David Pena

I am an education and student-support professional with over eight years of experience in education, including special education, behavioral support, case management, family engagement, community-based services, and school leadership. I currently serve as an Integrated Services Teacher and Administrative Aide at Henrico High School, where I work with students, families, teachers, administrators, and outside agencies to address academic, behavioral, and student-support needs. I have experience working with students with disabilities, at-risk youth, adolescents, and high school students.

I am bilingual in English and Spanish and have a background in social work and graduate preparation in educational leadership. I am interested in continuing to grow as an educational leader while focusing on family engagement, student advocacy, community partnerships, and helping students overcome barriers to success.

Integrated Services / Special Education Teacher - Henrico County Public Schools - Henrico High School - Richmond, Virginia

(2023-01)

• Provide individualized academic, behavioral, social, and transition support to high school students with disabilities.
• Develop, implement, and monitor IEPs in accordance with HCPS and Virginia Department of Education requirements.
• Collaborate with families, administrators, teachers, related-service providers, and community agencies to coordinate student supports and resources.
• Use academic, behavioral, and progress-monitoring data to identify needs, guide interventions, and support student engagement.
• Serve in an additional Administrative Aide / school leadership support role assisting with student supervision, behavioral concerns, de-escalation, and day-to-day operations.

Qualified Mental Health Professional - Attachment and Trauma Institute - Glen Allen, Virginia

(2023-01 - 2024-12)

• Supported youth ages 9-17 in working toward individualized behavioral and mental-health goals.
• Communicated with parents, caregivers, and outside agencies and supported coordination of community-based services.
• Used trauma-informed, relationship-based approaches to build coping, communication, emotional-regulation, and problem-solving skills.

Student Support Specialist - St. Joseph's Villa - Richmond, Virginia

(2023-01 - 2024-12)

• Supported students with academic, behavioral, and social-emotional needs in a school-based setting.
• Collaborated with teachers, administrators, and support staff to implement individualized student and behavior supports.
• Used de-escalation, relationship-building, and student-engagement strategies to maintain a safe and structured learning environment.

Special Education Resource Teacher - Henrico County Public Schools - Springfield Park Elementary - Glen Allen, Virginia

(2021-01 - 2023-12)

• Provided specialized instruction and individualized academic and behavioral support to students with disabilities.
• Developed and implemented IEP goals, monitored student data, and collaborated with families and multidisciplinary teams.
• Implemented behavior-support and classroom-management strategies to improve student engagement and success.

Instructional Assistant - Henrico County Public Schools - Hermitage High School - Glen Allen, Virginia

(2018-01 - 2021-12)

• Supported high school students with academic, behavioral, and individualized educational needs.
• Assisted with classroom management, behavior-support plans, student data collection, and problem resolution.
• Built positive relationships with students while reinforcing academic and behavioral expectations.

Master of Education - Educational Leadership - Liberty University (2026-12)

Bachelor of Social Work - Social Work - Virginia Commonwealth University (2020-12)

Associate of Applied Science - Applied Science - John Tyler Community College (2018-12)