Sarah Ferguson
36 Highland Ave., Augusta,ME
Summary
Education professional with extensive experience in educational policy and compliance, specializing in special education and program development. Proven leadership in fostering collaboration and driving improvements in student outcomes. Skilled in data analysis, effective communication, and enhancing program quality.
Overview
34
34
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Education Specialist III
State of Maine Department of Education
Augusta, ME
07.2020 - Current
- Guide educational policies and regulatory compliance for special education programs.
- Monitor Special Purpose Private School programs within General Supervision System, to ensure adherence to state regulations.
- Develop and review corrective action plans to ensure compliance.
- Provide expert technical assistance and professional development to schools to enhance compliance with educational standards.
- Guide stakeholders on state and federal special education laws, promoting uniform understanding.
- Develop and coordinate programs for surrogate parent recruitment and training.
- Coordinate responsibilities for out-of-state wards, ensuring FAPE provision and compliance with regulations.
- Lead initiatives to align Special Purpose Private Schools with legislative standards.
Curriculum Reviewer
EdReports
05.2019 - 08.2024
- Work remotely in a committee to review and score published curricula.
- Evaluate instructional materials for alignment with educational standards.
- Review and analyzed educational resources for clarity and accessibility.
- Provide feedback to publishers on improving resource quality and relevance.
Special Education Teacher
Cape Cod Hill School
New Sharon, ME
08.2009 - 06.2020
- Manage case load for students with diverse emotional, behavioral, and learning needs.
- Develop and implement Individualized Education Plans to support student success.
- Conduct evaluations to assess student progress and inform instructional strategies.
- Supervise Educational Technicians, ensuring adherence to best practices in support services.
- Collaborate with regular education teachers to enhance inclusive classroom environments.
- Chair IEP meetings, facilitating communication between stakeholders regarding student needs.
- Participate in School Wide Title One Committee to promote educational equity.
- Serve as Technology Liaison and member of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports and Response to Intervention Committees.
- Grade level: K-5
Subject Matter Expert
Western Governor's University
04.2018 - 06.2018
- Work remotely in a committee to create WGU teacher curriculum.
- Facilitate curriculum development for online learning programs and courses.
Special Education Teacher - Extended School Year
Hall-Dale Elementary
Hallowell, ME
07.2008 - 08.2009
- Create summer school program.
- Review IEP's and plan instruction accordingly.
- Supervise Educational Technicians.
- Keep associated paperwork.
- Grade level: K-5
Title VI Tutor
Hall-Dale Middle School
Farmingdale, ME
02.2008 - 06.2009
- Provide academic support in reading and math.
- Collaborate with reading skills teacher to design and implement effective instruction.
- Assist classroom math teachers to enhance student understanding and performance.
- Deliver one-on-one tutoring sessions to address individual learning needs.
- Administer assessments to evaluate student progress and comprehension.
- Analyze data for appropriate student placements based on performance metrics.
- Participate in Sunshine and School Climate Committees to promote positive school environment.
- Grade level: 6-8
Special Educational Technician III
Hall-Dale Middle School
Farmingdale, ME
07.2007 - 02.2008
- Plan and provide direct instruction to students under supervision.
- Assist classroom teachers in content areas.
- Observe and analyze academic and behavioral goals.
- Provide information for record keeping.
- Sunshine Committee.
- Grade level: 6-8
Gifted/Talented Teacher
Messalonskee School District
Oakland, ME
08.2006 - 07.2007
- Create advanced/enrichment curriculum for students.
- Independently plan and deliver individualized, differentiated lessons.
- Cooperate with teachers to provide services.
- Assessment and data entry and analysis to identify G/T population.
- Keep associated records.
- Attend professional development seminars and classes.
- Active MEGAT member.
- Grade level: K-12
Gifted/Talented Asst. Teacher
Messalonskee School District
Oakland, ME
08.2005 - 07.2006
- Create and provide instruction for students identified for the Gifted and Talented program.
- Process referrals to and identify those students eligible for the GT program.
- Collaborate with GT Coordinator.
- Periodic work for Project Scholar at JHB.
- Grade level: K-12
Math Recovery Teacher
Augusta School Department
Augusta, Maine
08.2003 - 07.2005
- Develop and deliver individualized math lessons.
- Collaborate with classroom teachers to implement standards-based math curriculum effectively.
- Partner with Math Specialist and District Math Mentor to enhance instructional strategies.
- Contribute as a member of Math Committee to promote best practices in mathematics education.
- Administer, score, and interpret standardized and performance-based assessments accurately.
- Maintain comprehensive records related to student progress and assessment results.
- Participate in professional development seminars to refine instructional techniques.
