Munica Orange
Houston
Summary
Dedicated Hospice Caregiver and Special Education Teacher with a proven track record at Houston Independent School District, enhancing patient and student well-being through empathetic patient care and innovative teaching methods. Excelled in bereavement support and collaborative teamwork, significantly improving community palliative care services and special education outcomes.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
Hospice Caregiver
Self-employeed
01.2002 - Current
- Maintained detailed documentation of patient progress and communicated updates to the hospice care team effectively.
- Implemented safety measures within the home setting to minimize risks associated with falls or other accidents during caregiving duties.
- Advocated for patients'' rights and preferences by maintaining open communication with their families and collaborating with healthcare professionals on treatment plans.
- Recognized signs of impending death, providing timely communication with both the hospice team and the patient''s family to prepare for final moments together.
- Promoted a peaceful environment through ambient music, aromatherapy and calming activities tailored to individual preferences.
- Offered respite care for family members, allowing them time to rest and recharge while ensuring continued patient support.
- Improved quality of life for terminally ill patients by performing routine personal care tasks, such as bathing, grooming, and feeding.
- Enabled smooth transitions between healthcare settings by coordinating with medical professionals and facilities when needed.
- Fostered strong relationships with community partners such as churches, nursing homes, hospitals resulting in increased referrals for hospice services.
- Provided emotional support to patients'' families during the grieving process through active listening and empathetic communication.
- Enhanced patient comfort by providing compassionate end-of-life care and support.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary hospice team members to develop individualized care plans for each patient.
- Participated in bereavement support groups as a volunteer facilitator, helping individuals cope with grief after losing loved ones under hospice care.
- Educated family members on appropriate caregiving techniques for optimal patient comfort at home.
- Assisted in maintaining patients'' dignity by addressing their emotional, spiritual, and physical needs.
- Served as a liaison between the hospice care team and the patient''s primary healthcare provider to ensure seamless coordination of care.
- Demonstrated cultural sensitivity while serving diverse populations facing terminal illness throughout various communities.
- Oversaw implementation and ongoing assessment of patient care plan.
- Comforted family members, offered attentive listening and high level of emotional support.
- Assisted patients with bathing, grooming, dressing, and oral hygiene care both in private residences and facilities.
- Positioned patients to provide comfort and promote better body alignment.
- Checked and recorded vital signs, noting any significant changes and assisted nurses with treatment.
- Completed activities of daily living for patients unable to self-care, and assisted those with limited mobility in completing tasks.
- Helped patients with self-feeding and assisted feeding, based on individual needs.
- Changed linens in rooms, keeping spaces fresh and clean for patient health and satisfaction.
- Responded to patient requests for supplies and personal comfort items such as extra blankets.
- Cared for clients with diagnoses such as respiratory failure, diabetes, Parkinson's disease and muscular dystrophy.
- Supported needs of 15+ residents under long-term care.
Special Education Teacher
Houston Independent School District, HISD
08.2020 - 06.2021
- 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.
- Taught students across multiple classifications and degrees of special needs.
- Delivered effective and differentiated classroom instruction to range of neurodiverse students.
- Taught multiple subjects to students with intellectual or emotional disabilities.
- Reduced feelings of isolation among students with special needs by implementing inclusive classroom practices.
- Promoted self-advocacy and independence in students with disabilities by teaching self-management and decision-making skills.
- Advocated for rights and needs of students with special education requirements, ensuring access to appropriate resources and accommodations.
- Conducted assessments to identify students' strengths and areas for improvement, informing instructional strategies.
- Organized and led professional development sessions for colleagues on inclusive education strategies, improving school-wide support for students with disabilities.
- Provided emotional support to students and families.
- Improved behavior by modeling positive choices and teaching socially-acceptable options.
- Promoted memory, cognition and language development with hands-on activities and individualized instruction.
- Utilized technology to create meaningful lessons that engage students.
Associate Teacher
Houston ISD
10.2013 - 05.2020
- Promoted a positive classroom environment by fostering respectful, open communication between students and staff.
- Encouraged creativity and self-expression among students through various art projects and writing assignments, inspiring confidence in their abilities.
- Helped lead teacher set up and manage classroom and outdoor activities.
- Developed students'' critical thinking skills by incorporating problem-solving activities in the curriculum.
- Implemented differentiated instruction techniques, accommodating the unique needs of each learner and promoting academic growth.
- Enhanced student comprehension by utilizing various teaching methods and strategies tailored to individual learning styles.
- Increased parent involvement through regular communication and conferences, resulting in stronger support for student success.
- Supported lead teacher in managing classroom behavior by implementing effective discipline strategies, maintaining a focused learning environment for all students.
- Utilized assessment data to inform instruction and adjust teaching strategies, ensuring each student''s progress towards learning goals.
- Collaborated with colleagues to develop interdisciplinary lessons, providing students with a comprehensive understanding of subjects.
- Contributed to successful school-wide events by collaborating with fellow teachers on planning committees, coordinating logistics, and supervising student participants.
- Fostered strong relationships with parents through consistent communication about their child''s progress, addressing concerns proactively and working together towards shared goals for student success.
- Consulted with parents to build and maintain positive support networks and support continuing education strategies.
- Modified lessons and curriculum to accommodate diverse learners by using strategies such as peer-assisted learning and group work.
- Created lessons and online testing materials to facilitate remote learning.
- Fostered student curiosity and interest through creative hands-on activities.
- Shifted between formal and informal methods of teaching to keep students engaged.
- Worked with staff members and teachers to design comprehensive and individualized plans to optimize student education.
- Communicated frequently with parents, students, and faculty to provide feedback and discuss instructional strategies.
- Created and developed lesson plans to meet students' academic needs.
- Completed student progress reports mid-term to notify students and parents of strengths and areas of improvement.
- Participated in department meetings to provide input to colleagues about student achievement and improvement.
- Prepared quizzes, tests and examinations to gauge how well students were learning.
- Met with students, parents and administrators to address and resolve students' behavioral and academic issues.
- Designed detailed learning plans for struggling students based on test, homework and assignment records.
- Adapted teaching methods and materials to meet students' varying needs.
Education
Master of Arts - Education
Concordia University
12-2016
Skills
- Bereavement support
- Empathy and compassionate patient care
- Family support
- Palliative care
- Patient relationship building
- End-of-life care
- Emotional support
- Oral communication
- Reliability and punctuality
- Collaborative teamwork
- Confidentiality adherence
Timeline
Special Education Teacher
Houston Independent School District, HISD
08.2020 - 06.2021
Associate Teacher
Houston ISD
10.2013 - 05.2020
Hospice Caregiver
Self-employeed
01.2002 - Current
Master of Arts - Education
Concordia University
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