Dedicated Special Education Educator (18+ yrs) in Elementary

SONJYA MAXIE-NORDSTROM

Houston, Texas ***** • 832-***-**** • *********@*****.***

Professional Summary

Dedicated Special Education Educator with over 18 years of experience in elementary classrooms, currently serving as Teacher of Record in Alief ISD. Successfully passed the Special Education certification exam and brings extensive experience delivering standards-aligned instruction across Math, ELA, Science, Social Studies, and Social-Emotional Learning for students in kindergarten through 2nd grade. Highly skilled in implementing differentiated instruction, small-group and one-on-one interventions, and behavioral supports to meet diverse learner needs. Demonstrates strong classroom management, positive behavior modeling, and effective collaboration with general education teachers, service providers, and families. Experienced in supporting students with IEP, monitoring progress, and fostering inclusive, structured learning environments that promote academic growth and self-regulation. Passionate Teaching Assistant offering 15-year background working with students to reach their highest potential. Love pushing students to success, equity, and building foundational skills in early learners. Skills

• Organizing and Distributing Materials

• Collaborative and Team-Oriented

• Encouraging Participation and Inclusivity

• Experience with Diverse Student Populations

• Creating a Safe Learning Environment

• Reinforcing Learning Concepts

• Supervising Classroom Activities

• Classroom Management

• Small Group Support and Assistance

Work History

Teacher of Record/Special Education, August 16 to Current Smith Elementary, Alief ISD Houston, TX 77099

• Served as teacher of record, assuming full responsibility for lesson planning, instruction, classroom management, and student progress monitoring.

• Implemented differentiated instruction, small-group, and one-on-one interventions to meet diverse academic and behavioral needs.

• Delivered standards-aligned instruction in Math, ELA, Science, Social Studies, and Social- Emotional Learning for students in kindergarten through 2nd grade, including students receiving special education services.

Special Education Paraprofessional, August 2022 to 2025 Spring Branch ISD West Support Center-Houston, TX

• Working with teens of ages 18-22 to prepare for life skills of being self-independent

• Making sure they are able to make-up beds, cooking, shredding papers, reading and writing, washing and folding clothes as well as watching dishes.

• Creating daily spreadsheets with student data information

• Assist teachers with student behaviors when needed Special Education Teacher's Assistant, 10/2018 to May 2022 Spring Branch ISD/Bendwood Elem. – Houston, TX

• Kept classrooms clean, neat and properly sanitized for student health and classroom efficiency.

• Handed out classroom materials, like pencils, paper and crayons.

• Worked with lead teacher to monitor class schedule and take attendance.

• Oversaw students in classroom and common areas to monitor, enforce rules and support lead teacher.

• Supported student learning objectives through personalized and small group assistance.

• Collated classroom materials to help teachers prepare for daily instruction and activities. Special Education Teacher's Assistant, 08/2014 to 05/2018 Spring Branch ISD/Wilchester Elem. – Houston, TX

• Assisted struggling students to maintain progress levels by designing individualized lesson plans focused on areas for improvement.

• Used classroom observations to create written assessments of student performance.

• Used computers, audiovisual aids and other equipment and materials to supplement presentations.

• Contributed to classroom learning by preparing and implementing daily lesson plans. Textbook Clerk, 10/2008 to 05/2014

Spring Branch ISD/Spring Shadows Elem. – Houston, TX

• Greeted customers, helped locate merchandise and suggested suitable options.

• Keeping enroll count of textbooks on school campus and would check out to teachers for each student

• Create a tally checkout sheet for each textbook and would have teachers to sign out for the number of books they received.

• All new students would receive a textbook and be responsible to turn back in at end of school year

• Would prepare for end of year audit for textbook clearance total for campus. Textbooks count must match the records that audit has for count.

Education

Bachelor of Science, Interdisciplinary Studies expected in 05/2024 University of Houston Downtown-Houston, TX

Associate of Arts-Multidisciplinary Studies, 05/2019 Houston Community College-Houston, TX

Nursing /Computer Science

Northwestern State University of Louisiana

Natchitoches, LA.

High School Diploma: 05/1980

Mansfield High School - Mansfield, LA

Contact this candidate