Special Education Program Coordinator
Resume:
Deidra G. Edwards, Ed, D. * P a g e
DEIDRA G. EDWARDS, ED. D.
***** ** **., ********, ** 92301 • 626-***-**** • ***********@*****.*** Professional Summary
Experienced Professional Administrator with over 18 years of experience in education.
Dedicated individual able to exhibit principles, practices, goals, and objectives of public education.
Extremely knowledgeable in educational, fiscal, philosophical, and legal aspects affecting a special education operation program.
Able to develop long-lasting human relationships, provide conflict resolution strategies and procedures, while maintaining team-building methods and techniques.
Established record of success in serving linguistically and ethnically diverse populations.
Public school teaching experience serving students in diverse, cross-cultural, secondary settings
Proficient in evaluating and analyzing complex problems, issues, and concerns accompanied with the ability to recommend appropriate alternative solutions to complex situations.
Readily promotes equity, fairness, and respect among all members of the school community. Education
Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership: Teaching and Learning, 2016: Azusa Pacific University
Master of Arts: Educational Leadership, 2010: Azusa Pacific University
Master of Arts: Special Education, 2004: Azusa Pacific University
Teacher Education/CLAD 2002: University of Phoenix
Bachelor of Science: Business Administration, 2000: University of Phoenix
Associate of Science: Business Administration, 1995: Pasadena City College Certifications
Preliminary Administrative Services Credential
Level II Education Specialist Instruction Credential/Autism Spectrum Authorization
Clear Cross-cultural, Language and Academic Development (CLAD) Certificate Work History
Pasadena Unified School District
Coordinator I Special Education/Asst. Principal, Focus Point Academy, 07/2017 to Current Deidra G. Edwards, Ed, D. 2 P a g e
Serves as an administrative and instructional leader under the principal at Focus Point Academy.
Coordinates school based related services for students with disabilities and maintains constant communication and collaboration with inter-agencies including mental health groups.
Provides guidance and assistance to students to successfully prepare them for post-secondary educational opportunities, the work force and continued lifelong learning while developing student rapport with effective communication of general graduation requirements and AB 167/216 Foster Youth graduation requirements.
Interprets school programs to the community, provides in-service training for professional staff, also directs and supervises both certified and classified staff.
Monitors progress and achievement outcomes of District's special education students regarding related services.
Develops connection between vision holders and the school site amongst creating the bridge between District and school sites.
Provides direction and assistance in the coordination, implementation and monitoring of legal compliance activities pertaining to students in special education as administrative designee for all IEP meetings.
Education Specialist, Focus Point Academy, 09/2016 to 06/2017 Education Specialist, Pasadena High School, 09/2004 to 06/2016 Education Specialist, Washington Middle School 01/2004 to 01/2009 Education Specialist, John Muir High School 09/2001 to 01/2002
Planned, organized, developed, and conducted specialized academic instruction to individuals with specific learning disabilities, mild/moderate intellectual disabilities, other health impairment, emotional disturbance, and autism spectrum disorders across the continuum of special education program options available in high school.
Evaluates student progress through utilizing multiple assessments in an ongoing process to improve the academic performance of all students accompanied with providing student progress towards IEP benchmarks/goals.
Utilized effective classroom management skills in order to provide educational support within a motivating learning environment.
Provided advice and counsel of support staff to improve instruction and therapeutic support as a means of student behavioral modification and social skills development.
Restructured day-to-day schedules based on modern knowledge of student performance.
Developed solutions to improve performance.
Increased participation and concentration while reinforcing classroom discipline by modeling acceptable behavior and respect for others.
Worked with students with disabilities to ensure educational success.
Assessed individual needs of students to create lesson plans designed to increase student engagement, accounting for academic strengths and interests of students. Deidra G. Edwards, Ed, D. 3 P a g e
Met with parents and guardians to assist in understanding and supporting educational objectives, learning expectations and behavior standards.
Interacted with other members of team in staff and IEP meetings to discuss student progress and adjust plans to meet changing demands.
Provided instructions to students using appropriate terminology to provide optimal support and keep individuals well-informed on changing policies and new educational materials.
Increased participation and concentration while reinforcing classroom discipline by modeling acceptable behavior and respect for others.
Education Department Chair, Program Coordinator, Pasadena High School 09/2007 to 06/2009
Guided the Special Education staff in maintaining Individual Education Programs (IEPs) compliance, establishing effective teaching practices, creating safe and effective learning environments geared to meeting students' academic, behavioral, and social needs.
Assisted staff in determining academic, behavior and social objectives amongst identifying school needs as a basis for developing long and short-term plans.
Consulted teachers on modified teaching methods to use when working with disabled children in general education classrooms through implementation of compliant IEP meetings through communication and collaboration with team members regarding concerns/performance of individual students.
Reviewed teacher performance and suggested improvements. Trainings
2017-2018 Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) Special Education Academy, Hesperia (2017-2018)
Pasadena Unified School District (2017-2019)
Child Welfare & Safety: Section 504
Special Education: Legal Training
Active Shooter Training
Applied Behavior Analysis
School Attendance Review Board (SARB), School Attendance Review Team (SART) & Chronic Absenteeism
Sexual Harassment Prevention for Supervisors (CA AB1825) Affiliations
Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) 2017 to Current
Association of Pasadena School Administrators (APSA) 2018 to Current Deidra G. Edwards, Ed, D. 4 P a g e
References
Michael Bell
Pasadena Unified School District
Principal at Focus Point Academy
3126 Glenrose Avenue Altadena, CA 91001
626-***-****; 626-***-**** ext. 16099
****.*******@****.**
Dr. Eric Sahakian
Pasadena Unified School District
Assistant Superintendent, School Support Services Division 351 S. Hudson Ave. Pasadena, CA 91109
626-***-****; 626-***-**** ext. 88238
********.****@****.**
Dr. Cherilyn Lew
Pasadena Unified School District
Director, Special Education
351 S. Hudson Ave. Pasadena, CA 91109
626-***-****; 626-***-**** ext. 88605
***.********@****.**
Sally Iverson
Pasadena Unified School District
Instructional Specialist
351 S. Hudson Ave. Pasadena, CA 91109
323-***-****; 626-***-**** ext. 88633
*******.*****@****.**
Douglas George
Pasadena Unified School District Pasadena Mental Health Clinical Social Worker
2046 N. Allen Ave., Room 100 Altadena, CA 91001
******.*******@****.**
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