Nakia Hawkins
Washington
Summary
Dynamic and dedicated education professional with experience in student behavior management, community building, and restorative discipline. Expertise in developing and implementing systems that foster positive school climates, driving student engagement and success. Proven ability to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to address diverse student needs while promoting holistic growth in equitable and inclusive environments. Skilled in data analysis, family communication, and strategic planning to enhance school-wide initiatives and improve overall outcomes, adeptly utilizing restorative justice principles to transform disciplinary moments into valuable learning experiences.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
Work History
Hybrid High School Special Education Teacher
Friendship Collegiate Online Academy
Washington, DC
08.2025 - Current
- Provide specialized virtual instruction in Pre-Algebra and Algebra I for high school students with diverse learning needs in inclusive and resource settings.
- Serve as case manager for assigned students, ensuring compliance with IEP timelines, accommodations, progress monitoring, and documentation.
- Lead the school-based Intervention Committee, facilitating collaboration among teachers, instructional leaders, counselors, and support staff to develop targeted academic interventions and monitor student progress.
- Analyze student performance data, including intervention and assessment data, to inform instructional planning, pacing, and differentiated support strategies.
- Conduct and facilitate IEP meetings while maintaining ongoing communication with families, service providers, and multidisciplinary teams regarding student achievement and support plans.
- Utilize educational technology platforms and digital resources to create accessible, engaging, and differentiated virtual learning environments.
- Collaborate with staff across departments to strengthen MTSS implementation, student support systems, and schoolwide academic initiatives.
- Serve as President of the Sunshine Committee, organizing staff engagement and appreciation initiatives that promote positive school culture, collaboration, and staff morale.
Special Education Teacher, Case Manager
Sojourner Truth Montessori Public Charter School
Washington, DC
08.2024 - 07.2025
- Develop and implement Montessori-aligned STEM curricula tailored to middle school students with diverse learning needs.
- Foster a positive and inclusive classroom environment through restorative discipline practices and relationship-building.
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to address student needs and promote holistic growth.
- Utilize data-driven instructional strategies to support student academic and social-emotional development.
- Communicate proactively with families to ensure alignment on student progress and goals.
- Lead professional development sessions for colleagues on integrating communication styles and Montessori principles.
- Manage IEP development, progress monitoring, and compliance for students with special education needs.
- Coordinate services and interventions to ensure individualized student support.
Hybrid Special Education Teacher, Case Manager
Friendship Public Charter Schools – Friendship Online Academy
Washington, DC
08.2023 - 07.2024
- Case manager for assigned caseload of High School students, facilitate collaboration among all involved agencies and service providers.
- Conduct comprehensive assessments to develop Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) tailored to student needs.
- Provide crisis intervention services as needed, ensuring immediate support for students in distress.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop and review student goals and services, ensuring effective communication and coordination of care.
- Connected students to supportive services, tracking their engagement and participation.
- Monitored and evaluated the efficacy of services, providing feedback to senior staff to improve service delivery.
- Maintained detailed case notes, service plans, and documentation, ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations.
- Conducted live and asynchronous lessons using various digital platforms and tools, providing accessible and engaging instruction for students with diverse needs.
- Designed and delivered differentiated instruction, using a variety of teaching methods and adaptive technologies to meet the individual needs and learning styles of each student.
- Frequently assess and track student progress through formative and summative assessments, adapting instructional strategies based on data to enhance learning outcomes.
- Established and maintained a positive virtual learning environment, implementing effective behavior management strategies and support systems to promote student engagement and success.
Special Education Teacher, Case Manager
KIPP DC – WILL Academy
Washington, DC
08.2020 - 07.2023
- Managed a caseload of high-needs students, ensuring compliance with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and providing necessary accommodations and services.
- Facilitated collaboration among general education teachers, support staff, and external service providers to coordinate student care.
- Conducted regular assessments to track student progress and adjust service plans as needed.
- Engage with students and families to address barriers and promote self-sufficiency.
- Provided crisis intervention services to students in need, ensuring immediate support and safety.
- Maintained accurate documentation and reports related to student progress and case activity ensuring accuracy and compliance with state and federal regulations.
- Implemented culturally responsive and student-centered teaching strategies to deliver engaging, data-driven differentiated instruction for high-needs students.
- Adapted Common Core aligned curriculum to meet the individual needs of students as outlined in their IEPs.
- Provided mentorship to students on educational and social matters, fostering a supportive learning environment.
High School Special Education Teacher
New York City Teaching Collaborative
New York, NY
09.2019 - 07.2020
- Participated in a rigorous training program that focuses on continuous feedback and practice-based learning.
- Instructed ninth grade students in Algebra 1 principles, concepts and in-depth subject matter.
- Applied culturally responsive and student-centered co-teaching strategies to deliver engaging and differentiated instruction to a population of high needs students.
- Utilized data from formative and summative assessments to inform instruction as well as growth and success.
- Keep classrooms organized and students on-task to facilitate effective learning.
- Fostered meaningful relationships among students through student teamwork community service projects.
- Supported lead teacher with test administration, curriculum development and assignment grading.
Education
Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) - Secondary Mathematics
Relay Graduate School of Education
01-2023
Bachelor of Arts (BA) - Economics
Queens College
01-2017
Skills
- Data Manager
- Dean’s List
- PowerSchool Special Programs
- Administrative Support
- Project Management
- IEP Development and Implementation
- Crisis Intervention and Support
- Student Assessment and Progress Monitoring
- Classroom and Behavior Management
- Collaboration and Teamwork
- Parental and Family Communication
- Adaptability and Problem-Solving
- Documentation and Reporting
Timeline
Hybrid High School Special Education Teacher
Friendship Collegiate Online Academy
08.2025 - Current
Special Education Teacher, Case Manager
Sojourner Truth Montessori Public Charter School
08.2024 - 07.2025
Hybrid Special Education Teacher, Case Manager
Friendship Public Charter Schools – Friendship Online Academy
08.2023 - 07.2024
Special Education Teacher, Case Manager
KIPP DC – WILL Academy
08.2020 - 07.2023
High School Special Education Teacher
New York City Teaching Collaborative
09.2019 - 07.2020
Bachelor of Arts (BA) - Economics
Queens College
Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) - Secondary Mathematics
Relay Graduate School of Education