Stacey DeMarzo
York,PA
Summary
Dedicated professional with extensive experience in developing engaging and interactive learning experiences. Expertise in integrating technology with traditional teaching methods to enhance educational outcomes. Proven track record of fostering a safe and nurturing environment that encourages exploration and learning.
Overview
33
33
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
LEAD TEACHER - MULTIPLE DISABILITIES SUPPORT (Secondary)
LINCOLN INTERMEDIATE UNIT 12
York, Pennsylvania
08.2019 - Current
- Write, plan, and implement daily academic, self-help and vocational lesson plans for both individual and group sessions for 8 class-based students, grades 9-12.
- Design, revise, and implement IEPs for students on my caseload.
- Write detailed Teacher Educational Reports for evaluations/re-evaluations for each student.
- Responsible for maintaining accurate records of student progress based on IEP goal criteria.
- Differentiate activities utilizing varying modes of communication; including, but not limited to, sign language, Boardmaker picture symbols, LessonPix, and augmentative communication devices (NovaChat, BigMacks, Step-by-Step communicators, iPad with TouchChat, and switch interfaces).
- Responsible for daily communication with parents via phone, email, and/or individual home/school communication notebooks.
- Provide a safe learning environment and utilize a Social Emotional Learning curriculum for students with significant behavioral challenges.
LEAD TEACHER - SEVERE DISABILITIES
PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Leesylvania, Virginia
08.2004 - 06.2019
- Wrote, planned, and implemented daily academic, self-help and pre-vocational lesson plans for both individual and group sessions for 10 class-based students, grades PK-5.
- Designed, revised, and implemented IEP's and Eligibilities for each student.
- Responsible for lifting, positioning, feeding, and toileting of students, as well as accountable for maintaining accurate records.
- Differentiated activities utilizing varying modes of communication; including, but not limited to, sign language, Boardmaker picture symbols, and augmentative communication devices (BigMacks, Cheap Talker, Dynavox systems, Step-by-Step communicators, switch interfaces, and Intellipics/Keys).
- Responsible for daily communication with parents via phone, email, and/or individual home/school communication notebooks.
- Provided a safe learning environment for students with significant behavioral challenges.
- Chosen as teacher mentor for new preschool teachers at Leesylvania ES/Kilby ES.
- Recruited as recurring guest speaker at the annual ARC Circle of Support Conference (2010 to 2018).
- Provided multiple seminar sessions for parents and teachers of special needs students, including 'I May Not Talk but I Can Communicate,' 'File Folder Games,' and 'Cooking Across the Curriculum.'
- Invited to the Virginia Accessibility Summit to provide a session on special needs, titled 'Say What
- I Don't Have to Talk to Say Something.'
- Published article in the CA Human Services newsletter titled 'Adapting Games' in April 2019.
- Awarded the Washington Post Grant for classroom curriculum (along with a colleague in the Autistic Support classroom) titled, 'Cooking Through the Content Areas.'
- Conducted training seminars for teachers on how to implement tailored curriculum in their classrooms.
- Recruited to provide teacher training for the Virginia Alternative Assessment Program (VAAP) in Fairfax and Prince William Counties.
LEAD TEACHER - MULTIPLE DISABILITIES
LOUDOUN COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Loudoun, Virginia
08.2001 - 06.2004
- Responsible for writing, planning, and implementing daily academic, pre-vocational, and life skills lessons for 6 students identified as having Multiple Disabilities, which included Speech-Language Impairments, Orthopedic Impairments, ADHD, Cornelia-DeLange Syndrome, PKU (Phenylketonuria), and Severe Disabilities.
- Responsible for daily communication with parents via phone and/or individual home/school communication notebooks.
- Co-created, with School Guidance Counselor, a support group for parents of children with disabilities.
- Organized and monitored a daily interaction program for each student to integrate into their age-appropriate regular education classroom.
