Tiarnan Fortes
Portland,OR
Summary
I am currently placed and teaching in Chapman Elementary School's Learning Resource Center as a Special Education Teacher Candidate. I am pursuing my Special Education teaching licensure at Portland State University (generalist license grade K- 21) and will be graduating June 16, 2024.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Full Time Student Teaching
Chapman Elementary
04.2024 - Current
- Collaborate with external service providers, general education teachers, administrators, and other staff to support the inclusion and success of students with special needs
- Manage schedules for push-in, pull-in instruction, train and delegate tasks, and provide professional support and guidance to paraprofessionals working in the classroom
- Meet the diverse learning needs of students through Specially Designed Instruction that uses curriculum programs aligned with Common Core State Standards
- Coordinate and facilitate annual and 3-year evaluation IEP meetings, the intake and evaluation process for incoming kindergarteners, and referral process for students suspected of having disabilities
- Implement behavior management strategies to address behavioral challenges and support positive student behavior and promote social, emotional, and academic growth
- Utilize assistive technology and other resources to enhance student learning and accessibility
- Administer and oversee paperwork processes using Synergy, Adobe Acrobat Sign, and Google Forms related to special education services and stakeholders in order to ensure legal compliance.
Private Tutor/ Special Education Consultant
Self Contract
06.2022 - Current
- Private tutoring services that include: executive functioning skills, organization, self-advocacy, self-determination, life-skills, study-skills, transition planning, high school level writing and professional writing for post-high school
- Work collaboratively to support transition planning and post-secondary exploration for high-school age students, so they are able to pursue their desired life goals when they graduate (e.g
- Career, college education, living circumstances)
- Communicate with parents via their preferred method after every tutoring session (always including progress monitoring data), and discuss with them any concerns or things they would like addressed in future sessions
- I keep an open line of communication with parents and they know they can reach out to me whenever they need to throughout the week to discuss their child
- Consultant to parents that are seeking Special Education services within private or public school system and expertise on Special Education laws pertaining to both Individualized Education Program (IEPs) and 504 Plans
- Behavioral assessment and intervention for students to develop more socially appropriate and adaptive replacement behaviors
- Mission to educate and support clients so that over time they no longer need my services and can become independent in the skills taught to them.
Student Teaching Practicum
Lincoln High School
01.2021 - 03.2023
- Taught students eligible for special education services in Lincoln High School's resource room (e.g
- Autism Spectrum Disorder, Intellectual Disability, Dyslexia, Emotional Behavior Disability)
- Modified, created, and taught writing, mathematics, executive functioning skills and social-skills lessons in small groups of 1-3 students
- Created individualized lessons for students and tailored them to meet students' academic, social and behavioral goals in their Individualized Education Plan (legal contract between the school, family and student) and their General Education classes
- Worked with my Lincoln High School cooperating teacher to improve my instruction and maximize student learning time
- Attended Individualized Education plan meetings and contributed to formal documents in students' records
- Performed informal assessments to track student progress towards and keep them on track to meet grade level standards.
Instructional Assistant Behavioral Classroom Grade K-3
David Douglas School District #40
08.2018 - 09.2021
- Taught reading, writing, mathematics, art and social skills in small groups of 1-3 students in person and during the pandemic's Comprehensive Distance Learning and Hybrid learning model
- Progress monitored and maintained an open dialogue with Special Education team about student progress so we could set consistent expectations as a team for students and determine next steps for instruction and intervention
- Passionately implemented positive behavioral interventions, so students could meet their goals outlined in their Individualized Education Program (IEP)
- Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) Certified
- Calmly initiated room clears to ensure students' safety, and helped students de-escalate during an escalation
- Created 6 feet long murals of social emotional skills and the school's common language to foster community and beautify the school.
Visual Art SUN School Teacher Grade K-5
Sun School
09.2019 - 04.2021
- Created the first at home DIY SUN Art classes, so students could continue to create art during the pandemic
- Organized and coordinated with Mill Park Elementary's SUN team, so students could have lessons and supplies dropped off to them
- Taught art using a variety of media (ex
- Clay, Papier-mâché, alcohol and water-based marker, painting, found objects) to students after school
- Differentiated art lessons for a range of skill levels and ages (K-5)
Nanny
Self Contractor
12.2017 - 06.2018
- Cared full time for two children starting ages 2 and a half and 4
- Created fun daily art projects using household items to encourage creativity, resourcefulness, and demonstrate creative upcycling
- Communicated children's needs, accomplishments, challenges, and demeanor to caregivers.
Nanny/Babysitter
Self Contractor
06.2015 - 06.2017
- Helped raise 2 children starting ages infant and 2 and half years old
- Tracked child's progress and goals while working with the Speech Therapist, Nurse, and Occupational therapist
- Thoroughly attended to the child's medical needs, and updated parents daily.
Education
Bachelor of Science in Special Education -
Portland State University
Portland, ORSkills
- Friendly, Positive Attitude
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- Problem-Solving
- Computer Skills
- Calm Under Pressure
- Flexible and Adaptable
- Dependable and Responsible
- Attention to Detail
Certification
- Crisis Prevention Intervention Training
- CPR Certification, 09/2023 - 09/2025
- First Aid Certification, 09/2023 - 09/2025
Timeline
Full Time Student Teaching
Chapman Elementary
04.2024 - Current
Private Tutor/ Special Education Consultant
Self Contract
06.2022 - Current
Student Teaching Practicum
Lincoln High School
01.2021 - 03.2023
Visual Art SUN School Teacher Grade K-5
Sun School
09.2019 - 04.2021
Instructional Assistant Behavioral Classroom Grade K-3
David Douglas School District #40
08.2018 - 09.2021
Nanny
Self Contractor
12.2017 - 06.2018
Nanny/Babysitter
Self Contractor
06.2015 - 06.2017
Bachelor of Science in Special Education -
Portland State University