- Serve as Educational Technician II, supporting elementary-aged students in achieving mathematical proficiency.
- Grade level: K-5
Home Visitor/ Parent Educator
Maine Parent Federation/ Kennebec Parents As Teachers
Manchester, Maine
05.2001 - 07.2003
- Provide in-home visits for families as a Certified Parent Educator in nationally recognized program.
- Also, provide resources for parents regarding older siblings.
- Collaborate with other community agencies to serve clients and serve on committees.
- Observe and analyze child development and make appropriate referrals.
- Work independently, schedule own appointments and complete assignments with minimal supervision.
- Attend trainings for professional development.
- Age level: Families with children prenatal to five years
Proprietor
Timberland Totland Daycare
Sidney, Maine
04.1994 - 05.2001
- Provide quality childcare as a Family Home Daycare Provider enrolled in Homestart Program.
- Meet national Headstart Best Practice standards.
- Conduct developmentally appropriate learning activities.
- Attend monthly Homestart Provider trainings on topics such as Communicating with Parents, Behavioral Issues, Individualizing Curriculum, Developmental Milestones, Record Keeping and Observations.
- Attend outside conferences.
- Coordinate necessary therapeutic interventions.
- Make appropriate diagnostic referrals.
- Observe and analyze behaviors.
- Age level: Birth to 12 years
Classroom Teacher
The Spurwink School
Randolph, Maine
08.1991 - 03.1994
- Plan individual curriculum, including IEP and IFSP, for and teach students with multiple disabilities including behavioral, emotional and learning.
- Conduct developmental screenings and standardized testing.
- Chair PETs.
- Curriculum committee for functionally dependent students.
- Supervise Educational Technicians.
- Collaborate with mental health professionals.
- Earn Maine Conditional Certificate Special Education K-8 (282).
- Age level: 6 - 13 years
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Child Study
Tufts University
Medford, Mass.Master of Science - Special Education
Western Governors University
Salt Lake City, UTGraduate Courses - Exceptionality
University of Southern Maine
Gorham, MaineUniversity of New England
Biddeford, MaineSome College (No Degree) -
University College of Maine
Augusta, MaineSome College (No Degree) -
Kennebec Valley Community College
Fairfield, MaineUniversity of Phoenix
Phoenix, ArizonaMath Recovery
College of St. Joseph's
Rutland, VermontSkills
- State and federal education legislation knowledge
- Education policy guidance
- Legislative compliance
- Strategic planning
- Current educational research knowledge in special education
- Program planning, organization, monitoring, and standards awareness
- Curriculum evaluation
- Data collection and analysis
- Compliance documentation
- Effective communication, both oral and written
- Educational leadership and collaboration
- Adult learning principles
- Stakeholder engagement
- Problem-solving and conflict-resolution techniques
- Project management
- Database management
- Attention to detail
- Report preparation skills
- Google Suite and Microsoft Office proficiency
Certification
- Maine General Elementary Teacher K-8 (020)
- Maine Gifted/Talented Teacher Endorsement (690)
- Maine Elem. Teacher of Children w/ Disabilities (282)
- Massachusetts Early Childhood Teacher K-3
- Math Recovery Teacher
- CHRC Approval
- National S.P.I.R.E. Trainer
- TCI Trained/ Safety Care Trained
Timeline
Education Specialist III
State of Maine Department of Education
07.2020 - Current
Curriculum Reviewer
EdReports
05.2019 - 08.2024
Subject Matter Expert
Western Governor's University
04.2018 - 06.2018
Special Education Teacher
Cape Cod Hill School
08.2009 - 06.2020
Special Education Teacher - Extended School Year
Hall-Dale Elementary
07.2008 - 08.2009
Title VI Tutor
Hall-Dale Middle School
02.2008 - 06.2009
Special Educational Technician III
Hall-Dale Middle School
07.2007 - 02.2008
Gifted/Talented Teacher
Messalonskee School District
08.2006 - 07.2007
Gifted/Talented Asst. Teacher
Messalonskee School District
08.2005 - 07.2006
Math Recovery Teacher
Augusta School Department
08.2003 - 07.2005
Home Visitor/ Parent Educator
Maine Parent Federation/ Kennebec Parents As Teachers
05.2001 - 07.2003
Proprietor
Timberland Totland Daycare
04.1994 - 05.2001
Classroom Teacher
The Spurwink School
08.1991 - 03.1994
Bachelor of Arts - Child Study
Tufts University
Master of Science - Special Education
Western Governors University
Graduate Courses - Exceptionality
University of Southern Maine
University of New England
Some College (No Degree) -
University College of Maine
Some College (No Degree) -
Kennebec Valley Community College
University of Phoenix
Math Recovery
College of St. Joseph's
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