Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
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Kelly Austin

London,ON

Summary

Recently retired accomplished Special Education Teacher at Thames Valley District School Board, adept in fostering inclusive environments and developing tailored IEPs. Excelled in collaborative teamwork and relationship building, significantly enhancing student and family access to resources and support. Participated in and lead professional development resulting a profound impact on skills for teaching students with diverse needs, for parenting a son, and for participating in parent groups.

Overview

37
37
years of professional experience

Work History

Special Education Teacher

Thames Valley District School Board
09.1987 - 06.2024
  • Developed IEPs tailored to individual student strengths and needs, ensuring their communication, functional academic, social, emotional, physical, behaviour and life skill needs are met
  • Adapted and modified general education curriculum for special needs using ministry of education and school board documents and guidelines, and personally developed materials
  • Taught students across multiple classifications and degrees of special needs, including physical and cognitive disabilities
  • Worked collaboratively with parents and guardians, educational assistants, learning support teacher and other school, school board and community resources
  • Fostered strong relationships with parents and guardians, maintaining open lines of communication to ensure student progress, and to assist with accessing other resources (i.e., funding, Special Services at Home, TVCC and CPRI resources, and specialized sports, recreation and summer camps)
  • Promoted a positive learning environment through the use of differentiated instruction and individualized support for diverse learners, that included self advocacy, environmental, sensory, technology, and visual supports
  • Advocated for rights and needs of students with special education requirements, ensuring access to appropriate resources and accommodations.
  • Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities focused on evidence-based practices in special education teaching methodologies.
  • Implemented inclusive practices in my own classroom, general eduction classrooms, and my school that included the TRACKS program, Best Buddies, and Peer Coaches for Special Olympics
  • Served as a mentor to new Developmental Education teachers and general education teachers sharing best practices in special education instruction and classroom management techniques.
  • Organized and led professional development sessions for colleagues on inclusive, modified and adaptive education strategies, improving school-wide support for students with disabilities.
  • Collaborated and designed learning opportunities and evaluated progress for high school co-op and Fanshawe College DSW students and evaluated their progress

Education

Bachelor of Arts - Education

Althouse - UWO
London, ON
04.1987

Bachelor of Arts - English And Psychology

UWO
London, ON
04.1986

Skills

  • Relationship Building
  • Collaborative Teamwork
  • Inclusion Strategies
  • Instructional Strategies
  • Individualized Instruction
  • IEP, Behaviour Plan and Safety Plan development
  • Problem-Solving
  • Experience with autism, FASD and other Developmental and Learning Disabilities, and some physical disabilities
  • Parent-teacher collaboration
  • Parent Communication
  • Client of TVCC for 17 years while raising a son with Multiple exceptionalities
  • Member of in person and online parent support groups for FASD and other developmental disabilities

Timeline

Special Education Teacher

Thames Valley District School Board
09.1987 - 06.2024

Bachelor of Arts - Education

Althouse - UWO

Bachelor of Arts - English And Psychology

UWO

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Kelly Austin