Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
References
Timeline
Generic

Otis Marie Smith

Pine Bluff,AR

Summary

A Special Education Teacher with entry-level experience specializing in small group instruction, classroom management, IEPs, and lesson planning. A strong background in building relations with students to aid academic and personal growth.

Overview

32
32
years of professional experience

Work History

Special Populations Teacher

Friendship Aspire Academy
08.2023 - 06.2024
  • Developed strong relationships with students, parents, and colleagues by maintaining open lines of communication and fostering a supportive learning environment.
  • Increased student literacy rates by implementing targeted reading strategies in individualized instruction plans.
  • Enhanced classroom engagement through the use of interactive teaching methods, such as group projects and hands-on activities.
  • Collaborated with other teachers to plan interdisciplinary units that connected subjects and promoted deeper understanding among students.
  • Identified struggling students early on and provided additional support through tutoring sessions and modified lesson plans.
  • Differentiated instruction to accommodate diverse learning needs, ensuring each student had an equal opportunity for success.
  • Maintained accurate records of student progress, attendance, and behavior to facilitate ongoing communication with parents about their child''s educational journey.
  • Managed classroom behavior effectively by establishing clear expectations, modeling appropriate conduct, and consistently enforcing established rules and consequences.
  • Continuously pursued professional development opportunities such as workshops or conferences to stay current in educational trends.
  • Provided one-on-one support for students with learning disabilities, enabling them to excel in their coursework.
  • Planned and implemented integrated lessons to meet national standards.

Self-Contained Special Education Teacher

Pine Bluff School District
08.2020 - 06.2023
  • Modified general education curriculum for special-needs students using various instructional techniques and technologies
  • Delivered effective and differentiated classroom instruction to a range of neurodiverse students
  • Created and managed IEPs to define student learning objectives and educational strategies, in addition to applying instructional knowledge and methods to support goals
  • Cultivated connections and strong student rapport to foster classroom engagement, in addition to recording student progress to inform parents and school administration
  • Taught students across multiple classifications and degrees of special needs
  • Assisted struggling students to maintain progress levels by designing individualized lesson plans focused on areas for improvement
  • Taught multiple subjects to students with intellectual or emotional disabilities
  • Worked with students with moderate to severe autism to increase life skills
  • Instructed students with physical and cognitive disabilities.

School Bus Driver

Watson Chapel School District
08.2001 - 05.2019
  • Maintained [Arkansas] driver's license to enable legal operation of school buses for student transport, field trips and other purposes
  • Adhered to scheduled routes and accomplished timely drop-offs and pick-ups to comply with preset route criteria
  • Transported passengers safely along prescribed routes according to tight schedules
  • Inspected emergency equipment and verified safe working order for student and driver use
  • Assisted passengers with disabilities and other physical issues in boarding and exiting the bus to promote passenger safety
  • Drove a bus along the assigned route, picking up students
  • Created and enforced bus rules and kept expectations posted
  • Drafted and submitted reports detailing trips, fuel, mileage and hours
  • Monitored bus heating, lighting and ventilation systems
  • Assessed bus condition and maintained brakes, wipers, gas levels and cleanliness.

Service Desk

Trinity Village Retirement Community
09.1996 - 12.2016
  • Answered and directed incoming calls
  • Sorted and distributed mail to the residents
  • Helped with activities on the monthly calendar
  • Maintained work orders for maintenance
  • Scheduled transportation for the residents (doctors’ appointments, shopping, personal banking)
  • Performed weekly pre-tripped inspection on company vehicles.

Special Needs Bus Monitor

Watson Chapel School District
09.1992 - 05.2001
  • Supervised students and maintained discipline on the bus to reduce driver distraction
  • Partnered with a bus driver to load and unload special needs students and equipment for safe departure and arrival
  • Assisted special needs students with self-care to maintain proper hygiene while in transit
  • Liaised with the Bus Driver to conduct annually emergency evacuation drills
  • Informed substitute and newly assigned drivers of routes and directions to maintain a timely schedule
  • Placed special needs students in designated seats and fastened and secured seat belts before departure to reduce risk of injury.

Education

Expected in 12/2024 -

University of Arkansas at Monticello
Monticello, AR

Bachelor of General Studies -

University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
Pine Bluff, AR
05.2012

Associate of Arts -

Southeast Arkansas College
Pine Bluff, AR
12.2008

Skills

  • Differentiated Instruction
  • Post-Secondary
  • IEPs
  • Classroom Instruction
  • Classroom Management
  • Individualized Lesson Plans
  • Small Group Instruction

References

  • Kearra Parrish, 1107 South Myrtle Street, Pine Bluff, AR, 71603, (870)501-9808, Kearraparrish88@gmail.com
  • Vivian Mathis-Grant, 152 Oklahoma Avenue, Jacksonville, AR, 72076, (804)243-0442, vivian.grant.1@us.af.mil
  • Kendra Price, 4303 Scott Avenue, Pine Bluff, AR, 71603, (870)663-3541, Kendrapprice@yahoo.com

Timeline

Special Populations Teacher

Friendship Aspire Academy
08.2023 - 06.2024

Self-Contained Special Education Teacher

Pine Bluff School District
08.2020 - 06.2023

School Bus Driver

Watson Chapel School District
08.2001 - 05.2019

Service Desk

Trinity Village Retirement Community
09.1996 - 12.2016

Special Needs Bus Monitor

Watson Chapel School District
09.1992 - 05.2001

Expected in 12/2024 -

University of Arkansas at Monticello

Bachelor of General Studies -

University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff

Associate of Arts -

Southeast Arkansas College

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Otis Marie Smith