Tracy A. Gray
Special Education Teacher
Jacksboro,TX
Summary
Dedicated Educator adept at working with teachers and educational professionals to improve the learning environment, instruction, and curriculum. Well-versed in childhood education strategies. Focused education professional with master's degree in curriculum and instruction and experience helping students and teachers achieve education goals. Talented at building lasting relationships and partnering with others to meet objectives. Committed educator with strengths in educational planning and childhood guidance. Collaborated with teachers and administrators to improve student understanding of material and provide better teaching methods.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
3
3
years of post-secondary education
5
5
Certificates
Work History
Elementary Life Skills Teacher, Handle With Care Trainer
Jacksboro
Jacksboro, TX
08.2022 - 09.2023
- Establish and maintain a professional relationship and open communication with parents, students, teachers, colleagues, and community members
- Provide input to teacher and parents regarding academic, behavior, and social emotional learning
- Advocate for LRE
- Encouraged collaboration with general educators to implement and adjust accommodations and modifications as per IEP’s including informing general educators about the effect of disabilities on access to education and the educational needs of learners with disabilities
- Created and implemented a Community Based Instructional Curriculum (CBI) for our elementary students
- Trains teachers in mental health of students and staff, along with trauma and best practices.
- Performed continuous evaluations of content and plans to enhance delivery and improve effectiveness.
- Contributed to reductions in employee turnover by revamping training programs.
- Coordinated special education students and teacher assistant schedules with master schedule.
- Provided professional development training to educate faculty and staff on laws and regulations governing special education.
Special Education/504 Coordinator
Archer City ISD
Archer City , TX
08.2020 - 07.2022
- Establish and maintain a professional relationship and open communication with parents, students, teachers, colleagues, and community members
- Provide input to teacher and parents regarding academic, behavior, and social emotional learning
- Assist in evaluating the intellectual, emotional, and behavioral functioning of referred students and to determine student eligibility for special education services according to federal and state regulations
- Train and support teachers and staff on trauma-informed practices, social emotional learning, de escalation techniques, and local/state/federal laws and guidelines driving our daily practices
- Involved in the planning, facilitating, and leading change among diverse stakeholder groups through our
- HRS Leadership Team.
- Entered data, generated reports, and produced tracking documents.
- Provided professional development training to educate faculty and staff on laws and regulations governing special education.
Behavior Specialist
Wichita Falls ISD
Wichita Falls, TX
08.2016 - 07.2020
- Provided campus support and interventions for students, teachers, support staff, and administrators to better instruct students with behavior plans
- Coordinated and supported our BASE program and all BAC classrooms on my assigned campuses
- Worked with teachers to provide alternative accommodations and/or modifications for assignments and testing in the general education classroom
- Enhanced teacher efforts to work with parents, learners, facilitators, advocates and specialists to develop and implement improvement of accommodations/modifications to create greater access to general education instruction
- Encouraged collaboration with general educators to implement and adjust accommodations and modifications as per IEP’s including informing general educators about the effect of disabilities on access to education and the educational needs of learners with disabilities
- Helped develop alternative assignments and activities to fulfill course standards for learners with disabilities
- Attended professional meetings, educational conferences, and teacher training workshops to maintain and improve professional intervention competence
- Provide staff development in areas such as disability awareness, diversified instruction, behavioral interventions, trauma, resilience, and inclusive instruction.
- Designed and recorded teacher surveys to accurately determine professional development needs and strategies.
- Created and implemented department support framework to address strategic goals.
- Utilized positive reinforcement to maximize desired behavior and educational outcomes.
- Informed parents of evaluation methods used to guide instruction and document progress.
- Partnered with administrative leadership to improve discipline practices based on data findings.
- Consulted regular education classroom teachers to develop curriculum modifications and intervention strategies.
- Provided professional development training to educate faculty and staff on laws and regulations governing special education.