- Recruited to provide training for the Virginia Alternative Assessment Program (VAAP) in Fairfax and Prince William Counties.
LEAD TEACHER - MODERATE AND SEVERE DISABILITIES
FAIRFAX COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Fairfax, Virginia
08.1997 - 06.2001
- Responsible for writing, planning, and implementing daily academic, pre-vocational, and life-skills lessons for 8 students with severe disabilities.
- Responsible for writing Eligibility Reviews and IEP development.
- Provided homebound instruction for medically fragile students after school contract hours.
- Accountable for maintaining accurate records of seizure activity.
- Responsible for daily communication with parents via phone and/or individual home/school communication notebooks.
- One of only 60 teachers chosen statewide as a Pilot Teacher to participate in the creation of the VAAP (Virginia Alternative Assessment Program) program.
- Integrated assistive technology for varying modes of communication, including basic Braille and sign language.
- Provided professional training in the VAAP program in Fairfax and Prince William Counties.
- Co-creator of the curriculum titled, 'Integrating Picture Symbols into the Early Childhood Curriculum' utilizing the BoardMaker program.
LEAD TEACHER - EARLY CHILDHOOD LEARNING
THE REHABILITATION INSTITUTE (The Children's Institute)
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
01.1996 - 06.1997
- Established, managed, and supervised a life-skills classroom for 8 special needs students with severe disabilities, grades K-5.
- Wrote and implemented IEPs for each student.
- Created developmentally appropriate lessons, learning centers, and skill-related games, focusing on sensory motor awareness, fine/gross motor skills, and language skills.
- Utilized varying modes of communication, including sign language, picture symbols, and computer interface integration, as well as no tech-high tech augmentative communication devices.
- Responsible for daily communication with parents via phone and/or individual home/school communication notebooks.
- One of only four Teaching Assistants promoted to Head Teacher position, and only one promoted within the first six (6) months of service.
EARLY CHILDHOOD TEACHER, TITLE I
PITTSBURGH PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
08.1993 - 01.1995
- Established, managed, and supervised classes of up to 32 students while facilitating a positive and safe learning environment for at-risk students.
- Implemented individual programs for students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and developed a proactive positive classroom community to expose at-risk students to positive school experiences.
- Established a student/parent Read Aloud Program.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Early Childhood and Special Education
Carlow College
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania05.1993
Skills
- Coaching and team leadership
- Personalized education goals
- Assistive technology proficiency
- Functional and Life Skills Curriculum
- Experience with Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Support for communication disorders
- Knowledge of physical disabilities
- Individualized Education Program (IEP) development
- Behavioral management
- Parent communication
- Vocational training
- Team collaboration
- Advocacy skills
- Lesson planning
- Assistive technology
Certification
- Pennsylvania Instructional II Certification, Mentally and/or Physically Handicapped K-12, Early Childhood N-3
- Virginia Collegiate Professional License, Early/Primary Education PREK-3, Severe Disabilities K-12, Intellectual Disabilities K-12, Specific Learning Disabilities K-12, Emotional Disturbances K-12
Timeline
LEAD TEACHER - MULTIPLE DISABILITIES SUPPORT (Secondary)
LINCOLN INTERMEDIATE UNIT 12
08.2019 - Current
LEAD TEACHER - SEVERE DISABILITIES
PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
08.2004 - 06.2019
LEAD TEACHER - MULTIPLE DISABILITIES
LOUDOUN COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
08.2001 - 06.2004
LEAD TEACHER - MODERATE AND SEVERE DISABILITIES
FAIRFAX COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
08.1997 - 06.2001
LEAD TEACHER - EARLY CHILDHOOD LEARNING
THE REHABILITATION INSTITUTE (The Children's Institute)
01.1996 - 06.1997
EARLY CHILDHOOD TEACHER, TITLE I
PITTSBURGH PUBLIC SCHOOLS
08.1993 - 01.1995
Bachelor of Arts - Early Childhood and Special Education
Carlow College