Rebecca Kinney
Athens,MI
Summary
Dedicated Special Education Teacher with expertise in differentiated instruction and classroom management. Proven ability to develop individualized education plans and collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams for optimal student outcomes.
Overview
33
33
years of professional experience
Work History
Special Education Teacher
Athens Area Schools
Athens, MI
08.2021 - Current
- Developed individualized education plans tailored to student needs and learning goals.
- Developed IEPs tailored to individual student needs, ensuring their academic success and personal growth.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to enhance support strategies for students with disabilities.
- Implemented adaptive teaching techniques to foster engagement and comprehension among diverse learners.
- Monitored student progress through assessments, adjusting instructional methods as necessary for improvement.
- Trained and mentored new staff on effective classroom management and special education practices.
- Facilitated communication between parents, teachers, and support staff to ensure cohesive educational experiences.
- Designed individualized education plans to meet diverse student needs and learning objectives.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to assess student progress and adapt instructional strategies.
- Implemented behavior management techniques to foster positive classroom environments and improve student engagement.
- Developed and utilized adaptive teaching materials for various learning styles and abilities.
- Trained and mentored new staff on special education policies and best practices in inclusive classrooms.
- Analyzed student assessments to identify learning gaps and recommend targeted interventions for improvement.
- Created and managed IEPs to define student learning objectives and educational strategies, in addition to applying instructional knowledge and methods to support goals.
- Promoted a positive learning environment through the use of differentiated instruction and individualized support for diverse learners.
- Modified general education curriculum for special-needs students using various instructional techniques and technologies.
- Fostered strong relationships with parents and guardians, maintaining open lines of communication to ensure student progress.
- Improved student behavior management by implementing consistent routines, clear expectations, and positive reinforcement strategies.
- Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities focused on evidence-based practices in special education teaching methodologies.
- Evaluated student progress regularly using various assessment methods, ensuring accurate measurement of skill development and areas requiring additional support.
- Provided targeted instructional support to struggling learners, identifying specific areas for improvement and designing effective intervention plans.
- Taught students across multiple classifications and degrees of special needs.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to provide comprehensive support for students with special needs.
- Coordinated with general education teachers to develop accommodations or modifications necessary for successful inclusion of students with special needs in mainstream classrooms.
- Delivered effective and differentiated classroom instruction to a range of neurodiverse students.
- Cultivated connections and strong student rapport to foster classroom engagement, in addition to recording student progress to inform parents and school administration.
- Taught multiple subjects to students with intellectual or emotional disabilities.
- Coordinated special education students and teacher assistant schedules with the master schedule.
- Instructed students with physical and cognitive disabilities.
- Redirected students using Positive Behavior Support (PBS).
- Served as a mentor to new teachers, sharing best practices in special education instruction and classroom management techniques.
- Partnered with standard education teachers from across academic departments.
- Developed and executed behavioral intervention plans, leading to a decrease in disruptive behaviors and an increase in classroom participation.
- Implemented individualized education plans for students with diverse learning needs, ensuring personalized support.
- Guided students through transition planning processes, preparing them for post-secondary education and employment opportunities.
- Adapted teaching methods and materials to meet varied needs of students, enhancing educational accessibility.
- Utilized data from student assessments to tailor instruction, resulting in more effective learning outcomes.
- Improved reading comprehension among students with learning disabilities by designing and delivering targeted literacy activities.
- Facilitated small group instruction to address individual learning needs.
- Monitored student performance to evaluate effectiveness of instructional strategies.
- Developed and implemented behavior management plans to improve student behavior.
- Designed individual education plans to encourage student growth according to different learning abilities and needs.
- Coordinated regular meetings to share and analyze student performance data and success plans with colleagues and parents.
- Helped students with special needs integrate into general classroom environments by advocating for individual requirements and helping teachers solve problems.
General Education Teacher
Bronson Schools
Bronson, MI
08.1993 - 05.2021
- Developed and implemented engaging lesson plans aligned with curriculum standards.
- Fostered inclusive classroom environments that support diverse learning needs.
- Utilized formative assessments to evaluate student progress and inform instructional strategies.
- Collaborated with colleagues to enhance educational programs and share best practices.
- Mentored new teachers, providing guidance on classroom management techniques and teaching methods.
- Designed and led professional development workshops focused on innovative teaching strategies.
- Analyzed student data to identify areas for improvement and drive instructional decisions.
- Used positive reinforcement and provided clear feedback to help students succeed.
- Maintained current knowledge of instructional techniques and available resources.
- Conducted skills assessments to uncover performance gaps.
- Enhanced student comprehension by implementing diverse teaching methods tailored to individual learning styles.
- Improved classroom management and maintained a positive learning environment through clear communication of expectations and consequences.
- Provided clear, informative and engaging classroom instruction.
- Continually sought professional development opportunities to stay current in educational trends and research, ensuring delivery of high-quality instruction for all students.
- Implemented effective differentiation strategies within lessons, meeting the needs of all learners while challenging them appropriately.
- Monitored student progress through regular assessments, adjusting instruction as needed for optimal understanding of material.
- Increased parent involvement in the educational process by maintaining open lines of communication and offering resources for home support.
- Provided timely feedback on assignments, enabling students to learn from mistakes and improve their performance.
- Contributed to school-wide initiatives aimed at improving overall academic achievement and supporting student success beyond the classroom setting.
- Mentored new teachers, sharing best practices and offering guidance on navigating the challenges of the profession successfully.
- Prepared students for tests by teaching relevant concepts and enforcing good test-taking skills.
- Provided individual mentoring and special tutoring to struggling students.
- Boosted literacy rates among struggling readers by incorporating targeted reading interventions into daily instruction.
- Personalized instruction based on needs, interests and capabilities of individual students.
- Facilitated class discussion to help students work through questions and expand understanding.
Education
Master of Science - Learning Disabilities
Calvin College
Grand Rapids, MI12-2004
Bachelor of Arts - Elementary Education
Malone University
Canton, OH05-1991
Skills
- Differentiated instruction
- Classroom management
- Individual education plans
- Small group instruction
- Behavior intervention
- Co-teaching experience
- Team collaboration
- Inclusive education strategies
Timeline
Special Education Teacher
Athens Area Schools
08.2021 - Current
General Education Teacher
Bronson Schools
08.1993 - 05.2021
Master of Science - Learning Disabilities
Calvin College
Bachelor of Arts - Elementary Education
Malone University
Make a Difference: Award Ceremony for Top General Education Teacher of Branch County : 2010
Each year the Branch ISD granted awards to the top general educator, special educator, and paraprofessional to individuals that had the most impact on the special education population.