Sarah Gempler
Colorado Springs,CO
Summary
Special Education Paraprofessional knowledgeable in lesson planning and individualized learning strategies. Looking to bring further success to a school district through behavior management and student engagement.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Special Education Paraprofessional
Skyview Middle School
03.2024 - Current
- Enhancing students learning experiences by implementing individualized educational plans and adapting teaching methods for special needs students.
- Collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive support strategies for each student, contributing to improved academic performance.
- Assisting in the implementation of effective behavior management techniques, resulting in a more focused and positive classroom environment.
- Providing necessary accommodations for testing situations, ensuring fair opportunities for all students to demonstrate their knowledge and skills.
- Serving as a liaison between general education teachers and special education professionals, fostering collaborative relationships that benefited all students involved.
- Developing strong rapport with students by demonstrating empathy, patience, and understanding during daily interactions both inside and outside the classroom setting.
- Facilitating social skills development through targeted group activities, promoting positive peer relationships and increased self-confidence among special education students.
- Managing challenging behaviors using de-escalation techniques to maintain a safe and productive learning environment for all students involved.
- Delivering personalized educational, behavioral, and emotional support to individual students to enable positive learning outcomes.
Children's Residential Care Counselor II
Valley Of The Moon Children's Home
06.2014 - 03.2024
- Participated in Multi-Disciplinary Team meetings to provide feedback on youth behaviors, engagement, and progress towards goals
- Provided positive and nurturing experiences to children and youth, while maintaining care and supervision
- Teaching, coaching, and providing feedback to youth to help them develop a self-regulation skill set
- Provided transportation to and from school and coordinating recreational activities
- Documentation of youth's participation in activities, as well as their strengths, challenges, behaviors, interactions, and application of therapeutic skills
- Counseled youth to help minimize the trauma associated with separation from family members and/or guardians
- Planned and implementing small and large group activities, study support, and field trip activities
- Provided coaching, mentoring, and teaching of life skills, social skills, and coping mechanisms using established Trauma-Informed Care methods
- Utilized Therapeutic Crisis Intervention techniques to de-escalate youth in acute crisis
- Monitored and intervening in high-risk behaviors, handling crisis situations, and providing consistency and behavioral limits through relationship-based interventions
- Administered medication to individual children per written instruction from medical providers
- Built relationships with a variety of youth and their caregivers as they transition out of VMCC.
- Group facilitation
- Interview panel for potential staff
Family Daycare Provider
Self
01.2006 - 08.2014
- Maintained group discipline through positive reinforcement, behavior modeling, and collaboration with parents.
- Helped children develop motor skills in preparation for preschool and kindergarten.
- Maintained effective schedule balance between rest periods, active play, and instruction.
- Assisted children in developing fine motor skills through hands-on crafts and playtime activities.
- Fostered emotional growth by addressing individual needs with empathy, patience, and understanding.
- Promoted healthy eating habits by preparing nutritious meals and snacks for children daily.
- Kept notes of behavior issues, food served, and medications administered to children.
- Increased parental satisfaction by maintaining open communication channels and providing regular progress updates.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Sociology
Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, CA05.2018
Skills
- Crisis Intervention
- Animal-assisted therapy
- De-Escalation Techniques
- Resident support
- Problem-Solving
- Behavioral Intervention
- Youth Programming
- Life Skills Development
- Heartsaver CPR AED (CPR AED)
Timeline
Special Education Paraprofessional
Skyview Middle School
03.2024 - Current
Children's Residential Care Counselor II
Valley Of The Moon Children's Home
06.2014 - 03.2024
Family Daycare Provider
Self
01.2006 - 08.2014
Bachelor of Science - Sociology
Sonoma State University
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