Norah Currie
Marana,AZ
Summary
Dedicated Special Education Teacher with 18 years of diverse experience in Elementary Self-Contained and Middle School Resource classroom settings, focused on enhancing students' strengths and addressing unique needs. Committed to providing consistent guidelines, structure, and dependable routines that foster social and academic growth while delivering personalized, hands-on support tailored to individual learning requirements. Proven expertise in developing and writing IEPs, FBAs, and BIPs, facilitating IEP meetings, and collaborating with families and staff to create optimal programming for special needs students. Recognized for a strong work ethic, adaptability, and exceptional interpersonal skills, with a passion for advocating for students with disabilities to promote academic, adaptive, communication, and social-emotional development.
Arizona Teaching Certificates
Standard Professional Mild/Mod Spec Ed, K-12Valid01/15/2026 - 11/03/2038
Standard Professional Mod/Severe Spec Ed, K-12Valid04/28/2025 - 11/03/2037
Moving to Marana, Arizona from Washington state in June 2026. Have been hired to work as an Special Education Adaptive Cluster K-3 Teacher for Coyote Trail Elementary for the 26/27 school year.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Special Education Teacher
Bethel School District
Spanaway, WA
08.2020 - Current
- 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.
- Provided targeted instructional support to struggling learners, identifying specific areas for improvement and designing effective intervention. Developed individualized education plans to address diverse learning needs.
- Utilized technology resources such as online programs and assistive devices for student communication.
- Implemented behavioral intervention strategies to enhance student engagement and participation.
- Mentored junior writers, providing guidance on best practices in writing and editing processes for continuous improvement.
- Managed multiple writing projects simultaneously, meeting tight deadlines while maintaining high-quality standards.
- Teamed with School Psychologist, SLP, OT, and PT to assess student progress collaboratively and design and implement curriculum.
- Established strong relationships with students and parents to support classroom goals.
- Participated in professional development activities related to teaching strategies for special education students.
- Advocated for students' rights and needs during Individualized Education Program meetings.
- Advocated for students with disabilities to promote inclusivity within educational settings.
- Fostered strong relationships with parents and guardians, maintaining open lines of communication to ensure student progress.
Special Education Teacher
Renton School District
Renton, WA
08.2013 - 06.2020
- Department Head for 2 years.
- Delivered effective and differentiated classroom instruction to diverse range of developmentally challenged students.
- Created learning and content strategies to meet needs of mentally and physically disabled students.
- Instructed students in 3 academic grade levels, social emotional and reading groups in the Middle School setting.
- Created and managed IEPs to define student learning objectives and educational strategies, in addition to applying instructional knowledge and methods to support goals.
- Coordinated special education students and teacher assistant schedules with master schedule.
- Cultivated connections and strong student rapport to foster classroom engagement, in addition to recording student progress to inform parents and school administration.
- Organized instruction material, including constructing bulletin boards and setting up work areas. Redirected students using Positive Behavior Support (PBS).
- Mentored junior writers, providing guidance on best practices in writing and editing processes for continuous improvement.
- Managed multiple writing projects simultaneously, meeting tight deadlines while maintaining high-quality standards
Education
Pro Teach Certificate: ProTeach Program - Pro Teach Certificate: ProTeach Program
Seattle Pacific University
Seattle, WAMaster of Arts - Special Education
Grand Canyon University
Phoenix, AZSpecial Education Teaching Certificate K-12: Special Education - Special Education Teaching Certificate K-12: SPED
Maricopa Community Colleges - Rio Salado Community College
Tempe, AZBachelor of Arts - Humanities
Seattle University
Seattle, WABachelor of Arts - Drama
Seattle University
Seattle, WASkills
- Student progress reporting
- Disability Academic assessment testing
- Differentiated instruction
- Middle school education Instructional Planning
- Elementary Nonverbal Autism Instructional Planning
- Developing and Writing Individual Education Plans (IEPs), Functional behavioral Assessments(FBAs),Behavior Intervention Plans(BIPS), Emergency Response Plans(ERPs), and Extended School Year(ESY )documents
- Supporting students with AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) effectively by combining clear visual systems with intentional language input strategies
- Behavioral/Social Emotional/Cognitive Skills Plan Development and Implementation
- Teaming with School Psychologist, SLP, OT, and PT to assess student progress collaboratively and design and implement curriculum
- Frequent and Informative Family Communication
Timeline
Special Education Teacher
Bethel School District
08.2020 - Current
Special Education Teacher
Renton School District
08.2013 - 06.2020
Master of Arts - Special Education
Grand Canyon University
Special Education Teaching Certificate K-12: Special Education - Special Education Teaching Certificate K-12: SPED
Maricopa Community Colleges - Rio Salado Community College
Bachelor of Arts - Humanities
Seattle University
Bachelor of Arts - Drama
Seattle University
Pro Teach Certificate: ProTeach Program - Pro Teach Certificate: ProTeach Program
Seattle Pacific University