D’Ette Griffin

Special education professional experienced in teaching, ARD facilitation, case management, and student support. Brings strong documentation, compliance, communication, and crisis-management skills across school and service settings.

Special Education Teacher (contractor) - The Stepping Stones Group - Boston Massachusetts

(2024-01 - 2024-06)

Inclusion teacher and RTI teacher for 1st & 2nd grade students at Escondido Elementary for Judson ISD. Co-taught with 1st grade teacher English, math, reading and writing. Worked with all the students that were below grade level.

Administered small group testing and with IEP accommodations. Facilitated RTI reading lessons daily with all students below grade level in reading. Created IEP goals and objectives for student caseload.

Organized and facilitated ARD meetings for student caseload with parents, teaching staff, ancillary staff, Dyslexia specialists and school administrators. Developing collaborative ARDs encourages understanding, respect and inclusion as it relates to student academic success and emotional growth. A Compassionate Special Education professional blends organizational skills, patience and respect to facilitate comprehensive, clear communication with all ARD committee members.

• Delivered individualized special education instruction and student support
• Adapted learning activities to address diverse educational needs
• Maintained student documentation and supported compliance requirements

ARD Facilitator (contractor) - National Recruiting Consultants - Dallas, Texas

(2022-08 - 2023-06)

Worked remotely for Crowley ISD facilitating ARD meetings via ZOOM. Collaborated with Educational Diagnosticians, counselors, transition specialists, teaching staff, ancillary, administrators and parents to create ARD meetings that ensure students received the appropriate services and supports. Shared 185 student caseload with middle school Educational Diagnostician, as well as 3 other elementary school diagnosticians.

Divided caseloads so that I was responsible for all ARD meetings that didn’t require a Diagnostician. Monitored compliance timelines, maintained staff calendar, sent out parent notices, and completed documents including signature pages. Worked on transition plans, transfer ARDs, amendments, dismissals, and revision ARDs.

Maximized positive team relations while keeping relevant staff up on dates and inevitable changes. Facilitated meetings from kindergarten through high school, working with five different schools, due to staff shortages increasing caseload. Met with teachers and relevant staff before meetings to strategize, and implement support plans to help students excel.

• Facilitated ARD processes and coordinated meetings with families and school teams
• Prepared and maintained documentation to support compliance deadlines
• Communicated student needs and service plans to relevant stakeholders

Special Education Teacher - Idea Public Schools - San Antonio, Texas

(2021-07 - 2021-12)

Taught kindergarten and first grade in a self-contained classroom and I was the 6th grade inclusion teacher for core subjects –English, math, reading, and science. Took over teaching kindergarten and first grade classes for a teacher who resigned while continuing to teach sixth grade. Created and managed ARD meetings, developing IEPs that define student learning objectives and educational strategies, and methods to support goals.

Promoted language development skills through reading and storytelling. Supervised students during testing and small group activities, implementing accommodations and modifications. Developed excellent working relationships with all staff members, parents, and students.

Meeting with parents about students’ needs to garner additional support. Determined capabilities and function of students through personal communication, parents, student work and assessments. Participated in bi-weekly professional development workshops.

Resigned for health reasons, became ill, was hospitalized for a lengthy staff, and then put on home health.

• Taught students with special education needs and adapted instruction
• Supported implementation of individualized education plans
• Maintained student records and collaborated with school staff

Customer Service Agent - Call Centers

(2020-03 - 2021-07)

During the pandemic I worked remotely assisting with fraud complaints. Investigated whether complaints were substantiated and documented results. Provided customer services. Ran identity programs to verify clients and their accounts. Worked remotely from home for Alorica/Apple products and for Conduent. Served clients' complaints and offered solutions, followed up on fraud complaints.

• Resolved customer inquiries through clear communication and service support

Regional Scorer - Pearson - San Antonio, Texas

(2018-04 - 2020-03)

Audited essays for New York Teachers Association while meeting appropriate levels of scoring for high school and middle school teachers. Scoring standardized tests for all grade levels, and all subject matter. Listening to and scoring elementary English language learners reading passages. Scored math skills on a 3-point system where the answers have to be justified to get the answer correct. ASPIRE Math Assessments for high school, middle school, and elementary school students.

