Sara Adams
Clarklake,United States
Summary
Professional educator with strong expertise in special education. Adept at developing tailored learning plans, based upon data driven instruction, assisting with the development and implementation of each well crafted and professionally written IEP.
Dedicated and passionate teacher with high standards for every student. Supported and facilitated learning creates student growth in academics in all subject areas and social-emotional learning, which creates a safe environment for all students to thrive.
By delivering effective, instructional strategies within a collaborative, respectful, and flexible classroom, fostering goal setting and striving to reach each goal, increases independence and positive self image. This directly correlates with students who are prepared to continue their journey in learning.
Known for expertize in behavior management, individualized education plans, and observing student learning styles and conducting individual interest surveys, allow and promote student engagement, in which students will reach their highest level of success and potential.
ALL children are capable of success, NO EXCEPTIONS!
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Special Education Teacher: SC, CI Classroom
Procare Therapy Services
Ypsilanti, MI
03.2024 - 04.2025
- Implemented behavioral interventions to enhance student engagement and learning outcomes.
- Developed instructional materials aligned with state standards for special education curriculum.
- Established partnerships with families to foster communication and support student success.
- Advocated for resources and services to enhance educational opportunities for students with disabilities.
- 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.
- Enhanced communication skills in non-verbal students through integration of alternative and augmentative communication systems.
- Developed and executed behavioral intervention plans, leading to decrease in disruptive behaviors and increase in classroom participation.
- Coordinated with multidisciplinary teams to ensure comprehensive educational and emotional support for students.
- Enhanced students'' communication skills by implementing group activities and collaborative projects.
- Redirected students using Positive Behavior Support (PBS).
- Instructed students with physical and cognitive disabilities.
- Conducted assessments to identify students' strengths and areas for improvement, informing instructional strategies.
- Adapted teaching methods and materials to meet varied needs of students, enhancing educational accessibility.
- Created culturally responsive classroom environment, acknowledging and celebrating diversity among students.
- Promoted self-advocacy and independence in students with disabilities by teaching self-management and decision-making skills.
- Advocated for rights and needs of students with special education requirements, ensuring access to appropriate resources and accommodations.
- Integrated social skills training into curriculum, facilitating improved peer interactions and social integration.
- Implemented individualized education plans for students with diverse learning needs, ensuring personalized support.
- Boosted student engagement in mathematics by introducing problem-solving activities that connected concepts to real-world situations.
- Fostered positive learning environment, reducing classroom disruptions through effective behavior management strategies.
- Promoted memory, cognition and language development with hands-on activities and individualized instruction.
- Led activities that developed students' physical, emotional, and social growth.
- Delivered effective and differentiated classroom instruction to range of neurodiverse students.
- Taught multiple subjects to students with intellectual or emotional disabilities.
- Streamlined classroom processes by integrating technology tools, such as interactive whiteboards and assistive devices designed for students with disabilities.
- Developed individualized education plans for diverse student needs.
- Implemented behavioral interventions to enhance classroom engagement.
Special Education Teacher
Gifted Healthcare
Ann Arbor, MI
12.2022 - 06.2023
- Floating Teacher Sub in a Special Education School (ISD)
- Taught students in a group setting, along with working with individual students as required
- Age Group Range: K-26 Years of Age
- Varying Exceptionalities Included: Multiple Cognitive Impairments, Severe Autistic Levels, Behavioral Impairments, Severe and Multiple Physical and Mental Impairments, Non-Verbal, Visual/Hearing Impaired
- Assisted all students based on personal needs to include: Toileting, Hygiene, Eating, Walking, Behavior Modifications, using ABA Therapy and Positive Behavior Supports to help students practice and learn to control their own behaviors
- I gained positive relationships with all the students I worked with and the respect was mutual.
- I was able to effectively communicate with all students using a variety of methods and technology to include: SMART Board activities for motivating and engagement. Students also actively used Communication Devices, and if needed, the PECS System, I also implemented music, humming, singing, rhythmic taps, and interest surveys, which indicated that the majority of the students I served, had a love and natural talent for music and could effectively communicate in this manner. With patience, respect for all students, remaining calm, believing in all students I served, and by actively listening to every murmur, sound, eye contact, facial expressions, and body language , all students made learning gains by actively participating in this learning environment. This in effect, kept negative behaviors to a minimum.
