Nadine V. Ferber
Honolulu
Summary
Dedicated educator, advocate, researcher, and helping professional with over 20 years of experience supporting children, adolescents, families, and diverse communities across educational settings in the United States and abroad. Recognized for building authentic relationships, fostering belonging, and helping individuals navigate academic, behavioral, cultural, and developmental challenges through strengths-based, culturally responsive, and relationship-centered practices. Brings a unique combination of educational leadership, behavioral support expertise, community engagement, scholarly research, and counseling training grounded in a deep commitment to service, inclusion, and human potential.
Overview
2027
2027
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
special education teacher, case manager & behavioral support specialist
Farrington High School
Honolulu
2020 - Current
- Delivered specialized instruction and individualized support to adolescents with diverse academic, behavioral, social-emotional, and developmental needs, enhancing student engagement and learning outcomes.
- Managed complex caseloads while coordinating educational, behavioral, and transition services, ensuring comprehensive support tailored to each student's unique needs.
- Develop and monitor IEPs, accommodations, modifications, measurable goals, and progress monitoring systems.
- Conduct functional behavior assessments to identify triggers and patterns of behavior in students.
- Interpret psychoeducational, behavioral, adaptive, and transition assessment data.
- Facilitated collaboration among families, educators, providers, and community agencies to create a cohesive support network, improving student access to necessary resources and services.
- Support students in developing self-advocacy, executive functioning, emotional regulation, employment readiness, and independent living skills.
special education teacher, case manager & behavioral support specialist
Niu Valley Middle School
Honolulu
2018 - 2020
- Developed IEPs, behavioral interventions, accommodations, and support plans.
- Delivered individualized instruction and behavioral interventions while managing case services to support student development.
- Coordinated collaborative services among families, educators, administrators, and community providers to enhance student support.
- Facilitated transition planning and ensured continuity of services to promote successful student integration.
7th grade ela & ell teacher | pbis coach | mentor teacher
Kiley Middle School
Springfield
2013 - 2018
- Coached PBIS to support school-wide behavioral systems and student engagement initiatives.
- Delivered differentiated instruction to culturally and linguistically diverse learners, enhancing engagement and comprehension.
- Utilized classroom, assessment, and school-wide data to improve student outcomes.
- Mentored teachers to support their professional growth and instructional development.
- Contributed to Sunshine Committee initiatives that fostered staff morale, improved school climate, and strengthened community building.
substitute teacher
Springfield Public Schools
Springfield
2012 - 2013
- Managed classroom activities and maintained student engagement during lessons.
- Implemented lesson plans provided by regular teachers to ensure continuity of instruction.
- Supervised student behavior and enforced school policies in a safe learning environment.
- Collaborated with staff to address student needs and resolve classroom issues.
- Adapted teaching methods to accommodate diverse learning styles and abilities.
- Assisted students with assignments and provided guidance on academic tasks.
english language teacher
YBM
Seoul
2011 - 2012
- Provided English language instruction to preschool, second, third, and fourth grade students.
- Adapted instruction to enhance language acquisition for diverse developmental levels.
- Developed effective communication skills while teaching internationally to diverse student groups.
- Facilitated interactive classroom activities to enhance language skills.
- Assessed student progress through regular evaluations and feedback.
- Collaborated with colleagues to create curriculum materials and resources.
- Utilized technology tools to support language learning and communication.
- Encouraged student participation through group discussions and projects.
- Prepared instructional materials that catered to various learning styles.
- Maintained a positive classroom environment fostering student confidence in English use.
- Assisted students in understanding the use of grammar rules while speaking or writing in English.
writing tutor
Univeristy of Columbus
Columbus
2006 - 2008
- Conducted one-on-one tutoring sessions tailored to diverse student needs, fostering improved writing abilities.
- Delivered individualized academic coaching and writing support, enhancing skills of secondary and postsecondary learners.
- Created personalized lesson plans targeting specific writing techniques to support student growth.
- Provided constructive feedback to enhance student writing skills.
- Assessed student writing assignments for clarity and coherence.
- Collaborated with faculty to align tutoring with course objectives.