TLC Teacher, BAC Teacher
Tulia ISD
Tulia, TX
08.2013 - 05.2016
- Contained classroom for the severe and profound
- Created and taught a BAC room for student in need
- LAMP trained and implemented within my classroom with a specific student (1 out of 3 in the
- Pandhandle showcased at Region 16)
- Collaborated with administration, teachers, and parents transitioning students out of district, from home, and/or from school to school
- Created and implemented behavior and transition plans
- Created and implemented social stories and picture symbol schedules
- Headed up Title I parent night – Polar Express
- Incorporated exciting and engaging activities to achieve student participation and hands-on learning.
- Kept students on-task with proactive behavior modification and positive reinforcement strategies.
- Incorporated multiple types of teaching strategies into classroom.
- Worked cooperatively with other teachers, administrators, and parents to help students reach learning objectives.
- Supported student teachers by mentoring on classroom management, lesson planning, and activity organization.
LEAP (Language Education Autism Program) Teacher
Garland ISD, Back Elementary
Rowlett, TX
08.2012 - 07.2013
- LEAP (Language Education Autism Program), Grades 1st-5th, Contained Classroom for 9 boys with Autism
- Conducted evaluations to measure performance and progress of students, providing guidance for areas requiring improvement.
- Developed and administered tests for students to measure academic proficiency and understanding.
- Delivered effective and differentiated classroom instruction to range of neurodiverse students.
- Instructed students with physical and cognitive disabilities.
- Created and implemented behavior and transition plans
- Created and implemented picture symbol schedules and social stories
- Collaborated with General Ed teachers on behavior plans and lesson plans
- Incorporated multiple types of teaching strategies into classroom.
- Created and managed IEPs to define student learning objectives and educational strategies, in addition to applying instructional knowledge and methods to support goals.
- Taught multiple subjects to students with intellectual or emotional disabilities.
- Worked with students with moderate to severe autism to increase life skills.
- Coordinated regular meetings to share and analyze student performance data and success plans with colleagues and parents.
Special Education Teacher
Rylie Family Faith Academy, Inspired Vision Academy
Dallas, TX
08.2010 - 07.2012
- Partnered with standard education teachers from across academic departments.
- Modified general education curriculum for special-needs students using various instructional techniques and technologies.
- Assisted struggling students to maintain progress levels by designing individualized lesson plans focused on areas for improvement.
- Cultivated connections and strong student rapport to foster classroom engagement, in addition to recording student progress to inform parents and school administration.
- Created and managed IEPs to define student learning objectives and educational strategies, in addition to applying instructional knowledge and methods to support goals.
- Taught students across multiple classifications and degrees of special needs.
- Redirected students using Positive Behavior Support (PBS).
- Maintained accurate records of student progress and attendance.
- Utilized technology to create meaningful lessons that engage students.
- Facilitated small group instruction to address individual learning needs.
- Mentored new teachers on student progress monitoring and legal document preparation.
Sixth Grade ELAR Teacher
Trinity Independent School District
Trinity, TX
08.2009 - 07.2010
- For Special Education Students in grades PreK – 5th
- Active participant in the ARD Committees
- Created and implemented original lesson plans
- Actively participated in grade-level planning and curriculum discussions
- Advocate for special education students and the laws that protect them
- Evaluated academic skills of each student through verbal assessments, graded assignments and standardized tests.
- Administered assessments and standardized tests to evaluate student progress.
- Led interesting and diverse group activities to engage students in course material.
- Utilized multimedia strategies and technology to convey information in fresh and interesting ways.
- Prepared and implemented lesson plans covering required course topics.
- Worked with administrators on behavioral issues to support needs of students.
- Supported student skill development in alignment with personal and academic goals.
- Promoted effective verbal and written communication through listening, speaking, reading and writing practice.
- Utilized group and hands-on learning experiences for proficient teacher evaluation score.
- Communicated with parents and guardians regarding student progress and behavioral issues.
- Implemented differentiated instruction to meet needs of diverse learners.
- Planned and supervised class projects, field trips and visits by guest speakers.
- Established positive rapport with all students and parents through home calls, emails and Parent Teacher Club.
