Education
09/2005 – 12/2008 William Paterson University Wayne, NJ
M.Ed. Developmental Disabilities
01/2001 – 05/2004 William Paterson University Wayne, NJ
Teacher of the Handicapped Certification
08/1995 – 08/1999 University of Central Florida Orlando, FL
Bachelor of Arts, Sociology
Professional Experience
09/2008 – current Passaic County Community College Paterson, NJ
Disabilities Specialist
Provide accommodations to eligible students according to ADA/504 federal guidelines.
10/2005 – 06/2008 Passaic County Technical Institute Wayne, NJ
Teacher
Taught state award-winning ninth & tenth grade Special Needs HSPA Preparatory class at the county’s only vocational high school. Was responsible for instructing six periods of HSPA mathematics skills daily to 65 students who rotate with another group of 65 students every two weeks. Work closely with several teaching assistants and Child Study Teams on a daily basis. Mentored senior teachers in use of new computerized grading system.
07/2004 – 06/2005 Carl Padovano Alternative School Collaborative
Teacher Bergen County Special Services, Hackensack campus
Taught ninth grade class at a public school program for students who are all classified emotionally disturbed. Responsible for daily English, mathematics, earth science, and study skills classes of 2-8 students. Work closely with teaching assistant and school counselor on a daily basis. Accountable for necessary state, district and school-wide paperwork.
08/2002 – 06/2004 High Point School of Bergen County Lodi, NJ
Teacher
Taught an eleventh grade class at a private school for public school students who are all classified under special education laws, mostly emotionally disturbed and psychiatrically involved. Class size averages between 6-10 students. Responsible for supervising teaching assistant, daily 1:1 instruction, and group activities. Facilitated the school’s computer assisted curriculum, which is supplemental and individualized for each student.
10/2001 – 05/2002 Latchkey Program New Milford, NJ
Site Manager
Oversaw after-school program. Arranged daily activities and delegated work to 8-10 high school counselors. Interacted with students, completing homework and art projects. Solved immediate problems. Communicated with parents and program director on a daily basis.
Professional Development
Better Learning by Design (Universal Design for Learning) Conference at the University of Vermont May 17-19, 2010: Expanded my pedagogical repertoire of UDL principles and practices; Deepened my understanding of the neuroscience of learning; Enhanced my knowledge of instructional technology applications.
ADHD: Innovative, Multi-Dimensional Interventions for Children and Adolescents workshop
Differentiated Learning workshop
Behavior Management and Social Skills Training workshop
Therapeutic Interventions for the Noncompliant, Violent and Aggressive Child workshop
Anger Control Made Easy workshop
Adapting Instruction for Students with Mild Disabilities workshop
Introduction to Strategies for “In-Class Support Instruction” workshop
Nonviolent Crisis Intervention® training program – Crisis Prevention Institute, Inc.
Understanding Poverty
Math in the Special Education Classroom
Strengthening Content Area Learning Using Cutting-Edge Technology Projects
Using Geometer’s Sketchpad to Enhance Geometry Instruction
Algebra I Techniques
Differential Instruction in Mathematics
AirLiners in the Classroom
AD/HD (by NJEA)
Character Education
Strategies to Prepare Special Education Students for the HSPA
An Array of HSPA Activities and Alternative Forms of Assessment
Memberships
National Association of Special Education Teachers
Pi Lambda Theta
NJ AHEAD
Volunteer Work
Hilltop Haven Family Shelter, Paterson, NJ
The Christian L. DeSimone Foundation
