Shannon Kennedy
Aurora,CO
Summary
Dynamic educator with extensive experience in the Cherry Creek School District, specializing in severe needs instruction. Expert in behavioral support for students with serious emotional disabilities and social emotional needs. I successfully enhanced student engagement and behavior through tailored IEPs and positive reinforcement strategies. Committed to fostering inclusive environments, I build strong relationships with students and families to promote school success.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Severe Needs Teacher-Affective Needs and ELA
Cherry Creeek School District
08.2022 - Current
- Enhanced classroom engagement and positive behavior both in and outside of the special education classroom.
- Helped students integrate into general classroom. environments by advocating for student needs and partnering with teachers.
- Monitored student performance to evaluate IEP goals.
- Coordinated special education students and paraprofessional schedules.
- Taught multiple subjects, including Affective Needs, English Language Arts.
- Taught students across multiple classifications and degrees of special needs, including severe emotional disabilities, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and intellectual disabilities
- Modified general education curriculum for special-needs students using various instructional strategies.
- Created and managed IEPs to define student learning goals and objectives in addition to applying instructional knowledge and methods to support goals.
- Performed progress monitoring, monthly, using data-driven assessments.
- Developed strong relationships with parents and guardians through regular conferences, progress reports, and ongoing support for their student's education.
- Mentored new teachers in the field of severe needs education, sharing best practices and valuable insights from personal experience.
Severe Needs Teacer-Affective Needs
Cherry Creek School District-Laredo
08.2019 - 05.2022
- Cultivated a culture of empathy and acceptance
- Improved student understanding by utilizing differentiated instruction and personalized learning strategies.
- Collaborated with support staff to provide services tailored to each student's IEP.
- Coordinated and ran IEP meetings, advocating for appropriate accommodations based on each student's specific needs.
- Ensured a positive learning environment by establishing clear expectations with appropriate support.
- Fostered open communication between students, parents, and staff.
- Implemented effective behavior management techniques for challenging behaviors, creating a safe and supportive environment, conducive to supporting students and staff.
- Monitored student performance to evaluate effectiveness of instructional strategies and IEP accomodations.
Kindergarten Enrichment Teacher
Cherry Creek School District-Heritage Elementary
08.2016 - 05.2019
- Collaborated with colleagues to develop interdisciplinary units.
- Established positive relationships with parents through consistent communication individually and class-wide..
- Participated in professional development to stay current on educational trends and enhance teaching methods.
- Managed classroom behavior effectively, implementing clear expectations.
- Developed engaging curriculum and activities, enhancing student learning experiences.
- Promoted literacy and math skills within and throughout daily activities.
Behavior Technician
Cherry Creek School District, The Challenge School
03.2013 - 05.2016
- Provided one-on-one behavioral support to students within the classroom setting.
- Provided crisis intervention strategies when necessary to maintain a safe environment for both students and staff.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive behavior intervention plans for students with challenging behaviors.
- Improved student behavior by implementing individualized support plans and strategies.
- Evaluated the effectiveness of behavioral interventions and adjusted strategies as needed to ensure continued progress.
- Promoted positive behaviors by using reinforcement strategies and effectively addressing challenging behaviors.
- Utilized variety of methods, skills and tools to provide direct behavior support to students on caseload.
Education
No Degree - Curriculum And Instruction
University of Wyoming
Laramie, WYNo Degree - Special Education
New Mexico State University
Las Cruces, NMBachelor of Science - Education And Psychology
Fort Lewis College
Durango, COSkills
- SEL
- Inclusion strategies
- Positive reinforcement
- Emotional support
- Social skills training
- Data collection
Certification
- READ Act
- Special Ed Generalist (K-12)
- English/Language Arts Certified
- Elementary Education Certification
Timeline
Severe Needs Teacher-Affective Needs and ELA
Cherry Creeek School District
08.2022 - Current
Severe Needs Teacer-Affective Needs
Cherry Creek School District-Laredo
08.2019 - 05.2022
Kindergarten Enrichment Teacher
Cherry Creek School District-Heritage Elementary
08.2016 - 05.2019
Behavior Technician
Cherry Creek School District, The Challenge School
03.2013 - 05.2016
No Degree - Curriculum And Instruction
University of Wyoming
No Degree - Special Education
New Mexico State University
Bachelor of Science - Education And Psychology
Fort Lewis College