Sonya Fleming
Memphis,TN
Summary
Hardworking and passionate job seeker with strong organizational skills eager to secure an entry-level trainer or educator position. Ready to help your team achieve company goals. Organized and dependable candidate successful at managing multiple priorities with a positive attitude. Willingness to take on added responsibilities to meet team goals.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Early Intervention Therapist
Project Memphis – University of Memphis
01.2023 - Current
- Conduct workshops around skills-based interviewing, job search techniques and strategies, resume building, networking, and basic communication skills to ensure students can communicate effectively while on the job resulting in 75% job placement rate for participants
- Coordinate pre-educational job-readiness training services for diverse group of students developing, and executing workshops and training series, while collaborating with diverse professional stakeholders
- Interpret standardized curriculum to reflect needs, learning styles, and level of understanding of students and revise based on anecdotal and formal feedback through surveys, focus groups, questionnaires, demonstrated competencies on-the-job
- Create status reports based on individual student resulting in increased retention rate of students in entry-level jobs
- Develop engaging activities to relate theory to real-world practice and application through in class, small-group discussions, using mixed media for mediums of instruction, with time to practice skills, resulting in increased confidence among students
Professor – Special Education & Education
LeMoyne Owen College
01.2010 - 08.2024
- Teach staff to maintain accurate and complete student records, and prepare reports on children and activities, as required according to laws, district policies, and administrative
- Develop curriculum, lesson plans, activities, and measures to evaluate learning for first-year seminar course for first year education majors, while advising undergraduates and mentoring graduate students with plans to pursue careers in special education
- Develop curriculum to teach educational technology, introductory and advanced special education courses to equip future educators to use assistive technology for pre-K-12 learners with special needs
- Provide materials and create assessments to gain understanding of individual student competencies
- Contribute to program development and accreditation process quarterly
- Teach students best practices socially acceptable behaviors, and positive reinforcement strategies, and procedures
- Serve as an advisor to a diverse group of students.
- Enhanced student understanding by designing interactive and engaging lectures.
- Demonstrated strong interpersonal and communication skills, resulting in clear subject matter discussion with students.
- Created dynamic learning environment that valued instructor and student interaction.
- Encouraged class discussions by building discussions into lessons, actively soliciting input, asking open-ended questions and using techniques to track student participation.
- Evaluated student progress using both formative and summative assessments to provide targeted feedback for continuous improvement.
- Ensured curriculum alignment with academic standards through regular course review and updates.
- Instructed and evaluated students in classroom in alignment with college mission by incorporating innovative teaching and learning strategies.
- Increased course relevance by incorporating real-world examples and case studies into lesson plans.
- Graded tests and assignments and uploaded to school database.
- Established and maintained inclusive, collegial and collaborative culture within classroom.
- Maintained regular office hours to provide struggling students with additional course help.
- Provided students with constructive, encouraging and corrective feedback.
- Used different learning modes and types of technology to engage students in achieving learning outcomes.
- Facilitated cross-disciplinary learning opportunities for students by collaborating with colleagues from other departments.
- Developed innovative teaching methods tailored to diverse learning styles, enhancing student comprehension and success rates.
- Developed diversified course curriculum to meet regulatory standards and support learning objectives.
- Identified research opportunities for students, assisting with gathering data and drawing conclusions for projects.
- Improved student retention rates through proactive communication and support.
- Established industry connections for students by organizing guest speaker events, workshops, and networking opportunities.
- Worked with dean to assess and evaluate courses and programs in appropriate discipline.
- Assisted in accreditation processes by gathering necessary documentation, preparing reports, and participating in site visits as needed.
- Strengthened department reputation by presenting at conferences, serving on committees, and participating in professional organizations.
- Promoted collaboration by developing group projects and fostering a positive learning environment.
Director of Special Programs (Manager)
Promise Academy
01.2018 - 01.2020
- Oversee/manage caseloads of special education students and implementation of standards
- Ensured compliance with regulations and oversaw necessary training of staff
- Support and lead professional development and growth of staff
- Collaborate and plan with teachers and parents to create a support system to help student achieve results
- Achieved consistent improvement in student performance.
- Created a welcoming environment for participants in special programs through engaging activities and accessible facilities.
- Implemented effective marketing strategies to increase awareness of special programs within the community and target demographics.
- Demonstrated commitment to ongoing professional development, attending conferences and workshops to stay current on industry trends and best practices.
- Coordinated events showcasing the successes of special programs, highlighting participant achievements while strengthening relationships with supporters.
- Managed budgets and resources responsibly, ensuring optimal allocation of funds while minimizing waste or unnecessary spending.
- Supervised activities of teams, related services and external programs.
- Maintained compliance with relevant regulations by staying current on industry trends and adapting policies accordingly.
- Enhanced program effectiveness by developing and implementing strategic plans tailored to specific needs and goals.
- Evaluated program outcomes and adjusted strategies as needed, contributing to continuous improvement efforts.
- Designed comprehensive training programs for staff members, ensuring consistent performance standards and skill development.
- Met with project stakeholders on regular basis to assess progress and make adjustments.
- Built teams to address project goals and objectives for multiple projects.
- Coached team members on productivity strategies to accomplish challenging goals.
