S. Linda Folkers
Lee's Summit,MO
Summary
Dedicated special education professional with a proven track record in fostering inclusive learning environments and implementing effective instructional strategies. Committed to collaborating with a dynamic leadership team to enhance educational experiences for students with disabilities while ensuring compliance with district, state, and federal regulations, including the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA). Expertise in behavior management, curriculum development, and student advocacy, along with a strong emphasis on achieving positive educational outcomes. Adaptable to changing classroom dynamics, bringing reliability and flexibility to every role.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Special Education Teacher
Center School District- Center Middle School/Red Bridge Elementary
08.2019 - Current
- Special Education Resource Teacher: Teach, Assess, and Evaluate Special Education Students K -5, Special Needs and Learning Disabled students including Specific Learning Disabilities, Emotional Disturbance, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Other Health Impairment, Language Impairment, Intellectual Disability, and Autism Worked closely with regular education teachers for implementation of necessary accommodations and Worked one-on-one with Special Education students, tutor at-risk students, collaborate with staff members and parents, attend IEP/Re-evaluation, and meetings
- Wrote and implemented IEPs, REDs, and Evaluations on SpedTrack
- Wrote, assisted, and attended evaluation and IEP meetings
- Worked closely with the Process Coordinator and School Psychologist
- Member of the Center Middle School PBIS Team
- Member of the Center School District Flight Team
- Paraprofessional Supervisor
- Triage with students daily to promote strong relationships
- Mentor to special education teacher at Center Middle School
- Cooperating teacher for student teacher
504 Building Coordinator
Center Middle School
- 01.2025
- Follow initial referral processes
- Review pertinent documentation (medical diagnosis, physician and parent input, etc.) for validity
- Review a variety of information including attendance, discipline, test scores, grades, student work samples
- Facilitate meetings (initials/reviews/manifestations etc.)
- Review information collected
- Solicit feedback from all parties
- Take notes as necessary
- Summarize team discussion concerning outcome
- Provide all documents as discussed in Procedural Checklists
- Obtain signatures
- Facilitate transition meetings from building to building
- Initiate yearly 504 Accommodation Plan reviews
- Conduct 3-year periodic Re-Evaluations as needed
- Maintain timely and accurate contact logs in Infinite Campus (PLP)
Special Education Evaluation Process Coordinator
Blue Springs School District
06.2023 - 06.2024
- Coordinator for initial evaluations, referral, and re-evaluations for 3 schools
- Manage the educational evaluation process
- Schedule testing process
- Write and present comprehensive evaluation reports
- Determines eligibility for special education services
- Gather information through various forms of data such as district assessments, Care Teams, work samples, observations, and state assessments to determine if a disability is suspected
- Ensure that the data is consistent across various settings and measured through varying types of data in order to suspect a disability
- Utilize and have knowledge of state standards and indicators
- Assist case managers with re-evaluations, observations, and evaluations
- Write all initial evaluations, conclusions, and synthesis
- Assist case managers with writing Present levels on the IEP to provide knowledge to write a comprehensive IEP
- Schedule all evaluation meetings and re-evaluation meetings
- Send out evaluation plans to diagnosticians
- Participate in weekly and monthly meetings with Special Education Director and Assistant Superintendent of Special Services to review all evaluations and re-evaluations with testing
- Lead weekly meetings with administration, case managers, and related services providers for each school
- Assist Administration with special education questions and concerns.
Special Education Teacher
Hickman Mills School District, Symington Elementary
07.2016 - 07.2019
- Special Education Resource Teacher: Taught, Assessed, and Evaluated Special Education Students 1-6, Special Needs and Learning Disabled students including Specific Learning Disabilities, Emotional Disturbance, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Other Health Impairment, Language Impairment, Intellectual Disability, and Autism Worked closely with regular education teachers for implementation of necessary accommodations and modifications and compliance of special education laws and the Individual Education Plan for special education students
- Worked one-on-one with Special Education students, tutored at-risk students, collaborated with staff members and parents
- Wrote and implemented IEPs on SpedTrack
- Assisted and attended evaluation and IEP meetings
- Worked closely with Process Coordinator
- Homebound teacher for a student with an IEP
- Tutoring hours twice a week after school
- Member of the district's CARE team
- Member of the district's Equity (E) team
- Member of the district's LEAD team
- Member of the district's Advance-Ed team
- Mentor to special education teacher at Symington
- Mentor students with behavior issues
- Mandt certified.
Education
Master's Degree - Special Education
Graceland University
IowaBachelor of Arts - Special Education
Graceland University
IowaSkills
- Schedule Coordination
- Point of Contact
- IEP/Evaluation Development
- Effective Communication
- Quality Assurance/Compliance
- Team Building/Mentoring
- Problem Solving
Certification
- State of Missouri Teaching License
- Elementary Education 1-6
- Early Childhood Education B-3
- Mild/Mod Cross Categorical K-12
- ABA Certified
Awards
Awarded staff member of the month at Symington Elementary, Awarded the "It's On Me" award from Hickman Mills School District
Timeline
Special Education Evaluation Process Coordinator
Blue Springs School District
06.2023 - 06.2024
Special Education Teacher
Center School District- Center Middle School/Red Bridge Elementary
08.2019 - Current
Special Education Teacher
Hickman Mills School District, Symington Elementary
07.2016 - 07.2019
504 Building Coordinator
Center Middle School
- 01.2025
Bachelor of Arts - Special Education
Graceland University
Master's Degree - Special Education
Graceland University