Rachel Samuels
New York,NY
Summary
Rachel is a dedicated educator with a background in theater and a focus on individual needs of special education students. She is empathetic and accommodating in design and implementation of hands-on lessons. Exceptional skills include working with teachers, parents and specialists to meet educational needs of students.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Special Education Itinerant Teacher
Monica Catani Dream Team Inc.
09.2023 - Current
- Provides individualized instruction to students with disabilities, tailoring teaching methods to needs and learning styles of each student
- Collaborates with classroom teachers, school staff, and parents to develop and implement effective strategies for supporting students
- Modifies and adapts general education curriculum to make it accessible to students with disabilities
- Develop alternative teaching materials and approaches to ensure that student can actively participate in classroom activities
- Works on behavior management strategies to help students with disabilities navigate social interactions and develop appropriate behavior in classroom
- Promotes inclusion of students with disabilities in regular education classrooms, advocating for integration of these students into broader school community.
Co-Teacher
The Stephen Gaynor School
07.2019 - 08.2023
- Created and implemented multi-sensory lesson plans for students with learning differences
- Collaborated and planned dynamic lessons with team, including cooperating teacher, occupational therapist, speech language pathologist, and school psychologist
- Communicated with families of students for conferences, IEP meetings, and general updates on their child
- Conducted formal and informal assessments to monitor growth and progress of each student
- Led whole class instruction while differentiating student engagement to meet each child's academic, social, and emotional needs.
Lead Teacher
Uncommon Charter School's Leadership Prep Bedstuy Elementary
08.2018 - 06.2019
- Provided rigorous, data-driven instruction to 29 kindergarteners
- Provided emotional support in cooperation with school social worker to each child
- Communicated regularly with each child's family for academic and emotional updates
- Trained in administering state testing for math and reading in alignment with The Common Core Standards.
Customer Experience Consultant
TIAA
06.2017 - 08.2017
- Researched statistical information on how and why Generation Y is using social media
- Used data-based presentations to show how a financial services company can best deploy social media.
Full-Time Student Teacher
The Integrated Arts Academy
08.2016 - 01.2017
- Completed a semester of full-time student teaching in a Kindergarten Classroom
- Shadowed kindergarten mentor teacher throughout semester and was observed weekly by educational advisor
- Successfully taught the class during two solo weeks (leadership weeks) at the end of semester
- Created a full portfolio in tk20 format on experiences documented in the classroom that later translated to edTPA format for New York teaching requirements
- Worked alongside a child with IEP, updated IEP and participated in annual IEP meeting with family
- Created lesson plans for all academic areas using the common core standards and the Vermont Early Learning Standards.
Education
Master's in Special Education -
The University of Vermont
Burlington, VT05.2018
Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood -
The University of Vermont
Burlington, VT05.2017
Skills
- Proficient in Orton Gillingham Reading Curriculum as well as the Singapore and Stern Math programs
- Trained in improvisation at The Magnet and The Pit Theater
- Participated in UVM theater in leading roles
- Behavior Modification
- Learning Style Assessment
Additional Experiences
- Academic tutor for children grades 2-5 in reading and/or math 2017-Present
- President and Business Manager UVM's all-female A Cappella Group August 2014-May 2017
- Taught English to local students in Jerusalem, Israel through the TALMA program July 2018
- Volunteered at Camp Zeno Mountain Farm, a camp for teenagers and adults with disabilities July 2017
- Served as tour guide for the University of Vermont as an Advocat November 2016-May 2017
Certification
Early Childhood (Birth-2nd) Certification in NY State
Languages
Spanish
Elementary
Timeline
Special Education Itinerant Teacher
Monica Catani Dream Team Inc.
09.2023 - Current
Co-Teacher
The Stephen Gaynor School
07.2019 - 08.2023
Lead Teacher
Uncommon Charter School's Leadership Prep Bedstuy Elementary
08.2018 - 06.2019
Customer Experience Consultant
TIAA
06.2017 - 08.2017
Full-Time Student Teacher
The Integrated Arts Academy
08.2016 - 01.2017
Master's in Special Education -
The University of Vermont
Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood -
The University of Vermont
Early Childhood (Birth-2nd) Certification in NY State
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