Education
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) - Educational Psychology
Chaminade University of Honolulu
01-2027
Master of Arts (M.A.) - Teaching Literacy & Language
Kaplan University
01-2008
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - English Language & Literature
Columbus State University
01-2004
Reading Interventionist Certificate -
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Doctorate-Level Coursework - Counseling Theories, Psychopathology, Crisis Intervention, Ethics, Group Counseling, Family Systems, Human Development, Assessment, Multicultural Counseling, Trauma-Informed Practice
Chaminade University of Honolulu
Skills
- Trauma-Informed Counseling & Psychoeducation
- Crisis Intervention, De-escalation & Behavioral Stabilization
- School-Based Mental Health Services
- Family Systems Work & Multidisciplinary Collaboration
- Executive Functioning & Behavioral Skill Development
- Assessment Interpretation & Intervention Planning
- Case Management, Documentation & Service Coordination
- Neurodiversity-Affirming & Strengths-Based Practices
- Culturally Responsive & Relationship-Centered Support
Certification
- Hawaiʻi Teaching License - Special Education (6-12)
- Hawaiʻi Teaching License - English Language Arts (6-12)
- TESOL Certification (K-12)
- Reading Interventionist Certificate
- Adult & Pediatric First Aid / CPR / AED
Awards
- Pioneer Valley Teacher of Excellence Award, District-Level Recognition, Massachusetts, 01/01/15, Recognized for excellence in teaching, student advocacy, instructional leadership, and commitment to student success.
- Published Research Author (Third Author), Ferber, N., Halston, A., May, A., & Iwamoto, D. (2026). "The Role of Anti-Mattering in Decision-Making Processes: Decision Rumination as a Mediator of Psychological Distress." International Journal of Research in Education Humanities and Commerce, 7(3), 174-181., Contributed to research examining anti-mattering, decision rumination, and psychological distress.
Community Service
- Volunteer English Language Tutor, Honolulu, Hawaiʻi, Provided individualized English language instruction and communication support to Korean immigrants.
- Volunteer Tutor, The Gray House, Springfield, Massachusetts, Provided academic and language support to Burmese immigrant learners adjusting to life in the United States.
- CCD Teacher, Massachusetts, Facilitated faith-based youth education focused on personal growth, community engagement, and values-based learning.
- Community Food Delivery Volunteer, Our Lady of Sacred Heart Church, Springfield, Massachusetts, Delivered meals and essential resources to elderly, homebound, socially isolated, and economically vulnerable community members.
- Beach Stewardship Volunteer, Honolulu, Hawaiʻi, Participated in community-based environmental stewardship and beach cleanup initiatives.
- Outrigger Canoe Paddling, Active participant in team-based paddling activities promoting collaboration, discipline, resilience, and community connection.
Cultural Experience
- Supported youth and families across educational settings in Georgia, Massachusetts, Hawaiʻi, and South Korea.
- Worked extensively with culturally, linguistically, and socioeconomically diverse populations.
- Supported English language learners, immigrant communities, neurodiverse individuals, and families navigating complex educational systems.
Counseling, Assessment, & Leadership Expertise
• Facilitated social-emotional learning, strengths-based reflection, self-advocacy development, executive functioning support, and individualized interventions for adolescents navigating academic, behavioral, social, and developmental challenges.
• Applied counseling-informed, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive practices to support student growth, emotional regulation, problem-solving, resilience, and successful transitions across educational and community settings.
• Interpreted psychoeducational, behavioral, adaptive, and transition assessments, including Woodcock-Johnson (WJ), KTEA, Vineland, ABAS, BASC, Conners, FBA/BIP, and progress monitoring data to develop individualized recommendations and support plans.
• Collaborated extensively with multidisciplinary teams, families, community agencies, and service providers to coordinate comprehensive supports and ensure equitable access through IDEA, Section 504, and ADA frameworks.
• Led and supported school-wide initiatives focused on PBIS implementation, inclusive practices, school climate, mentorship, professional development, staff training, and student engagement.
• Completed doctorate-level training in Counseling Theories, Psychopathology, Crisis Intervention, Ethics, Group Counseling, Family Systems, Human Development, Assessment, Multicultural Counseling, and Trauma-Informed Practice.
Timeline
special education teacher, case manager & behavioral support specialist
Farrington High School
2020 - Current
special education teacher, case manager & behavioral support specialist
Niu Valley Middle School
2018 - 2020
7th grade ela & ell teacher | pbis coach | mentor teacher
Kiley Middle School
2013 - 2018
substitute teacher
Springfield Public Schools
2012 - 2013
english language teacher
YBM
2011 - 2012
writing tutor
Univeristy of Columbus
2006 - 2008
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) - Educational Psychology
Chaminade University of Honolulu
Master of Arts (M.A.) - Teaching Literacy & Language
Kaplan University
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - English Language & Literature
Columbus State University
Reading Interventionist Certificate -
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Doctorate-Level Coursework - Counseling Theories, Psychopathology, Crisis Intervention, Ethics, Group Counseling, Family Systems, Human Development, Assessment, Multicultural Counseling, Trauma-Informed Practice
Chaminade University of Honolulu