Nicole Ferrara
Madison
Summary
Dedicated educator with extensive experience supporting multilingual learners and students with special needs. Expertise in designing and implementing curriculum units aligned with state standards, ensuring differentiated and scaffolded lessons to address diverse learning and language requirements. Developed assessments to monitor language acquisition and growth in literacy, math, and other academic content areas. Proven track record of effective collaboration with colleagues and engaging parents to enhance student outcomes, alongside a commitment to professional development by facilitating training sessions that highlight best instructional practices for teaching multilingual learners.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Special Education Resource Room Teacher
New Haven Public Schools - Fair Haven School
New Haven, CT
01.2024 - Current
- Scaffold instruction in a small group setting to close academic gaps for students in grades 5 & 6
- Develop IEPs, academic goals and specialized teaching materials for student success
- Collaborate with both teaching staff & related services personnel to best serve the needs of resource room students within all classroom environments
Dual Language Teacher
Immokalee Community Academy
Immokalee, FL
01.2022 - 01.2024
- Provided English instruction based on state standards to 2nd grade bilingual students
- Worked jointly with co-teacher to frame English language instruction with Spanish language instruction
- Administered criterion-referenced statewide assessments to utilize for instruction
- Analyzed formal and informal data to determine instructional needs of students
- Utilized progress monitoring to track student growth and communicated learning progress to parents
English as a New Language Teacher
NYC Department of Education - PS 60 The Woodhaven School
Woodhaven, NY
01.2017 - 01.2022
- Provided whole class and small group phonics & language instruction to Multilingual Learners in Kindergarten & 1st grade
- Developed comprehensive curriculum units for Multilingual Learners ensuring alignment with state English Language Proficiency standards
- Scaffolded reading, math & content lessons to meet the needs of diverse learners based on the four modalities of language & language acquisition theory
- Presented professional development to colleagues regarding best instructional practices for Multilingual Learners
Special Education Self-Contained Teacher
Tieqerman School
Glen Cove, NY
01.2014 - 01.2017
- Differentiated instruction for 2nd, 4th and 5th grade students within self-contained classroom settings
- Formulated IEPs and determined student annual goals based on academic and social progress
- Teamed up with co-teacher, assistants, & therapists to best serve students academically and socially
Special Education Teacher’s Aide
Cherry Lane School
Carle Place, NY
01.2012 - 01.2014
- Provided ABA discrete trial instruction to predominantly non-verbal students & maintained data tracking of both target and maintenance goals
- Supported special education teacher and assisted students with completing daily academic tasks
English Tutor
JB Learning Center
Williston Park, NY
01.2012 - 01.2013
- Provided supplemental academic support in reading, language arts, writing and math for students in Pre-K to 6th grade
Education
Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study - TESOL
Adelphi University
Garden City12-2016
MS - Literacy
Adelphi University
Garden City, NY05-2014
BA - Childhood & Special Education
Marist College
Poughkeepsie, NY05-2012
Semester Abroad
Lorenzo De Medici Institute
Florence, Italy01.2011
Skills
- Instructional technology
- In-person and online instruction
- Differentiation strategies
- Data assessment
- Professional Development Facilitator
- Content & Curriculum Development
- Instructional Planning & Curriculum Mapping
- Effective communication
- Strong organizational skills
- Collaborative team member
- Curriculum utilization
- Experience with digital learning platforms
Websites
Certification
- NYS Professional, TESOL K-12
- NYS Professional, Literacy B-6
- NYS Professional, Childhood Education 1-6
- NYS Professional, Students with Disabilities 1-6
- Certified Florida Educator: Elementary Education
- Certified Connecticut Educator: Elementary Ed (305), Exceptional Student Education-Special Education Pre-K-12 (151), ESOL Endorsement-TESOL Pre-K-12 (111)
- Reading Endorsement -Remedial Reading & Language Arts 1-12 (102)
Timeline
Special Education Resource Room Teacher
New Haven Public Schools - Fair Haven School
01.2024 - Current
Dual Language Teacher
Immokalee Community Academy
01.2022 - 01.2024
English as a New Language Teacher
NYC Department of Education - PS 60 The Woodhaven School
01.2017 - 01.2022
Special Education Self-Contained Teacher
Tieqerman School
01.2014 - 01.2017
Special Education Teacher’s Aide
Cherry Lane School
01.2012 - 01.2014
English Tutor
JB Learning Center
01.2012 - 01.2013
Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study - TESOL
Adelphi University
MS - Literacy
Adelphi University
BA - Childhood & Special Education
Marist College
Semester Abroad
Lorenzo De Medici Institute