Danielle Risinger

Supervises compliance and campus support for 28 secondary campuses in SAISD. Serves as the district Transition and Employment Designee. Plans, coordinates, and supervises district professional development days for Special Education teachers and instructional assistants.

Special Education Program Coordinator at SAISD (2026-07 – Present) • Supervises compliance and campus support for 28 secondary campuses in SAISD.

• Serves as the district Transition and Employment Designee.
• Plans, coordinates, and supervises district professional development days for Special Education teachers and instructional assistants.
• Plans, prepares, and implements professional development for special populations coordinators for SAISD’s comprehensive high schools.
• Partners and coordinates with other SAISD departments to ensure federal and state compliance with curriculum, course codes, and instructional practices.
• Conducts classroom observation and feedback cycles to improve instruction and special education services.
• Monitors State Performance Plan Indicators 13 and 14 to include conducting professional development, writing how-to documents, and partnering with campuses to ensure compliance for individual students.

Special Education Program

Specialist at SAISD (2026-02 – 2026-06) • Monitored and supervised compliance for multiple campus’ Special Education programs and ARD processes.

• Monitored and supported compliance and Special Education program for the Bexar County Adult Detention Center.
• Worked closely with teachers to develop data-driven IEPs for district corrective action plan.
• Trained campuses on State Performance Plan Indicator 13 processes and supported teachers and admin with compliance.
• Conducted classroom observations, coaching sessions, and when necessary, coaching plans to support Special Education co-teachers and resource teachers.
• Helped create resources for teacher support.
• Attended relevant training to keep myself abreast of the latest special education developments.
• Served as a resource for instructional strategies, behavior supports, and compliance-related questions.
• Acted as a liaison between district and campus teams to promote alignment and effective collaboration.
• Attended student staffings and examined a variety of student data with the campus staff members to help make student-centered and data-driven decisions.
• Collaborated with district team members to ensure fidelity of programming and best practices are implemented at all campuses.
• Identified training needs and collaborated to address these needs.
• Analyzed campus-level data on Lexia to support fidelity of implementation.

Special Education Supervisor

Specialist at Judson ISD (2022-10 – 2026-01) • Monitored and supervised compliance on multiple campus’ Special Education programs and ARD processes.

• Assisted with the development of program processes for co-teaching, behavior, and in-home/parent training.
• Coached and mentored both Special Education and General Education teachers on Special Education needs including but not limited to curricular modification and accommodation, behavioral support, MRE and LRE process support, critical cases, etc.).
• Planned, organized, created, and conducted staff development for teachers (General Education and Special Education) and administrators in areas including but not limited to compliance, accommodations/modifications, co-teaching, ARD processes, IEP development, SBIEP and in-home/parent training.
• Monitored and evaluated the effectiveness of supports, initiatives and training.
• Analyzed micro and macro data related to academic achievement and behavioral interventions and supports. Presented and discusses said data with teachers and admin.
• Supported implementation of STAAR interventions.
• Supported implementation of summer programs. LEE High School (STEM, NESA, ISA) Campus Coordinator at NEISD (2019-08 – 2022-10) • Lead a department of 41 Special Education teachers, paraprofessionals and staff.
• Ensured compliance for all Special Education students at LEE, NESA, STEM, and ISA.
• Lead ARD meetings for LEE, STEM, NESA and ISA students.
• Coordinated all department logistics including ARD meetings and various trainings with strict adherence to legal deadlines and compliance.
• Analyzed campus needs and data to make recommendations for department needs and improvements.
• Assisted teachers with IEP implementation and development.
• Managed multiple tasks and priorities daily.
• Responded to emergency situations with a calm demeanor.
• Communicated with parents, teachers/staff, students and other community stakeholders in a professional manner.
• Managed a department budget to meet campus needs and comply with guidelines.
• Coordinated with central office personnel, campus department heads and special ed staff to identify student needs, implement IEPs, enhance student learning and meet legal compliance.
• Worked as part of the campus leadership team disseminating pertinent information to department staff, peers and supervisors.
• Oversaw campus procedures for the ARD process and updating progress on special education students.
• Served as the point of contact for all Special Education related matters for LEE, STEM, NESA and ISA.

