Keywords: Teacher, Special Education, Incarcerated Youth, IEP, Mild/Moderate, Students with Emotional Disturbances, crisis volunteer, family educator, domestic violence, parent coach

Education

2011–2012 Master of Arts (Distinction), Teaching, Special Education

National University

2007–2009 Special Education Certificate of Eligibility Credential Level 1

San Jose State University

1993–1996 Bachelor of Arts (Cum Laude), English (Secondary Education)

State University of New York, College at Fredonia

Professional Experience

Crisis Volunteer — Crisis Text Line

September 2017 – Present

Volunteering as an online, text based, crisis counselor. Completed over 30 hours of training. 450+ hours volunteering, helping over 1300 texters in need.

Teacher — Special Education, Mild/Moderate/Inclusion — Incarcerated Youth

January 2007 – June 2009

Santa Clara County Office of Education; Morgan Hill, CA

Teaching learning and/or emotionally disabled youth that were placed at James Ranch by the juvenile court system. Teaching all levels of high school academics that were necessary for each student’s home district so that they would be on track for high school graduation. At times this classroom also contained general education students and was an inclusion classroom.

Teacher — Special Education — Students with Emotional Disturbances

August 2005 – September 2006

Santa Clara County Office of Education; San Jose, CA

Teaching eight students with severe emotional disabilities in an academic program that included mental health professionals on staff. Working as a team to best serve this population. Teaching all levels of high school academics that were necessary for each student’s home district so that they would be on track for high school graduation.

Teacher in Training — Moderate/Severe Special Education Day Class

December 2003 – August 2005

AchieveKids; San Jose, CA

Teaching an adolescent class of moderately to severely developmentally and mentally disabled students life skills and functional academics, including supervising five paraprofessionals within the classroom.

Teacher — Basic Skills

September 2001 – September 2003

Daytop Preparatory School; Millbrook, NY

Prepared and taught Math, English and Science lessons to students aged 14-20 enrolled in a 6-12 month residential Therapeutic Community for drug/alcohol abuse. 

Family Educator

December 1999 – August 2001

Ulster Prevention Services, New York Foundling Hospital; Kingston, NY

Taught life and parenting skills to high-risk families whose children are in danger of being removed from the home. This position required home visits, coordinating with other service providers, flexibility, and patience. Tasks included nutrition planning, modeling appropriate interaction, and court appearances. I also co-facilitated a parenting group offered through our agency.

Program Aide Coordinator

July 1998 – October 1999

Family Domestic Violence Shelter; Ulster, NY

Working with women and children seeking safety from domestic violence situations. 

Crisis Intervention Volunteer

August 1993 – July 1996

Chautauqua County Crisis Intervention Hotline; Fredonia, NY 

Over 1000 hours volunteered in the course of three years of telephone crisis service.