E MILY S.

M ATTHEWS

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A REAS OF F OCUS : S ECONDARY S PECIAL E DUCATION ; E NGLISH L ANGUAGE A RTS

CORE COMPETENCIES

OBJECTIVE

Adolescent Development Student Diversity

Cognitive Reading/Writing Intervention
Assessment Methodology Data Collection/Analysis
Modified Activities/Assessments Progress Monitoring
Differentiated Instruction Curriculum Development

Seeking a position as a secondary Special Educator in

Western New York. Equipped with organization and
planning skills, and the ability to multi-task and set
priorities within dynamic environments. Committed to
providing students of all abilities access to curriculum that
will enable their success.

C ERTIFICATION
New York State Initial Certification
English Language Arts 7-12, September 2011
English Language Arts 5-6 extension, September 2012
Students with Disabilities Generalist 7-12, expected
September 2016

Maryland Standard Professional Certification I

English Language Arts 7-12, July 2014
Special Education, Ancillary Endorsement, July 2014
Reading 6, Ancillary Endorsement, July 2014

T EACHING E XPERIENCE
S PECIAL E DUCATION T EACHER
Great Mills High School Great Mills, MD 2014-Present
Adapt high school English (11th & 12th grade) and Government curriculum to meet the needs of learners with disabilities
Align lesson plans to meet best practices and Common Core Curriculum Standards
Support and collaborate with classroom teachers to modify and differentiate lesson plans for students with special needs
Develop appropriate curriculum and plan academic interventions for Study Skills course
Develop and implement students Individual Education Plans (IEP)
Case Management Duties
Design appropriate data collection methods; collect and analyze relevant data to effectively monitor progress on IEP goals
and objectives
Perform and analyze results of academic assessments to determine students academic strengths and weaknesses
Monitor students completion of Maryland state graduation requirements; complete College Board applications for
accommodations; complete relevant rehabilitative services applications
Perform transition assessments; develop transition plans and carry out activities to ensure students post-secondary success
Display willingness and ability to take on additional case management responsibilities in time of need
Relevant professional development and trainings:
Woodcock-Johnson IV
Restorative Practices
Kurzweil
Responsive classroom for executive functioning intervention
Visualizing and Verbalizing
Managing aggressive behavior

S UBSTITUTE T EACHER
Lockport City School District Lockport, NY 2012-2014
Performed essential classroom duties, adhering to school standards and teacher guidelines
Managed a wide range of middle and high school classes in all disciplines, including special education and literacy
Provided educational continuity through implementing established lesson plans

S TUDENT T EACHING
Emmet Belknap Middle School Lockport, NY March 2011-May 2011
Created unit on poetry and collaborated in teaching interdisciplinary unit on Holocaust literature including The Diary of
Anne Frank and selections of All But My Life for 8th grade English classes
Differentiated instruction through the use of technology in daily lesson plans, interactive activities, and assessments
Modified instruction, activities, and assessments to provide students with disabilities access to grade level curriculum
Incorporated activities designed to prepare students for New York State English/Language Arts exams into unit lessons
through use of the 6 Traits of Writing
Participated in grading 6th-8th grade New York State English/Language Arts exams in cooperation with Lockport City School
District

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E MILY S. M ATTHEWS

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Williamsville North High School Williamsville, NY January 2011-March 2011

Collaborated with Special Education co-teacher to create unit on Of Mice and Men for 9th grade English classes and thematic
unit on The Great Gatsby for 11th grade English class using student-centered lessons and activities
Modified curriculum for students with disabilities in inclusion classes through direct instruction
Utilized collaborative learning strategies, close and critical reading strategies, and emphasized reading and writing
Incorporated use of technology into daily lessons and final projects; used differentiated instruction techniques to design
lessons, interactive activities, and assessments
Participated in New York State Regents Exam preparation, completing two Critical Lens essays with 9 th and 11th grade classes

E DUCATION
N EW Y ORK S TATE T EACHING
C ERTIFICATION ;

M ASTER OF E DUCATION ;

B ACHELOR OF A RTS ;

E NGLISH E DUCATION

L EGAL S TUDIES , E NGLISH

E XCEPTIONAL E DUCATION

University at Buffalo
May 2011 GPA: 3.9/4.0
Capstone Masters Project:
How Can Technology Be Used to Enhance
Creative Composing?
Reflective Inquiry Project:
Classroom Management in a Secondary Setting

University at Buffalo
May 2009 GPA: 3.3/4.0
Honors: Cum Laude

Buffalo State College

May 2014 GPA: 3.54.0

T ECHNICAL S KILLS
Assessment Tools
Woodcock-Johnson IV
Burns & Roe Informal Reading
Inventory
Qualitative Reading Inventory 5
Curriculum Based Measurement

Web Based Applications

Moodle: Web-based classroom
Wikispaces: Web page development
Weebly: Web page development
Glogster: Multi-media poster creator

Online Interventions
Front Row
Read Theory
News ELA
Membean

R ELATED E XPERIENCE
A DVISOR , YMCA T EEN L EADERS C LUB
Lockport Family YMCA Lockport, NY 2010-2014
Organized and supervised community service projects, social events, and fund raisers for adolescent club members
Coordinated communication between staff, parents, and club members

R ESIDENT C AMP C RAFT D IRECTOR

YMCA Camp Kenan Barker, NY 2011-2012
Researched, developed, planned and taught age appropriate craft activities for diverse age groups of co-ed campers
Trained staff members in assisting with teaching activities in a structured program setting

C AMP H APPINESS C OUNSELOR

YMCA Camp Kenan Barker, NY 2008-2012
Assisted groups of individuals with developmental and orthopedic disabilities during a weeklong day camp in cooperation
with professionally trained staff and caretakers
Adapted and modified activities for participants to take part in ropes course, craft, and lakefront activities

C AMP C OUNSELOR
Lockport Family YMCA; YMCA Camp Kenan Lockport, NY; Barker, NY 2004-2007; 2010
Primary supervisor and caretaker of campers from a diverse range of ages and backgrounds
Coordinated and facilitated developmentally appropriate activities for campers
Fostered an environment conducive to learning and having new experiences

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