Natasha Gawthrop
Elkhart,IN
Summary
Versatile Special Education Teacher equipped with positive attitude and patience vital to teaching children with disabilities. 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. Resilient and remains calm under times of stress or conflict. Works well with classroom teachers to develop accommodations and special techniques for mainstream classroom inclusion.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Elementary Special Education Teacher
Elkhart Community Schools
08.2019 - Current
- Redirected students using Positive Behavior Support (PBS).
- Created and managed IEPs to define student learning objectives and educational strategies, in addition to applying instructional knowledge and methods to support goals.
- Taught students across multiple classifications and degrees of special needs.
- Coordinated special education students and teacher assistant schedules with master schedule.
- Partnered with standard education teachers from across academic departments.
- Worked with students with autism to increase life skills.
- Taught multiple subjects to students with intellectual or emotional disabilities.
- Delivered effective and differentiated classroom instruction to range of neurodiverse students.
- Modified general education curriculum for special-needs students using various instructional techniques and technologies.
- Encouraged students to take ownership of learning by providing choices.
- Assisted struggling students to maintain progress levels by designing individualized lesson plans focused on areas for improvement.
- Instructed students with physical and cognitive disabilities.
- Cultivated connections and strong student rapport to foster classroom engagement, in addition to recording student progress to inform parents and school administration.
- Led activities that developed students' physical, emotional, and social growth.
- Met with parents and guardians to discuss children's progress and determine priorities and resource needs.
- Worked with parents, teachers and school leadership to develop tailored education plans for students.
- Maintained accurate and complete student records to prepare reports on children and activities.
- Created strategies to meet needs of mentally and physically disabled students.
- Used state and district assessments to determine student abilities and track academic progress.
- Prepared classrooms for class activities and provided variety of materials and resources for children to explore, manipulate and use throughout day.
- Enforced classroom rules to encourage positive behavior and distributed rewards for good conduct.
Special Education Paraprofessional
Elkhart Community Schools
08.2018 - 08.2019
- Delivered personalized educational, behavioral, and emotional support to individual students to enable positive learning outcomes.
- Offered student support through special accommodations, extra assistance, and assessments.
- Interacted physically and verbally with students throughout each day.
- Maintained positive attitude and affirmatively communicated with each student.
- Documented student behaviors, interventions, and outcomes to enable lead teacher to address pertinent issues.
- Oversaw class of students in absence of instructor.
- Monitored student classroom and outdoors activities to promote student safety.
- Supported teacher in development of individual learning strategies.
- Assisted teachers with classroom management and document coordination to maintain positive learning environment.
- Alerted instructor to student behavior or issues requiring intervention.
- Created positive and inclusive classroom environment by helping students develop social skills and relationships.
- Liaised one-on-one with learners to provide additional support tailored to specific learning needs.
- Provided individualized reading, writing and math instruction to support student development.
- Observed students' performance and recorded relevant data to assess progress.
- Responded to emergency situations to resolve immediate safety concerns or direct appropriate personnel for resolution.
- Understood and acclimated to teacher's routine to provide classroom coverage.
Head Start Preschool Teacher
Headstart
01.2015 - 12.2017
- Established positive relationships with students and families.
- Created safe and nurturing learning environment for preschoolers.
- Guided students to develop social, emotional and physical skills.
- Modeled positive behavior and communication skills for students.
- Planned and executed activities to stimulate physical, social and intellectual growth.
- Monitored classroom to verify safe and secure environment.
- Organized and supervised large and small group activities.
- Collaborated with teachers, parents and administrators to facilitate positive outcomes for students.
- Implemented age-appropriate curricula to meet needs of young learners.
- Developed innovative activities to engage young children in learning process.
- Supported students in developing self-esteem and self-confidence.
- Organized activities to teach preschool children foundational learning skills such as letters and numbers.
- Incorporated music, art and literature into curriculum.
- Protected children in-class, at recess and off-site with observational skills and positive reinforcement for good behavior.
- Assessed student progress and provided feedback on educational development.
- Utilized creative teaching strategies to engage students in classroom.
- Encouraged use of technology to support student learning.
Kindergarten Paraprofessional
Elkhart Community Schools
08.2011 - 12.2015
- Observed and assessed student performance and charted progress.
- Applied evidence-based practices for classroom management to enhance learning results.
- Instructed children between 5 and 7 on mathematical basics.
- Played games with students to increase understanding of subjects.
- Helped teacher prepare instructional material and displays.
- Assisted students in developing deeper understanding of course concepts by providing one-on-one support.
- Enforced rules and instructions to maintain discipline.
- Collaborated with instructors to develop engaging lesson plans.
- Laminated teaching materials to increase durability under repeated use.
- Took part in professional development workshops to boost skills.
- Encouraged and prepared students to become independent readers through systematic, multi-sensory instruction in phonemic awareness and decoding skills.
Education
Bachelors of General Studies W/ Masters Endorsemet - Special Education
Indiana University South Bend
South Bend, IN08.2021
Skills
- Differentiated Instruction
- Active Listening
- Sensory Integration
- Instructional Technology
- Assessment Strategies
- Behavior Management
- Multicultural Awareness
- Transition Planning
- Time Management
- Visual Supports
- Social-Emotional Learning
- IEP Development
- Data Analysis
- Parent-Teacher Communication
- Motor Skills Development
- Progress Monitoring
- Lesson Planning
- Classroom Organization
- Critical Thinking
- Math Strategies
- Curriculum Development
- Literacy Strategies
- Problem Solving
- Individualized Instruction
- Conflict Resolution Techniques
- Verbal and Nonverbal Communication
- Behavior Modifications
- Parent Communication
- Motivating Students
- Student Records Management
- Instructional Strategies
- De-Escalation Techniques
- Team Collaboration
- Trained in CPI
- Small Group Instruction
- Basic Clerical Knowledge
- Group and Individual Instruction
- Behavior Intervention Plans
- Scheduling Proficiency
- Applied Behavior Analysis
- Field Trip Oversight
- Student Advocacy
- Assistive Technologies
Timeline
Elementary Special Education Teacher
Elkhart Community Schools
08.2019 - Current
Special Education Paraprofessional
Elkhart Community Schools
08.2018 - 08.2019
Head Start Preschool Teacher
Headstart
01.2015 - 12.2017
Kindergarten Paraprofessional
Elkhart Community Schools
08.2011 - 12.2015
Bachelors of General Studies W/ Masters Endorsemet - Special Education
Indiana University South Bend
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