Ryan J Combs
North Judson,IN
Summary
Special education professional with proven track record of fostering inclusive learning environments and implementing effective instructional strategies. Strong emphasis on team collaboration and achieving positive educational outcomes, adaptable to changing classroom dynamics. Skilled in behavior management, curriculum development, and student advocacy, bringing reliability and flexibility to role.
Overview
4
4
years of professional experience
Work History
Special Education Teacher (Resource)
Oregon Davis School Corporation
Hamlet, Indiana
08.2025 - Current
- Developed individualized education plans tailored to student needs and learning styles.
- Implemented evidence-based strategies to enhance student engagement and academic performance.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to assess student progress and adjust instructional methods.
- Facilitated parent-teacher conferences to discuss student achievements and areas for improvement.
- Trained and mentored new staff on special education best practices and classroom management techniques.
- Conducted ongoing assessments to monitor student growth and adapt teaching approaches accordingly.
- Advocated for students' rights and ensured compliance with federal and state special education regulations.
- Developed IEPs tailored to individual student needs, ensuring their academic success and personal growth.
- 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 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 master schedule.
- Instructed students with physical and cognitive disabilities.
- Led activities that developed students' physical, emotional, and social growth.
- Redirected students using Positive Behavior Support (PBS).
- Assisted struggling students to maintain progress levels by designing individualized lesson plans focused on areas for improvement.
- Enhanced students'' communication skills by implementing group activities and collaborative projects.
- Streamlined classroom processes by integrating technology tools such as interactive whiteboards and assistive devices designed for students with disabilities.
- Served as a mentor to new teachers, sharing best practices in special education instruction and classroom management techniques.
- Partnered with general education teachers from across academic departments.
- Encouraged students to take ownership of learning by providing choices.
- Organized field trips and community-based experiences that enriched students'' understanding of real-world applications for their skills.
- Encouraged parent and guardian involvement in educational process, enhancing home-school connection and supporting student achievement.
- Adapted teaching methods and materials to meet varied needs of students, enhancing educational accessibility.
- Promoted self-advocacy and independence in students with disabilities by teaching self-management and decision-making skills.
- Collaborated with parents and other educators to develop comprehensive support plans, promoting student success.
- Advocated for rights and needs of students with special education requirements, ensuring access to appropriate resources and accommodations.
- Created culturally responsive classroom environment, acknowledging and celebrating diversity among students.
- Reduced feelings of isolation among students with special needs by implementing inclusive classroom practices.
- Developed and executed behavioral intervention plans, leading to decrease in disruptive behaviors and increase in classroom participation.
- Fostered positive learning environment, reducing classroom disruptions through effective behavior management strategies.
- Coordinated with multidisciplinary teams to ensure comprehensive educational and emotional support for students.
- Implemented individualized education plans for students with diverse learning needs, ensuring personalized support.
- Utilized data from student assessments to tailor instruction, resulting in more effective learning outcomes.
- Conducted assessments to identify students' strengths and areas for improvement, informing instructional strategies.
- Integrated social skills training into curriculum, facilitating improved peer interactions and social integration.
- Boosted student engagement in mathematics by introducing problem-solving activities that connected concepts to real-world situations.
- Improved reading comprehension among students with learning disabilities by designing and delivering targeted literacy activities.
- Guided students through transition planning processes, preparing them for post-secondary education and employment opportunities.
- Enhanced students' understanding of complex topics by incorporating interactive technologies and hands-on learning experiences.
- Facilitated small group instruction to address individual learning needs.
- Implemented behavior modification techniques to improve student social and academic performance.
- Collaborated with other educators to develop instructional strategies.
- Monitored student performance to evaluate effectiveness of instructional strategies.
- Developed and implemented behavior management plans to improve student behavior.
- Conducted assessments of students to determine individual needs.
- Planned daily activities to keep students engaged and on track with learning goals.
- Maintained accurate records of student progress and attendance.
- Designed individual education plans to encourage student growth according to different learning abilities and needs.
- Worked closely with parents and guardians to address students' issues on multiple fronts.
- 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.
- Utilized technology to create meaningful lessons that engage students.
- Developed Individual Education Plans for students with special needs.
- Improved behavior by modeling positive choices and teaching socially-acceptable options.
- Provided emotional support to students and families.
- Applied proven strategies to improve students' sensory- and perceptual-motor skills.
- Mentored new teachers on student progress monitoring and legal document preparation.
- Provided professional development training to educate faculty and staff on laws and regulations governing special education.
- Promoted memory, cognition and language development with hands-on activities and individualized instruction.
High School Special Education Teacher
Knox Community School Corporation
Knox, Indiana
08.2023 - 06.2025
- Successfully completed Transition to Teaching (SPED) from Valparaiso University.
- Developed, wrote and updated Individualized Education Programs in accordance with Article 7. I also monitored the implementation of the student's IEP.
- Provided technical assistance and consultation to the student's general education teachers, related services providers, paraprofessionals, and other school personnel interacting with the students based on their IEP's.
- Determined appropriate accommodations for students with disabilities.
- Provided special education services outlined in the IEP in the least restrictive environment to students with disabilities.
- Instructed students at their instructional/grade levels.
- Demonstrated organizational skills in scheduling and writing IEP's, scheduling conferences, planning lessons in the Resource Room, and providing instruction in a timely fashion as outlined in state regulations and local procedures and policies.
