Rebecca Heitzenrater
Erie,PA
Summary
Dedicated Special Education Paraprofessional skilled in one-on-one support, classroom management, and fostering positive learning environments.
Reliable and proactive professional with a strong background in supporting students with diverse needs. Adept in fostering communication among students, educators, and parents to drive academic success and enhance behavioral outcomes.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Special Education Paraprofessional
Wattsburg Area School District
Erie, PA
11.2001 - Current
- Supported individualized education plans by providing tailored assistance to students with diverse needs.
- Collaborated with teachers to implement instructional strategies and adapt learning materials effectively.
- Monitored student progress, ensuring adherence to behavioral and academic goals set in IEPs.
- Facilitated communication between students, educators, and parents to enhance student engagement and performance.
- Assisted in classroom management, promoting a positive learning environment for all students.
- Monitored student classroom and outdoors activities to promote student safety.
- Maintained positive attitude and affirmatively communicated with each student.
- Interacted physically and verbally with students throughout each day.
- Offered student support through special accommodations, extra assistance, and assessments.
- Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities to stay current on best practices in special education instruction and support services.
- Oversaw class of students in absence of instructor.
- Documented student behaviors, interventions, and outcomes to enable lead teacher to address pertinent issues.
- Set up visual aids, equipment, and classroom displays to support teacher's lesson delivery.
- Encouraged students to participate in school activities and programs to promote well-roundedness and increase confidence.
- Alerted instructor to student behavior or issues requiring intervention.
- Maintained accurate records of student progress, enabling timely communication with parents and other stakeholders regarding individual achievements and areas needing improvement.
- Assisted in the organization of field trips and extracurricular events that offered valuable real-world experiences for special education students, fostering skill-building opportunities outside the classroom setting.
- Observed students' performance and recorded relevant data to assess progress.
- Understood and acclimated to teacher's routine to provide classroom coverage.
- Liaised one-on-one with learners to provide additional support tailored to specific learning needs.
- Responded to emergency situations to resolve immediate safety concerns or direct appropriate personnel for resolution.
- Helped feeding and daily living skills to support physical and emotional well-being.
Special Education Paraprofessional
Wattsburg Area School District
Fort LeBoeuf School District
01.2002 - 05.2010
Education
Associate of Science - Education
State of Pennsylvania
PSEA Office In Edinboro Pa.05-2026
Associate of Science - Criminal Justice
Erie Community College
Erie, PA05-2026
Skills
- Worked One to one with students
- Learning disabilities support
- Classroom organization
- Instructional support
- Life skills development
- Crisis intervention
- Autism and spectrum disorders
- Special needs
- Personal hygiene assistance
- Social skills training
- Reading instruction
- Data collection
- Individualized instruction
- Toileting assistance
- Autism support
- Small group support
- Organizational skills
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Social skills development
- Special education curriculum
- Nonviolent crisis intervention (NVCI)
- Reliability
- Verbal and written communication
- Student supervision
- Social and group settings
- Classroom management strategies
- Student engagement
- Teamwork
- Progress monitoring
- IEP compliance
Timeline
Special Education Paraprofessional
Wattsburg Area School District
01.2002 - 05.2010
Special Education Paraprofessional
Wattsburg Area School District
11.2001 - Current
Associate of Science - Education
State of Pennsylvania
Associate of Science - Criminal Justice
Erie Community College