Special Education Depot

I have twelve years experience teaching students with moderate to severe disabilities in the public school setting. I have been the program team lead for the last 7 years. I have taught grades 4-11. I specialize in teaching students with Autism, using ABA strategies to teach concepts and skills.

I am a firm believer in hands on activities, repetition, and using familiar ideas and routines to assist students in generalizing concepts. I teach, assess, and teach again if needed. I vary my strategies based on the needs of the individual learner. My classroom runs like a well oiled machine while remaining an emotionally safe place for students to learn in. I see the unlimited potential of my students, and am excited to help them reach it!

*Program/ Department Team Lead- 7 years *Brought the "Best Buddies" program to my school *Started a Special Olympics basketball team that competes monthly *Started "Coffee Cafe" and "Anita's Burrito Delivery" to teach vocational skills to my students. *Currently I'm working on getting a pathway paved in our school courtyard for students in wheel chairs using donated engraved bricks. I'll let everyone know how it goes.

Bachelor of Science in Special Education- Trained in Applied Behavior Analysis strategies- Trained in the following curriculum. programs, and assessments: Connecting Math Concepts- Corrective Reading Comprehension and Decoding- Reading Mastery- Stars and Cars- Teach Town Social Skills- Adapted Family Life Education- Community Based Instruction- Words For Life- Functional Behavior Analysis- Behavior Intervention Plans- VAAP- VGLA- Brigance- DRA2- Mandt

I have significant personal experience working with individuals with autism. Several family members have autism and were significant drivers for my career choice.