ACADEMIC PREPARATION
Masters of Education
Concentration: Reading Teacher grades (K-12)
May 1999 - Loyola College, Baltimore, Maryland
Bachelors of Science
Concentration: Special Education (grades K-8)
May 1994 - The George Washington University, Washington, D.C.,
CERTIFICATIONS
2019 – 2024 Maryland State Department of Education, Advanced Professional
2014 – 2019 Maryland State Department of Education, Advanced Professional
2009 – 2014, Maryland State Department of Education, Advanced Professional
2004 – 2009, Maryland State Department of Education, Advanced Professional
1999 – 2004, Maryland State Department of Education, Advanced Professional
1994 – 1999, Maryland State Department of Education, Advanced Professional
Areas of Certification: Special Education (grades 1-8), Reading Teacher (grades K-12)
2000 - Functional Behavioral Assessments and Behavior Intervention Plans, Administrator/Trainer
2000 - Understanding and Treating Explosive/Oppositional Children and Adolescents
2001 - Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) Administrator/Trainer
2004 - Materials for Teaching Reading
2004 - Primary Instruction of Reading
2008 - Response to Intervention Training
2009 - Cultural Proficiency and Student Achievement
2009 - Assessments for Reading Instruction
PROFESSIONAL TRAINING
2015 – Trained to administer the Test of Written Language-4
2014 – Trained to administer and interpret Woodcock Johnson IV – Educational Assessment
2002 – Trained to administer and interpret Woodcock Johnson III – Educational Assessment
2001 – Successful Completion of the Institute for Applied Behavioral Analysis 4-day seminar
2000 – Successful Completion of the Howard County Public School System Leadership Training
1997 – Trained in Stevenson reading approach
1994 – Trained to administer and interpret Woodcock Johnson Revised – Educational Assessment
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
EDUCATIONAL and BEHAVIORAL CONSULTANT, 01/01/02 - Present
The Special Kids Company, Ellicott City, Maryland
- Administer formal diagnostic tests used for the purpose of educational programming.
- Collect and analyze data to be used for educational planning and programming.
- Conduct weekly educational therapy sessions with students with special needs.
- Conduct student observations in public and private school settings.
- Consult with families, schools, and related service providers to develop and implement appropriate educational programs for children with special needs within the Baltimore/Washington area.
- Develop data collection systems to be used by both home therapy programs as well as school programs.
- Oversee the implementation of educational therapy programs administered by four sub-contract tutors.
- Plan for and implement social skills classes to student’s ages 4-12.
- Provide in-home behavioral supports and programs.
- Provide Family Training services as outlined in the Maryland State Department of Education Autism Waiver Program.
BEHAVIOR SPECIALIST, 8/01-8/02
Office of Special Education, Howard County Public School System, Columbia, Maryland
- Facilitate school teams in writing Functional Behavioral Assessments and Behavior Intervention Plans.
- Supervise the implementation of Functional Behavioral Assessments and Behavior Intervention Plans.
- Provide teachers with training and information about functions of behavior, proactive behavioral techniques and social skills training.
- Assist teachers throughout Howard County in behavioral techniques for students with multiple and or severe educational needs
- Design and develop social stories and other instructional materials to assist teachers in the classroom.
- Attend Individualized Education Program meetings
- Collaborate with faculty and parents to develop appropriate behavior and socials skills goals for the Individualized Education Programs (IEP)
- Collect and Analyze quarterly data to chart progress of special education students.
ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION TEACHER, 08/99-06/01
Deep Run Elementary School, Ellicott City, Maryland 21043
- Developed and Implemented a school-wide discipline plan
- Developed specific data techniques to collect proper information on the school-wide discipline plan.
- Developed individualized behavior programs for students whose needs exceeded the school wide discipline program.
- Developed an after school program to help “at risk” students complete homework.
- Facilitated a “helping hands” team to address needs of low-income families and parent trainings at the school.
- Trained staff, parents and students on the implementation of the school-wide discipline plan.
- Trained parents on specific behavioral techniques to be used in the home
- Collected and analyzed quarterly data of the Alternative and Special Education students attending Deep Run
- Conducted monthly meetings with representatives from each team (K-5) to address their needs for behavioral issues in their classrooms.
