Samantha Van Wey
Glenwood,IA
Summary
With a proven track record at Fremont-Mills Tabor Elementary in creating supportive and adaptive learning environments tailored to students with diverse needs. Known for fostering collaborative relationships with staff and ensuring consistent, positive outcomes for students. Expertise includes individualized instruction and behavior intervention. Excelling in fostering academic and social growth in special education, leveraging skills in IEP compliance and collaboration. With an optimistic outlook and detail-oriented approach, this has significantly contributed to student success. Embodying blends of strong-willed dedication with effective communication. My call in life was to support and help people with disabilities and help them thrive. I thrive thanks to them as well.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Paraeducator, Special Education
Fremont-Mills Tabor Elementary
08.2024 - Current
- Assisted students in achieving academic goals by providing one-on-one tutoring and small group instruction in various subjects.
- Oversaw students in classroom and common areas to monitor, enforce rules, support lead teacher.
- Actively participated with regular team meetings to discuss student progress, shared ideas, collaborated on strategies for continued success.
- Assisted teachers with managing classrooms effectively maintaining clear expectations, enforcing rules consistently, and reinforcing positive behavior choices.
- Developed strong rapport with students by demonstrating empathy, patience, and understanding during daily interactions both inside and outside the classroom setting.
- Managed challenging behaviors using de-escalation techniques to maintain a safe and productive learning environment for all students involved.
- Assisted in the implementation of effective behavior management techniques, resulting in a more focused and positive classroom environment.
- Maintained positive attitude and affirmatively communicated with each student.
- Offered student support through special accommodations, extra assistance, and assessments.
- Created positive and inclusive classroom environment by helping students develop social skills and relationships.
- Interacted physically and verbally with students throughout each day.
- Enhanced students'' learning experiences by implementing individualized educational plans and adapting teaching methods for special needs students.
- Partnered with speech therapists, occupational therapists, and other related service providers to ensure comprehensive support for each individual student''s growth and progress.
- Collaborated with teacher to create customized classroom environment integral to students' needs.
- Monitored student classroom and outdoors activities to promote student safety.
- Oversaw class of students in absence of instructor.
- Provided individualized reading, writing and math instruction to support student development.
- Liaised one-on-one with learners to provide additional support tailored to specific learning needs.
- Observed students' performance and recorded relevant data to assess progress.
- Worked with students to promote learning and pro-social development.
- Continued building a two way trusting relationship as well as a trusting relationship with everyone in the program.
1-1 ParaEducator
Glenwood Community School District
08.2021 - 05.2023
- Assisted students struggling with class materials by mentoring individually and helping with a students specific area he or she struggles with.
- Supported the needs of special education students with one-on-one care.
- Oversaw students in classroom and common areas to monitor, enforce rules, and support lead teacher.
- Responded calmly during emergency situation with level-headed approaches to de-escalate and calm the student down.
- Stayed up to date on the different teaching techniques and student support requirements.
- Assisted students in achieving academic goals by providing one-on-one tutoring and small group instruction in various subjects.
- Helped students in accomplishing personal goals and becoming more secure within thyself.
- Offered students personalized education, behavioral, and emotional support.
- Applied positive reinforcement to redirect negative behaviours.
- Actively participated in regular team meetings to discuss student progress, share ideas, and collaborate on strategies for continued success.
- Assisted teachers in managing classrooms effectively by maintaining clear expectations, enforcing rules consistently, and reinforcing positive behavior choices.
Optician
Shopko Optical
02.2021 - 07.2021
- Managed check-in and check-out procedures, verified patient information, and submitted lens orders.
- Calibrated seg heights, vertex, and pupillary distance and pantoscopic tilt to customize eyeglass orders and create perfect fit.
- Provided exceptional customer service by attentively listening to patient concerns and addressing them promptly.
- Discussed optimal lens, coating, and frame recommendations with customers to meet individual needs.
- Evaluated incoming prescriptions from optometrists for accuracy before dispensing eyewear to prevent potential errors or dissatisfaction.
- Aided patients in selection of flattering eyeglass frames appropriate for prescription and style preferences.
- Filed claims with vision and medical insurance companies to garner payment for optical services.
- Maintained thorough records of customer information, prepared detailed work payments, processed insurance claims, and collected balances from customers.
- Contacted patients when eyeglasses or contact lenses arrived in store and assisted with final fitting.
- Adjusted frames to fit patient faces by bending and shaping with hands, tools, and heat.
- Educated patients on proper use, care and maintenance of eyeglasses and contact lenses.
- Educated clients about how to adapt to, wear, and care for eyeglasses.
- Adjusted and repaired new and previously purchased frames to satisfy customer demands.
- Measured patients' faces for bridge, eye size, and temple length to select comfortable frames.
Optician/Receptionist
Definitive Vision
06.2016 - 02.2017
- Managed check-in and check-out procedures, verified patient information, and submitted lens orders.
