Sarah Wright
Summary
Versatile Special Education Teacher with focus on individual student needs across academia and emotional development. Adept in creating inclusive environments as well as enhancing student well-being through emotional support and autism spectrum knowledge. Empathetic and accommodating in design and implementation of hands-on lessons, catering to diverse learning abilities. Proficient in employing effective communication, patience and positive reinforcement in team efforts to deliver exceptional accessibility to educational, social empowerment. Excelled in multidisciplinary collaboration and parent-teacher partnerships, significantly improving student integration and comprehensive success.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
K-1 Special Educator
Methacton School District
1001 Kriebel Mill Road Eagleville, PA 19403-1047
06.2023 - Current
- Modified general education curriculum for students with unique learning needs using various instructional techniques and technologies.
- Implemented data-driven decision-making processes to monitor student progress and refine instructional methods accordingly.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive educational programs for students.
- Attended professional development workshops to stay current on innovative teaching practices in special education settings.
- Utilized alternative assessments methods, such as performance-based tasks, to evaluate student progress more accurately for those with unique learning needs.
- Aligned curriculum standards with instructional objectives, ensuring that all students had opportunities to achieve academic success within their capabilities.
- Created and managed IEPs to define student learning objectives and educational strategies, in addition to applying instructional knowledge and methods to support goals.
- Delivered differentiated classroom instruction to multiple classifications of learners and degrees of special needs.
- Worked to increase life skills in a range of neurodiverse students.
- Facilitated small group instruction.
- Helped students with special needs integrate into general classroom environments by advocating for individual requirements.
K-4 Itinerant Special Education Teacher
Methacton School District
1001 Kriebel Mill Road Eagleville, PA 19403-1047
06.2021 - 06.2023
- Developed IEPs tailored to individual student needs, ensuring their academic success and personal growth.
- Promoted a positive learning environment through the use of differentiated instruction and individualized support for diverse learners.
- Collaborated with teachers and therapists to develop individualized educational plans for each student, ensuring optimal progress.
- Fostered strong relationships with parents and guardians, maintaining open lines of communication to ensure student progress.
- Implemented behavior modification strategies, resulting in improved self-regulation and classroom participation among students.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to provide comprehensive support for students with special needs.
- Cultivated connections and strong student rapport to foster classroom engagement, in addition to recording student progress to inform parents and school administration.
K-4 Emotional Support Teacher
Methacton School District
1001 Kriebel Mill Road Eagleville, PA 19403-1047
06.2011 - 06.2021
- Assisted in creating a safe and nurturing classroom environment that promoted emotional well-being and academic growth for all students.
- Supported students in developing social skills through structured small group and class-wide lessons, activities and positive reinforcement techniques.
- Implemented behavior modification strategies, positive behavior support plans, co-regulation methods resulting in improved self-regulation and classroom participation among students.
- Increased parent involvement through regular communication, sharing resources, and encouraging participation in school events.
- Participated in professional development opportunities focused on supporting the emotional growth of students, enhancing my skills as an educator.
- Coordinated with outside agencies and service providers to ensure comprehensive support for students both inside and outside the classroom.
- Advocated for the integration of social-emotional learning curriculum within the school community, resulting in increased awareness among staff members.
- Provided one-on-one support for students struggling with emotional or behavioral challenges, promoting healthy coping skills and self-regulation strategies.
- Coordinated special education students and teacher assistant schedules with master schedule.
- Maintained accurate records of student progress and attendance.
- Worked closely with parents and guardians to address students' issues on multiple fronts.
- Provided emotional support to students and families.
- Applied proven strategies to improve students' sensory- and perceptual-motor skills.
Behavior Specialist Consultant
Central Montgomery Mental Health And Rehabilitation
Norristown, PA
06.2009 - 06.2014
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive treatment plans for optimal results.
- Developed strong relationships with families, fostering trust and open communication regarding client needs and progress.
- Maintained detailed documentation on client progress, ensuring accurate records for reporting purposes.
- Provided crisis management support to clients, maintaining safety and minimizing disruptions in daily routines.
- Assisted clients in reaching their full potential through the development of personalized goals and objectives.
- Expanded family understanding of behavioral issues through regular consultations on topics like triggers management or reinforcement techniques.
- Promoted positive behavior change by reinforcing desired actions in a timely manner using various reward systems.
- Supported clients in achieving increased independence by teaching essential self-care and daily living skills.
- Served as a liaison between schools, medical professionals, families, therapists, and other support services to ensure coordinated care for each client''s unique needs.
- Attended trainings to participate in regular supervision and continued education to maintain professional competence and ethical standards.
- Conducted crisis interventions to respond to clients in crisis, assess immediate needs and provide support and resources.
- Adhered to ethical and legal standards for confidentiality, protecting clients' privacy.
- Assessed mental health needs to determine nature and extent of clients' emotional, behavioral or mental health issues.
- Provided referrals to connect clients with other community resources to support mental health and well-being.
K-2 Full Time Emotional Support Teacher
Methacton School District
1001 Kriebel Mill Road Eagleville, PA 19403-1047
07.2009 - 06.2011
- Taught multiple subjects to students with intellectual or emotional disabilities.
