Special Education Assistant

Stephanie D. Nelson-Dennis

Curriculum Vitae

Special Education Professional Adjunct University Professor Ed.D Conferred

Doctorate in Education backed by distinguished and focused professional history of delivering and implementing educational leadership and policy administration. University-level adjunct faculty member brings program management expertise and a passion for growing and supporting and equipping aspiring educators to use research-based instructional strategies for students with learning and educational disabilities.

CORE COMPETENCIES

Education Program Development, Analysis, Interpretation, Evaluation Adjunct Faculty

Education Technology-based Platforms Teacher Coaching, Motivation, Mentoring

Grant Writing Director-level Management Research-based Instructional Strategies

School-Wide Communications Outreach Advocate Consensus Builder

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Gilman School Baltimore, MD July 2016–Present

(Independent private school (K-12) offers academic rigorous college preparatory curriculum for boys.)

Director of Academics – Upper School Learning Specialist. Provide school-wide leadership for development and implementation of student accommodation plans that delivers best practices for students with learning disabilities. Provide Instructional Supervision for Upper School Division.

●Conduct professional development, parent trainings, classroom observations.

●Lead professional learning communities to implement strategies that support students with learning disabilities.

●Help students develop self-advocacy skills required to successfully transition to post-secondary education.

●Utilize Canvas education technology-based platform for learning platform.

Baltimore County Public Schools Towson, MD July 2015– July 2016

(Public schools in Baltimore County. Twenty-fifth largest school system in the US.)

Disabilities Awareness Resource Specialist (PK-5). Led system-wide initiatives to increase awareness of students with disabilities in an inclusive learning environment.

●Delivered technical assistance to school leaders and IEP team members to determine appropriate placement for students with disabilities.

●Analyze and interpret test results.

●Educate teachers and parents on challenges and nuances of students with disabilities.

Towson University Towson, MD January 2016–Present

(Baltimore area university, part of University System of Maryland offering undergraduate, master, and doctoral degree programs.)

Adjunct Faculty – Department of Special Education. Delivers graduate level courses to students pursuing advanced teaching degrees.

●Manage classroom matrix and provide instruction to university students pursing Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) and Master in Education, Elementary and Secondary degrees. Courses:

oSPED 637 – Inclusion for the Classroom Teacher

oSPED 644 – Universal Design for Learning

●Utilize Blackboard education technology-based learning platform.

●Participate in professional development activities to increase knowledge of research-based instructional strategies for graduate students.

Baltimore City Head Start/Special Education Consultant Baltimore, MD July 2015–September 2017 and July 2000 – June 2007

(Federally funded pre-school and family development program provides early intervention services to low income children and families.)

Consultant – Mentor Coach (PK-PK4). Conducted summer class observations, managed feedback conferences, modeled instructional strategies and professional development for new and experienced teachers. Provide Instructional Supervision for teachers of early learners (PK 3-4).

●Provided in home and center-based instruction for early learners with developmental delays

●Presented operational and instruction policies.

●Monitored standards and goals for teachers. Mentored teachers.

●Participated in teacher and parent conferences.

●Conducted screenings, facilitated IEP meetings to obtain OT, PT & Speech services

●Conducted program-wide staff development on instructional strategies/techniques for early learners with developmental delays

Maryland School for the Blind Parkville, MD July 2014–July 2015

(Statewide resource center providing outreach, education, and residential programs to children and youth who are blind, visually impaired, and those with multiple disabilities.)

Assistant Principal – Upper School. Provided instructional leadership for teachers and students enrolled in the General Academic Program (grades 1-12)

●Administered and managed teacher observations, evaluations, and professional development.

●Managed budget and coordinated the Extended School Year (ESY) program.

●Assisted students search for post-secondary education learning opportunities.

Mary E. Rodman Elementary School Baltimore, MD July 2011–July 2014

(Baltimore City Public Schools – Elementary School.)

Assistant Principal. Supported school mission to improve operations, student achievement and close achievement gaps for inner city school.

●Served as Instructional Leader for teachers and para-educators.

●Managed all aspects of budgeting and fiscal reporting for school-based and district-level reporting for the Extended School Year (ESY) Program.

●Served as Leadership Chair and Community Liaison for various community organizations to build and improve relationships within the surrounding neighborhoods and faith-based organizations.

McDonogh School Owings Mills, MD July 2002–July 2011

(Private, coeducational, college-preparatory school).

Upper School Learning Specialist. Developed and implemented Student Learning Plans (SLPs) and served as primary resource for teachers, students, and parents supporting diverse learners.

●Introduced and supported strategies and initiatives to help diverse learners integrate improved study skills, and advocacy skills to prepare for transition to college.

●Served as SSD Coordinator to secure testing accommodations for PSAT, SAT, and AP Examinations.

●Provided input, as requested, for the Administrative Team regarding policies which impacted students with learning differences.

Baltimore City Department of Human Resources Baltimore, MD 2000–2005

(Before and After City School Program).

Consultant. Secured $150K grant for before and after school program.

Wrote grant for Emmanuel Temple AME Church for East Baltimore program housed in Harford Heights Elementary School.

EDUCATION

Doctorate in Education, Ed.D, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, December 2017

(Organizational Leadership)

Thesis: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis to Examine the Impact of Principal Servant Leadership on New Teacher Engagement in Urban Pubic Schools

Master degree in Education, M.Ed, Coppin State University, Baltimore, Maryland

(Special Education)

Bachelor of Arts, B.A., University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC), Baltimore, Maryland

(Health, Science and Policy)

CERTIFICATES

Administrative I & II Certificates

Maryland State Department of Education, Principal Certification

Advanced Professional Certificate – Generic Special Education, Grades 6-Adult, Early Childhood

Reading K-8

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP AFFILIATIONS

National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAYEC)

AIMS of Maryland/DC – Network of Learning Specialists

National Association of Black School Educators (NABSE)

National Chapter of The Council of Exceptional Children (CEC)

Early Children Special Education (ECSE)

Association for Supervision Curriculum Development (ASCD)

National Association of African Americans in Human Resources (NAAAHR)

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