Patricia A. Braun
Alexandria,VA
Summary
Educator/Transition Coordinator with extensive experience managing complex student transitions from high school through adulthood. Specializing in advocacy, advising, instructing, and providing comprehensive support to students with disabilities and their families in all phases of the post-secondary process, including financial aid and referrals to adult services. Dedication to improving outcomes and ensuring that every student has the tools necessary to be successful in a complex and ever-changing world.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
Transition Coordinator
APS, Arlington Career Center
Arlington, VA
07.2021 - Current
- Responsible for coordinating career and transition planning and services for all students with disabilities including students with 504 plans. Works across all five programs within the Arlington Career Center High School with a concentration on students ages 14-24.
- Collaborates internally with staff members and transition coordinators at all APS high schools to ensure appropriate transition planning for IEPs and preparation for the Program for Employment Preparedness (PEP) within ACC.
- Collaborates externally with colleges, Workforce Development Center and adult agencies including Arlington DHS, CSB, DARS, and supported and group supported employment agencies.
- Assists and connects families with appropriate resources for Guardianship, POA, SSI, Medicaid, SSDI, Medicare, housing, and transportation.
- Responsible for ensuring transition services including classroom and internship instruction, related services, community experiences, the development of employment and other post-school adult living objectives, and, if appropriate, acquisition of daily living skills and functional vocational evaluations.
- Monitors coordinated activities and transition plans to ensure compliance and individualized, appropriate, measurable postsecondary goals based upon age-appropriate transition assessments related to training, post-secondary education, employment, and where appropriate, independent living skills; and transition services (including courses of study) needed to assist the individual in reaching those goals.
Special Education Teacher: English/Science Department
ACPS, T.C. Williams HS- Minnie Howard Campus
Alexandria, VA
07.2018 - 07.2021
- Provided in-person and online classroom instruction directly to students who qualified for services under IDEA. Responsible for the planning and implementation of instruction for two self-contained and four co-taught English classes, and teacher of record. Co-taught two Biology classes.
- Created ELA lessons utilizing small group and direct instruction, concept development, curriculum-based measurement, and various other instructional methods.
- Managed caseloads between 17-22 students. Drafted and implemented IEPs, including transition programming and services. Frequent and on-going open communication with parents and students in addition to other general education instructors and administrators.
- Systematically collected data and made proposals on effectiveness of IEP implementation to drive the development of student objectives and long-range student work priorities.
- Strategically worked in conjunction with both general and special education teachers, in various work units to develop classroom instruction plans and policies to address the needs of diverse learners in the small special education class setting, virtual learning environment, and the inclusive class setting.
- Infused the special education student objectives into the overall lesson plans, connecting development to student growth and outcomes, and revised the plans based on student need.
- Prioritized objectives to correlate with the policies outlined in the Virginia Standards of Learning. During both IEP meetings, annual eligibility meetings and teacher conferences, actively engaged with data both quantitative and qualitative on the student progress and application of skills in the classroom.
College and Career Center Specialist
ACPS, Alexandria City HS, formerly T.C. Williams HS
Alexandria, VA
01.2009 - 07.2018
- Created, designed and established the first-ever College & Career Center at T.C. Williams HS. Managed the daily operations of the Center and implemented standard operating procedures for the newly established College and Career Center aligned with the ACPS Strategic Plan, framework of the ASCA National Model, and the Profile of a Virginia Graduate.
- Collaborated with all counselors and faculty members and reported to the Principal, Director of Counseling, and Executive Leadership. Provided supervision to four staff members including NOVA DE/Pathway partner and G.W.U. counseling graduate interns.
- Established and maintained regular and on-going relationships with ACPS partners, outside agencies and stakeholders.
- Served as the ACPS lead expert on all nationally recognized accredited colleges universities and post-secondary training programs. Focused on access, retention, graduation, and career readiness. Regularly invited to provide presentations and session events.
