Roger Ferguson
Special Education Teacher
Santa Fe,NM
Summary
Former USMC Officer with a coaching background in boxing and wrestling. Special Education Coordinator for 5 elementary schools offering 15 year background implementing programs for children with mental, learning and behavioral disabilities. Trains staff on special education innovations, creates educational programs and analyzes student academic data. Proficient in automated IEP software and developing IEPs. Dedicated to providing exceptional leadership to drive special education programs.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
6
6
years of post-secondary education
Work History
District SPED Program Support Specialist
Santa Fe Public Schools
Santa Fe, NM
08.2020 - Current
- Provide scheduled and regular support to families, staff and principals for individuals requiring special education in
the least restrictive environment through implementation and evaluation of curriculum, inclusive practices for specific
students and settings, professional development training and parent education. - Participate in the identification process, assist the district/early childhood service providers with the general education intervention process for eligible individuals and service planning for eligible individuals in the least restrictive environment and assist with transition planning to increase post-secondary outcomes.
- Apply these domains of knowledge to the educational community through a problem-solving perspective for eligible children 2 through 21 years of age.
- Support general education teachers and administrators in implementing strategies to meet needs of students with IEPs.
- Collaborate with families to provide resources for children outside of school district.
- Evaluate special education staff at 5 elementary schools through classroom observation, feedback and recommendations.
- Coordinate Related Services within assigned schools
SPED Contact Teacher
Santa Fe Public Schools
Santa Fe, NM
08.2015 - 05.2020
- Completed intensive leadership training and provided training to colleagues on applied behavior
- Provided life skills programming for students with moderate to severe autism.
- Created and managed IEPs to define student learning objectives and educational strategies, in addition to applying instructional knowledge and methods to support goals.
- Cultivated connections and strong student rapport to foster classroom engagement, in addition to recording student progress to inform parents and school administration.
- Taught reading, language arts and social sciences in self-contained ED and LD classroom.
- Partnered with standard education teachers from across academic departments.
- Taught students across multiple classifications and degrees of special needs.
Special Education Teacher
Santa Fe Public Schools
Santa Fe, NM
08.2012 - 05.2015
- Taught multiple subjects to students with intellectual or emotional disabilities.
- Communicated nonverbally with children to provide comfort, encouragement and positive reinforcement.
- Taught students across multiple classifications and degrees of special needs.
- Completed intensive leadership training and provided training to colleagues on applied behavior analysis.
- Worked with students with moderate to severe autism to increase life skills.
- Provided life skills programming for students with moderate to severe autism.
Education
Master of Arts - Teaching
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
Fayetteville, AR 09.2006 - 05.2007
Bachelor of Arts -
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
Fayetteville, AR 01.1975 - 12.1979
Skills
Student records management
Interpersonal Communication
Dependable and Responsible
Active Listening
Planning and Coordination
MS Office
Google Workspace
Analytical and Critical Thinking
Automated Software Proficiency
Self-Motivated
Classroom management
Conflict resolution techniques
Student counseling
Timeline
District SPED Program Support Specialist
Santa Fe Public Schools
08.2020 - Current
SPED Contact Teacher
Santa Fe Public Schools
08.2015 - 05.2020
Special Education Teacher
Santa Fe Public Schools
08.2012 - 05.2015
Master of Arts - Teaching
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
09.2006 - 05.2007
Bachelor of Arts -
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
01.1975 - 12.1979