Tressa Nelson
Grand Junction,CO
Summary
Dedicated educator with strong classroom management and lesson planning skills. Committed to fostering a supportive learning environment and building relationships that enhance student success.
Overview
38
38
years of professional experience
Work History
Special Education Teacher
Mesa County School District 51
Grand Junction, CO
10.2021 - Current
- Created and managed IEPs to define student learning objectives and educational strategies, in addition to applying instructional knowledge and methods to support goals
- Modified general education curriculum for special-needs students using various instructional techniques and technologies
- Developed and executed behavioral intervention plans, leading to decrease in disruptive behaviors and increase in classroom participation
- Improved reading fluency and comprehension among students with learning disabilities by designing and delivering targeted literacy activities
- Provided targeted instructional support to struggling learners, identifying specific areas for improvement and designing effective intervention plans
- Evaluated student performance through assessments, adjusting instructional methods as needed
- Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities focused on evidence-based practices in special education teaching methodologies
- Cultivated connections and strong student rapport to foster classroom engagement, in addition to recording student progress to inform parents and school administration.
- Coordinated with general education teachers to develop accommodations or modifications necessary for successful inclusion of students with special needs in mainstream classrooms
- Coordinated special education students' schedule with master schedule
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to support student development and progress monitoring
- Advocated for necessary resources and accommodations to promote inclusive classroom environments
- Advocated for rights and needs of students with special education requirements, ensuring access to appropriate resources and accommodations.
Classroom Teacher
Mesa County School District 51
Grand Junction, CO
08.1988 - 08.2021
- Developed and implemented engaging lesson plans aligned with curriculum standards
- Managed classroom behavior effectively by establishing clear expectations, modeling appropriate conduct, and consistently enforcing established rules and consequences
- Maintained accurate records of student progress, attendance, and behavior to facilitate ongoing communication with parents about their child''s educational journey
- Advocated for student needs by collaborating with parents, administrators, and support staff to ensure success
- Developed strong relationships with students, parents, and colleagues by maintaining open lines of communication and fostering a supportive learning environment
- Scheduled conferences with parents to discuss students' progress and classroom behavior
- Participated in department meetings to provide input to colleagues about student achievement and improvement
- Implemented differentiated instruction strategies, ensuring all students were able to access the curriculum and make progress in their learning
- Boosted student confidence through consistent encouragement and positive reinforcement, fostering a supportive learning environment
- Conducted small group interventions for struggling learners, providing targeted support that led to increased academic achievement
- Helped students develop self-esteem and life skills by fostering healthy conflict-resolution, critical thinking, and communication
- Served as a team leader for grade-level initiatives, coordinating efforts among faculty members to achieve shared goals related to curriculum and instruction improvement
- Mentored new teachers entering the profession and provided constructive feedback on their teaching methods, promoting growth within the school community
Education
Master of Arts - Special Education: Moderate Needs K-6
University of Northern Colorado
Greeley05-1995
Bachelor of Arts - Elementary Education
Mesa State College
Grand Junction, Colorado05-1988
Skills
- Classroom management
- Relationship building
- Critical thinking
- Lesson planning
- Strong foundation in teaching reading and math
- Case managing special education students
Timeline
Special Education Teacher
Mesa County School District 51
10.2021 - Current
Classroom Teacher
Mesa County School District 51
08.1988 - 08.2021
Master of Arts - Special Education: Moderate Needs K-6
University of Northern Colorado
Bachelor of Arts - Elementary Education
Mesa State College
Professional Development
- MTSS Individual Problem-Solving & Planning for Positive Behavior & Pertinent Special Education Law
- Getting Started with Bridges Intervention
- Bridges in Mathematics: Getting Started Workshop Grade 4
- CLDE: Socially Just Classrooms for All
- A Think-Tank Using Lucy Calkins Reading Units of Study to Create a Student Responsive Environ. (4-5)