Olga Cantu
La Porte
Summary
Versatile Special Education Teacher with focus on individual student needs across academia and emotional development. Empathetic and accommodating in design and implementation of hands-on lessons, catering to diverse learning abilities. Proficient in employing constant communication, patience and positive reinforcement in team efforts to deliver exceptional educational tools, fostering academic achievement.
Overview
31
31
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Special Education Teacher
Pasadena ISD
1515 Cherrybrook, Pasadena, Texas 77502
08.1999 - 08.2022
- Created and managed IEPs to define student learning objectives and educational strategies, in addition to applying instructional knowledge and methods to support goals.
- Modified general education curriculum for special-needs students using various instructional techniques and technologies.
- Delivered effective and differentiated classroom instruction to range of neurodiverse students.
- Taught multiple subjects to students with intellectual or emotional disabilities.
- Cultivated connections and strong student rapport to foster classroom engagement, in addition to recording student progress to inform parents and school administration.
- Assisted struggling students to maintain progress levels by designing individualized lesson plans focused on areas for improvement.
- Taught students across multiple classifications and degrees of special needs.
- Partnered with standard education teachers from across academic departments.
- Instructed students with physical and cognitive disabilities.
- Worked with students with moderate to severe autism to increase life skills.
- Redirected students using Positive Behavior Support (PBS).
- Led activities that developed students' physical, emotional, and social growth.
- Encouraged students to take ownership of learning by providing choices.
- Provided life skills programming for students with moderate to severe autism.
- Designed individual education plans to encourage student growth according to different learning abilities and needs.
- Collaborated with other educators to develop instructional strategies.
- Maintained accurate records of student progress and attendance.
- Helped students with special needs integrate into general classroom environments by advocating for individual requirements and helping teachers solve problems.
- Facilitated small group instruction to address individual learning needs.
- Planned daily activities to keep students engaged and on track with learning goals.
- Worked closely with parents and guardians to address students' issues on multiple fronts.
- Monitored student performance to evaluate effectiveness of instructional strategies.
- Provided emotional support to students and families.
- Improved behavior by modeling positive choices and teaching socially-acceptable options.
- Provided professional development training to educate faculty and staff on laws and regulations governing special education.
Accounts Receivable Supervisor
The Methodist Hospital
Fannin Street, Houston, Texas
01.1992 - 06.1999
- Resolved accounts with late or skipped payments by contacting account holders or delegating to accounts receivable clerks.
- Set goals for accounts receivable team 17 clerks and developed strategies to meet goals.
- Resolved complaints from clients and customers and fielded overall company reviews.
- Conducted census, financial and insurance reports of payors to determine necessary actions for overdue or credited accounts.
- Reconciled daily AR ledger and verified proper posting.
- Completed daily process adjustments to maintain accuracy.
- Verified discrepancies and resolved clients' billing issues
- Processed incoming payments in accordance with established financial policies.
- Updated aging reports based on daily audits.
- Hired, managed, developed and trained staff, established and monitored goals, conducted performance reviews and administered salaries for staff.
- Coordinated individual duties after careful evaluation of each employee's skill level and knowledge.
- Kept high average of performance evaluations.
- Resolved issues through active listening and open-ended questioning, escalating major problems to manager.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Education
LeTourneau University
Longview, TX06.2010
High School Diploma -
Lowell High School
San Francisco, CA06.1978
Skills
- Child Development
- Learning Style Assessment
- Food Handling Preparation
- Group and Individual Instruction
- Basic Clerical Knowledge
- Special Education
- Parent Communication
- Development of Social Skills
- Classroom Management
- Positive Reinforcement Methods
- Evidence-Based Assessment
- Multidisciplinary Collaboration
- Speech Impairment
- Self-Contained Classrooms
- IEP Development
- Small Group Instruction
- Social Integration
- Behavior Intervention Plans
- In-Depth Knowledge of Autism
- Positive Role Model
- Team Collaboration
- Emotional Disorders
- Positive Learning Environment
- Cognitive Disabilities Knowledge
- Autism and Spectrum Disorders
- Behavior Redirection
- Classroom Practices
- Crisis Prevention and Intervention
- Student Support
Accomplishments
- BOA Visa Travel & Expense Card Request Form (Please Note, American Express is our Preferred credit card, this is for overseas travel for vendors who do not accept American Express) (Please email to TravelDepartment@mbakerintl.com or fax to 412-472-9116 upon completion.)
- Name(As appears on Drivers License):
- Employee Number (Oracle ID) #:
- Business Address:
- City: State: Zip:
- Business Phone #:
- Address that your statement should be sent
- Check if same as above
- Home Address:
- City: State: Zip:
- Phone #:
- Department Overhead #:
- Office Location:
- Normal processing takes 7-10 days
- If a 24-hour rush in needed, please check
- (NOTE: There is a $35.00 fee for a rush order.)
- By signing this BOA Request Form, the applicant and supervisor requests a Corporate BOA Card be issued on the Company’s account to the applicant and agrees as follows:
- The applicant agrees (1) to use the Card for Business Related Expenses only, (2) authorize the receipt and exchange of credit information on the applicant, (3) agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of the Card agreement, and (4) to be personally liable for payment of all charges to the Card
- The supervisor confirms (1) the applicant meets the criteria within the Company’s policy for the issuance of a Card, and (2) there is a legitimate Business Reason for the applicant to be issued a Card
- It is the Company’s policy to provide a Card to any employee who travels on Company business at least six times per year
- The card must be used to charge all applicable business travel expenses, including hotels, car rentals, and meals
- Reason for Request: ___________________________________________________________________
- Applicant Signature: ______________________________
- Supervisor Signature: _____________________________
Certification
- Generalist Grades EC-4 July 30, 2027
- Bilingual Education Supplemental-Spanish Grades (EC-4) June 30, 2027
- Special Education Supplemental Grades (EC-4) June 30, 2027
- Educational Secretary III Life
- Educational Aide III Life
Reading, gardening, walking, fishing, hunting, any outdoor activity.
Enjoy reading mystery, suspense stories, and any other articles to help improve job skills
During my spare time I like outdoor activities, such as gardening, walking, fishing and hunting.
Languages
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Special Education Teacher
Pasadena ISD
08.1999 - 08.2022
Accounts Receivable Supervisor
The Methodist Hospital
01.1992 - 06.1999
Bachelor of Science - Education
LeTourneau University
High School Diploma -
Lowell High School