Roxie Heist
Educator
Colebrook,NH
Summary
Passionate trauma-informed educator with over 20 years experience in educational leadership positions. Proven to quickly develop strong rapport with others through friendly approach, patient demeanor, and excellent communication skills. Organized with exceptional work ethic and dedication to completing projects. Skilled in both independently motivated and collaborative team settings. Focused on building and enhancing relationships, meeting service needs, and finding opportunities to make a difference. Desire growth-oriented position in dynamic, fast-paced environment.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
7
7
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Personal Caregiver, Special Needs
Haljoe Coaches
Colebrook, NH
08.2021 - Current
- Provide supervision and daily-living care for autistic adult.
- Administer medication as directed by physician.
- Entertain, converse, and read aloud to keep client mentally alert.
- Consult with supervisors to assess and plan strategies for enhancing care.
- Transport client to events and activities, medical appointments, and shopping trips.
- Clean house, run errands, manage laundry, and complete weekly grocery shopping.
- Maintain clean, safe, and well-organized environment.
- Plan healthy meals, purchase ingredients, and cook meals to provide adequate nutrition for client wellbeing.
- Assist client with daily living needs to maintain self-esteem and general wellness.
- Provide assistance in daily living activities by dressing, grooming, bathing, and toileting client.
Educational Evaluator & Curriculum Resource Teacher
St Johns County School District
St. Augustine, United States
10.2020 - 07.2021
- Worked with team to interview parents and conduct up to 8 developmental evaluations of young children per week
- Worked closely with parents and guardians to address students' issues on multiple fronts.
- Collaborated with other educators to determine eligibility for services and develop instructional strategies.
- Conducted collaborative meetings with parents, educators, therapists, and school staff to place students in appropriate programs and services.
- Designed Individual Education Plans (IEP) to encourage student growth according to different learning abilities and needs.
- Supported teachers in teaching social-emotional skills and trauma-informed care.
- Mentored new teachers on student progress monitoring and legal document preparation.
- Provided emotional support to students and families.
- Coached and supported classroom teachers to apply proven strategies to improve students' sensory- and perceptual-motor skills.
- Coached and supported classroom teachers with maintaining accurate records of student progress and attendance.
- Provided professional development training to educate faculty and staff on laws and regulations governing special education.
- Provided professional development training to educate faculty and staff on best practices for early childhood development and classroom management.
- Coached and assisted classroom teacher with implementation of behavior modification techniques to improve student social and academic performance.
- Monitored student performance to evaluate effectiveness of instructional strategies.
- Developed and led parent workshops on Conscious Discipline.
Volunteer Responder
A Voice for the Innocent
Remote, Remote
11.2017 - 05.2021
- Offered validation, empathy, support, and resources to individuals who posted experiences of sexual assault and/or abuse on platform.
- Demonstrated excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
- Strengthened communication skills through regular interactions with others.
Volunteer
Tavares High School Theatre
Tavares, Florida
08.2017 - 12.2020
- Established and maintained positive relationships with students to foster environment of support and open communication.
- Prepared materials for class activities and productions.
- Helped with planning and implementation of fundraisers to bring in needed monies for theater and chorus program.
- Offered advice and support to students on how to best handle personal issues, stress, and anxiety.
- Implemented conflict resolution strategies to help students peacefully resolve disputes.
- Assisted with organization and supervision of after-school activities for students.
- Liaised between teachers and parents to help resolve issues or concerns.
- Participated in group activities with students to build teamwork and foster healthy relationships.
- Planned, executed, and chaperoned field trips and special events for students and teachers.
- Monitored student behavior in classrooms and theater to promote safe learning environment.
- Developed and maintained organizational system for uniform ordering, checkout, and distribution.
- Coordinated and managed volunteer activities for community service projects.
Technical Assistance & Training Systems (TATS)
University Of Central Florida
Orlando, United States
09.2017 - 10.2020
- Provided technical guidance and support to 11 school district contacts in assigned region.
- Gathered, organized and distributed technical documentation to district contacts.
- Scheduled and supervised regional program meetings to discuss new ideas and update district contacts on requirements, program details, milestones, and changes from Florida Department of Education.
- Planned and executed meetings to connect organizational representatives, community members, and service providers through maintaining community interagency agreements.
- Liaised with school district and early childhood service providers, communicating and resolving problems and concerns.
- Developed and provided teacher and caregiver trainings.
- Presented at various education conferences .
- Assisted in planning and hosting annual state-wide conference.
- Utilized combination of strategies to assist district Program Specialists and Directors support high fidelity implementation and sustainability of evidence-based practices to improve educational results and functional outcomes for young children with special needs and their families.
Volunteer Crisis Counselor
Crisis Text Line
Remote, Remote
06.2018 - 09.2018
- Joined platform weekly to offer supportive counseling and crisis intervention to individuals in crisis.
- Completed risk assessment on every person who contacted the crisis line.
- Utilized motivational interviewing techniques to increase engagement in de-escalation of crisis.
- Managed time efficiently in order to complete all tasks within deadlines.
- Provided resources to those who requested them.
Program Specialist and Educational Evaluator
Lake County School District
Tavares, FL
09.2011 - 08.2017
- Worked with team to interview parents and conduct up to 12 developmental screenings and evaluations of young children per week.
- Worked closely with parents and guardians to address students' issues on multiple fronts.
- Provided emotional support to students and families.
- Collaborated with other educators to determine eligibility for services and develop instructional strategies.
- Conducted collaborative meetings with parents, educators, therapists, federal organizations, community organizations, and school staff to place students in appropriate programs and services.
- Designed Individual Education Plans (IEP) to encourage student growth according to different learning abilities and needs.
