Rhonda Black-Fry
Special Education Cross Categorical
Springfield,MO
Summary
Flexible Special Education Teacher with focus on individual student needs across academia and emotional development. Empathetic and accommodating in design and implementation of hands-on lessons, catering to diverse learning abilities. Proficient in employing constant communication, patience and positive reinforcement in team efforts to deliver exceptional educational tools, fostering academic achievement. Familiar with challenges associated with teaching special needs children. Remains positive under times of stress or conflict. Works well with classroom teachers to develop accommodations and special techniques for mainstream classroom inclusion.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
6
6
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Teacher Intern
Springfield Public Schools
01.2021 - Current
- Develop, adapt and administer classroom lessons, activities, assignments, make-up work and/or materials in support of classroom teachers, supporting instruction and reinforcing classroom objectives
- Serves as building's substitute teacher, providing coverage at school site for short term and long-term teacher absences, providing instruction and supports for students while reinforcing classroom objectives to ensure continuity of learning.
- Communicate with building teachers regarding student progress, participating in needs assessments and assist in evaluation and planning processes of students.
- Performed individual and/or group instructions of students in a variety of settings, ensuring a safe and positive learning environment resulting in academic gains across multiple classrooms.
- Showed progressive knowledge and abilities in identifying behavioral needs, completing observations, developing and successfully implementing learning plans to help students be successful in the classroom.
- Collaborated with colleagues to design learning outcomes and thoughtfully address individual student needs
- Monitored classrooms for safety and good behavior, offering students positive reinforcement to maintain discipline
- Cultivated positive relationships with administration, teaching staff, and students.
- Assisted in administering tests and other assessments to evaluate student progress.
- Encouraged critical thinking and problem solving skills to enable students to step out of comfort zone.
- Utilized various teaching techniques and strategies to engage students in learning to successfully reach learning goals.
- Assisted lead teachers with planning daily classroom lessons and activities for over 400 students
- Worked with classroom teacher to learn about current standards and best practices
Special Education Teacher
Springfield Public Schools
05.2019 - 08.2021
- Redirected students using Positive Behavior Support (PBS) implementing Conscience Discipline procedures.
- Taught students across multiple classifications and degrees of special needs.
- Partnered with standard education teachers from across academic departments to meet student learning goals.
- Taught multiple subjects to students with various intellectual or emotional disabilities, including autism and extreme behavioral support and the behaviors that accompany these diagnosis.
- Successfully worked to ensure students transitioned from crisis situations to the classroom learning environment.
- Collaborated with administration, classroom teachers and staff throughout the building to help students excel in multiple learning environments.
- Created and managed IEPs to define student learning objectives and educational strategies, in addition to applying instructional knowledge and methods to support goals.
- Monitored student performance to evaluate effectiveness of instructional strategies.
Childcare Assistant/Teacher
Cox Health Learning
01.2017 - 01.2019
- Responsible for teaching and supervision of children ages birth -6yrs
- Maintained family communication and activities
- Provided structured learning curriculum and pre-k readiness programs in compliance with Missouri Accreditation if Early Childhood.
- Observed children to identify individuals in need of additional support and developed strategies to improve assistance
- Maintained well-controlled classrooms by clearly outlining standards and reinforcing positive behaviors
- Communicated regularly with parents about daily activities and behaviors
- Consulted with parents to build and maintain positive support networks and support continuing education strategies
- Intervened in disruptive behavior, using positive reinforcement strategies to redirect and calm children
- Documented behavior, development and learning of children to enable tracking history and maintain accurate records
Academy Director
La Petite Academy
01.2016 - 01.2017
- Responsible for oversite and supervision of licensed facility caring for children ages birth -6 years of age
- Handled the daily business record keeping and operations for center, including but not limited to staff relations, Missouri State Childcare regulations, Missouri Food Program, State Childcare Subsidy Program and Missouri Accreditation approval
- Maintained family communication and activities, staff training and community involvement
- Provided structured learning curriculum and pre-k readiness and assessment programs.
