Sara Thompson
La Porte,TX
Summary
Dedicated veteran educational specialist with 24 years of experience working in many facets of special education. Proven ability to develop and support all facets of programming to support teachers, students, families and campus staff in meeting goals for success. Focused always on maximizing effectiveness of classroom instruction. Strategic in planning for success and working with available staff to meet district goals.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Special Education Specialist
Pasadena Independent School District
08.2011 - Current
- Evaluate needs and develop new programming opportunities for preschool aged children with disabilities
- Supervise and work collaboratively with district wide ASSET teachers who provide in-classroom support
- Develop training plans, coach and mentor ECSE teachers in range of areas including but not limited to behavior management, development and implementation of IEP’s, social skills instruction, facilitating communication across settings, provision of group instruction, developing lessons and materials and direct teaching
- Coach elementary and high school grant model classroom teachers on effective teaching practices and autism specific strategies
- Collaborate with principals to support individual student and teacher concerns
- Work collaboratively with campus special education multidisciplinary teams to problem solve diverse needs of students
- Coordinated and supervised development and maintenance of full curriculum for ECSE program
- Provide training to all grade levels (ESCE – high school) on TEACCH (research based autism strategies), CPI and Standards based IEPs
- Developed and now maintain training plan for new teachers
- Participate in provision of district wide parent training
- From August 2010- May 2019 – Performed all functions related to supervision and coordination of 3 initial evaluation teams for preschool aged children who are referred for testing for suspected disability
- Collected data for federal indicators over course of year and input data for submission – SPP 7 for 12 years, SPP 12 for 9 years
- Provide transition meetings for families moving from Early ChiIdhood Intervention services to public school
- Attend Early Childhood Advisory Meeting as representative for Pasadena ISD and communicate necessary information to district personnel
- Assist in monitoring compliance measures related to early childhood (ECSE)
- Work collaboratively with other special education district staff to plan effective district wide training
- Co-wrote, received and monitored implementation of 1 million dollar autism grant
- Co-wrote, received and coordinated implementation of 600000 dollar autism grant
- Attend ARD meetings to support campuses in resolution of disagreements
- Support classrooms with severe behavior disruptions in implementing plans aid in reduction of such behavior
- Facilitate ARD meetings
ASSET Teacher
Pasadena Independent School District
08.2009 - 07.2011
- Assist in initial evaluation of students with autism (assisting evaluator)
- Work collaboratively with campuses and parents to develop meaningful plans for individual students
- Provide in-classroom support for teachers in classrooms serving students with autism for a range of needs including but not limited to behavior management, development and implementation of IEP’s, social skills instruction, facilitating communication across settings, provision of group instruction, developing lessons and materials and direct teaching skills.
- Develop and provide staff development and paraprofessional training on a range of topics that impact the classroom
- Participate in providing district wide parent training.
- Provide intensive mentoring for new teachers of students with autism in implementing the critical elements for a successful classroom
- Assist in preparation for ARD meetings and attend ARD meetings for students
- Developed monthly autism Newsletter for parents
- Provided in home and parent training to support students and families with a range of needs in the home and community for students across the age spectrum
ABLE Teacher
Pasadena Independent School District
08.2003 - 07.2009
- Developed and implemented IEP’s for student with Autism Spectrum Disorders
- Developed and maintained structured teaching environment
- Developed and implemented use of visual supports in self-contained and general education settings for students with autism to address communication and behavioral objectives.
- Researched, planned, and implemented social and play skills training based on student IEP’s.
- Designed materials and taught students using discrete trial instruction, incidental teaching, TEACCH strategies and supports, and specifically planned for generalization of skills to other settings and people.
- Provided in home and parent training to support students and families with range of needs in home and community for students across age spectrum
- Developed schedules to ensure that students had minimal unstructured time
- Developed lesson plans
- Trained and scheduled paraprofessionals to work effectively with students.
- Managed classroom and student behavior using principals of applied behavior analysis.
- Maintained open communication and collaborations with parents.
- Collected data and adjusted instruction based on data.
- Mentored new district teachers
Resource Reading Teacher
Pasadena Independent School District
08.2000 - 07.2003
- Taught Reading and Language Arts Skills to students with multiple disabilitities including ASD, ADD, ADHD, Intellectual Disabilities, Blindness, Dyslexia, and Learning Disabilities.
- Developed and implemented lesson plans
- Created systems for classroom management
- Collaborated with general education teachers to help students be successful in general education classes
- Developed and updated Individualized Education Programs for students
Education
Master of Arts - Teaching And Learning Emphasis in Special Educati
Kaplan University
Chicago, IL03.2009
Bachelor of Social Work -
Louisiana College
Pineville, LA05.1996
Skills
- Active listener
- Deep understanding of disabilities and effective educational strategies
- Broad knowledge base related to special education topics
- Strong written and verbal communication abilities
- Great problem solving skills
- Excellent supervision skills
- Creative
- Proven ability to create and provide high quality and relevant staff development
- Effective collaborator
Certification
CPI Trainer
TEACCH Certified Practitioner
Timeline
Special Education Specialist
Pasadena Independent School District
08.2011 - Current
ASSET Teacher
Pasadena Independent School District
08.2009 - 07.2011
ABLE Teacher
Pasadena Independent School District
08.2003 - 07.2009
Resource Reading Teacher
Pasadena Independent School District
08.2000 - 07.2003
Master of Arts - Teaching And Learning Emphasis in Special Educati
Kaplan University
Bachelor of Social Work -
Louisiana College
CPI Trainer
TEACCH Certified Practitioner
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