Vira Derrick
Hyattsville,MD
Summary
Versatile and dedicated Special Education Teacher with focus on individual needs of special education students. Empathetic and accommodating in design and implementation of hands-on lessons. Exceptional skills working with teachers, parents and specialists to meet educational needs of students. Certified and licensed in the state of Maryland
Overview
31
31
years of professional experience
Work History
Special Education Teacher
Prince George County Public Schools
Upper Marlboro, MD
08.2019 - Current
- Delivered effective and differentiated classroom instruction to range of neurodiverse students.
- Modified general education curriculum for special-needs students using various instructional techniques and technologies.
- Cultivated connections and strong student rapport to foster classroom engagement, in addition to recording student progress to inform parents and school administration.
- Completed intensive leadership training and provided training to colleagues on applied behavior analysis.
- Worked with students with moderate to severe autism to increase life skills.
- Coordinated special education students and teacher assistant schedules with master schedule.
- Instructed students in core academic areas and specialized reading groups.
- Taught reading, language arts and social sciences in self-contained ED and LD classroom.
- Taught students across multiple classifications and degrees of special needs.
- Created and managed IEPs to define student learning objectives and educational strategies, in addition to applying instructional knowledge and methods to support goals.
- Provided life skills programming for students with moderate to severe autism.
Dedicated Aide
Prince George County Public Schools
Upper Marlboro, MD
01.2018 - 08.2019
- Provided continuous care, support and attention to assigned students.
- Reinforced teacher's instruction with personalized assistance.
- Worked with teaching staff and administrators to optimize student assistance and schedules.
- Adhered to plan outlines and monitored progress against IEP objectives.
Substitute Teacher
Prince George County Public Schools
Upper Marlboro, MD
10.2014 - 01.2018
- Took over class for regular classroom teacher, managing assignments, student needs and recordkeeping.
- Kept students on-task with proactive behavior modification and positive reinforcement strategies.
- Upheld classroom routines to support student environments and maintain consistent schedules.
- Followed classroom plans left by class teacher to continue student education and reinforce core concepts.
- Worked with principal's office on disciplinary and safety issues.
- Provided instruction for students in core subject areas.
- Kept accurate and current attendance records and assignment sheets to maintain file compliance.
- Supervised lunchroom and recess activities.
- Maintained day-to-day classroom management and discipline to promote learning initiatives.
Instructional Assistant
Richland School District One
Columbia, SC
02.2012 - 05.2012
- Recorded grades for coursework and tests in online reporting system.
- Collated classroom materials to help teachers prepare for daily instruction and activities.
- Assessed student assignments to check quality and completeness before submission for grading.
- Organized and guided skills practice, research and memorization tasks for students.
- Provided support to help students with special needs learn and grow.
- Used behavior modeling and specialized teaching techniques to share and reinforce social skills.
- Provided support during classes, group lessons and classroom activities.
- Delivered curriculum in both one-on-one lessons and group learning environments.
- Assisted with school field trips and special events by collecting permission slips and payments.
- Administered and graded homework assignments and tests.
Instructional Assistant
Richland School District One
Columbia, SC
08.2010 - 05.2011
- Recorded grades for coursework and tests in online reporting system.
- Collated classroom materials to help teachers prepare for daily instruction and activities.
- Assessed student assignments to check quality and completeness before submission for grading.
- Organized and guided skills practice, research and memorization tasks for students.
- Provided support to help students with special needs learn and grow.
- Helped teachers manage bus loading and unloading.
Substitute Teacher
Richland School District One
Columbia, SC
08.2009 - 05.2010
- Took over class for regular classroom teacher, managing assignments, student needs and recordkeeping.
- Kept students on-task with proactive behavior modification and positive reinforcement strategies.
- Upheld classroom routines to support student environments and maintain consistent schedules.
- Followed classroom plans left by class teacher to continue student education and reinforce core concepts.
Substitute Teacher
Lexington School District One
Lexington, SC
08.2008 - 01.2010
- Took over class for regular classroom teacher, managing assignments, student needs and recordkeeping.
- Kept students on-task with proactive behavior modification and positive reinforcement strategies.
- Upheld classroom routines to support student environments and maintain consistent schedules.
- Followed classroom plans left by class teacher to continue student education and reinforce core concepts.
Special Needs Program Manager
United Cerebal Palsy
Lexington, SC
01.2004 - 01.2008
- Assist adults with living skills.
- Assist adults with medication skills
- Supervised four group homes with a total of sixteen special needs adults and twenty staff.
- Complete assessments to established goals for living, money, medication skills.
- Weekly checks of all medications and monies for food, and for adults living in the homes.
Specials Needs Program Manager
Babcock Center
Columbia, SC
09.1986 - 02.2003
- Provide adults with skills to do jobs outside of program.
- Provide supervision for one hundred special need adults and fifty staff members .
- Responsible for assessing adults with VACG inventories to measure accomplishments and provide progress reports.
- Established and developed, implemented IEP goals based on evaluation results.
- Established clear objectives for all jobs within the workshop and outside of the workshop.
- Make sure all medications are issued at the proper time and medications are accounted for.
- Make sure payroll was correct and turned in by due date so adults were paid on time.
Education
MBA - Special Education/Multi Category
Grand Canyon High School
Grand Canyon, AZ08.2011
Bachelor's Degree: Organizational Management - Organizational Managment
Voorhees College
Denmark, SC05.2007
Skills
- Conflict resolution techniques
- Student records management
- Secondary education
- Group and individual instruction
- Disability assessment testing
- Special education
- Lesson Planning
- Differentiated instruction
- Elementary education
- Flexible and Adaptable
- Active Listening
- Organization and Time Management
Timeline
Special Education Teacher
Prince George County Public Schools
08.2019 - Current
Dedicated Aide
Prince George County Public Schools
01.2018 - 08.2019
Substitute Teacher
Prince George County Public Schools
10.2014 - 01.2018
Instructional Assistant
Richland School District One
02.2012 - 05.2012
Instructional Assistant
Richland School District One
08.2010 - 05.2011
Substitute Teacher
Richland School District One
08.2009 - 05.2010
Substitute Teacher
Lexington School District One
08.2008 - 01.2010
Special Needs Program Manager
United Cerebal Palsy
01.2004 - 01.2008
Specials Needs Program Manager
Babcock Center
09.1986 - 02.2003
MBA - Special Education/Multi Category
Grand Canyon High School
Bachelor's Degree: Organizational Management - Organizational Managment
Voorhees College