Andrea Bennett, M.Ed. ​

SUMMARY

Certified master’s level elementary education and special education teacher with years of varied experience in teaching students with disabilities in both academic and home environments as well as training teachers and parents in implementing appropriate techniques for children with special needs. ​

About Andrea
ACADEMIC PREPARATION
Masters of Education
Concentrations: Administration and Supervision
Thesis: Identifying and Analyzing the Perceptions of Non-Disabled Students Toward Their Disabled Peers in Both Inclusive and Self-Contained Educational Environments.
May 2000 Loyola College, Baltimore, Maryland

Bachelors of Science
Concentrations:  Special Education (grades K-12); Elementary Education (grades K-8) 
May 1995 West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia

CERTIFICATIONS
2000 - Present, Maryland State Department of Education, Advanced Professional
Areas of Certification: Elementary Grades 1-6 and Middle School; Special Education Grades 1-8; Administrator I (R 12) 
1995 - 2000 Maryland State Department of Education, Standard Professional
Areas of Certification: Elementary Grades 1-6 and Middle School; Special Education Grades 1-8

PROFESSIONAL TRAINING
2014 – Successful Completion of CPD course number EDUC 201; Processes and Acquisition of Reading
2014 – Successful Completion of CPD course number EDUC 265: Educational Assessment Secondary Level
2013 – Trained to administer and interpret the Gray Oral Reading Test 5th Edition
2013 – Trained to administer and interpret the Test of Early Written Language-3rd Edition
2010 – Trained to administer and interpret the Brigance Early Childhood Assessment
2010 – Successful Completion of CPD course number 09-13-09; Culturally Proficient Curriculum and Instruction
2009 – Successful completion of CPD course number 08-13-08; Cultural Proficiency and Student Achievement
2008 – Trained to administer and interpret Woodcock Johnson III- Educational Assessment Normative Update
2008 – Trained to Response to Intervention
2005 – Successful Completion of CPD course number 00-00-06; Assessment of Reading 
2004 – Trained to administer and interpret the Test of Written Language – 4th Edition
2004 – Trained to administer and interpret the Gray Oral Reading Test
2003 – Successful Completion of CPD course number 00-00-04; Materials for Teaching Reading
2002 – Trained to administer and interpret Woodcock Johnson III – Educational Assessment
2000 – Successful Completion of the Howard County Public School System Leadership Training
1997 – Trained in Stevenson reading approach
1996 – Trained in Orton Gillingham reading approach
1995 – 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 purposes of educational programming.
  • Attend and participate in school based IEP meetings in both public and private schools for students ages (5-21).
  • Collect and analyze data to be used for educational planning and programming.
  • Conduct weekly educational therapy sessions with students with special needs. (ages 5-15)
  • Conduct student observations in public and private school settings (ages 2-21).
  • Contract with Anne Arundel County Public Schools and Howard County Public Schools to conduct independent educational evaluations of identified students.
  • Contract with Baltimore County Public Schools to conduct independent educational evaluations as well as consult, oversee, and facilitate the complete educational programing of identified student(s) as agreed to by both the parents and school system.
  • Consult with families, schools, and related service providers to develop and implement appropriate educational programs for children (ages 2-21) with special needs within the Baltimore/Washington area.
  • Consult with families, schools, and related service providers to plan for and develop transition services for students aging out of IDEA.
  • Develop data collection systems to be used by both home therapy programs as well as school programs.
  • Develop and oversee the implementation of school-wide positive behavior program for Bais Yaakov, private Jewish day school.
  • Oversee the implementation of educational therapy programs administered by four sub-contract tutors.
  • Plan for and implement social skills classes to students ages 4-12.
  • Provide consultative services to two Academic Life Skills, special education teachers at West Friendship Elementary School within the Howard County Public School System.
  • Provide training to special education teachers at The Gateway School on instructional practices.  
  • Provide in-home behavioral supports and programs.
  • Provide Family Training services as outlined in the Maryland State Department of Education Autism Waiver Program.

ADJUNCT FACULTY MEMBER, 06/06-07/06 
Johns Hopkins University, Graduate Division of Education, Baltimore, Maryland
Course Title:   Learning and Literacy: Program Planning and Implementation
  • Designed and implemented course syllabus.
  • Evaluated student lesson plans, behavior intervention plans, lesson accommodations and modifications and organizational systems.
  • Provided constructive feedback and guided students through problem solving strategies to address current work related issues.
  • Taught masters level students in summer semester of planning, preparation, and implementation of special education practices.