- Calibrated seg heights, vertex, and pupillary distance and pantoscopic tilt to customize eyeglass orders and create perfect fit.
- Provided exceptional customer service by attentively listening to patient concerns and addressing them promptly.
- Discussed optimal lens, coating, and frame recommendations with customers to meet individual needs.
- Welcomed customers with friendly greeting, answered general questions, gathered nature of visit and directed to specific offices.
- Confirmed appointments, communicated with clients, and updated client records.
- Kept reception area clean and neat to give visitors positive first impression.
- Streamlined front desk operations for increased efficiency by effectively managing phone calls, emails, and walk-in clients.
- Answered phone promptly and directed incoming calls to correct offices.
- Responded to inquiries from callers seeking information.
- Resolved customer problems and complaints.
- Organized, maintained and updated information in computer databases.
- Maintained a well-organized reception area with updated materials, contributing to a welcoming environment for visitors.
- Corresponded with clients through email, telephone, or postal mail.
- Handled sensitive information with discretion while maintaining strict confidentiality standards.
- Demonstrated strong multitasking abilities while managing numerous tasks simultaneously under tight deadlines.
- Operated multi-line telephone system to answer and direct high volume of calls.
- Provided administrative support to staff members by handling correspondence, filing documents, and managing office supplies inventory.
- Scheduled office meetings and client appointments for staff teams.
- Aided patients in selection of flattering eyeglass frames appropriate for prescription and style preferences.
- Filed claims with vision and medical insurance companies to garner payment for optical services.
- Maintained thorough records of customer information, prepared detailed work payments, processed insurance claims, and collected balances from customers.
- Troubleshot issues with prescription eyewear, offering swift resolution to maintain customer satisfaction levels.
- Contacted patients when eyeglasses or contact lenses arrived in store and assisted with final fitting.
- Adjusted frames to fit patient faces by bending and shaping with hands, tools, and heat.
- Applied sales and service expertise to promote contacts, glasses, sunglasses and accessories to office customers.
- Educated clients on proper eyewear maintenance techniques, extending the life of their glasses or contacts.
- Educated patients on proper use, care and maintenance of eyeglasses and contact lenses.
- Adjusted and repaired new and previously purchased frames to satisfy customer demands.
- Measured patients' faces for bridge, eye size, and temple length to select comfortable frames.
- Streamlined appointment scheduling by implementing an efficient system for booking eye exams and follow-up visits.
- Maintained a clean and organized store environment, ensuring optimal product display and easy access for customers.
- Verified and updated patient records promptly to guarantee accurate prescription information.
Receptionist Assistant
Aksarben Eye Care
12.2014 - 06.2016
- Answered phone promptly and directed incoming calls to correct offices.
- Managed multi-line telephone system and greeted claimants during office visits.
- Delivered exceptional customer service by assisting clients in a timely manner, ultimately resulting in improved client retention rates.
- Handled assignments independently with good judgement and critical thinking skills.
- Organized electronic and hard copy filing systems for easy retrieval of documents and information.
- Kept reception area clean and neat to give visitors positive first impression.
- Maintained order and cleanliness of reception area for professional and inviting atmosphere.
- Handled sensitive information discreetly while performing administrative duties such as filing paperwork and processing payments.
- Supported administrative staff with daily tasks, resulting in increased productivity and a well-organized work environment.
- Maintained confidentiality of information regarding clients and company.
- Confirmed appointments, communicated with clients, and updated client records.
- Answered central telephone system and directed calls accordingly.
- Responded to inquiries from callers seeking information.
- Prepared, collected and distributed outgoing and incoming mail and packages.
- Maintained a clean and professional reception area by tidying up space regularly, ensuring an inviting atmosphere for clients and visitors alike.
- Assisted with onboarding new clients and securing paperwork completion.
- Organized, maintained and updated information in computer databases.
- Provided clerical support to company employees by copying, faxing, and filing documents.
- Assisted internal staff with clerical and administrative needs to maximize efficiency and team productivity.
- Interacted with vendors, contractors and professional services personnel to receive orders, direct activities, and communicate instructions.
Education
High School Diploma -
Glenwood Community High School
Glenwood, IA05-2014
Skills
- Organized
- Detail orientated
- High patience
- Optimistic
- Strong-willed
- Positive attitude
- IEP compliance
- Seizure management
- Collaboration with teachers
- Progress monitoring
- Verbal and written communication
- Student advocacy
- Autism and spectrum disorders
Timeline
Paraeducator, Special Education
Fremont-Mills Tabor Elementary
08.2024 - Current
1-1 ParaEducator
Glenwood Community School District
08.2021 - 05.2023
Optician
Shopko Optical
02.2021 - 07.2021
Optician/Receptionist
Definitive Vision
06.2016 - 02.2017
Receptionist Assistant
Aksarben Eye Care
12.2014 - 06.2016
High School Diploma -
Glenwood Community High School
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