Rebecca Hardy
Queen Creek,AZ
Summary
Skilled educator with strong expertise in special education. Adept at developing tailored learning plans, employing effective instructional strategies, and fostering inclusive classroom environments. Known for collaboration, adaptability, and delivering measurable results. Proficient in behavior management, individualized education plans, and student assessments.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
K-2 Structured Special Education Teacher
Apache Junction Unified School District
01.2023 - Current
- Lead and support structured self-contained classrooms, providing training and guidance to teachers and paraprofessionals in two additional classrooms while maintaining full teaching responsibilities in my own classroom.
- Develop and implement individualized education programs (IEPs) for students with diverse academic and behavioral needs.
- Collect and analyze student data to inform instruction and guide interventions for individual and small groups.
- Provide individualized and small-group instruction using a variety of evidence-based strategies to meet students’ unique learning needs.
- Mentor and support other special education teachers in writing IEPs and applying best practices, ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations.
- Design and deliver campus-wide training for paraprofessionals on student independence, classroom support, and effective intervention strategies.
- Designed and delivered data training for school staff, covering collection, analysis, and instructional application to improve student outcomes.
- Promote inclusive practices campus-wide, integrating students with disabilities into general education settings where appropriate.
- Serve on the Student Support Team (SST), collaborating with general education teachers to support students with academic, behavioral, and social-emotional needs.
Early Childhood Special Education Teacher/ Kindergarten Teacher
J. O. Combs Unified School District
01.2006 - 01.2023
- Created the district’s first structured Early Childhood Special Education classroom for students requiring intensive academic and behavioral support, designing classrooms with visual supports, individualized behavior strategies, adaptive tools, assistive technology, and alternative communication systems.
- Aligned teaching practices with Early Intervention instructional routines, implementing individualized supports to meet each student’s developmental and academic needs.
- Developed and implemented individualized education programs (IEPs), monitoring progress and adjusting instruction for individual and small groups.
- Provided differentiated instruction using a variety of evidence-based strategies to support literacy, math, and social-emotional development.
- Taught Kindergarten general education classrooms for four years, implementing structured routines, differentiated instruction, and engagement strategies to meet the diverse needs of all students.
- Collected and analyzed student data to guide instruction, adjust pacing, and provide targeted support for individuals and small groups.
- Collaborated with families, general education teachers, and multidisciplinary teams to ensure student success and compliance with IDEA regulations.
- Supported classroom assistants and paraprofessionals in instructional practices and student engagement strategies.
Education
Master of Education - Special Education
American College of Education
Indianapolis, IN12-2025
Bachelor of Arts - Early Childhood Education
San Jose State University
San Jose, CA05-2004
Skills
- Individualized Education Program (IEP) Development & Compliance
- Data Collection, Analysis & Data-Driven Instruction
- Structured Teaching & Early Intervention Routines
- Differentiated & Small-Group Instruction
- Mentoring Teachers & Paraprofessionals
- Classroom & Program Leadership
- Collaboration with Families & Multidisciplinary Teams
- Inclusion strategies
- Instructional strategies
Certification
- Early Childhood Special Education Teaching Certificate
- Early Childhood Endorsement
- Structured English Immersion Endorsement
Timeline
K-2 Structured Special Education Teacher
Apache Junction Unified School District
01.2023 - Current
Early Childhood Special Education Teacher/ Kindergarten Teacher
J. O. Combs Unified School District
01.2006 - 01.2023
Master of Education - Special Education
American College of Education
Bachelor of Arts - Early Childhood Education
San Jose State University