Bush Middle School

Co-teacher (Special Education) at NEISD (2018-08 – 2019-06) Worked in partnership with my co-teachers to design and implement strategic lesson plans addressing varying academic needs, behavioral needs, language abilities and learning styles for seventh grade math, resource math, science, ELAR, social studies, and behavior program students. Worked also as a Special Education Case Manager for said students.

Garner Middle School Math

Teacher (Special Education and General Education) at NEISD (2011-08 – 2016-07) • Designed and implemented strategic lesson plans to address varying academic needs, language abilities and learning styles for middle school math and Special Education.

• Served as both a General Education Teacher (2011-2013 and 2015-16) and a Special Education Co-teacher and Resource Teacher (2013-2016).
• Monitored and evaluated progress towards academic and social goals for Special Education students and created individual education plans • Developed goals, objectives and indicators to measure students’ progress.
• Led ARD meetings and ensured all time-sensitive paperwork was completed.
• Served as an advocate for my students and ensured teamwork between teachers, parents and other school/community personnel to promote the well-being of the “whole student”.
• Additional Responsibilities/Positions Held (varying time periods): Grade Level Team Leader, Garner Principals Advisory Committee, Garner Social Committee, Fellowship of Christian Athletes Leader and Girls’ Volleyball and Basketball Coach.
• Summer Programs (varying time periods): Middle and High School Math Course Recovery Program, Student Success Initiative (Math and Reading) and High School Summer School.
• Attended all relevant math training and summer conferences.

Roosevelt High School

Paraprofessional at NEISD (2010-08 – 2011-06) • Supported Special Education students in the achievement of their social, behavioral and academic goals.

Substitute

Teacher at Cincinnati Consortium of Schools (2018-05 – 2018-06) • Implement teacher lesson plans using best practices in student-centered pedagogy and behavior management. Ensured that detailed feedback was left for the teacher of record for each assignment.

Early Childhood

Caregiver at Private Family (2017-10 – 2018-07) • Employed best practices in early childhood care and education with an infant from age three months and onward. Ensured that all cognitive, emotional and physical needs were met. Used developmentally appropriate early learning strategies to promote social and intellectual growth.

Intern at UNESCO-International Institute for Capacity Building in Africa (2017-07 – 2017-10) • Co-authored a school safety manual for teachers covering topics such as physical safety, emergency protocols, psycho-social recovery and community involvement.

• Drafted/edited project reports, articles, country profiles, press releases, concept notes, terms of reference and other project materials.
• Implemented and tracked a social media campaign to increase project visibility.
• Supported the coordination and implementation of activities, workshops, logistics, budgets, etc. for the Teacher Training and Development for Peacebuilding in the Horn of Africa and Surrounding Countries project.

Graduate

Assistant, IEDP at University of Pennsylvania (2016-08 – 2017-06) • Curated news in development and program activities on Twitter, Periscope and Facebook Live.

• Assisted in the implementation and communication of the 2017 Learning at the Bottom of the Pyramid conference.

Graduate Resident

Associate at University of Pennsylvania (2016-08 – 2017-06) • Managed a floor in a college house and planned floor events.

• Mentored and assisted residents in various areas of college life.
• Assisted with the recruiting and interviewing of new staff.

Principal Certificate – Lamar University (2023-12)

M.S.Ed. in International Educational Development – University of Pennsylvania (2016-09 – 2017-08)

Non-degree Coursework in Statistics and Critical Thinking – Concordia University of Texas (2013-05 – 2013-08)

B.A. in History – Miami University of Ohio (2003-08 – 2008-08)