Taylor West -McClellan
Benton
Summary
Experienced professional with 7 years in the education field, specializing in working with children with special needs. Dedicated to instilling a love for learning in students. Skilled in teaching academic subjects and imparting life skills, while implementing effective behavior cool down systems to empower students to develop their own strategies. Passionate about creating a positive environment where all students can thrive. Experienced with developing tailored educational programs for students with autism. Utilizes strong communication techniques to engage students and parents. Track record of successfully managing classroom behavior and creating inclusive learning experiences.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
Autism Teacher
Bossier Parish School Board
08.2023 - Current
- Coordinate, write, and hold IEP meetings, lead and dictate roles and responsibilities to paraprofessionals, and implement different strategies in order to build success for behaviors in the classroom
- Utilized various forms of assistive technology when appropriate to enhance communication abilities for nonverbal or minimally verbal students in the classroom environment.
- Participated in professional development opportunities related to autism education, applying new knowledge and techniques in the classroom setting.
- Maintained accurate records of student performance data, using it to inform instruction and track progress over time.
- Fostered a positive learning environment by promoting respect, empathy, and collaboration among all students regardless of ability level or background.
- Aligned curriculum goals with state standards while adapting materials specifically for an autism-focused classroom setting that emphasized social-emotional growth alongside academic achievement.
Teacher / SPED Teacher
Bossier Parish School Board
08.2017 - 05.2022
- Coordinate, write, and hold IEP meetings based on student evaluation to best meet their needs.
- Part of the school leadership team and the School Building Level Committee (SBLC) team.
- Write and implement behavior plans and token economies/reward systems for students with behavioral struggles.
- Developed strong relationships with students, parents, and colleagues by maintaining open lines of communication and fostering a supportive learning environment.
- Managed classroom behavior effectively by establishing clear expectations, modeling appropriate conduct, and consistently enforcing established rules and consequences.
- Differentiated instruction to accommodate diverse learning needs, ensuring each student had an equal opportunity for success.
- Assessed student performance regularly using both formative and summative assessments to inform future lesson planning.
- Supported students with various disabilities, including autism, ADHD, and learning differences, ensuring their unique needs were met.
Teacher
Vernon Parish School Board
08.2016 - 05.2017
- Managed classroom behavior effectively by establishing clear expectations, modeling appropriate conduct, and consistently enforcing established rules and consequences.
- Enhanced classroom engagement through the use of interactive teaching methods, such as group projects and hands-on activities.
- Differentiated instruction to accommodate diverse learning needs, ensuring each student had an equal opportunity for success.
- Collaborated with other teachers to plan interdisciplinary units that connected subjects and promoted deeper understanding among students.
- Developed and executed formative and summative assessments to monitor student progress, adjusting teaching strategies accordingly.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education
Louisiana Tech University
Ruston05.2016
Skills
- Emotional regulation support
- Collaborative teamwork
- Functional communication training
- Parent-teacher collaboration
- Data collection
- Time management
- Computer skills
- Document organization
Accomplishments
- Served on school leadership and improvement teams
- Successfully contributed to fostering inclusion and celebrating the abilities of Special Olympic athletes by participating in a Unified Sports game, thereby promoting a more accepting and understanding community.
- Cultivated a positive and supportive team environment where cheerleaders of all skill levels thrived, resulting in increased athlete retention and participation.
- Served as an active and engaged member of the Veteran's Day, Grandparent's Day, and Mother/Son Night committee, contributing valuable insights and perspectives to discussions and decision-making processes.
Hobbies and Interests
- Part time student pastor
- Reading
Timeline
Autism Teacher
Bossier Parish School Board
08.2023 - Current
Teacher / SPED Teacher
Bossier Parish School Board
08.2017 - 05.2022
Teacher
Vernon Parish School Board
08.2016 - 05.2017
Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education
Louisiana Tech University
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