- Overall, they taught me as much as I taught them, in order to be successful.
Special Education Teacher: Resource Room
NHA Charter Schools
Ypsilanti, MI
04.2022 - 10.2022
- Provided direct instruction to special education students, Grades 6-8 in a resource setting. Instruction was based on present level of performance, data, and IEP Goals and Objectives. All lesson plans were created by me, to include: Multiple Intelligences, VAK, small group instruction, chunking, and peer sharing.
RBT (Registered Behavior Technician)
ROI Center for Autism
Jackson, MI
08.2021 - 03.2022
- Provided direct ABA Therapy one on one to children with Autism. Responsible for keeping accurate data on a daily basis reporting the programs I ran, the child's response, and number of trials that were run throughout the session. The data was then graphed, in order to track progress.
Registered Behavior Technician (RBT)
Centria Healthcare
Novi, MI
09.2017 - 11.2018
- Provided in-home ABA Therapy to children with autism, as a Registered Behavior Technician. Worked closely with parents to provide training, in order for them to continue therapy with their child.
ESE (Exceptional Student Education)
Manatee Academy K8
Port Saint Lucie, FL
01.2014 - 06.2015
- ESE Self-Contained: EBD/Varying Exceptionalities, Grades K-2
ESE (Exceptional Student Education Teacher)
Weatherbee Elementary School
Fort Pierce, FL
10.2007 - 06.2013
- ESE School Based Student Support Specialist
- ESE Inclusion Teacher: Varying Exceptionalities, Grades K-5
- Developed individualized education plans to address diverse learning needs of students.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to enhance student support services and educational outcomes.
- Implemented evidence-based instructional strategies to promote academic achievement in exceptional learners.
- Trained and mentored new staff on best practices in exceptional student education and classroom management.
- Advocated for resources and interventions that align with students' unique educational requirements and goals.
- Enhanced student understanding by employing differentiated instruction tailored to individual needs.
- Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities to stay current on best practices in special education teaching methodologies.
- Implemented data-driven instruction to address gaps in student knowledge, leading to increased achievement on standardized assessments.
- Supported the social and emotional development of students by implementing positive behavior interventions and classroom management strategies.
- Served as a member of the school''s leadership team, collaborating on initiatives aimed at enhancing overall school performance and climate.
- Developed engaging lesson plans that incorporated hands-on activities and real-world examples, resulting in improved retention of course material.
- Increased parent involvement through regular communication and conferences, promoting a strong home-school connection.
- Mentored new teachers on effective instructional practices and classroom management techniques, contributing to a supportive school culture.
- Enriched the learning environment with diverse teaching materials, accommodating various learning styles and abilities.
- Boosted students'' confidence and motivation by providing regular constructive feedback on their progress.
- Facilitated small group instruction to address individual learning needs.
- Planned daily activities to keep students engaged and on track with learning goals.
- Implemented behavior modification techniques to improve student social and academic performance.
- Conducted assessments of students to determine individual needs.
- Maintained accurate records of student progress and attendance.
- Monitored student performance to evaluate effectiveness of instructional strategies.
- Developed and implemented behavior management plans to improve student behavior.
- Coordinated regular meetings to share and analyze student performance data and success plans with colleagues and parents.
- Worked closely with parents and guardians to address students' issues on multiple fronts.
- Developed Individual Education Plans for students with special needs.
- Helped students with special needs integrate into general classroom environments by advocating for individual requirements and helping teachers solve problems.
- Improved behavior by modeling positive choices and teaching socially-acceptable options.
- Provided emotional support to students and families.
- Utilized technology to create meaningful lessons that engage students.
- Designed individual education plans to encourage student growth according to different learning abilities and needs.
Education
80 Hours of Online Training - ABA Therapy to work with children with Autism
Online courses through Relias and Consultants for Children. Inc.