Scored Science Field

Test for 5th and 8th grade students, to help determine which prompts should be used by completing extensive surveys after each prompt. Evaluate field test questions for upcoming assessments, judging questions appropriateness for presenting grade level. Completed surveys on science topics, questions, and feedback about overall test quality and measurements,

• Scored assessments consistently and followed established evaluation criteria

Substitute Teacher - JAJ Academics, LLC - San Antonio, TX

(2015-03 - 2020-03)

Worked as a substitute for local charter schools, kept accurate attendance records and assignment sheets, and provided instruction for students in core subject areas. Followed lesson plans left by classroom teachers to continue student education and reinforce core concepts. Provided creative activities if time allowed.

Upheld classroom routines to support student environments and to maintain schedules. Taught all subjects and grade levels, from kindergarten to the 12th grade. Responsible for several long-term special education assignments.

As acting special education teacher, I was responsible for all teaching duties including lesson planning, attending ARD meetings, developing goals and objectives. Working with students in inclusion and in a pull-out setting. Assisting general education staff with accommodations.

Supervised lunchroom and recess and all other activities expected of a teacher. Repeatedly requested as substitute teacher by teachers based on past referrals and trusted performance.

• Delivered classroom instruction and maintained continuity across substitute assignments

Case Manager - R & K Specialized Homes - San Antonio, TX

Identified care needs of individual clients based on physician advice, care-givers, speech, OT and PT, and family members to develop and implement individual care plans and documented interventions and referrals. Monitored client progress, and supervised caregivers for six residential homes. Developed and implemented safety plans for clients at risk of harm to themselves or others.

Trained caregivers as needed on safety plans, household duties, as needed. Worked with caregivers to maintain peaceful home environments, maintain household necessities and client chore list. Responsible for ensuring that the facility complied with all federal, state and local laws.

Documented baseline data pertaining to behavior so that behavior plans were implemented accurately and in a timely manner. Worked closely with service coordinators to ensure clients were receiving their services in a timely manner, their well-being my primary goal. Transportation as needed to Doctor’s.

Appointments and daily activities for client caseload. Provided leadership, guidance and support to all clients and staff members alike and maintained a level of availability.

• Coordinated case management documentation and support for individuals served

Riding Instructor - Wild Sunday Farm - San Antonio, Texas

(2010-12 - 2018-07)

Created an atmosphere of trust and positive self-esteem for adolescents while they gained independence through horsemanship skills with patience and leadership. Taught beginning riders the fundamentals of hunt seat equitation while promoting horsemanship skills. Supported riders’ pursuit of advanced equestrian sports in jumping.

Taught the care and safety of horses, feeding routines, cleaning practices of horses and their equipment, while teaching responsibility. Supported students in identifying, setting and achieving personal riding goals. Taught working students horse management skills.

Organized yearly summer camps and local horse shows. Handled duties of office administration for a riding school in northern San Antonio.

• Instructed riders and supported safe, structured learning activities

Case Manager-Service Coordinator - AAA Homecare - Taos, New Mexico

(2008-02 - 2009-06)

Identified care needs and case management for twenty-five client caseloads for homebound clients on the Disabled and Elderly waiver. Prepared appropriate state mandated documentation to meet specified deadlines for applications, or yearly service plans. Applied to state for extended service hours, environmental modifications, and pre-approval for family members as paid caregivers.

Maintained working relationships with all relevant providers and family members. Supervised and trained thirty-five caregivers, organized and implemented bi-annual staff training sessions to meet state requirements. Coordinated with Field Operations Supervisor monthly schedule, home visits and staffing.

Develop strong interpersonal relationships with providers, family members, and clients to ensure quality care. Maintain a high profile of availability with physicians, community resources, clients and staff. Refer new clientele; assist with the application process if needed, upon approval set up services.

Recruit and hire potential caregivers.

• Coordinated homecare services and case documentation for clients

Special Education Teacher - Taos Municipal School - Taos, New Mexico

(2006-08)

• Delivered special education instruction and supported student learning needs