Shelly Emerson
Dinwiddie,PA
Summary
Dynamic and dedicated professional with extensive experience at Spotsylvania County Public Schools, specializing in behavior management and crisis intervention. Proven ability to enhance student engagement through individualized support and effective communication. Skilled in implementing IEPs guidelines, fostering emotional growth, and promoting a safe, inclusive learning environment. Committed to continuous improvement and collaboration.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
SPED Behavior Support Program Paraprofessional
Spotsylvania County Public Schools/ Ni River Middle School
Spotsylvania, Virginia
09.2024 - Current
- Actively participated in professional development opportunities to stay current on best practices for behavior support and intervention.
- Led workshops on positive behavior support techniques for school staff, increasing their capacity to manage disruptive behaviors effectively.
- Oversaw the implementation of behavior support plans designed to address challenging behaviors exhibited by clients, promoting positive change through targeted interventions based on individual needs assessment findings.
- Implemented positive behavior support strategies, reducing classroom disruptions and promoting a focused learning environment.
- Implemented positive behavior support strategies for students exhibiting challenging behaviors, promoting a safe and inclusive learning environment for all learners.
- Contributed to positive behavior support plans by closely monitoring resident interactions and implementing appropriate interventions when necessary.
- Developed individualized behavior support plans for clients with diverse needs, ensuring tailored interventions and improved results.
- Demonstrated strong organizational and time management skills while managing multiple projects.
- Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
- Worked effectively in fast-paced environments.
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
- Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations.
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
- Worked well in a team setting, providing support and guidance.
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
- Collaborated with educators to create inclusive classroom environments tailored to diverse needs.
- Implemented individualized behavior support plans to enhance student engagement and learning outcomes.
- Monitored student progress, providing timely feedback and adjustments to support strategies.
- Developed and maintained strong relationships with students, fostering trust and open communication.
- Assisted in crisis intervention, employing de-escalation techniques to ensure student safety.
- Evaluated behavioral data to inform decision-making and improve support services effectiveness.
- Partnered with school counselors to provide comprehensive support services for students experiencing emotional or behavioral difficulties.
- Maintained detailed records of student progress, facilitating data-driven decision-making for interventions.
- Assisted teachers with behavior management techniques by demonstrating, modeling and positively reinforcing desired behaviors.
- Promoted self-regulation skills through structured routines and clear expectations, empowering students to manage their own actions effectively.
- Facilitated group activities to teach essential social skills, improving peer interactions and friendships among students.
- Executed lower-level behavior interventions and de-escalation with students of concern.
- Trained fellow staff members on best practices for managing challenging behaviors, fostering a supportive environment.
- Assisted in the development of behavior intervention plans, resulting in reduced disruptive behaviors.
- Contributed to team meetings by providing insights into student behaviors and progress, informing targeted intervention strategies.
- Fostered a safe, inclusive classroom environment that prioritized the emotional well-being of all students while promoting academic success.
- Prepared materials and resources that promoted positive behavior reinforcement in various settings throughout the school day.
- Enhanced patient stays by creating and maintaining visual calendar of social, recreational and education activities.
- Assisted staff members during emergency situations while maintaining professionalism and observational skills.
- Developed intervention support plans for students to build behavioral skill capacity and preserve student access to instruction.
- Utilized variety of methods, skills and tools to provide direct behavior support to students on caseload.
- Conducted functional behavior assessments to identify triggers and patterns in student actions, guiding tailored interventions accordingly.
- Provided one-on-one support to students with special needs, promoting their social and emotional growth.
- Assisted teachers with supervision of students in instructional settings.
- Assisted in developing social-emotional learning curricula that addressed the diverse needs of all students within the school community.
SPED Autism Paraprofessional
Dinwiddie County Public Schools/ Dinwiddie Elementry School
Dinwiddie, Virginia
08.2022 - 05.2024
- Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
- Worked effectively in fast-paced environments.
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
- Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations.
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
- Worked well in a team setting, providing support and guidance.
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
- Assisted with day-to-day operations, working efficiently and productively with all team members.
- Passionate about learning and committed to continual improvement.
- Managed time efficiently in order to complete all tasks within deadlines.
- Organized and detail-oriented with a strong work ethic.
- Paid attention to detail while completing assignments.
- Used critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions and make decisions.
- Adaptable and proficient in learning new concepts quickly and efficiently.
- Strengthened communication skills through regular interactions with others.
- Learned and adapted quickly to new technology and software applications.
- Proved successful working within tight deadlines and a fast-paced environment.
- Developed and maintained courteous and effective working relationships.
- Implemented individualized education plans to support student learning and development.
