Sherri McDuffie
Prattville,AL
Summary
Experienced Special Education Paraprofessional skilled in implementing behavior management strategies and supporting diverse learning needs. Collaborated effectively with educators to enhance instructional methods and promote student advocacy, resulting in improved academic outcomes for students with disabilities.
While also having early daycare experience for 10 years prior to becoming a Paraprofessional. I was able to work in classes for 1 year up to Pre-k.
Overview
2027
2027
years of professional experience
Work History
Special Education Paraprofessional
Prattville High School
Prattville, AL
11.2014 - Current
- Supported students with individualized education plans, enhancing learning experiences and academic engagement.
- Collaborated with teachers to implement effective instructional strategies tailored to diverse learning needs.
- Assisted in behavior management techniques, promoting a positive classroom environment and student well-being.
- Monitored student progress, providing feedback and insights to educators for continuous improvement.
- Organized and maintained classroom materials, ensuring accessibility and readiness for instructional activities.
- Trained new paraprofessionals on best practices for supporting students with special needs effectively.
- Participated in professional development workshops, refining skills to better support individualized student success initiatives.
- Developed strong rapport with students by demonstrating empathy, patience, and understanding during daily interactions both inside and outside the classroom setting.
- Managed challenging behaviors using de-escalation techniques to maintain a safe and productive learning environment for all students involved.
- Assisted in the implementation of effective behavior management techniques, resulting in a more focused and positive classroom environment.
- Collaborated with teacher to create customized classroom environment integral to students' needs.
- Monitored student classroom and outdoors activities to promote student safety.
- Maintained positive attitude and affirmatively communicated with each student.
- Interacted physically and verbally with students throughout each day.
- Offered student support through special accommodations, extra assistance, and assessments.
- Delivered personalized educational, behavioral, and emotional support to individual students to enable positive learning outcomes.
- Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities to stay current on best practices in special education instruction and support services.
- Supported students with various disabilities through one-on-one tutoring sessions, improving their understanding of course materials and concepts.
- Oversaw class of students in absence of instructor.
- Supported teacher in development of individual learning strategies.
- Documented student behaviors, interventions, and outcomes to enable lead teacher to address pertinent issues.
- Enhanced students'' learning experiences by implementing individualized educational plans and adapting teaching methods for special needs students.
- Partnered with speech therapists, occupational therapists, and other related service providers to ensure comprehensive support for each individual student''s growth and progress.
- Responded proactively to emerging challenges by adapting instructional strategies as needed, ensuring continuous progress toward established goals for each student''s academic success and personal growth.
- Set up visual aids, equipment, and classroom displays to support teacher's lesson delivery.
- Encouraged students to participate in school activities and programs to promote well-roundedness and increase confidence.
- Alerted instructor to student behavior or issues requiring intervention.
- Utilized assistive technology tools strategically in order to facilitate increased independence among students with diverse learning needs.
- Promoted a culture of inclusion within the school community by modeling respectful interactions and encouraging open communication among all stakeholders involved in the education of special needs students.
- Created positive and inclusive classroom environment by helping students develop social skills and relationships.
- Observed students' performance and recorded relevant data to assess progress.
- Understood and acclimated to teacher's routine to provide classroom coverage.
- Provided individualized reading, writing and math instruction to support student development.
- Responded to emergency situations to resolve immediate safety concerns or direct appropriate personnel for resolution.
- Collaborated with teachers and specialists to assess student progress.
- Helped feeding and daily living skills to support physical and emotional well-being.
- Maintained classroom equipment and work area to promote safe learning environment and meet mandated requirements.
Substitute Teacher, K-12
Autauga County Board of Education
Autauga County Alabama
08.2007 - 11.2014
- Facilitated engaging learning environments for diverse K-12 students.
- Adapted lesson plans to meet individual student needs and learning styles.
- Collaborated with teaching staff to implement effective classroom management strategies.
- Developed and maintained positive relationships with students, parents, and faculty.
Daycare Worker
The Learning Tree Day Care Center
Montgomery, AL
08.2000 - 02.2003
- Supervised daily activities, ensuring safety and engagement for all children in care.