Daycare Director/Owner
Little Bugs Preschool
01.2007 - 01.2016
- Responsible for teaching and supervision of children ages birth -12yrs of age
- Handled daily business and record keeping and operations for center, including but limited to staff relations, Missouri State Childcare regulations, Missouri Food Program and State Pay requirements
- Maintained family communication and activities
- Provided structured learning curriculum and pre-k readiness programs.
- Recruited, selected and retained quality administrators, teachers and support staff
- Operated school in accordance with company and state licensing standards
- Conducted trainings and mentored staff, consistently improving performance
- Worked with teaching staff to evaluate individual progress and recommend appropriate learning plans
- Identified signs of potential emotional or developmental concerns in children and brought to parent or guardian attention
- Managed, observed and evaluated lead teachers, teacher assistants and kitchen staff
- Managed program paperwork and child records to comply with state requirements
- Attended approved training and continuing education courses to maintain certifications
- Developed relationships with community organizations to provide additional resources and services to families
- Planned and monitored curriculum and program activities and liaised with teachers to create fun and engaging learning experiences
- Supervised and managed team of childcare professionals to guarantee highest standards of care
- Furnished facility with supplies, equipment, food and materials to foster social and cognitive development
Children's Pastor
Berryville First Assembly of God
01.2004 - 01.2005
- Oversaw all aspects of children's ministry activities from 0-6th grade
- Planned and organized events and outreaches
- Assisted with after school program for children 6-12 grade.
- Planned and conducted worship services, wrote sermons, and worked with key church leaders to carry out church mission
- Oversaw administration and management of all areas of ministry
- Led programs such as worship, study, fellowship, and service opportunities
- Distributed food and supplies to communities through mutual aid
- Served as mentor to children in church community, offering guidance and support
- Volunteered at church-sponsored outreach events
- Helped to create welcoming environment for visitors and encouraged congregation to offer support
Children's Pastor
Park Crest Assembly of God
01.2001 - 01.2004
- Oversaw all aspects of children's ministry activities from 0-5th grade
- Planned and organized events and outreaches
- Worked closely with church daycare/preschool
- Organized mailings, publications, Power Point, letters and correspondence from church to families.
- Oversaw administration and management of all areas of ministry
- Planned and conducted worship services, wrote sermons, and worked with key church leaders to carry out church mission
- Helped to create welcoming environment for visitors and encouraged congregation to offer support
- Interacted with local community, building relationships with civic organizations and other churches
- Acted as a team leader in group projects, delegating tasks and providing feedback
Administrative Assistant
Central Bible College
01.2000 - 01.2001
- Customer Service
- Receptionist
- Maintained office records and appointments for multi-staffed office
- Organized and designed multi-media information for school.
- Answered multi-line phone system, routing calls, delivering messages to staff and greeting visitors
- Scheduled office meetings and client appointments for staff teams
- Assisted development and implementation of new administrative procedures
- Created and maintained detailed administrative processes and procedures to drive efficiency and accuracy
- Volunteered to help with special projects of varying degrees of complexity
- Continually sought methods for improving daily operations, communications with clients, recordkeeping, and data entry for increased efficiency
Education
Bachelor of Arts - General Studies
Missouri State University
Springfield, MO 08.2022 - Current
Associate of Arts - Teaching
Ozark Technical Community College
Springfield, MO 05.2017 - 05.2022
Skills
Student Advocacy
Timeline
Bachelor of Arts - General Studies
Missouri State University
08.2022 - Current
Teacher Intern
Springfield Public Schools
01.2021 - Current
Special Education Teacher
Springfield Public Schools
05.2019 - 08.2021
Associate of Arts - Teaching
Ozark Technical Community College
05.2017 - 05.2022
Childcare Assistant/Teacher
Cox Health Learning
01.2017 - 01.2019
Academy Director
La Petite Academy
01.2016 - 01.2017
Daycare Director/Owner
Little Bugs Preschool
01.2007 - 01.2016
Children's Pastor
Berryville First Assembly of God
01.2004 - 01.2005
Children's Pastor
Park Crest Assembly of God
01.2001 - 01.2004
Administrative Assistant
Central Bible College
01.2000 - 01.2001
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