- Collaborated with teachers to adapt instructional materials for diverse learning needs.
- Monitored student behavior and implemented positive reinforcement strategies.
- Assisted in the development of social skills through structured group activities.
- Observed and documented student progress, providing feedback for instructional adjustments.
- Facilitated communication between students, educators, and parents to enhance support systems.
- Trained new staff on best practices for supporting students with autism spectrum disorders.
- Led workshops on effective classroom management techniques tailored for special education environments.
- Mentored new paraprofessionals joining the team by sharing knowledge about autism spectrum disorders and modeling effective instructional strategies.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive support plans for students with autism.
- Helped teacher devise special strategies for reinforcing material or skills based on sympathetic understanding of individual students' needs, interests and abilities.
- Established clear expectations for behavior using consistent reinforcement strategies that fostered independence among autistic learners.
- Trained in crisis prevention and intervention techniques, effectively deescalating challenging situations when necessary.
- Managed sensory breaks for students who required additional accommodations in order to maintain focus throughout the day.
- Assisted with supervision of students during emergency drills, assemblies, play periods and field trips.
- Closely monitored student progress, making timely adjustments to instructional approaches based on data-driven assessments.
- Bridged communication gaps between autistic students and their peers, fostering greater understanding and empathy within the classroom community.
- Developed strong rapport with students, fostering trust and facilitating effective communication between the student and staff members.
- Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities to stay current on best practices related to supporting individuals with autism spectrum disorders.
- Guided independent study, enrichment work and remedial work set up and assigned by teacher.
- Coordinated efforts with teachers to modify curriculum materials according to individual learning needs of autistic students.
- Assisted in creating a structured and predictable learning environment, promoting positive behavior among students with autism.
- Assisted in implementing social skills programs that improved peer relationships and collaboration among students with autism.
- Implemented visual schedules and social stories to improve comprehension and daily routines for autistic students.
- Provided one-on-one support for students with autism, ensuring their academic and social success within the school setting.
- Enhanced student communication skills by implementing individualized speech therapy techniques.
- Collected data on student progress, adapting intervention strategies as needed to optimize outcomes.
- Facilitated peer interactions and group activities, encouraging socialization among autistic students.
- Kept classrooms clean, neat, and properly sanitized for student health and classroom efficiency.
- Oversaw students in classroom and common areas to monitor, enforce rules, and support lead teacher.
- Delivered personalized educational, behavioral, and emotional support to individual students to enable positive learning outcomes.
- Adapted equipment and technology, boosting student engagement and motivation.
- Kept open and frequent communication with families to provide regular updates on child's academic progress and individualized needs.
- Instructed student activities to implement goals for remediation of deficiencies and drive student success.
- Promoted good study habits and student independence to improve quality of student outcomes.
- Assisted with communication methods to keep parents informed about child's development and behavioral issues.
- Delivered efficient instruction by assisting with lesson planning and materials preparation.
- Observed individuals or groups of students in variety of settings to maintain safe and positive learning environment.
- Maintained classroom equipment and work area to promote safe learning environment and meet mandated requirements.
- Understood and acclimated to teacher's routine to provide classroom coverage.
- Supported faculty in implementing behavioral intervention plans to address challenging student behaviors.
- Responded to emergency situations to resolve immediate safety concerns or direct appropriate personnel for resolution.
- Worked with students to promote learning and pro-social development.
- Observed students' performance and recorded relevant data to assess progress.
- Liaised one-on-one with learners to provide additional support tailored to specific learning needs.
- Collaborated with teachers and specialists to assess student progress.
- Communicated with teachers and other district personnel to assist in evaluating progress and implementing IEP objectives.
- Provided individualized reading, writing and math instruction to support student development.
- Helped feeding and daily living skills to support physical and emotional well-being.
- Created positive and inclusive classroom environment by helping students develop social skills and relationships.
- Administered tests and assessments to evaluate student progress and performance.
- Monitored students on field trips, handling roll call, and group movement to keep youths safe in public settings.
- Reported on student progress, behavior, and social skills to parents.
- Tailored lesson plans for students with emotional and cognitive disabilities.
- Assisted classroom teacher in supervising snack time and indoor and outdoor play.
- Prepared instruction materials, constructed bulletin boards, and set up work areas.
- Facilitated administration and scoring of standardized tests and assessments to draw meaningful data regarding learning and growth.
Safety Security Treatment Technician
Virginia Center For Behavior Rehabilitation
Burkeville, Virginia
05.2013 - 06.2017
- Administered behavioral assessments to evaluate patient progress and treatment effectiveness.
- Implemented individualized treatment plans in collaboration with interdisciplinary teams.