- Submit quarterly reports to the office of Alternative Education Programming Department.
- Member of Instructional Consultative Team
SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER, 08/94-08/99
Waverly Elementary, Howard County Public School System, Ellicott City, Maryland
- Adapt curriculum methods, materials, and assessments to meet the needs of all special populations.
- Administer formal and informal diagnostic tests used in public school special education setting for the purpose of programming.
- Assist in setting up and planning for Academic Life Skills Class.
- Assist non-tenured teachers with Special Education Rules and Policies
- Collaborate with faculty to adapt the curriculum and identify the appropriate instructional activities at various developmental levels.
- Collaborate yearly with team leader to develop schedule for special education teachers and students.
- Conduct monthly IEP meetings.
- Design and develop strategies to implement an Individualized Education Program (I.E.P.) for special needs students
- Member of the Instructional Consultation Team
PROFESSIONAL PRESENTATIONS
2014
- Presenter for Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPPA) National Conference, The intersection of Attorneys, Advocates, and Professionals: Collaboration strategies for achieving client success and making the case.
2012
- Presented to University of Maryland School of Law: The Role of an Educational Consultant
- Presenter for The Shafer Center on transition services for school aged children and critical components of the IEP.
- Presenter for The McDonogh School: Who’s the Parent?
- Presenter for Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder (CHADD) on behavioral strategies for home and school
2011
- Presenter for The Shafer Center on transition services for school aged children and critical components of the IEP.
- Presenter for The McDonogh School: Who’s the Parent?
- Presenter for Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder (CHADD) on back to school strategies
- Presenter for The Lab School of Baltimore: Data Collection
- Presenter for IDL on data collection: Assessments, IEP’s and Data.
- Presented to University of Maryland School of Law: Assessments and Interpretation of Information
2010
- Presenter for The Shafer Center on transition services for school aged children and critical components of the IEP.
- Presenter for The McDonogh School: Who’s the Parent?
- Presenter for Kennedy Krieger (Center for Autism Related Disorders) on transitions services for school aged children.2014
- Presenter: Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPPA) National Conference, The intersection of Attorneys, Advocates, and Professionals: Collaboration strategies for achieving client success and making the case.
2009
- Presenter for the Norbel School, “Must Have’s For an Effective IEP: An Interactive Workshop for Parents.
- Workshop for the Lab School of Baltimore on Data collection and analysis
2008
- Presenter for Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder (CHADD) on back to school strategies
- Presenter for IDL on data collection
2007
- Board member for Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder
2006
- Presenter for Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder (CHADD) on modifications and accommodations within the IEP and 504 Plans.
2005
- Presenter for Anne Arundel County Public School System (Special Education Team Leaders) on techniques in working with parents and Advocates.
- Presenter for Howard County Autism Society on modifications and accommodations within the IEP.
- Presenter for Howard County Autism Society on including the area of social skills within the IEP
- Presenter for Special Needs Special Kids Conference – Assessment, The IEP, and Data Collection; How are they related and what does it mean?
2000-05
- Presenter for the Maryland Association of Nonpublic Special Education Facilities (MANSEF) - Preventative Strategies for Students with Challenging Behaviors
- Trainer for Howard County Staff Members - Crisis Prevention Intervention
- Presenter for five Preschools in the Baltimore Area - Social Skills Training
- Presenter for Howard County Public Schools - Functions of Behavior
- Presenter for Howard County Public Schools - Autism Spectrum Disorders
- Presenter for Howard County Public Schools - Social Skills Training
- Presenter for Howard County Public School System- Instructional and Behavioral Strategies for Students with ADHD
PUBLICATIONS
2010
- Aristotle Circle; “Top 10 Must Do’s for Parents with Children with Special Needs”.
2009
- 2e: Twice Exceptional Newsletter – Special Education Process: 504 vs. IEP
2005
- Washington Parent Magazine – Special Education Process: 504 vs. IEP
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity (CHADD)
Autism Society of America (ASA)
Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)
Learning Disabilities Association (LDA)
Maryland Coalition for Inclusive Education (MCIE)
AWARDS AND ACCOLADES
2006
- Recipient of the Autism Society of America (Howard County Chapter) Outstanding Business Award