Celeste C.

Experience

• 

  NYC Department of Education

  Nov 1995 - Jun 2004

  Paraprofessional

  ● Assisted in the day to day instruction of a class of children with Down Syndrome and emotionally handicapped children focusing on behavioral and health needs

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  NYC Department of Education

  Sept 2004 - Jun 2005

  NYC Teaching Fellow - Special Education Teacher (The James M Kieran School P.S. /I.S. 123)

  ● Oversaw a kindergarten special education inclusion class by developing individualized programs for each student as well as assessing academic, behavioral, social and emotional performance

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  NYC Department of Education

  Sept 2005 - Jun 2016

  Special Education Teacher (Community School 152)

  ● Developed individualized educational programs (IEP’s) for a bridge class that comprised of 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students● Differentiated instruction for all subjects, incorporating technology in the classroom to create an interactive curriculum that promotes cognitive development● Assessed students’ academic, behavioral, social and emotional performance● Collaborated with school counselors to review student progress reports and develop action plans to foster a strong learning community● Engaged with teachers, administrators and students to create events such as a health fair workshop and turning the school into a museum with student created historical displays Show less

• 

  Bedford Stuyvesant New Beginnings Charter School

  Sept 2016 - Dec 2023

  ● Provide first line support for the K-4 Special Education (SPED) program and to the grades 5-8 SPED program; consisting of 158 students enrolled from grades K-8 ● Develop effective modifications, strategies and interventions within the classroom focusing on differentiation and specially designed instruction and behavior ● Engage with K-8 SPED teachers regarding calendar milestones including needs assessment dates, upcoming conflicts and IEP meetings and expectations ● Develop and deliver workshops including Ensuring Educational Benefit in IEP Writing, SESIS Navigation and “Eventing” Parent Contact Attempts to support K-4 SPED teachers with IEP preparation ● Observe both LS SPED and Tier 2/3 students to provide teachers with classroom coaching to address learning and behavioral issues as well as to document observations for administrators● Interact with educators, administrators and parents to ensure everyone is up to speed on program progress, new policies and any issues impacting the K-4 SPED program● Assist in the upkeep of K-8 SPED related documents including New Admits/IEP Doc, BSNBCS 17-18 IEP Students and Testing Accommodations ● Manage the SPED paraprofessional program including auditing timesheets, training and compliance Show less ● Customize and deliver engaging gen ed. curriculum to 2nd graders; ensuring learning programs are differentiated for students who are diverse learners or need additional support● Identify areas of growth by assessing student social, emotional and academic performance as well as actively creating data driven instruction plans to enhance student development● Oversee all lesson planning and curriculum development that fosters discovery based learning and design challenges to promote student’s aptitude in multiple skills ● Engage in professional development workshops that cover iReady Diagnostic Data, Responsive Classroom Programs, Response to Intervention (RTI) and Cognitively Guided Instruction● Developing a PLC program that focuses on the process for creating IEP’s; a program that is currently being introduced to the school ● Collaborate with the staff and administrators to create community engagement programs that include publishing parties, math games and come read with your child initiatives Show less

  • Special Education Coordinator

    Sept 2017 - Dec 2023

  • Lead Teacher

    Sept 2016 - Dec 2023