- Monitored patient behavior to ensure compliance with rehabilitation protocols and safety standards.
- Trained new staff on operational procedures and best practices in treatment delivery.
- Developed and maintained accurate documentation of patient interactions and treatment outcomes.
- Facilitated group therapy sessions, promoting engagement and skill development among participants.
- Collaborated with medical professionals to adjust treatment strategies based on patient needs.
- Improved workflow efficiency by streamlining reporting processes for clinical observations and interventions.
- Streamlined documentation processes by implementing electronic record-keeping systems that improved access to vital information.
- Utilized advanced technology in administering treatments, enhancing accuracy and efficiency in patient care.
- Contributed to a safe and hygienic treatment environment by diligently following infection control protocols.
- Continuously pursued professional development opportunities to stay current on industry trends and best practices, enhancing the quality of care provided to patients.
- Established rapport with patients and families through clear communication and empathetic listening skills.
- Applied de-escalation and limit-setting techniques to promote patient cooperation.
- Performed scheduled patient safety checks and documented results to establish patients' well-being.
- Helped patients with meals, activities of daily living (ADLs) and facility transfers to promote security and patient well-being.
- Developed and maintained positive relationships with clients to create safe and supportive environment.
- Identified behaviors that necessitated intervention and obtained assistance from qualified personnel to complete intervention.
- Observed patient behaviors and mental status and notified RN of unusual or potentially dangerous occurrences.
- Assisted with patient restraint and seclusion scenarios to create safe environment for patient and medical personnel.
- Escorted patients from unit to meals, activities, and visitation areas to maintain standard of safety and security.
- Supported patients needing medical care to relieve patient anxiety and promote positive outcomes.
- Implemented evidence-based therapeutic interventions to help clients manage mental health difficulties.
- Participated in multidisciplinary team meetings to discuss progress and treatment plans of clients.
- Engaged with colleagues in treatment team meetings to promote positive patient treatment outcomes.
- Facilitated group therapy sessions to help clients develop coping strategies and social skills.
- Delivered compassionate patient care, focusing on safety, comfort and emotional support.
- Supported patient confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA regulations.
- Treated clients and families with respect and dignity.
- Charted on each patient daily.
- Monitored patient behavior and immediately reported changes to supervising physician.
- Maintained patient records, documenting changes in patient condition.
- Provided therapeutic activities to assist with patient development.
- Assisted in development of therapeutic activities for patients.
- Collaborated closely with mental health professionals with treatment plan implementation.
- Participated in patient education, helping to reinforce concepts and treatment plans.
- Assessed patient progress and reported changes to supervising physician.
- Coordinated with medical and paramedical professionals to provide appropriate input and effectively formulate and implement treatment plans for patients.
- Developed individualized treatment plans for patients in collaboration with mental health professionals.
- Counseled and mentored clients on substance use and life choices.
- Conducted comprehensive patient assessments, allowing for informed decisions about appropriate treatment interventions.
- Implemented evidence-based practices into daily tasks, improving overall quality of care provided to patients.
- Collaborated with medical professionals to develop individualized treatment plans for patients, resulting in improved outcomes.
- Maintained detailed records of patient treatments, contributing to efficient communication among healthcare team members.
- Assisted in the development of training materials for new Treatment Technicians, fostering a supportive learning environment.
- Provided emotional support to patients during difficult treatments, promoting a positive atmosphere conducive to healing.
- Enhanced patient experience by providing compassionate and attentive care during treatments.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Psychology
Southern New Hampshire University
Hooksett, NH04-2027
Associate of Applied Science - Criminal Justice
Bryant & Stratton College
NY12-2014
Skills
- Behavior management
- Effective communication
- Helping students with special needs
- Small group and individual assistance
- Classroom management
- Teacher support and collaboration
- Social skills training
- Disability awareness
- IEP compliance
- Schedule management
- Conflict resolution techniques
- Crisis management
- Crisis intervention
- Social development and integration
- Reporting requirements
- Peer mediation
- Friendly and outgoing
- Verbal and written communication
- Life skills training
- Relationship building
- Behavior improvements
- Emotional support
Timeline
SPED Behavior Support Program Paraprofessional
Spotsylvania County Public Schools/ Ni River Middle School
09.2024 - Current
SPED Autism Paraprofessional
Dinwiddie County Public Schools/ Dinwiddie Elementry School
08.2022 - 05.2024
Safety Security Treatment Technician
Virginia Center For Behavior Rehabilitation
05.2013 - 06.2017
Bachelor of Science - Psychology
Southern New Hampshire University
Associate of Applied Science - Criminal Justice
Bryant & Stratton College