- Worked directly with FACE and the Communications teams and developed partnerships with all ACPS K-8 schools and alternative programs.
- Developed School Counseling Calendar of Events, parent workshops, FAFSA Completion events, ACPS College and Career Handbook, Counseling Corner Newsletter, and the Community Partner Resource Guide.
- Implemented and conducted on-going classroom lessons and presentations, ACT District Choice, and SAT Suite of Assessment School Day Testing, including PSAT 8/9 for all ACPS students grades 9-12. Invited, coordinated, and implemented all high stakes testing for Alexandria City private and home-schooled students.
- Provided technical support with applications for SAT, ACT, and 504 accommodations, and fee waiver support. Regularly reported data outcomes for graduates successfully registered in nationally accredited institutions. Utilized National Clearinghouse data alongside Scholarship Fund of Alexandria, and AmeriCorps’ UVA College Guide partners.
- Proposed, invited, and coordinated visit to T.C. Williams by First Lady Michelle Obama, and Education Secretary Arne Duncan’s “Get Schooled” FAFSA campaign to support H.R. 4479 “Student Right to Know Before You Go Act of 2017. Introduced and led the conversation with the First Lady, including a televised conversation, related to the Federal Pell Grants and affordable loan opportunities for vulnerable families.
- Established and maintained relationships with all national colleges and accredited higher education programs, career development centers and associations, including national and local Workforce Development (WDC) and all branches of the military. Partnered with Alexandria Chamber of Commerce, WDC’s WIOA program representative offering Alexandrians, ages 18-24, access to high-quality, sustainable employment through free training and certifications.
- Hosted and facilitated annual: Panel Presentation for College Admissions Directors from Virginia, national colleges, universities, and US Service Academies; T.C.W. Annual College Fair; and the Alfred Street Baptist Church annual Historically Black College and University Fair representing over 100 nationally accredited HBCU colleges and universities.
- Administered and evaluated personality inventories and assessments. Met with all students to review and complete college exam registrations, resumes, essays, and financial aid applications and financial literacy focused on loans, scholarships, award letters, retention, graduation rates, and nationally accredited post-secondary programs.
Child & Adolescent Policy Program Coordinator
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI-National)
Arlington, VA
11.2004 - 11.2006
- Managed and coordinated all programs for the Child & Adolescent Action Center within NAMI's National Policy department, which included infants, toddlers and students with disabilities.
- Program Manager for a school-based mental health education program and publication titled Parents and Teachers as Allies. Prepared and delivered local and national in-service presentations and “training of trainers” on the significance of early identification of mental illnesses in children and adolescents in the public-school setting.
- Educated and trained school professionals and parents on the proper techniques and procedures to work with individuals with mental health disorders.
- Represented NAMI in weekly meetings with key legislative staff members. Provided technical assistance and community outreach to NAMI members, families, state and local affiliates, mental health professionals, health providers, and school professionals.
- Managing Editor for a quarterly publication titled "NAMI Beginnings." Managed and updated NAMI’s Child and Adolescent website. Scheduled and facilitated NAMI Teen Support Group sessions. Compiled information and coordinated Breakout Sessions for annual NAMI National Conferences.
Education
Masters - Educational Leadership
George Mason University
Fairfax, VA01-2026
Master of Arts - Teaching-Special Education
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, VA01-2019
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Marymount University
Arlington, VA01-2004
Timeline
Transition Coordinator
APS, Arlington Career Center
07.2021 - Current
Special Education Teacher: English/Science Department
ACPS, T.C. Williams HS- Minnie Howard Campus
07.2018 - 07.2021
College and Career Center Specialist
ACPS, Alexandria City HS, formerly T.C. Williams HS
01.2009 - 07.2018
Child & Adolescent Policy Program Coordinator
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI-National)
11.2004 - 11.2006
Master of Arts - Teaching-Special Education
University of Virginia
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Marymount University
Masters - Educational Leadership
George Mason University