- Was responsible for all other activities identified in Article 7, 511 IAC 7-17-72
- Supervised and evaluated the instructional development and maintenance of student records, to prepare and to deliver multi-tiered instruction, as well as providing feedback on student work.
- Maintained student confidentiality by complying with all the rights to student's confidentiality (FERPA), both in and out of the school environment.
- Proven to effectively communicate with students, parents, and staff.
- Provided visual, auditory and demonstration to students for the purposes of instruction.
- Demonstrated the ability to work with mathematical concepts appropriate to the student's grade level and was able to apply concepts.
- Was able to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions finished in written, oral diagram, or schedule form.
- Proven effective in year to year Educational Evaluations from Administration.
- Proven ability to maintain a caseload of up to 50 students of all disabilities, including ED.
- Developed and implemented Individual Education Plans, Functional Behavioral Assessments, Behavior Intervention Plans, family rapport, student rapport, peer working relationships and I am up to date on all compliance training.
School Support Specialist
Porter Starke Services
Valparaiso, Indiana
10.2022 - 08.2023
- Provided interventions to students experiencing challenges that interrupt their ability to learn while in school, provided case management, skills training and crisis interventions when appropriate.
- Conducted case management assessments and facilitated access to treatment, as needed.
- Provided documentation of interventions per department's standards and policies.
- Initiated, monitored and updated client's treatment plans, regular consultation to discuss student needs, reflect on care provided and other suggestions from school-based clinicians.
- Attended staffing, clinical supervision, in-services and staff meetings.
Wraparound Facilitator
Indiana Professional Management Group
Lafayette, Indiana
12.2021 - 10.2022
- Wrote child and family plans that outlined strategies to address family needs using a strength based approach.
- Assisted children and team members in identifying and leveraging resources for their child and family plans.
- Provided support, training and assistance to other community members, while facilitating child and family teams.
- Acted as a gatekeeper/referral agent for resources for children and family, screening referral for wraparound services.
- Billable hour productivity standards were met.
- ANSA/CANS assessments and reassessments are completed.
- Clinical documentation was completed within one business day of the service being provided.
- Treatment plans and other clinical services including program-specific documentation was uploaded to the Indiana State database on time.
Education
Transition to Teaching Special Education Certification -
Valparaiso University
Valparaiso, Indiana12-2024
B.S.B.A - Business Administration, Professional Golf Course Management
Trine University
Angola, Indiana05-2011
Associate's - Liberal Arts
Marian University's Ancilla College
Donaldson, Indiana05-2008
High School Diploma - undefined
Knox Community High School
Knox, Indiana05-2005
Skills
- I'm able to provide individualized instruction and support to students with disabilities, ensuring they receive the services, appropriate accommodations and advocating for students to be successful in their educational journey I have worked with students with a wide range of diverse needs from SLD's, LD's, Emotional Disabilities and behavioral challenges I know how to scaffold instruction down to help the students understand what is being taught at a level they will understand and knowledge of the general education curriculum, facilitating and running IEP meetings, ACR's, Homebound Instruction, Form 16 experience and knowledge and great documentation skills I have several years of mental health experience, building and maintaining relationships with students/families and co-workers, consulting with students and families, advocating for students and families and knowledge of local resources available for families I am certified in CPR/AED, First Aid and Crisis Prevention Intervention, I have completed my Transition to Teaching program and earned my certificate from Valparaiso University for Special Education I have extensive background of progress monitoring for goals, Individualized Education Plans, Treatment Plans, Functional Behavior Analysis, Behavior Intervention Plans, Microsoft Programs, collaboration with general education staff to ensure that accommodations are being followed and explain how these accommodations will help the students Time management is a strong skill of mine and communication is one of my biggest strengths I am a very strong advocate for students to help them succeed and obtain their diploma and graduate High School along with learning life skills along the way
- Differentiated instruction
- Classroom management
- Individual education plans (IEP's)
- Multidisciplinary collaboration
- Relationship building
- Data management
- Team collaboration
- Motivating students
- Parent communication
- Parent-teacher collaboration
- De-escalation techniques
- Social skills development
- Behavior modifications
- Student support
Timeline
Special Education Teacher (Resource)
Oregon Davis School Corporation
08.2025 - Current
High School Special Education Teacher
Knox Community School Corporation
08.2023 - 06.2025
School Support Specialist
Porter Starke Services
10.2022 - 08.2023
Wraparound Facilitator
Indiana Professional Management Group
12.2021 - 10.2022
B.S.B.A - Business Administration, Professional Golf Course Management
Trine University
Associate's - Liberal Arts
Marian University's Ancilla College
High School Diploma - undefined
Knox Community High School
Transition to Teaching Special Education Certification -
Valparaiso University
Awards
Currently I have an Emergency Teaching License in which I have completed the Coursework and have taken my Special Education Praxis Exam and passed with license and I am currently attempting to pass my PLT Pre-K-12th Praxis exam. I am actively working toward obtaining this licensure and have a test scheduled April 25th, 2026, which would remove me from working under a Emergency Permit. Nominated for Professional Leadership Academy at Knox High School for 2024-2025 SY., Graduated from Valparaiso University with a 3.5 GPA from the Transition to Teaching Special Education Program and was number one in my class in December 2024.