SPECIAL EDUCATION INSTRUCTIONAL TEAM LEADER, 8/00-8/02
Jeffers Hill Elementary, Howard County Public School System, Columbia, Maryland
  • Assist teachers throughout Howard County in lesson planning and preparation of appropriate materials for students with multiple and or severe educational needs; this includes designing and planning for an Academic Life Skills class – Elementary Level.
  • Assist parents in programming for their children over the summer breaks.
  • Chair Individualized Education Program meetings.
  • Collaborate with faculty and parents to develop appropriate Individualized Education Programs (IEP).
  • Collect and Analyze quarterly data to chart progress of special education students.
  • Develop special education schedule for special education teachers, students, support staff, and related service providers.
  • Member of Instructional Consultation Team

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SCHOOL SITE LIASION, 07/99-06/00
Towson University/ Waverly Elementary Professional Development School, Ellicott City, Maryland
  • Collect and analyze quarterly data of special education students attending Waverly Elementary.
  • Conduct monthly meetings to address the needs and wants of both inters and mentors. 
  • Submit quarterly reports to the Maryland State Department of Education regarding progress of special education students.
  • Supervise student teachers and provide them with the skills and knowledge needed to be a successful special education teacher.
  • Train supervising teachers on how to conduct and complete an objective observation and provide appropriate feedback to student teachers.

SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER, 08/95-08/00
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
  • Chair the School Improvement Team
  • 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
  • Supervise gifted and talented high school students participating in internship in special education.

PROFESSIONAL PRESENTATIONS
2016-2018
- Presenter: The Shafer Center, The IEP Process and Effective Components of an IEP
2015
- Presenter: Columbia Jewish Congregation, Essential Components of IEP and 504 for Students with Emotional Impairment and other Disabilities.
2014
- Presenter: The Shafer Center, Effective Components of an IEP
- 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.
2013
- Presenter: Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder (CHADD), Study Skills and Back to School Issues
2012
- Presenter: Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder (CHADD), Study Skills and Back to School Issues
2011
- Presenter: Individual Differences in Learning (IDL), Assessments, IEP, Data- Presenter: The Shafer Center, Transition Services for School Aged Children and Critical Components of the IEP
- Presenter: Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder (CHADD), Study Skills and Back to School Issues
2010     
- Presenter: The Shafer Center, Transition Services for School Aged Children and Critical Components of the IEP
- Presenter: Kennedy Krieger (Center for Autism Related Disorders),Transition Services for School Aged Children
- Presenter: Harford County Autism Society, Must Haves for an Effective IEP: An Interactive Workshop for Parents
2009 
- Presenter: The Norbel School, Must Haves for an Effective IEP: An Interactive Workshop for Parents
- Presenter: Teacher Workshop, Lab School of Baltimore, How to Take Data and Make it Count!
2008
- Presenter: Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder (CHADD), Back to School Strategies
- Presenter: Individual Differences in Learning (IDL), Using Data to Advocate for Your Child.
- Presenter: Teacher Workshop, The Columbia Academy, Instructional and Behavioral Strategies for Optimum Learning.
2007
- Presenter: Towsen University, Techniques in Working with Parents and Advocates
2006 
- Presenter: Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder (CHADD), Modifications and Accommodations Within the IEP and 504 Plans.
2005 
- Presenter: Anne Arundel County Public School System (Special Education Team Leaders), Techniques in Working with Parents and Advocates.  
- Presenter: Howard County Autism Society, Modifications and Accommodations Within the IEP.  
- Presenter: Howard County Autism Society, Including Social Skills in the IEP  
- Presenter: Special Needs Special Kids Conference, Assessment, TheIEP, and Data Collection; How are they related and what does it mean?
1999–03 
- Presenter: The Maryland Association of Nonpublic Special Education Facilities (MANSEF), Preventative Strategies for Students with Challenging Behaviors
- Presenter: Teacher Workshop, Howard County Public School System, Understanding Autism
- Presenter: Council for Exceptional Children – Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (CEC-MRDD) Conference, Differentiated Reading Instruction for Students with Unique Needs  
- Presenter: Student Teacher Workshop, Towson University – How to Effectively Utilize Support Staff; Data Collection; Instructional Strategies

PUBLICATIONS
2010 - Aristotle Circle Newsletter – Top 10 Must Dos for Parents of 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
Autism Society of America (ASA)
Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)
Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity (CHADD)
Learning Disabilities Association (LDA)
Board President: Maryland Coalition for Inclusive Education (MCIE), 2010-2013
Board Member: Maryland Coalition for Inclusive Education (MCIE), 2009-2014

AWARDS AND ACCOLADES
2006 - Recipient of the Autism Society of America (Howard County Chapter) Outstanding Business Award