TAYLOR BROWN
Chicago,IL
Summary
Passionate and results-driven Special Education professional with a strong commitment to supporting the academic, emotional, and behavioral development of students with diverse needs. Experienced across various educational settings, including Severe/Profound Intellectual Disabilities (SID/PID), Moderate Intellectual Disabilities (MOID), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and social/functional skills k-12 and transition programs. Proven leadership in team coordination and progress monitoring to deliver comprehensive, student-centered outcomes. Recognized for excellent communication skills, a patient and empathetic approach, and the ability to foster positive, structured, and collaborative learning environments.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
OSD School Assignment Specialist
Chicago Public Schools
07.2024 - Current
- Collaborate with the School Assignment Manager to implement, support, and facilitate adherence to OSD School Assignment procedures
- Collaborate with Citywide Assessment Teams (CATs) and school-based staff to receive and process school assignment requests in compliance with federal and state regulations
- Review Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) or 504 Plans of any student with a school assignment request to determine appropriate placement
- Assist school administration and staff with any requests for assistance and/or troubleshooting any issues regarding current school assignments requiring attention or revision
- Collaborate effectively with departments across CPS regarding School Assignment needs, for example:
- Work closely with the Office Access & Enrollment to process assignments and determinations made through the school placement lottery system
- Communicate with parents, case managers, teachers, and school administration regarding students’ school assignment needs
- Partner with colleagues in OSD (i.e., District Representatives and Related Service Provider Managers) to make decisions regarding appropriate school assignments, discuss new programs, and troubleshoot any challenging issues at the school level
- Regularly access and review reports in CPS Student Services Management (SSM) systems (e.g., Students waiting for School Assignments) as needed to ensure appropriate action is taken and legal requirements regarding school assignments timelines are met
LEA ( Local Educational Agency) Representative
Atlanta Public School System
09.2023 - 08.2024
- Represented educational program at meetings and conferences to serve as subject matter liaison for array of services and activities assigned.
- Facilitated IEP meetings by using family-centered, strength-based approach.
- Supported general education teachers and administrators in implementing strategies to meet needs of diverse learning students.
- Interpreted and analyzed academic data to maintain student development and retention.
- Coached and observed regional teachers to improve teaching techniques.
- Evaluated special education staff through classroom observation, feedback and recommendations.
- Collaborated with other educators to develop instructional strategies.
- Developed Individual Education Plans for students with special needs.
Autism Teacher| Case Manager
Atlanta Public School System
05.2021 - 08.2024
- Conducts periodic progress monitoring to address adequate yearly progress and school targets within IEP compliance
- Created and managed IEPs to define student learning objectives and educational strategies, in addition to applying instructional knowledge and methods to support goals.
- Collaborate with service providers such as OT,SLP,PT, medical personnel
- Assists in completing Functional Behavioral Analysis (FBAs) and Behavioral Intervention Plans (BIP)s as needed
- Participates in standardized testing training and administration as required
- Facilitate trainings
- Maintains student confidentiality and monitors confidential files for students with disabilities
- Fostered positive relationships with students, parents and personnel to facilitate program growth and ensure positive learning outcomes as an engagement team member
- Facilitated functional life skills development in students with autism through explicit instruction and repetition to entrench skills
- Worked closely with team members to deliver project requirements, develop solutions and meet deadlines
Harper Archer Elementary
05.2020 - 07.2021
- Provides small group and/or individualized instruction to students in accordance with the intervention from the RTI/SST Specialist
- Assures that any special circumstances or requirements have been addressed for all students on case load
- Provides quality instruction/services to special education students based on IEPs
- Conducts periodic progress monitoring to address adequate yearly progress and school targets
- Provides testing accommodations/modifications on all classroom assessments
- Maintains student confidentiality and monitors confidential files for students with disabilities
- Fostered positive relationships with students, parents and personnel to facilitate program growth and ensure positive learning outcomes as an engagement team member
- Facilitated functional life skills development in students with autism through explicit instruction and repetition to entrench skills
- Worked closely with team members to deliver project requirements, develop solutions and meet deadlines
Jacobs Ladder Center
09.2018 - 12.2018
- Work alongside with teachers in variety settings with student with disabilities
- Observe and assist with implementing gross motor work, sensory and academic activities
- Filed necessary paperwork and performed duties asked of me
- Learned about various forms of therapy and strategies
- Mentored by certified clinicians
- Conducted 1-1 individual classroom activities with students based on differentiated learning needs
- Respite
Ala Costa Centers Inc
02.2016 - 07.2017
- Implemented lessons and activities for mild to severely disabled students ages 5-22 years old
- Focused on developing students' physical, emotional and social growth
- Attended IEP meetings/ worked on extended goals with students
- 1:1 support to achieve communication acquisition, self-regulation and sensory integration
- Communicated to nonverbal children to provide them with comfort, encouragement and positive reinforcement.
Education
Master of Arts - Special Education- Adapted
Georgia State University
05.2021
Bachelor of Arts - Educational Studies- Early Childhood Development
Clark Atlanta University
07.2019
Associates of Arts Transfer Degree - Early Childhood Education
College Of Alameda
05.2017
Skills
- Life and Functional Skills Curriculums
- Technology (MS office/virtual platforms proficient)
- Maintaining accurate records and confidentiality
- Culturally Responsive Teaching and implementation
- Collaboration with teams
- Supervision and leadership
- Interpersonal and Communication skills
- Differentiated learning techniques
- IEP/FBA/BIP/504 processes
- Conflict Resolution
- SIR (special incident report writing)
- AAC/ Assistive Technology certified
- Project Direction
- Personnel Training and Development
- Health and Safety Procedures
Additional Trainings
- Special Education Preschool (Ages 3-5, Social Work Services: Child Abuse - Suicide - Homeless In-Service)
- Planning for and Providing Specially Designed Instruction (SDI) in the Virtual Classroom Certified
- Title I Parent & Family Engagement Professional Development Series
- Cybersecurity Culture Program
- DCFS: Mandated Reporter
- PCC: Protecting Chicago's Children
- Suicide Prevention and Awareness
- Title VI of the Civil Right Act
- Bystander Intervention
- Cybersecurity Culture & Training
- IDHR: Illinois Department of Human Rights
- EOCO: Non Discrimination Harassment, and Retaliation Training
- District Records Management and Retention
Affiliations
- Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc.
- Black Graduate Alliance
Certification
- LBS1
- K-12 Literacy endorsement
- CPI (Crisis Prevention Certified)/Mindset Certified)
Timeline
OSD School Assignment Specialist
Chicago Public Schools
07.2024 - Current
LEA ( Local Educational Agency) Representative
Atlanta Public School System
09.2023 - 08.2024
Autism Teacher| Case Manager
Atlanta Public School System
05.2021 - 08.2024
Harper Archer Elementary
05.2020 - 07.2021
Jacobs Ladder Center
09.2018 - 12.2018
Ala Costa Centers Inc
02.2016 - 07.2017
Bachelor of Arts - Educational Studies- Early Childhood Development
Clark Atlanta University
Associates of Arts Transfer Degree - Early Childhood Education
College Of Alameda
Master of Arts - Special Education- Adapted
Georgia State University
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