Vanessa Smith
Fort Worth,TX
Summary
Dynamic Special Education Teacher with a proven track record at Everman ISD, skilled in IEP implementation and fostering strong relationships with students. Expert in behavior intervention plans, I effectively motivated students to achieve their goals while enhancing classroom integration and communication with parents. Committed to creating engaging learning environments for diverse learners.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Special Education Teacher
Everman ISD
08.2021 - Current
- Redirected students using Positive Behavior Support (PBS).
- Taught students across multiple classifications and degrees of special needs.
- Assisted struggling students to maintain progress levels by designing individualized lesson plans focused on areas for improvement.
- Partnered with standard education teachers from across academic departments.
- Collaborated with numerous departments and standard education teachers.
- Cultivated connections and strong student rapport to foster classroom engagement, in addition to recording student progress to inform parents and school administration.
- Delivered effective and differentiated classroom instruction to range of neurodiverse students.
- 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.
- Encouraged students to take ownership of learning by providing choices.
- Worked closely with parents and guardians to address students' issues on multiple fronts.
- Applied proven strategies to improve students' sensory- and perceptual-motor skills.
- Developed and implemented behavior management plans to improve student behavior.
- Maintained accurate records of student progress and attendance.
Inclusion Teacher
Crowley ISD
08.2019 - 05.2021
- Taught multiple subjects to students with intellectual or emotional disabilities.
- Led activities that developed students' physical, emotional, and social growth.
- Monitored student performance to evaluate effectiveness of instructional strategies.
- Developed Individual Education Plans for students with special needs.
- Conducted assessments of students to determine individual needs.
- Mentored new teachers on student progress monitoring and legal document preparation.
- Taught students across multiple classifications and degrees of special needs.
- Partnered with standard education teachers from across academic departments.
Resource Reading and Math Teacher
Crowley ISD
08.2017 - 05.2019
- Kept classroom environments consistent and focused on learning by establishing and enforcing clear objectives.
- Diversified teaching techniques and learning tools help students with differing ability levels and varied learning modalities.
- Provided meaningful math instruction to improve math and reading skills of children.
- Mentored students on individual basis to help develop math skills.
- Adjusted teaching strategies to meet diverse requirements of individualized support plans.
- Prepared and implemented lesson plans covering required course topics.
- Assessed submitted class assignments, determined grades, and reviewed work with struggling students to boost success chance.
- Encouraged critical thinking and problem-solving to help students develop mathematical and reading reasoning.
- Created detailed syllabus to outline teaching methods, learning objectives, and exam dates.
- Provided additional support for students with special needs and learning disabilities.
Special Education Behavior Classroom
Crowley ISD
08.2015 - 05.2017
- Worked with related services such as counselors and occupational and speech therapists to develop individual interventions and strategies to support academic achievement.
- Demonstrated consistent use of reflective listening and conflict resolution techniques to support development of coping skills.
- Engaged with students on consistent basis by verbally and non-verbally interacting during structured and unstructured activities.
- Completed monthly progress notes and report cards.
- Improved behaviors through modeling, role-playing and other effective strategies.
- Developed intervention plans based on established guidelines and individual needs.
- Mediated conflicts through structured sessions.
- Completed observations of students in classroom and social situations.
- Designed individual education plans to encourage student growth according to different learning abilities and needs.
- Provided emotional support to students and families.
- Helped students with special needs integrate into general classroom environments by advocating for individual requirements and helping teachers solve problems.
Special Education - Content Mastery
Crowley ISD
09.2014 - 05.2015
- Mentored and tutored individual students needing additional help.
- Encouraged small groups to discuss topics and explore concepts through hands-on activities.
- Developed materials for classroom teachers to support instruction, lab work or in-class activities.
- Copied, organized and distributed classroom assignments or other paperwork.
Reading Teacher
Harmony Public Schools
03.2013 - 05.2014
- Assessed and reported on each student's reading progress in accordance with policies developed by school district.
- Created positive and engaging environment in classroom that encouraged literacy skills.
- Interpreted student assessment data to ascertain best intervention methods.
- Affirmatively communicated and promoted positive attitude with each and every student.
- Promoted love of reading and literacy to all students.
- Contacted parents to discuss student progress and notify about class issues.
- Monitored student performance to evaluate effectiveness of instructional strategies.
Education
Master of Arts - Special Education: Autism Spectrum Disorders
Grand Canyon University
Phoenix, AZ05-2025
Bachelor of Arts - Social Sciences With A Concentration in Education
Ashford University
San Diego, CA06-2011
Skills
- IEP and BIP implementation
- Excellent classroom management
- Conflict resolution techniques
- Motivating students
- IEP implementation
- Head teacher support
- Individual education plans IEPs
- Parent communications
- Classroom integration
- Positive role model
- Relationship building
- Data collection
- Behavior intervention plans
- Small group instruction
- Lesson planning
Certification
Generalist 4th - 8th
SPED K-12
Timeline
Special Education Teacher
Everman ISD
08.2021 - Current
Inclusion Teacher
Crowley ISD
08.2019 - 05.2021
Resource Reading and Math Teacher
Crowley ISD
08.2017 - 05.2019
Special Education Behavior Classroom
Crowley ISD
08.2015 - 05.2017
Special Education - Content Mastery
Crowley ISD
09.2014 - 05.2015
Reading Teacher
Harmony Public Schools
03.2013 - 05.2014
Master of Arts - Special Education: Autism Spectrum Disorders
Grand Canyon University
Bachelor of Arts - Social Sciences With A Concentration in Education
Ashford University
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