- Coordinated special education students and teacher assistant schedules with master schedule.
- Facilitated small group instruction to address individual learning needs.
- Assisted in creating a safe and nurturing classroom environment that promoted emotional well-being and academic growth for all students.
- Supported students in developing social skills through structured activities and positive reinforcement techniques.
- Provided one-on-one support for students with learning disabilities, enabling them to excel in their coursework.
- Implemented behavior modification strategies, resulting in improved self-regulation and classroom participation among students.
- Enhanced emotional well-being of students by fostering positive relationships and creating a supportive classroom environment.
- Participated in professional development opportunities focused on supporting the emotional growth of students, enhancing my skills as an educator.
- Monitored student progress through ongoing assessments, adjusting instructional strategies as needed to maximize success.
- Coordinated with outside agencies and service providers to ensure comprehensive support for students both inside and outside the classroom.
- Modified general education curriculum for special-needs students using various instructional techniques and technologies.
- Redirected students using Positive Behavior Support (PBS).
- Developed and implemented behavior management plans to improve student behavior.
- Worked closely with parents and guardians to address students' issues on multiple fronts.
Middle School Emotional Support Teacher
Arcadia University/School District Of Philadelphia
Philadelphia, PA
06.2006 - 07.2009
- Assisted in creating a safe and nurturing classroom environment that promoted emotional well-being and academic growth for all students.
- Supported students in developing social skills through structured activities and positive reinforcement techniques.
- Provided one-on-one support for students with learning disabilities, enabling them to excel in their coursework.
- Implemented behavior modification strategies, resulting in improved self-regulation and classroom participation among students.
- Increased parent involvement through regular communication, sharing resources, and encouraging participation in school events.
- Provided one-on-one support for students struggling with emotional or behavioral challenges, promoting healthy coping skills and self-regulation strategies.
- Implemented behavior management techniques to maintain a productive and respectful classroom atmosphere.
- Participated in professional development opportunities focused on supporting the emotional growth of students, enhancing my skills as an educator.
- Created and managed IEPs to define student learning objectives and educational strategies, in addition to applying instructional knowledge and methods to support goals.
- Cultivated connections and strong student rapport to foster classroom engagement, in addition to recording student progress to inform parents and school administration.
- Taught multiple subjects to students with intellectual or emotional disabilities.
- Redirected students using Positive Behavior Support (PBS).
- Facilitated small group instruction to address individual learning needs.
- Implemented behavior modification techniques to improve student social and academic performance.
- 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.
- Provided emotional support to students and families.
Education
Master of Science - Elementary And Special Education
Arcadia University
Glenside, PA05.2009
Bachelor of Science - Music Education
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Indiana, PA12.2003
High School Diploma -
Southern Huntingdon County School District
Three Springs, PA06.1998
Skills
- Inclusion Strategies
- Autism Spectrum Knowledge
- Classroom Organization
- Parent-teacher collaboration
- Emotional Support
- Positive Reinforcement
- Social Skills Training
- Functional Behavior Assessment
- Multisensory Teaching
- Peer Mediation
- Individual Education Plans IEPs
- Team Collaboration
- Classroom Management
- Collaborative Teamwork
- Motivating students
- Social Skills Development
- Parent communications
- Trained in CPI
- Parent Communication
- Behavior Intervention Plans
- Verbal and Nonverbal Communication
- Small Group Instruction
- Group and individual instruction
- Behavior Modifications
- Differentiated Instruction
- Curriculum Adjustments
- De-Escalation Techniques
- Crisis Prevention and Intervention
- Skills Development
- Data Management
- Social integration
- Multidisciplinary Collaboration
- Student Records Management
- Special Education
- Elementary Education
- Community Resource Referrals
- Progress Evaluations
- National Education Association
- IEP development
- Personal Hygiene Assistance
- Safety Monitoring
- Faculty Collaboration
- Individualized Instruction
Christian, Family, Music, Yoga, Photography
I believe:
- Jesus Christ is my Savior, I attend and periodically sing in the worship team at church
- Family is a gift not to waste
- My undergraduate degree of Music Education has been essential in my joy and betterment as a teacher
- Yoga and mindfulness are great tools for all
- Photography is a relaxing past-time and tool for mindfulness
Timeline
K-1 Special Educator
Methacton School District
06.2023 - Current
K-4 Itinerant Special Education Teacher
Methacton School District
06.2021 - 06.2023
K-4 Emotional Support Teacher
Methacton School District
06.2011 - 06.2021
K-2 Full Time Emotional Support Teacher
Methacton School District
07.2009 - 06.2011
Behavior Specialist Consultant
Central Montgomery Mental Health And Rehabilitation
06.2009 - 06.2014
Middle School Emotional Support Teacher
Arcadia University/School District Of Philadelphia
06.2006 - 07.2009
Master of Science - Elementary And Special Education
Arcadia University
Bachelor of Science - Music Education
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
High School Diploma -
Southern Huntingdon County School District