Special Education Director
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I am currently in my 18th year of teaching Special Education and my 3rd year as a Special Education Director for Luther Public Schools.
I began my journey as a Special Education Director in March 2023 and instantly began working with Tina Spence and Felica Dutton to learn about the components of Special Education Compliance in terms of timelines, required components of an evaluation, and the importance of scanning/uploading documents to ensure the transparency of compliance by Special Education Teachers and Luther Public Schools. Additionally, I was tasked to train LPS Special Education Teachers in the Special Education referral process, timelines, and required components of an evaluation. Correcting documents, contacting parents to inform them of the missed timelines, and gaining parent consent for assessments in the missing areas of the suspected disability category for those files out of compliance.
I truly enjoy being in the field of Special Education and believe all students can learn, gain skills to become as independent as possible, and believe in the institution of public education itself. Supporting teachers and providing the best resources, training, information, strategies, and experience in another aspect of teaching that I am passionate about.
Throughout my 18-year career, I have worked with students who have mild, moderate, severe, and profound disabilities. My students have personally experienced trauma and emotional disturbances, been diagnosed with mental health disorders, and suffered from side effects of ADHD, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. I have also worked with students with dyslexia and completed the first part of LETRS training provided by the Oklahoma State Department of Education. I also completed a six-month training program with Dr.
Raffel. I chose six students to conduct an FBA, analyzed the data, and created a Behavior Intervention Plan when the data was deemed appropriate.
On a more severe to profound level, I have worked with students who have Intellectual Disabilities, Cerebral Palsy, students who are Non-Verbal, students who utilize Augmentative and Alternative Communication Devices, students who utilize a wheelchair to navigate their world, students who are tube-fed and have very specific dietary needs. Additionally, I have worked with students who have Epilepsy and Diabetes in which I, along with a school nurse, were charged with the task of reading the glucometer, and following the diabetes plan provided by the Endocrinologist. My classroom experience has also allowed me to work with students who suffer from the side effects of various genetic conditions, as well as working alongside their families to create the most positive intellectually stimulating environment possible.
Communication is key when working with students who are fragile and have high needs. I also utilized the Dynamic Learning Maps to determine assessment areas and skills needed to perform the task of taking an alternative assessment.
I currently teach students with mild to moderate Autism, Specific Learning Disabilities, and Other Health Impairments. I also serve as a mentor to students who are served under the category of Emotional Disturbance where I provide them with breaks from the large class setting, advice, and cool down sessions as needed.
Additionally, I am the Special Education Director for my district. I train, support, and supervise seven Special Education teachers, along with 11 paraprofessionals. I provide yearly training as it pertains to our district policies, as well as send them to training specific to their needs and the students they work with.
Endorsements: Special Education K-12, Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education
05/2012
Master’s in Education - Reading
Endorsements: Special Education K-12, Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Reading Specialist