- Developed and deepened productive community relationships to assist with defining requirements, executing plans, and strengthening collaborations.
- Worked alongside other professionals to outline and implement program plans and objectives.
- Interviewed and recommended team members for hire.
- Managed newsletter distribution for teachers to increase student engagement.
- Supported teachers in teaching social-emotional skills, and trauma-informed care.
- Received incoming phone calls and emails and provided timely responses to inquiries and concerns.
- Evaluated program operations, successes, and deficiencies to identify concerns and recommend strategies to enhance processes and elevate results.
- Mentored new teachers on student progress monitoring, classroom management, instructional strategies, and legal document preparation.
- Maintained regular communication between departments via email and phone calls to coordinate program logistics.
- Provided ongoing direction and leadership for program operations.
- Kept program-related data accurate, up-to-date, and easily accessible.
- Scheduled and supervised program meetings to discuss new ideas and update participants on program details and developmentally appropriate instructional practices.
- Coached and supported 30 classroom teachers to apply strategies to improve students' sensory- and perceptual-motor skills.
- Coached and supported 30 classroom teachers with maintaining accurate records of student progress and attendance.
- Provided professional development training to educate administrators, faculty, and staff on laws and regulations governing special education.
- Created and delivered professional development and education to keep participants knowledgeable about best practices for early childhood development, classroom management, and provide necessary skills to instruct students productively.
- Provided technical support to 30 teachers with necessary resources to carry out duties successfully.
- Coordinated program logistics to keep all relevant materials and equipment available and in good condition.
- Coached and assisted classroom teacher with implementation of behavior modification techniques to improve student social and academic performance.
- Monitored student performance to evaluate program effectiveness.
- Maintained records and conducted yearly data pulls.
- Analyzed program data by tracking and reporting program outcomes to identify areas of improvement.
- Tracked and reported expenses assist with accurate management of program budgets.
National Board Certified Teacher, Early Childhood
Lake County School District
Tavares, FL
08.1998 - 08.2011
- Analyzed overall student performance and recommended adjustments to Individual Education Plan (IEP) goals, supporting individual progression.
- Assessed student progress and provided feedback on educational development.
- Modeled positive behavior and communication skills for students.
- Supported students in developing self-esteem and self-confidence.
- Developed weekly lesson plans and activities to engage children and promote learning.
- Worked cooperatively with other teachers, administrators, therapists, and parents to help students reach learning objectives.
- Created safe and nurturing learning environment for preschoolers.
- Monitored students' academic, social, and emotional progress and recorded in individual files.
- Observed children to identify individuals in need of additional support and developed strategies to improve assistance.
- Maintained organized, fun and interactive classroom to help children feel safe.
- Supported student physical, mental, and social development using classroom games and activities.
- Educated students in foundational concepts such as shapes, numbers, and letters.
- Incorporated exciting and engaging activities to achieve student participation and hands-on learning.
- Incorporated music, art and literature into curriculum.
- Developed and implemented behavior management plans.
- Implemented age-appropriate curricula to meet needs of young learners.
- Applied play-based strategies to provide diverse approaches to learning.
- Developed innovative activities to engage young children in learning process.
- Utilized creative teaching strategies to engage students in classroom.
- Organized and supervised large and small group activities.
- Gave one-on-one attention to children while maintaining overall focus on entire group.
- Allowed for ample outdoor discovery time in schedule each day.
- Encouraged use of technology to support student learning.
- Established positive relationships with students and families.
- Established positive communication with parents in daily conversation and formal conferences.
- Protected children in-class, at recess and off-site with observational skills and positive reinforcement for good behavior.
- Monitored classroom to verify safe and secure environment.
Education
Master of Education - Trauma-Informed Education
Columbia College
Columbia 05.2021 - 04.2022
Graduate Certification - Project Autism Spectrum Disorders
University of Central Florida
Orlando, FL 01.2008 - 06.2009
Graduate Certification - Infant/Toddler Development Specialist (Pre-K Disab
University of Central Florida
Orlando, FL 09.2006 - 12.2007
Bachelor of Science - Early Childhood Education
University of Central Florida
Orlando 09.1994 - 06.1998
Skills
Special education/Special Needs Students
Child development
Adult Education
Public speaking
Verbal and written communication skills
Conscious Discipline
Youth Mental Health First Aid
True Crisis Prevention
Clinical Education and Mentor Training
Community integration
Student records management
Lesson Planning
Differentiated instruction
Disability assessment testing
Teambuilding
Problem-Solving
Cultural Awareness
Trained in CPI
Classroom management
Group and individual instruction
Quote
Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.
Viktor Frankl
Timeline
Personal Caregiver, Special Needs
Haljoe Coaches
08.2021 - Current
Master of Education - Trauma-Informed Education
Columbia College
05.2021 - 04.2022
Educational Evaluator & Curriculum Resource Teacher
St Johns County School District
10.2020 - 07.2021
Volunteer Crisis Counselor
Crisis Text Line
06.2018 - 09.2018
Volunteer Responder
A Voice for the Innocent
11.2017 - 05.2021
Technical Assistance & Training Systems (TATS)
University Of Central Florida
09.2017 - 10.2020
Volunteer
Tavares High School Theatre
08.2017 - 12.2020
Program Specialist and Educational Evaluator
Lake County School District
09.2011 - 08.2017
Graduate Certification - Project Autism Spectrum Disorders
University of Central Florida
01.2008 - 06.2009
Graduate Certification - Infant/Toddler Development Specialist (Pre-K Disab
University of Central Florida
09.2006 - 12.2007
National Board Certified Teacher, Early Childhood
Lake County School District
08.1998 - 08.2011
Bachelor of Science - Early Childhood Education
University of Central Florida
09.1994 - 06.1998