United States10.2021
MA - Special Education in Emotional Impairment
Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, MI06.2003
BA - Elementary Education
Siena Heights University
Adrian, MI06.1996
AA (Graduated with Honors) - Elementary Education
Jackson Community College
Jackson, MI06.1993
Skills
- Twenty five years experience in teaching, supporting, facilitating, and acknowledging that every special needs child has talents, skills, and are capable of success and have the ability to reach their goals and help others to reach their goals Within our safe environment, students will show support and respect to all members of our community
- Extensive knowledge in the writing, development and implementation of an IEP, based on data, observations, state and informal assessments of each child Having knowledge of each student's learning styles, talents, skills and capabilities can be incorporated in the IEP, which in turn will be implemented in our community
- Experienced in leading positive and respectful IEP Meetings which focus on all of the learning gains, positive behavior and traits of the student within our community How is the student performing on his/her IEP yearly goals and objectives? If mastered, student can move forward If the student did not reach his/ her goals, a plan of instruction and different strategies would be used for success
- Extensive curriculum planning experience and learning
- in supporting and assisting individuals with developmental disabilities in which all students will achieve their levels at full potential
- Special needs expertise in developing and implementing different strategies for the learning of all students
- Skilled in personalized tutoring along with after school programs
- Extensive data collection used for informal observations and up information gathered for the writing and development of an IEP
- Trained extensively on using PBiS schoolwide As the chair and a member of the leadership team, presented information to the entire staff This was an ongoing staff training throughout the year
- Extensive experience in behavior management using PBis, CHAMPS, and social stories related to the negative behavior
- Applied behavior analysis training and implementation
- Highly trained for students with ASD and experienced several different settings to provide ABA(Applied Behavior Analysis), to include home settings, ASD centers, along with self-contained classrooms
- Extensive classroom experience teaching students with varying disabilities and mixed settings
- Extensive experience in behavioral health
- Expert case management skills
- Advanced organizational skills
- Emotional support and assistance: Crisis prevention and intervention to de-escalate the student, possibly by removing the student from the classroom if he is a threat to himself or others
- Effective communication in delivering behavioral therapy interventions
- Conflict resolution trained and practiced in the classroom
- Behavior modification experience in several settings: ABA
- Crisis management expertise
- Program design and implementation
- Small group instruction highly experienced using several different strategies
- Relationship building using Social Emotional Learning practiced every day
Certification
- Registered Behavior Technician
- September 2017 to Present
- This certification qualifies me to work with children who have been diagnosed with Autism. This also qualifies me to work in the home setting or in a center.
- ESE (Exceptional Student Education) Certified in Special Education and General Education as a Teacher
- October 2008 to June 2017
- This Florida Teacher Certification gave me the qualifications to teach special need's children, grades K-12 in the school setting.
- Michigan Teacher Certification, Grades K-8
- June 1996 to October 2027
- This certification qualified me to teach general education in grades K-8. While taking MA classes in Special Education, also qualified me to work with students with behavior and learning disabilities.
- CPR Certification
- August 2021 to August 2023
- First Aid Certification
Additional Information
- I have 28 Credit Hours towards my MA in Special Education (EI). I also have 8 years experience working with EI students in a self contained setting, along with several more years servicing EI students in various positions and settings. I also have had the privilege of working with students identified as having Autism for several years.
- I am and have been an advocate for Parents and students alike throughout my 25 years of teaching and supporting Special Need's students. While others held back, I did everything in my power to provide for the student to receive the services and supports they needed, in order to be successful. My belief is that ALL Children can be Successful, "NO EXCEPTIONS". (Kids at Hope Belief System)
Timeline
Special Education Teacher: SC, CI Classroom
Procare Therapy Services
03.2024 - 04.2025
Special Education Teacher
Gifted Healthcare
12.2022 - 06.2023
Special Education Teacher: Resource Room
NHA Charter Schools
04.2022 - 10.2022
RBT (Registered Behavior Technician)
ROI Center for Autism
08.2021 - 03.2022
Registered Behavior Technician (RBT)
Centria Healthcare
09.2017 - 11.2018
ESE (Exceptional Student Education)
Manatee Academy K8
01.2014 - 06.2015
ESE (Exceptional Student Education Teacher)
Weatherbee Elementary School
10.2007 - 06.2013
MA - Special Education in Emotional Impairment
Eastern Michigan University
BA - Elementary Education
Siena Heights University
AA (Graduated with Honors) - Elementary Education
Jackson Community College
80 Hours of Online Training - ABA Therapy to work with children with Autism
Online courses through Relias and Consultants for Children. Inc.