Padmapriya Dasarathy
Ashland,MA
Summary
Dedicated Special Education teacher with over 6 years of full-time classroom experience and ongoing part-time service at Medha, a nonprofit serving neurodiverse, students who are non-verbal. Currently employed full-time as a Senior QA Engineer in an EdTech company, with a passion for merging accessibility, inclusive learning, and instructional design. Recognized for cross-cultural fluency, grassroots mentoring, and hands-on inclusive teaching practices.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior QA Engineer
EdTech Company
06.2023 - Current
- Lead QA strategy and execution for educational platforms with a strong focus on usability and accessibility.
- Execute functional, regression, and accessibility tests aligned with WCAG standards.
- Collaborate with developers, designers, and product teams to ensure inclusive digital learning tools.
- Apply user-centered design and testing principles to optimize learning experiences.
Lead Special Education Teacher & Volunteer Mentor
Medha (Sankara Healthcare Foundation, Nonprofit Organization)
11.2022 - Current
- Teach ELA, math, Hindu stories, and slokas to non-verbal children and young adults with moderate to severe disabilities.
- Develop functional academic and communication curricula adapted for both virtual and in-person delivery.
- Provide functional ASL instruction to support alternative communication.
- Mentor volunteer educators and co-develop accessible, inclusive lesson plans.
- Dedicate 15-20 hours weekly to teaching, material development, and mentorship.
Lead Special Education Teacher
K-8 Public Schools
Massachusetts, USA
07.2019 - 06.2023
- Delivered individualized, standards-based instruction in inclusive and self-contained settings.
- Designed and monitored IEPs and FBAs; integrated AAC and assistive technologies.
- Led IEP meetings, collaborated with multidisciplinary teams, and supported school-wide inclusion.
- Provided community-based instruction to prepare students for real-life transition goals.
Student Teacher - Special Education
Framingham Public Schools
Framingham, USA
08.2018 - 05.2019
- Supported inclusive early childhood classrooms serving children with and without disabilities, including those with mild autism, speech delays, and sensory processing challenges.
- Facilitated small-group and one-on-one learning in literacy, pre-math, and play-based developmental activities.
- Assisted lead teachers with differentiated instruction, visual schedules, and positive behavioral supports to promote classroom inclusion.
- Collaborated with therapists and parents to reinforce IEP goals and encourage communication and social-emotional growth.
Assistant Classroom Teacher - Inclusive Pre-School
Private Preschool
Natick, USA
10.2017 - 06.2018
- Co-taught a pre-school classroom that served children with mild disabilities under a licensed educator.
- Implemented accommodations, visual supports, and behavior plans for neurodiverse students.
- Supported differentiated instruction, literacy, playtime (turn-taking, waiting, initiating communication) and social-emotional learning.
Assistant Classroom Teacher - Substantially Separate Classroom
Brookline Public School
Brookline, USA
02.2017 - 09.2017
- Implemented accommodations, visual supports, and behavior plans developed by the licensed special education teacher for students with severe disabilities.
- Supported the classroom teacher with technology.
Education
Leadership in an Exponentially Changing World - Leadership
MIT Sloan School of Management
Cambridge, MA08-2020
M.Ed - Curriculum & Instruction - Severe Disabilities
Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MassachusettsLicensed Special Education Teacher -
Special Education Teacher License
MassachusettsBachelors - Electronics & Communication
Thiagarajar College of Engineering
Madurai, TamilNadu, IndiaSkills
- Inclusive education strategies
- Curriculum design
- Special education policy
- Mentoring and training
- ASL instruction
- Assistive technology integration
- Community instruction
- Accessibility testing
- Culturally responsive education
Education And Licensure
- Leadership in an Exponentially Changing World, MIT Sloan School of Management
- M.Ed in Curriculum & Instruction - Severe Disabilities, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA
- Licensed Special Education Teacher, Massachusetts, MA
- Bachelors in Engineering (Electronics & Communication), Thiagarajar College of Engineering, Madurai, TamilNadu
Timeline
Senior QA Engineer
EdTech Company
06.2023 - Current
Lead Special Education Teacher & Volunteer Mentor
Medha (Sankara Healthcare Foundation, Nonprofit Organization)
11.2022 - Current
Lead Special Education Teacher
K-8 Public Schools
07.2019 - 06.2023
Student Teacher - Special Education
Framingham Public Schools
08.2018 - 05.2019
Assistant Classroom Teacher - Inclusive Pre-School
Private Preschool
10.2017 - 06.2018
Assistant Classroom Teacher - Substantially Separate Classroom
Brookline Public School
02.2017 - 09.2017
Leadership in an Exponentially Changing World - Leadership
MIT Sloan School of Management
M.Ed - Curriculum & Instruction - Severe Disabilities
Boston College
Licensed Special Education Teacher -
Special Education Teacher License
Bachelors - Electronics & Communication
Thiagarajar College of Engineering
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