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
Pine Bluff, AR
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, ARBachelor of General Studies -
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
Pine Bluff, AR05.2012
Associate of Arts -
Southeast Arkansas College
Pine Bluff, AR12.2008
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