SpEd Pro

Since 2006 (as a special education teacher, 3 as a consultant, 1 as a specialized paraprofessional) Fall 2011-Present: Special Education Learning through Intensive Functional Teaching Teacher Fall 2008-Spring 2011: Autism Specialist, within a Special Education Cooperative (13 school districts, early childhood-21) Fall 2007-Spring 2008: Special Education Teacher Fall 2006-Spring 2007: Autism Specialist Paraprofessional Leadership Roles: Student Case Manager (Fall 2016-Present) Supervision of Paraprofessionals (Fall 2006-Present) Lead IEP Meetings (Fall 2007-Present) School District Mentor Teacher (Fall 2015-Present) School Building Leadership Team (2014-2017, 2019-2021) District Special Education Leadership Team (2018, 2019, Summer 2020) Advocate Speaker at National Fragile X/Rare Disease Advocacy Days both in Kansas City and Washington DC (February 2015-Present) Parent Liaison (Fall 2015-Present) Coordinator of the Autism Diagnostic Team for a Special Education Cooperative (2009-2011)

I am determined to find ways to connect with and motivate students whose behaviors may push others away. I consistently develop individualized, multi-tiered academic, language based, behavioral, communicational and social/emotional curriculum that maximizes the potential of each student.

2021: School Nominee for Teacher of the Year 2017: School Nominee for Teacher of the Year 2016: Award of Excellence in Education, Blue Valley School District 2014: School Nominee for Kansas Master Teacher 2013: School Nominee for Teacher of the Year

Pittsburg State University, Certificate in Autism Spectrum Disorders (2008-2009) Kansas University, Masters of Science in Special Education (2006-2008) Emporia State University, Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education (2002-2006)

I teach all students, school team members and family members. My end goal for all students is not only success within my classroom, but to become active participants in the world around them both now and in the future. I am determined to find ways to connect with and motivate students whose behaviors may push others away. I consistently develop individualized, multi-tiered academic, language based, behavioral, communicational and social/emotional curriculum that maximizes the potential of each student. This curriculum requires expertise, patience and persistence, as well as the coordination and collaboration of multiple team members to identify and teach what is needed in the present as well as what will be critical for independence in the future. I teach students, parents and staff how to be advocates for themselves, foster connections to each other as well to support all students. I teach students and families how to find success in a world that might not see all the potential they have