LORENA LOPEZ
Visalia,CA
Summary
Versatile Special Education Teacher with focus on individual student needs across academia and emotional development. Empathetic and accommodating in design and implementation of hands-on lessons, catering to diverse learning abilities. Proficient in employing constant communication, patience and positive reinforcement in team efforts to deliver exceptional educational tools, fostering academic achievement.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Special Education Teacher
Delano Union Elementary School District
07.2008 - Current
- Developed IEPs tailored to individual student needs, ensuring their academic success and personal growth.
- Created and managed IEPs to define student learning objectives and educational strategies, in addition to applying instructional knowledge and methods to support goals.
- Promoted a positive learning environment through the use of differentiated instruction and individualized support for diverse learners.
- Modified general education curriculum for special-needs students using various instructional techniques and technologies.
- Collaborated with teachers and therapists to develop individualized educational plans for each student, ensuring optimal progress.
- Fostered strong relationships with parents and guardians, maintaining open lines of communication to ensure student progress.
- Improved student behavior management by implementing consistent routines, clear expectations, and positive reinforcement strategies.
- Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities focused on evidence-based practices in special education teaching methodologies.
- Evaluated student progress regularly using various assessment methods, ensuring accurate measurement of skill development and areas requiring additional support.
- Provided targeted instructional support to struggling learners, identifying specific areas for improvement and designing effective intervention plans.
- Implemented behavior modification strategies, resulting in improved self-regulation and classroom participation among students.
- Provided one-on-one support for students with learning disabilities, enabling them to excel in their coursework.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to provide comprehensive support for students with special needs.
- Coordinated with general education teachers to develop accommodations or modifications necessary for successful inclusion of students with special needs in mainstream classrooms.
- Delivered effective and differentiated classroom instruction to range of neurodiverse students.
- Cultivated connections and strong student rapport to foster classroom engagement, in addition to recording student progress to inform parents and school administration.
- Taught multiple subjects to students with intellectual or emotional disabilities.
- Assisted in creating a safe and nurturing classroom environment that promoted emotional well-being and academic growth for all students.
- Led activities that developed students' physical, emotional, and social growth.
- Redirected students using Positive Behavior Support (PBS).
- Supported students in developing social skills through structured activities and positive reinforcement techniques.
- Enhanced students'' communication skills by implementing group activities and collaborative projects.
- Served as a mentor to new teachers, sharing best practices in special education instruction and classroom management techniques.
- Streamlined classroom processes by integrating technology tools such as interactive whiteboards and assistive devices designed for students with disabilities.
- Implemented behavior modification techniques to improve student social and academic performance.
- Conducted assessments of students to determine individual needs.
Substitute
Visalia Unified School District
03.2008 - 06.2008
Case Manager
Westside Regional Center
07.2004 - 04.2008
Special Events Coordinator
The Jeffrey Foundation
12.2003 - 07.2004
Social Worker
Tulare County Health & Human Services Agency
04.2002 - 06.2003
Education
Master of Arts - Special Education
Point Loma Nazarene University
San Diego, CA08.2011
Special Education Credential
Frameworks Impact Program
Tulare County06.2008
32 Courses in Child Development -
University of California, Davis, Extension
01.2003
Bachelor of Arts - Sociology And Chicana/o Studies
University of California - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA06.2001
Dinuba High School
01.1995
Skills
- Differentiated Instruction
- Classroom Management
- Individual Education Plans IEPs
- Small Group Instruction
- Relationship Building
- Co-teaching Experience
- Lesson Planning
- Collaborative Teamwork
- Data Management
- Team Collaboration
- Inclusion Strategies
- Group and individual instruction
- Motivating students
- Parent Communication
- Autism Spectrum Knowledge
- Parent-teacher collaboration
- Instructional Strategies
- De-Escalation Techniques
- Social Skills Development
- Behavior Intervention Plans
- Verbal and Nonverbal Communication
- Literacy Intervention
- Visual supports
- Behavior Modifications
- Assistive Technology
- Behavior Modification
- Social Skills Training
- Emotional Support
Accomplishments
- Teacher of the Year 2011-12 and 2021-22
- Served as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteer in CA from 2002 to 2003.
- Trained and Mentored incoming teachers
- Latino Family Literacy Project Chairperson
Affiliations
- Lil' Libros Co-owner
Certification
- Autism Spectrum Certification
- Assistive Technology Certificate
Languages
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Special Education Teacher
Delano Union Elementary School District
07.2008 - Current
Substitute
Visalia Unified School District
03.2008 - 06.2008
Case Manager
Westside Regional Center
07.2004 - 04.2008
Special Events Coordinator
The Jeffrey Foundation
12.2003 - 07.2004
Social Worker
Tulare County Health & Human Services Agency
04.2002 - 06.2003
Master of Arts - Special Education
Point Loma Nazarene University
Special Education Credential
Frameworks Impact Program
32 Courses in Child Development -
University of California, Davis, Extension
Bachelor of Arts - Sociology And Chicana/o Studies
University of California - Los Angeles
Dinuba High School
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