Susan Spiesz
Grand Island,NY
Summary
Passionate teacher dedicated to challenging students and guiding them toward excellence.
Dedicated and energetic teacher with expertise in lesson planning, classroom management, and fostering a positive learning environment. Experienced in teaching early childhood through higher education, including special education and deaf education. Skilled in supporting students with a range of abilities and applying behavior management strategies. Committed to helping young minds grow and achieve.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
3
3
Certification
Work History
Lead Teacher, Three-Year-Olds Classroom
Say Yes Buffalo Little Scholars
Buffalo, NY
08.2023 - 06.2024
- Provided a safe and stimulating learning environment for young children.
- Developed age-appropriate activities to encourage physical, social and intellectual development of children.
- Encouraged creativity through art, music, dramatic play and other creative activities.
- Fostered an atmosphere that encourages respect for all individuals regardless of gender, race or religion.
- Ensured compliance with relevant regulations such as health and safety standards.
- Assisted students with special needs by providing additional support when required.
UPK Teacher
Island Kids, Grand Island School District-Grand Island, NY
Grand Island, NY
08.2021 - 06.2022
- Incorporated developmentally appropriate and best practice strategies within the classroom to ensure a rich, meaningful curriculum and instruction
- Structured a learning environment that promoted child health, safety, and confidentiality
- Planned and led classroom instruction that was developmentally appropriate and met the needs of children
- Actively engaged with families to ensure parents/caregivers were knowledgeable about the child's program
- Implemented a developmentally appropriate daily schedule, including the incorporation of transitions and age-appropriate opportunities
- Implemented classroom rules and expectations to ensure a safe learning environment for all students.
- Used creative methods such as art projects and music integration to enhance student engagement.
- Adapted instructional materials and assessments according to individual needs.
Early Childhood Special Education Teacher
In-home/Hospital Instructor
BOCES-West Seneca, NY, Buffalo
09.2011 - Current
- Assess and evaluate students k-12
- Instruct students in elementary education and special education, off campus, based on individual learning needs
- Use a variety of teaching techniques to encourage student engagement
- Collaborate with teachers, therapists, and principals to support student growth, development, and learning
- Adapt and modify instruction to meet varying needs and abilities
- Engage in comprehensive and collaborative planning that meets curricular goals
- Create learning environments that enable all students to meet their full potential
- Provide ongoing communication with the parents/caregivers on a daily basis
Preschool Special Education Itinerant Teacher
ECMC Medical Center-Buffalo, NY
Buffalo, NY
08.2018 - 09.2023
- Provide SEIT services for children 3-5 year of age who are classified by their school district's Committee on Preschool Education (CPSE) as a preschooler with a disability
- Provide Individualized Education to meet the needs of each child
- Implement the child's Individualized Education Program (IEP)
- Implement, coordinate, and monitor the child's behavior management program
- Collaborate with preschool directors and teachers
- Coordinate the child's educational programs with teachers, therapists and parents
Adjunct Professor in Special Education Department
Buffalo State College-Buffalo, NY
Buffalo, NY
08.2018 - Current
- Instructor of undergraduate course: Foundations of Teaching Children with Disabilities
- Instructor of graduate level course: Instructional Strategies for Individuals with Mild Disabilities
- Developed and implemented course syllabi, lesson plans, and assessments.
- Facilitated active learning through class discussions, group activities, and individual projects.
- Provided constructive feedback on student assignments to promote student success.
Supervisor of Student Teachers in Elementary Education and Special Education
Buffalo State College-Buffalo, NY
Buffalo, NY
01.2018 - Current
- Supervisor of Student Teachers in Early Childhood, Elementary Education and Exceptional Education
- Develop a relationship with the teacher candidates and the mentor teachers
- Conduct teaching observations and offer experienced perspectives on overall classroom effectiveness, planning, instruction, assessment, classroom management and building relationships
- Engage the teacher candidates in professional reflection and provide final evaluative feedback on performance and assignments at the end of each placement
Preschool Special Education Teacher
Bloom Creative Arts-Buffalo, NY
Buffalo, NY
08.2022 - 08.2023
- Assess and evaluate individuals with developmental disabilities, to create programs that best meet their needs
- Developed Individual Education Plans for students with disabilities.
- Provided instruction in academic, communication, and social skills to special education students.
- Collaborated with other educators and professionals to design instructional plans.
- Adapted curriculum materials as needed to meet individualized student needs.
Instructor/Supervisor of Student Teachers
Canisius College-Buffalo, NY
Buffalo, NY
11.2011 - 06.2018
- Develop a relationship with the teacher candidates and the mentor teachers
- Conduct teaching observations and offer experienced perspectives on overall classroom effectiveness, planning, instruction, assessment, classroom management and building relationships
- Engage the teacher candidates in professional reflection and provide final evaluative feedback on performance and assignments at the end of each placement
TIES Coordinator
TIES-Grand Island, NY
Grand Island, NY
08.2016 - 01.2018
- Together Including Every Student
- Coordinator Starbridge TIES Program
- Grand Island, NY
- TIES Coordinator for Grand Island School District promoting the participation of children/young adults with developmental disabilities, in extracurricular and community activities by providing effective support
- Act as a resource for families to explore opportunities and activities available in their school and community
- Recruit and train peer volunteers
- Develop individual support plans with strategies on how to best support participants in activities
- Communicate and collaborate with activity leaders
Education
Master of Science - Early Childhood, Elementary Education, Special Education, and Deaf Education
Canisius College
Buffalo, NY05.1996
Bachelor of Science - Special Education/Elementary Education
Buffalo State College
Buffalo, NY01.1988
Skills
- Play-Based Learning
- Special Needs Support
- Social-emotional learning
- Classroom Organization
- Differentiated Instruction
- Group and individual instruction
- Classroom Management
Certification
- Permanent Teaching Certifications in Early Childhood, Elementary Education, Special Education, and Teacher of the Deaf and Hearing Impaired
- New York State Children's Program Administrators Credential (CPAC), which is an 18-credit-hour program. The program covers topics like child development, administration, and financial planning.
- OCFS-approved training that meets the federal minimum health and safety requirements.
- Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and First Aid
- Medication Administration Training (MAT)
Timeline
Lead Teacher, Three-Year-Olds Classroom
Say Yes Buffalo Little Scholars
08.2023 - 06.2024
Preschool Special Education Teacher
Bloom Creative Arts-Buffalo, NY
08.2022 - 08.2023
UPK Teacher
Island Kids, Grand Island School District-Grand Island, NY
08.2021 - 06.2022
Preschool Special Education Itinerant Teacher
ECMC Medical Center-Buffalo, NY
08.2018 - 09.2023
Adjunct Professor in Special Education Department
Buffalo State College-Buffalo, NY
08.2018 - Current
Supervisor of Student Teachers in Elementary Education and Special Education
Buffalo State College-Buffalo, NY
01.2018 - Current
TIES Coordinator
TIES-Grand Island, NY
08.2016 - 01.2018
Instructor/Supervisor of Student Teachers
Canisius College-Buffalo, NY
11.2011 - 06.2018
Early Childhood Special Education Teacher
In-home/Hospital Instructor
09.2011 - Current
Master of Science - Early Childhood, Elementary Education, Special Education, and Deaf Education
Canisius College
Bachelor of Science - Special Education/Elementary Education
Buffalo State College
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