Sherry Thompson
Bartlett,TN
Summary
At Memphis Shelby County Schools, I excelled as a Special Education Paraprofessional, where my adeptness in classroom organization and nonverbal communication significantly enhanced student learning experiences. My approach, combining empathy with effective decision-making, fostered a supportive environment, ensuring positive behavioral and educational outcomes.
Compassionate Special Education Paraprofessional offering excellent skills in devising student strategies and monitoring classroom activities. Pursuing a similar position where a well-qualified individual with an understanding of autism spectrum disorder and learning disabilities is highly sought.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Special Education Paraprofessional
Memphis Shelby County Schools
01.2006 - Current
- Developed strong rapport with students by demonstrating empathy, patience, and understanding during daily interactions both inside and outside the classroom setting.
- Documented student behaviors, interventions, and outcomes to enable lead teacher to address pertinent issues.
- Managed challenging behaviors using de-escalation techniques to maintain a safe and productive learning environment for all students involved.
- Offered student support through special accommodations, extra assistance, and assessments.
- Established professional relationships with parents and other teachers to increase rapport and support.
- Maintained positive attitude and affirmatively communicated with each student.
- Oversaw class of students in absence of instructor.
- Set up visual aids, equipment, and classroom displays to support teacher's lesson delivery.
- Maintained accurate records of student progress, enabling timely communication with parents and other stakeholders regarding individual achievements and areas needing improvement.
- Utilized assistive technology tools strategically in order to facilitate increased independence among students with diverse learning needs.
- Supported teacher in development of individual learning strategies.
- Supported students with various disabilities through one-on-one tutoring sessions, improving their understanding of course materials and concepts.
- Coordinated with teachers to create inclusive lesson plans that addressed the diverse needs of all learners within the classroom setting.
- Collaborated with teacher to create customized classroom environment integral to students' needs.
- Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities to stay current on best practices in special education instruction and support services.
- Interacted physically and verbally with students throughout each day.
- Developed tailor-fit lesson plans to cater to individual needs of each student.
- Assisted in the organization of field trips and extracurricular events that offered valuable real-world experiences for special education students, fostering skill-building opportunities outside the classroom setting.
- 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.
- Monitored student classroom and outdoors activities to promote student safety.
- Created positive and inclusive classroom environment by helping students develop social skills and relationships.
- Maintained classroom equipment and work area to promote safe learning environment and meet mandated requirements.
- Provided individualized reading, writing and math instruction to support student development.
- Promoted good study habits and student independence to improve quality of student outcomes.
- Kept open and frequent communication with families to provide regular updates on child's academic progress and individualized needs.
Lead Teacher Special Education
Memphis Shelby County Schools
08.2023 - Current
- Established positive relationships with parents through regular communication regarding student progress, collaborating on strategies for academic success at home and school.
- Used data-driven decision-making processes to analyze student performance trends and adjust instructional practices accordingly, leading to improved outcomes.
- Assisted in coordinating school-wide events such as science fairs and literacy nights, enhancing community involvement and support for education initiatives.
- Worked one-on-one with students and student teachers to increase overall classroom success.
- Guided student teachers and teaching aides in classroom management, leading by example and thoroughly answering questions.
- Conferred with parents about student progress to boost family involvement and enhance student support.
- Organized field trips that enriched classroom learning experiences by connecting students with real-world applications of course concepts.
- Planned and implemented different daily activities to enhance overall development and growth of every student.
- Organized rooms in line with current educational thinking to maximize educational opportunities for students.
- Communicated frequently with parents about student growth and progress, recommending at-home reinforcement to support struggling students.
- Maintained patience and level-headedness in diverse situations to support student development and personal growth.
- Developed and implemented differentiated instruction strategies to accommodate diverse learning styles, resulting in increased student engagement and success.
- Created and developed lesson plans to meet students' academic needs.
Education
Master of Arts - Instruction And Curriculum Leadership
University of Memphis
Memphis, TN12-2023
Skills
- Classroom organization
- Student supervision
- Nonverbal communication
- Personal hygiene assistance
- Social and group settings
- Decision-making
- Feeding assistance
Timeline
Lead Teacher Special Education
Memphis Shelby County Schools
08.2023 - Current
Special Education Paraprofessional
Memphis Shelby County Schools
01.2006 - Current
Master of Arts - Instruction And Curriculum Leadership
University of Memphis
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