- Developed and maintained logistics workflows, procedures and reports.
- Recruited, interviewed and hired employees and implemented mentoring program to promote positive feedback and engagement.
- Assisted in organizing and overseeing assignments to drive operational excellence.
- Improved staffing during busy periods by creating employee schedules and monitoring call-outs.
- Used industry expertise, customer service skills and analytical nature to resolve customer concerns and promote loyalty.
- Trained personnel in equipment maintenance and enforced participation in exercises focused on developing key skills.
Special Education Instructor
University of Memphis
01.2017 - 01.2019
- Develop curriculum to teach educational technology, introductory and advanced special education courses to equip future educators to use assistive technology for pre-K-12 learners with special needs
- Provide materials and create assessments to gain understanding of individual student competencies
- Contribute to program development and accreditation process quarterly
- Teach students best practices socially acceptable behaviors, and positive reinforcement strategies, and procedures
- Serve as an advisor to a diverse group of students
- Provide job skills to students that needs assistance with finding jobs.
- Assisted struggling students to maintain progress levels by designing individualized lesson plans focused on areas for improvement.
- Collaborated with other educators to develop new teaching strategies that catered to diverse learning styles.
- Promoted social-emotional development by fostering positive relationships among students, parents, and staff members.
- Assessed student performance regularly using both formal assessments and informal observations to inform instructional decisions.
- Reduced the achievement gap for students with disabilities by providing targeted interventions and accommodations.
- Monitored student progress closely, adjusting instructional approaches as needed to optimize outcomes for each learner.
- Enhanced student communication skills through structured group activities and peer-to-peer interactions.
- Developed and executed comprehensive behavior management plans, resulting in a more focused and engaged classroom environment.
- Mentored new Special Education teachers within the school district, sharing best practices and offering guidance on effective classroom management techniques.
- Established clear expectations for student conduct, creating a safe and inclusive classroom culture where all learners could thrive.
- Provided ongoing support for families of special education students through regular communication and parental involvement opportunities.
- Collaborated with other educators to develop instructional strategies.
- Conducted assessments of students to determine individual needs.
- Monitored student performance to evaluate effectiveness of instructional strategies.
- Coordinated regular meetings to share and analyze student performance data and success plans with colleagues and parents.
- Designed individual education plans to encourage student growth according to different learning abilities and needs.
- Mentored new teachers on student progress monitoring and legal document preparation.
- Provided professional development training to educate faculty and staff on laws and regulations governing special education.
Education
Master of Education -
Cambridge College
Cambridge, MA01.2010
Bachelor of Arts - Special Education -
LeMoyne Owen College
Memphis, TN01.2006
Bachelor of Science - Social Work; minor - Sociology -
LeMoyne Owen College
Memphis, TN01.1998
Skills
- Autism Spectrum Knowledge
- Social-Emotional Support
- Play-Based Learning
- Professional ethics
- Sensory integration strategies
- Continuing Education Commitment
- Progress Monitoring
- Child development expertise
- Motor Skills Development
- Behavior Modification Techniques
- Interdisciplinary Collaboration
- Assistive Technology Proficiency
- Family-Centered Approach
- Early Literacy Promotion
- Individualized Family Service Plans
- Cognitive Skills Enhancement
- IEP development
- Organizational Skills
- Classroom Management
- Teacher Collaboration
- Family guidance
- Special education curriculum
- Parent Communication
- Strategic Planning
- Individualized support
- Early Childhood Education
- Group Instruction
- Faculty communication
- Improvement plans
- Faculty Collaboration
- Cognitive Development
- Assessments
- Standardized Testing
- Student development evaluation
- Education plan management
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- Problem-Solving
- Time Management
- Problem-solving abilities
- Multitasking
- Attention to Detail
- Multitasking Abilities
- Patient Care
- Excellent Communication
- Reliability
- Team Collaboration
- Active Listening
- Effective Communication
- Adaptability and Flexibility
- Decision-Making
- Cognitive Behavioral Management
- Self Motivation
- Interpersonal Skills
- Analytical Thinking
- Conflict Resolution
- Goal Setting
- Crisis Intervention
- De-Escalation Techniques
- Intervention Planning
- Time management abilities
- Group Counseling
- Home Visits and Inspections
- Intervention Plans
Additional
CDC & Homebound Teacher - Memphis City Schools, Memphis, TN (2005-2010), Instructional Resource Teacher - Memphis City Schools, Memphis, TN (2000-2005), Part-time Manager Trainer United Parcel Service (UPS)- Memphis, TN (1994-1998), Memphis Education Association, National Education Association, National Special Education Teacher of America, Certified Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) Instructor; member of National Social Workers of America
Timeline
Early Intervention Therapist
Project Memphis – University of Memphis
01.2023 - Current
Director of Special Programs (Manager)
Promise Academy
01.2018 - 01.2020
Special Education Instructor
University of Memphis
01.2017 - 01.2019
Professor – Special Education & Education
LeMoyne Owen College
01.2010 - 08.2024
Master of Education -
Cambridge College
Bachelor of Arts - Special Education -
LeMoyne Owen College
Bachelor of Science - Social Work; minor - Sociology -
LeMoyne Owen College
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