Gardening
Sheri Zilai
Educator
Hobart,IN
Summary
Compassionate, creative and effective Teacher with valuable experience in classroom administration, professional development and project planning. Equipped with extensive background in versatile education environments. Student-centric instructor, academic facilitator and motivational coach. Competent at performing independently or as member of teaching team. Well-versed in classroom and online technologies.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
4
4
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Educational Diagnostician
Porter County Education Services
Valparaiso, IN
08.2021 - Current
- Selected, administered and interpreted appropriate formal and informal assessments and evaluations.
- Assisted school personnel in identification and understanding of students with disabilities.
- Offered informative workshops for educators, school leaders and faculty members.
- Applied knowledge of ethnic, linguistic, cultural and socioeconomic diversity for evaluation, planning and instruction.
- Deployed various assessment instruments and techniques to assist in identifying students eligible for special education services.
- Collaborated with social workers to help students grow in social and emotional capacities.
- Completed required documentation and reports for compliance and treatment planning.
- Met with students to conduct individual assessments and determine academic and mental health needs.
- Consulted with teachers and parents to gain in-depth understanding of students.
- Compiled and interpreted students' test results along with information from teachers and parents to diagnose conditions and assess eligibility for special services.
- Collaborated with educators, school administrators and external professionals in development of Individualized Education Plans (IEPs).
- Utilized formal and established testing protocols to evaluate educational, emotional and behavioral needs of students.
- Identified issues, analyzed information and provided solutions to problems.
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
Special Education Teacher
Porter County Education Services
Valparaiso, IN
08.2016 - 08.2021
- Modified general education curriculum for special-needs students using various instructional techniques and technologies.
- Delivered effective and differentiated classroom instruction to range of neurodiverse students.
- Partnered with standard education teachers from across academic departments.
- Created learning and content strategies to meet needs of mentally and physically disabled students.
- Instructed students in core academic areas and specialized reading groups.
- Redirected students using Positive Behavior Support (PBS).
- Instructed students with physical and cognitive disabilities.
- Coordinated special education students and teacher assistant schedules with master schedule.
- Taught students across multiple classifications and degrees of special needs.
- Taught multiple subjects to students with intellectual or emotional disabilities.
- Cultivated connections and strong student rapport to foster classroom engagement, in addition to recording student progress to inform parents and school administration.
- Organized instruction material, constructed bulletin boards and set up work areas.
- Taught reading, language arts and social sciences in self-contained ED and LD classroom.
- Assisted struggling students to maintain progress levels by designing individualized lesson plans focused on areas for improvement.
- Created and managed IEPs to define student learning objectives and educational strategies, in addition to applying instructional knowledge and methods to support goals.
Special Education Teacher
School City Of East Chicago
East Chicago, IN
08.2015 - 08.2016
- Modified general education curriculum for special-needs students using various instructional techniques and technologies.
- Delivered effective and differentiated classroom instruction to range of neurodiverse students.
- Partnered with standard education teachers from across academic departments.
- Created learning and content strategies to meet needs of mentally and physically disabled students.
- Instructed students in core academic areas and specialized reading groups.
- Redirected students using Positive Behavior Support (PBS).
- Coordinated special education students and teacher assistant schedules with master schedule.
- Taught students across multiple classifications and degrees of special needs.
- Organized instruction material, constructed bulletin boards and set up work areas.
- Cultivated connections and strong student rapport to foster classroom engagement, in addition to recording student progress to inform parents and school administration.
- Taught reading, language arts and social sciences in self-contained ED and LD classroom.
- Designed and implemented point system to encourage positive behavior.
- Assisted struggling students to maintain progress levels by designing individualized lesson plans focused on areas for improvement.
- Created and managed IEPs to define student learning objectives and educational strategies, in addition to applying instructional knowledge and methods to support goals.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education/Special Education
Indiana University Northwest
Gary, IN 04.2011 - 08.2015
Skills
Emotional support
Interests
Photography
The Ohio State Buckeyes
Chicago Cubs
The Blackhawks
Jeeps
Crafts
Indiana Public Safety Pipes & Drums (Drummer)
Timeline
Educational Diagnostician
Porter County Education Services
08.2021 - Current
Special Education Teacher
Porter County Education Services
08.2016 - 08.2021
Special Education Teacher
School City Of East Chicago
08.2015 - 08.2016
Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education/Special Education
Indiana University Northwest
04.2011 - 08.2015
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