Craig Sanders

Craig Sanders

Habilitation Specialist

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location of Craig SandersGarnerville, New York, United States

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  • Timeline

  • About me

    Educator with 20+ years working with people that need special support. "If you can be anything, be kind." - Fred Rogers

  • Education

    • The City College of New York

      -
      Master's degree Students With Disabilities
    • SUNY New Paltz

      1995 - 2020
      Bachelor of Arts - BA English/ Creative Writing
    • The City College of New York

      2008 - 2012
      Master of Arts - MA Special Education and Teaching

      Master of Arts in Special Education, Students with Disabilities Grades 1 - 6. My thesis was on using Creative Writing exercises and narrative writing to improve reading comprehension skills in students that require special support.

    • The City College of New York

      2008 - 2012
      Master of Science - MS Special Education and Teaching

      Master's in Students With Disabilities Grades 1 - 6

  • Experience

    • ARC of Rockland

      Jun 2006 - Mar 2008
      Habilitation Specialist

      • Supported Developmentally Challenged adults, with a range of Moderate to Profound MR, Autism, and various mental illnesses in a day program with a wide range of people receiving support. • Supervised and directed habilitation assistants.• Administered medication daily to multiple people receiving support• Supervised or provided direct support for activities of daily living• Wrote monthly assessment reports for each student and attended ISP meetings• Acted as day program liaison for parents and group homes• Independent development of lesson plans• Conceived, developed, and implemented Music Therapy Class• Transportation of students for community-based instruction Show less

    • Rockland BOCES

      Jun 2008 - Jun 2019
      Substitute Teacher and Teacher's Aide

      • Assisted in instruction and classroom management for children and teenagers that require special support. Instructed classes in multiple subjects as needed• Supported students with challenges including: Autism, MR, EC, CP, PDD, and conduct disorders. This support varied from one-to-one or general classroom support, depending on need• Assisted with life and vocational skills in community-based settings. One-to-one help performed when required• Assisted with activities of daily living as needed Show less

    • Clarkstown Central School District

      Jan 2011 - Jun 2011
      Student Teacher/Teacher's Assistant

      • Student Teacher at from Jan – May. Teacher’s Assistant from May - June• Taught and supported a class of 3rd and 4th graders with emotional and learning challenges• Special emphasis placed on reading and writing skills (Creative, Persuasive, and Expository), but showed excellence in teaching all subjects• Independent development of lesson plans for multiple subjects. Commended for creativity in lessons to reach students with different learning styles

    • YAI

      Jul 2018 - Jul 2022
      Employment Training Specialist

      • Act as the Employment Training Specialist for Project SEARCH: a joint Rockland BOCES and YAI Work-Based Learning program for youths transitioning out of child services• Train students on various tasks in a multitude of hospital departments including: Guest Services, Emergency Department, Respiratory Department, Materials Management, Environmental Services, and Mother/Baby Ward• Provide both intellectual and emotional support to students as needed while at internships• Communicate with hospital staff to ensure productive and educational internships and a good working relationship between the program and hospital• Assist classroom teacher with “soft skills” lessons to create a robust learning environment. Occasionally teaches the lessons. This includes creating and implementing lesson plans with differentiated instruction based on student learning styles, strengths, and challenges.• Help develop student career paths based on the individual’s wants and needs for future employment• Document student progress monthly for ACCES VR and keep case notes on the students• Attend collaborative meetings with parents, schools, and other agencies as needed to create a cohesive and seamless Transition Plan into Adult Services• Assist Classroom Teacher and Transition Coordinator in interviewing and assessing prospective Project SEARCH interns• Create résumés for youths based on previous work and internships to help them enter the job force. Teach students how to search for and apply to jobs and assist them with the process• Prepare students for job interviews and attend interviews when requested by student• Assist with ACCES VR funded Summer Work Program, supervising several students at a worksite, training them in the skills needed for the job. Provide on-site instruction and support to best help the students achieve their goals Show less

    • Rockland BOCES

      Jul 2022 - Aug 2022
      Special Education Teacher

      ESY Special Education Teacher at the Jesse J Kaplan School

    • White Plains City School District

      Sept 2022 - Dec 2022
      Special Education Teacher

      Leave Replacement Special Education Teacher at Eastview Middle School's SAIL Program

    • Orange-Ulster BOCES

      Dec 2022 - now
      Special Education Teacher

      Special Education Teacher in STRIVE Program

  • Licenses & Certifications

    • Initial Certification: Special Education Grades 1 - 6 (Emergency COVID-19 Certification)

      New York State Education Department
      Jan 2022