Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Timeline
Generic

Sara Loncaric

Mexico,MO

Summary

Highly skilled Early Childhood Special Education autism specialist and member of the Columbia Public Schools ECSE transdisciplinary evaluation team. Successful in developing research-supported intervention strategies, designing inclusive learning environments, and implementing individualized education plans based on collaboration with parents and other ECSE professionals. Areas of professional emphasis and interest include play-based assessments, social emotional skills development, and parent education.

Overview

22
22
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

ECSE Evaluation Team, Autism Specialist

Columbia Public Schools
08.2021 - Current
  • Determine eligibility for special education services utilizing research-based assessment methods and multiple measures of child development in the area of social emotional skills
  • Collaborate with team members to develop individualized educational plans once eligibility for services has been determined
  • Conducted a high volume of assessments while maintaining accurate records, writing clear and concise reports, and communicating with teachers regarding educational placements

ECSE Autism Specialist

Columbia Public Schools
08.2007 - 08.2021
  • Responsible for design of classroom environments supporting direct teaching of skills in cognition, communication, adaptive behavior, and social emotional development to neurodiverse learners
  • Providing training and constructive feedback to classroom support staff implementing direct teaching methodologies
  • Actively insuring instruction is provided in the least restrictive educational environment as outlined in the child's IEP
  • Educating school and community teaching teams on methods to address childrens' social, emotional and behavioral needs in a variety of settings
  • Conducting weekly consultation and collaboration meetings with team members to plan instruction and determine efficacy of teaching strategies according to individual student data and progress on IEP goals

ECSE Teacher

Columbia Public Schools
08.2002 - 08.2008
  • Created a classroom environment that promoted learning by implementing clear expectations, predictable routines, and safety and security for children with diverse educational needs
  • Implemented research-based teaching methodologies to address learning outcomes for children of all developmental levels and needs
  • Promoted social-emotional growth in children through peer coaching and Positive Behavior Instruction and Support (PBIS)
  • Assessed children's progress using formal and informal assessments, including Functional Behavior Analysis (FBA), adjusting instruction as needed to ensure continued progress on individual IEP goals
  • Trained and supervised classroom support staff to implement individualized teaching plans
  • Collaborated with the multidisciplinary team on a weekly basis to plan instructional activities and determine teaching strategies for individual children
  • Scheduled, developed, and conduced Individualized Eduction Plan (IEP) meetings, triennial evaluations, home visits, and parent-teacher conferences
  • Communicated with parents on a weekly basis regarding their child's specific needs, strengths, and developing skill areas

Missouri First Steps, Special Instructor

Ability Network
06.2005 - 08.2007
  • Provided early intervention services for children birth-3 in home and community settings while considering family priorities, strengths, and resources
  • Scheduled appointments, conducted home visits, attended Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) meetings with other professionals, and maintained accurate documentation and progress notes for each visit
  • Utilized assessment tools in the home to determine developmental needs and abilities, including the Developmental Assessment of Young Children (DAYC-2)

Education

Masters of Education - Early Childhood Special Education

University of Missouri - Columbia
Columbia, MO
08.2002

Bachelor of Arts - Elementary Education

Columbia College
Columbia, MO
12.2000

Skills

  • Ability to apply knowledge of child development during classroom observations and individual assessments
  • Implementation of Child Find processes as a member of the Transdisciplinary Evaluation Team
  • Application of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports across settings, with emphasis on supporting children on the autism spectrum
  • Professional communication and collaboration with individuals and agencies in the community setting
  • Training in structured and naturalistic teaching strategies in home, school and community settings for infants and children with special needs

Certification

State of Missouri Educator's Certificate, Early Childhood Education

State of Missouri Educator's Certificate, Early Childhood Special Education

State of Missouri Educator's Certificate, Elementary Education

Timeline

ECSE Evaluation Team, Autism Specialist

Columbia Public Schools
08.2021 - Current

ECSE Autism Specialist

Columbia Public Schools
08.2007 - 08.2021

Missouri First Steps, Special Instructor

Ability Network
06.2005 - 08.2007

ECSE Teacher

Columbia Public Schools
08.2002 - 08.2008

Masters of Education - Early Childhood Special Education

University of Missouri - Columbia

Bachelor of Arts - Elementary Education

Columbia College

State of Missouri Educator's Certificate, Early Childhood Education

State of Missouri Educator's Certificate, Early Childhood Special Education

State of Missouri Educator's Certificate, Elementary Education

Sara Loncaric