Abby Ritson

Email: abbyritson@gmail.com
Cell phone: 860-392-8742

EDUCATION
Marist College, Poughkeepsie, NY May 2018
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Special Education
Honors: magna cum laude
University of Cape Town, South Africa Spring 2016

CERTIFICATIONS
CT Initial Teaching Certificate 305 (Elementary 1-6) & 165 (Special Education Comprehensive K-12)
Applied for MA Initial Teaching Certificate

RELEVANT TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Enfield Public Schools, Enfield, CT Sept. 2018-Present
Special education teacher at Henry Barnard Elementary School and Hazardville Memorial School (Sept. - Dec. 2018)
Special education teacher at Hazardville Memorial School (December 2018-Present)
 Case manager for 15 students ranging from kindergarten to second grade with a variety of social-emotional &
cognitive needs. As a resource service provider, I service students in small groups, as well as support teachers
with modifications and accommodations for the classroom. I also oversee the implementation of a full day
structured program in resource room for student whose significant needs require a separate setting.
 Implement evidenced based reading programs with a multisensory approach including Sounds Sensible,
SPIRE and elements of the Wilson reading program into daily targeted lessons.
 Collaborate with school psychologists, general education teachers, and other special education teachers to
create & implement individual behavior plans for students with challenging behaviors.
 Support paraprofessionals with check-ins and training on behavior plans and instructional strategies.
 Report on student data and IEP progress at PPTs. Responsible for planning and leading PPTs, and creating
students’ IEPs.
 Participate in school-wide Student Assistance Team meetings to provide strategies and resources for struggling
students.

Simsbury Public Schools, Simsbury, CT Summer 2018, Summer 2019

Summer school special education teacher
 Provided academic IEP goal support to 12 students in grades 3-5 in the areas of reading, writing and math.

Gayhead Elementary School, Hopewell Junction, NY Spring 2018

Student teacher in an inclusive 4th grade classroom, with 25 students, 11 with IEPs
 Developed and taught a differentiated, interdisciplinary unit based on Calkins’ Units of Study. Using a whole-
class workshop model and the grade level science curriculum, taught learner to identify main idea and
supporting details in informational texts. Adapted instructional methods and materials to provide
individualized support in math for students with a full range of disabilities.
 Communicated with families, participated in IEP annual reviews with cooperating teachers
 By the end of the 16 week experience, had assumed responsibility for all instructional and management tasks
assigned to the general education teacher and then to the special education teacher.

Morse Elementary School, Poughkeepsie, NY Fall 2017

Fieldwork intern in literacy, in a 3rd grade class in a Title I school
 One day per week, provided individual support to struggling readers
 Assessed all students’ reading progress using the Fountas & Pinnell Assessment System
 Created and implemented an individualized 6 week tutoring plan for a struggling reader and writer
 Monitored and assisted with reading workshop rotations
Abby Ritson – Resume Page 2
Anderson Center for Autism, Staatsburg, NY Fall 2017
Fieldwork intern in special school for students with ASD, in 6:1:3 class for ages 12-15
 Used alternate assessment standards and student IEP goals to create and teach an adapted lesson on reading
comprehension
 Utilized research-based practices, such as adapted texts, modified worksheets and prompting hierarchy to meet
the needs of the diverse students

Simsbury Board of Education, Simsbury, CT Summer 2015, 2016

Paraprofessional
 Provided one-on-one support for a high school boy with autism
 Taught vocational math skills, reading comprehension and problem solving
 Led community trips with students to practice life skills
Substitute Paraprofessional Breaks 2016-2018
 Provided support for 3 and 4 grade students with behavior intervention plans
rd th

 Provided academic and social support at Simsbury High School for students in a 8:1:4 special class

INTERNATIONAL TEACHING EXPERIENCE

SHAWCO (Student Health and Welfare Centres Organisation), Cape Town, South Africa Spring 2016
 Taught 5th grade remedial math to 8 students weekly in the township of Kensington, a low socioeconomic area
outside of Cape Town.

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION EXPERIENCE

First Church of Christ, Simsbury, CT Sept. 2019-Present
High school youth group advisor
 Facilitate small group discussions and help lead small and large group activities during weekly youth group
meetings.
 Helped lead a fall retreat based on Brené Brown’s teachings on vulnerability and being your authentic self.
 Plan content and programs for the youth group as a member of advisory team.
The Children’s Home of Poughkeepsie, Poughkeepsie, NY Summer 2017
Tarver Intern
 Developed and implemented a life-skills curriculum for 10 youth ages 14-20 who have experienced significant
abuse and neglect throughout their lives and currently live in a residential foster care
 Incorporated ongoing feedback in curricular changes and provided suggestions for curriculum use in the future
Sisters for Sisters, Cape Town, South Africa Spring 2016
Workshop Planner
 Created workshops for abused women and children on topics relevant to their lives
Liberty Partnership Program, Poughkeepsie, NY Spring 2015
Volunteer Tutor
 Tutored at-risk high school students in math and language arts