As the manager of the Special Education Task Force, my primary role was to spearhead the comprehensive data gathering process for students in special education classes. This involved a meticulous assessment of each student's unique needs, strengths, and challenges to discern the requisite resources and supports essential for their academic success. A key aspect of my leadership involved collaboratively determining effective strategies and interventions to address identified needs. Once these were established, I played a pivotal role in disseminating this information to teachers, providing them with clear insights into their students' profiles and ensuring they were equipped with the necessary resources and support systems. Throughout this process, my focus was on fostering an inclusive and supportive environment, ensuring that teachers felt well-informed and empowered to deliver targeted assistance, ultimately contributing to the overall success and well-being of students in special education.
In my role as the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Lead, I played a pivotal role in supporting a staff of over 100 teachers in seamlessly integrating SEL principles into their daily lesson plans. This responsibility included the development and presentation of professional development sessions to roll out the comprehensive strategies to enhance the emotional intelligence and well-being of both educators and students. The goal was to foster a positive and inclusive learning environment that nurtured not only academic growth but also the social and emotional development of each student.
As the Grade Team Leader, my primary responsibility was to oversee and manage a team of up to ten adults, ensuring the effective functioning of the team and the success of our students. I organized and conducted weekly meetings, creating a space for collaboration and open communication among team members. During these meetings, I facilitated training sessions to enhance the professional development of our educators, keeping them informed about the latest teaching methodologies and strategies. In addition to managerial duties, I took on the role of a mentor, providing support and guidance to fellow teachers within the team. Leading by example, I modeled best practices in my own classroom, demonstrating effective teaching methods and fostering a positive learning environment. A crucial aspect of my role was data analysis. I regularly examined trends in student performance data to identify strengths and areas for improvement in our curriculum. This data-driven approach allowed me to make informed decisions about curriculum adjustments. I facilitated the modification of our curriculum by implementing leveled texts, scaffolded materials, and differentiation strategies to address the diverse learning needs of our students.
As Technology Liaison, recognizing the importance of technology in education, I supported teachers in integrating technology into their lessons. This involved providing training, troubleshooting issues, and encouraging the use of digital tools to enhance the learning experience. I provided one-on-one support for novice technology users, helping them to feel confident in their use of various virtuak educational learning platforms including EdPuzzle, BrainPOP, Nearpod, Classkick, Peardeck, Newsela, SMART, Goalbook, etc. At the start of the pandemic, I trained a staff of 100+ teachers on how to use Google Classroom and the accompanying Google Applications, and provided constant support throughout the duration of its necessary usage.