- Developed age-appropriate lesson plans to enhance learning experiences and promote social skills.
- Fostered a nurturing environment, encouraging positive interactions among children and staff.
- Collaborated with parents to discuss children's progress and address developmental concerns.
- Sanitized dishes, tabletops, toys, and frequently touched surfaces to prevent spreading of germs.
- Improved daycare environment by maintaining cleanliness, organization, and safety standards consistently.
- Led initiatives to enhance curriculum quality, integrating creative arts and physical activities into programs.
- Evaluated program effectiveness through feedback collection and adjustment of activities as needed.
- Trained new staff on operational procedures, safety protocols, and child care best practices.
- Encouraged good behaviors using positive reinforcement methods.
- Increased parent satisfaction with regular communication about their child''s progress and daily experiences.
- Maintained child-friendly environment with access to outdoor activities.
- Developed strong relationships with parents through open communication channels and ongoing collaboration on their child''s care plan requirements.
- Maintained compliance with all state licensing requirements and daycare policies to ensure a safe, secure environment for children under care.
- Enhanced children''s social skills by organizing group activities and promoting positive interactions.
Daycare Worker
Ridgecrest Baptist Church
Montgomery, AL
1993 - 08.2000
- Implemented behavior management strategies to support emotional development and conflict resolution.
- Taught children to organize toys, wash hands, and share by leading by example.
- Enforced rules and managed behavior through developmentally appropriate discipline.
- Assisted in creating a nurturing atmosphere by actively engaging with children through play, conversation, and care routines.
- Distributed food, napkins, and beverages in preparation for snack time.
- Meticulously sanitized toys and play equipment.
- Collaborated effectively with fellow staff members to create a cohesive team dedicated to providing top-quality childcare services.
- Supported child development by implementing age-appropriate learning activities tailored to individual needs.
- Reduced incidents of disruptive behavior by establishing clear expectations and implementing consistent disciplinary measures when necessary.
- Managed challenging behaviors effectively by employing positive reinforcement techniques and redirecting negative actions towards more constructive outlets.
- Maintained accurate records of each child''s attendance, health, and developmental progress for thorough documentation purposes.
- Provided compassionate emotional support for children experiencing stress or anxiety throughout the day, fostering a secure attachment bond between caregiver and child.
Education
High School Diploma - Early Childhood Education And Care
Central Alabama Community Collage
Online05-2026
Early Child Development Certificate - Early Childhood Education And Care
Central Alabama Community Collage
Online08-2026
Skills
- IEP compliance
- Teacher assistance
- Learning disabilities support
- Classroom organization
- Collaboration with teachers
- Student advocacy
- Instructional support
- Lesson plan implementation
- Student supervision
- Conflict resolution
- Nonverbal communication
- Life skills development
- Autism and spectrum disorders
- Special needs
- Feeding assistance
- Physical disabilities support
- Personal hygiene assistance
- Social skills training
- Parental interaction
- Emotional regulation
- Visual schedules
- Heavy lifting
- Reading instruction
- Social and group settings
- Assistive technology
- Seizure management
- Literacy intervention
- Mobility assistance
- Functional communication
- Interdisciplinary collaboration
- Mathematics intervention
- Adaptive equipment
- Relationship building skills
- Classroom management strategies
- Data collection
- Peer mentoring
- Individualized instruction
- Positive behavior reinforcement
- Small group support
- Classwork oversight
- Autism support
- Toileting assistance
- IEP implementation
- Specialized instructional methods
- Multitasking Abilities
- Time management
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Student engagement
- Nonviolent crisis intervention (NVCI)
- Task prioritization
- Written communication
- Teamwork
- Reliability
Timeline
Special Education Paraprofessional
Prattville High School
11.2014 - Current
Substitute Teacher, K-12
Autauga County Board of Education
08.2007 - 11.2014
Daycare Worker
The Learning Tree Day Care Center
08.2000 - 02.2003
Daycare Worker
Ridgecrest Baptist Church
1993 - 08.2000
High School Diploma - Early Childhood Education And Care
Central Alabama Community Collage
Early Child Development Certificate - Early Childhood Education And Care
Central Alabama Community Collage