Special Education Resource Teacher
Abilene Independent School District, Fannin Elementary
Abilene, TX
08.2004 - 05.2009
- Introduced and implemented the LeapFrog LeapTrack system
- Lead Special Education Teacher for 4 years
- A member of the Response to Intervention Team
- Introduced and implemented the Thinking Maps
- Developed IEP for individual students within the special education program
- Assisted struggling students to maintain progress levels by designing individualized lesson plans focused on areas for improvement.
- Taught students in self-contained and resource environments.
- Created and managed IEPs to define student learning objectives and educational strategies, in addition to applying instructional knowledge and methods to support goals.
- Cultivated connections and strong student rapport to foster classroom engagement, in addition to recording student progress to inform parents and school administration.
- Redirected students using Positive Behavior Support (PBS).
- Taught multiple subjects to students with intellectual or emotional disabilities.
- Delivered effective and differentiated classroom instruction to range of neurodiverse students.
- Partnered with general education teachers from across academic departments.
- Coordinated special education students and teacher assistant schedules with master schedule.
- Provided professional development training to educate faculty and staff on laws and regulations governing special education.
- Mentored new teachers on student progress monitoring and legal document preparation.
Resource Teacher
Winters Independent School District
Winters, TX
08.2002 - 05.2004
- Introduced and implemented the FACES program within the classroom
- Created three week progress reports for special education students and their teachers
- UIL Coach for Ready Writing
- Active member in all ARD decisions and meetings
- In-Home trainer
- Created and managed IEPs to define student learning objectives and educational strategies, in addition to applying instructional knowledge and methods to support goals.
- Taught students across multiple classifications and degrees of special needs.
- Applied proven strategies to improve students' sensory- and perceptual-motor skills.
- Developed Individual Education Plans for students with special needs.
- Provided professional development training to educate faculty and staff on laws and regulations governing special education.
- Monitored student performance to evaluate effectiveness of instructional strategies.
Student Teacher
Tyler Independent School District
, TX
01.2002 - 05.2002
- Worked with classroom teacher to learn about current standards and best practices.
- Designed lessons on for students using various teaching methods and modern classroom technologies.
- Monitored classrooms for safety and good behavior, offering students positive reinforcement to maintain discipline.
- Developed lesson plans that incorporated mandated topics and included immersive activities for student engagement.
Education
Masters in Education - Education Curriculum and Instruction, Trauma and Resilience
University of Portland
Portland, OR 01.2019 - 01.2020
Bachelor of Science - Interdisciplinary Studies and English, Special Education
The University of Texas
Tyler, TX 08.2000 - 05.2002
Skills
Time management
undefinedCertification
Elementary English 1-8
Timeline
Field Supervisor Observation Certified
09-2023
Elementary Life Skills Teacher, Handle With Care Trainer
Jacksboro
08.2022 - 09.2023
Special Education/504 Coordinator
Archer City ISD
08.2020 - 07.2022
Elementary English 1-8
01-2020
Elementary Self-Contained 1-8
01-2020
Generic Special Education PK-12
01-2020
English as a Second Language PK-12
01-2020
Masters in Education - Education Curriculum and Instruction, Trauma and Resilience
University of Portland
01.2019 - 01.2020
Behavior Specialist
Wichita Falls ISD
08.2016 - 07.2020
TLC Teacher, BAC Teacher
Tulia ISD
08.2013 - 05.2016
LEAP (Language Education Autism Program) Teacher
Garland ISD, Back Elementary
08.2012 - 07.2013
Special Education Teacher
Rylie Family Faith Academy, Inspired Vision Academy
08.2010 - 07.2012
Sixth Grade ELAR Teacher
Trinity Independent School District
08.2009 - 07.2010
Special Education Resource Teacher
Abilene Independent School District, Fannin Elementary
08.2004 - 05.2009
Resource Teacher
Winters Independent School District
08.2002 - 05.2004
Student Teacher
Tyler Independent School District
01.2002 - 05.2002
Bachelor of Science - Interdisciplinary Studies and English, Special Education
The University of Texas
08.2000 - 05.2002
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