. Conducted Functional Behavior Assessment and developed Behavior Support Plans as needed. Trained staff on their implementation. Maintained educational and behavioral records on each student. Prepared reports, grades, and assessments. Served on consult teams, maintained communication and collaborated with support providers and parents/guardians.
Education
Transition Specialist Endorsement Program -
Cambridge College
12.2023
Applied Behavior Analysis - undefined
Florida Institute of Technology
01.2012
Master of Science Special Education - undefined
National University
07.2004
Bachelor of Arts - Sociology
University of Miami
06.1998
Skills
- Interdisciplinary and community based collaboration
- Data management
- Behavior Support
- Transition Planning
- Staff supervision
- Differentiated instruction
Certification
- Board Certified Behavior Analyst #01-12-11627
- MA Licensed Behavior Analyst #33
- MA Special Education Credential-Severe Disabilities
- Transition Specialist License
Accomplishments
- 2019 Berkshire Association for Behavior Analysis and Therapists “Behavior Change for A Sustainable World Research Award”
- 2020 The Association for Maine Behavior Analysis, “Behavior Change for A Sustainable World Research Award”
- 2020 Beverly City Council Resolution “Celebrating the Work to Educate About and Improve Practices Around Sustainability at Beverly High School Through Combined Efforts to “Carbon Less Accomplish More”
Awards
2019 Berkshire Association for Behavior Analysis and Therapists “Behavior Change for A Sustainable World Research Award”, 2020 The Association for Maine Behavior Analysis, “Behavior Change for A Sustainable World Research Award”, 2020 Beverly City Council Resolution “Celebrating the Work to Educate About and Improve Practices Around Sustainability at Beverly High School Through Combined Efforts to “Carbon Less Accomplish More”
Affiliations
ABA Climate Coalition-Senior Advisor, New England Behavior Analysts for Sustainability, Behaviorists for Social Responsibility, Applied Behavior Analysis International, Berkshire Association for Behavior Analysis and Treatment Sustainability Advisory Board
PUBLICATIONS
- Benson, M. Advocating for Activism. Behavior and Social Issues 26, 187–189 (2017).
- Seniuk HA, Cihon TM, Benson M, Luke MM. Making a Footprint in Environmental Sustainability: A Behavioral Systems Approach to Engaging the Behavioral Community. Perspectives in Behavior Science 2019 Nov 27;42(4):911-926
- Sanchez, Richling, Benson, & Rakos. (2020). Activism, Advocacy, and Accompaniment. Chion, T. and Mattaini, M. Behavior Science Perspectives on Culture and Community. 1-437. Springer
PUBLICATIONS AND SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
- HABA Annual Conference “Applied Behavior Analysis-Beyond Autism” September 2015
- NCSHLA Annual Conference “Importance of Collaboration and Multidisciplinary Teams” April 2016
- ABAI Annual Conference “Finding Solutions to Important Societal Problems” May 2016 *
- ABAI Annual Conference Poster Session “The BFSR Matrix Project: Activating Behavior Analysis Education and Students for Social Action” May 2017
- Fresno State Sustainability & Behavior Analysis Summit “Interdisciplinary Collaboration” April 2018
- ABAI Annual Conference Poster “May 2018
- ABAI Annual Conference “The Role of Behavior Analysis in the Climate Change Crisis” May 2018
- BABAT Annual Conference “BABAT Annual Conference “Behavioral Sustainability: How Our Science Can Save Our Species” October 2019
- BABAT Annual Conference Poster,” The Behaviorists for Social Responsibility Matrix Project: Conceptual Framework” October 2019
- ABAI Annual Conference “Sustainability Action to Research” Symposium Presentation. May 2022.
Timeline
Special Education Teacher, Transition Specialist
Ipswich High School
08.2022 - Current
Special Education Teacher
Gloucester High School
08.2021 - 01.2022
Special Education Teacher
Beverly High School
08.2018 - 11.2020
Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Northeast Arc
11.2016 - 01.2018
Behavior Specialist
Hamilton-Wenham Regional School District
01.2012 - 02.2015
Special Education Teacher
Beverly High School
01.2009 - 01.2012
Special Education Teacher
Triton Regional High School
01.2008 - 01.2009
Special Education Teacher
Sweetwater Union High School District
01.2004 - 01.2008
Special Education Teacher
Stein Education Center
01.1999 - 01.2004
Applied Behavior Analysis - undefined
Florida Institute of Technology
Master of Science Special Education - undefined
National University
Bachelor of Arts - Sociology
University of Miami
Transition Specialist Endorsement Program -
Cambridge College
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