Grace Edwardson
Cary
Summary
Dedicated educator with extensive experience at Wake County Public Schools, excelling in student engagement and instructional support. Skilled in classroom organization and active learning, ensuring personalized attention and promoting positive behavior, leading to improved student outcomes.
Experienced professional committed to providing students with tools and resources to succeed academically. Highly organized and detail-oriented with passion for helping children reach academic goals.
Overview
2026
2026
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
First Grade Teacher's Assistant
Wake County Public Schools
- Helped teacher prepare instructional material and displays.
- Enforced rules and instructions to maintain discipline.
- Assisted students in developing deeper understanding of course concepts by providing one-on-one support.
- Cleaned, organized and restocked classrooms for upcoming classes.
- Assisted with school field trips and special events by collecting permission slips and payments.
- Utilized answer sheets and electronic marking devices to grade homework and tests, accurately computing and recording results.
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
- Managed time efficiently in order to complete all tasks within deadlines.
- Demonstrated strong organizational and time management skills while managing multiple projects.
Special Education Preschool Aide
Wake County Public Schools
10.2024 - Current
- Improved communication skills of non-verbal students by utilizing alternative communication methods such as sign language and visual aids.
- Supported students'' emotional well-being by providing compassionate care and understanding in a nurturing educational setting.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary team members to ensure comprehensive support for students with special needs.
- Maintained accurate student records, documenting progress towards goals and any necessary modifications to individualized education plans.
- Assisted lead teacher in preparing lesson materials, including creating visual displays, organizing resources, and gathering necessary supplies.
- Fostered a positive learning environment for young children with special needs by embracing diversity, encouraging self-expression, and celebrating success.
- Increased student engagement through hands-on activities designed to develop fine motor skills and foster independence.
- Managed daily routines for smooth transitions between activities, minimizing disruptions within the classroom environment.
- Promoted social-emotional development by teaching self-regulation techniques and facilitating peer interactions in a supportive setting.
- Provided one-on-one assistance during academic tasks, ensuring students received personalized guidance and support.
- Aided in the implementation of behavior intervention plans, reducing incidents of challenging behaviors and promoting positive outcomes.
- Collaborated with teacher to create customized classroom environment integral to students' needs.
- Oversaw class of students in absence of instructor.
- Delivered personalized educational, behavioral, and emotional support to individual students to enable positive learning outcomes.
- Documented student behaviors, interventions, and outcomes to enable lead teacher to address pertinent issues.
- Set up visual aids, equipment, and classroom displays to support teacher's lesson delivery.
- Helped feeding and daily living skills to support physical and emotional well-being.
- Observed students' performance and recorded relevant data to assess progress.
ECS 1 Instructional Assistant
Wake County Public Schools
11.2022 - 10.2024
- Monitored student progress to identify areas requiring extra support and implement action plans to meet needs.
- Supervised students during non-instructional times such as lunch breaks or recess periods, maintaining safety standards at all times.
- Provided support during classes, group lessons, and classroom activities.
- Provided one-on-one support to students with special needs, enabling them to achieve academic success.
- Supported student learning objectives through personalized and small group assistance.
- Prepared instructional materials such as worksheets, visuals aids, or manipulatives according to teacher directives for effective lesson execution.
- Implemented behavior management techniques to maintain a positive and focused learning environment.
- Participated in professional development opportunities, staying current on best practices in education and instructional support.
- Maintained safety and security by overseeing students in recess environments.
Preschool Special Education Teacher
Wake County Public Schools
08.2022 - 11.2022
- Participated in professional development opportunities to stay current on best practices in special education, enhancing the quality of instruction provided to students.
- Established positive relationships with parents through regular communication and involvement in the educational process, fostering a strong home-school connection.
- Supported students'' emotional well-being by creating a safe and nurturing classroom atmosphere where they felt comfortable expressing themselves openly.
- Utilized various assessment tools to evaluate student performance and inform instructional planning, ensuring individualized support for every learner.
- Collaborated with related service providers to ensure consistency of support for students across all areas of development.
- Coordinated with school administrators and support staff to provide comprehensive services that addressed the whole child''s developmental needs-academically, socially, emotionally, and physically.
- Implemented behavior management techniques tailored to meet the specific needs of each student, promoting a positive learning environment conducive to academic success.
- Enhanced students'' social skills by implementing group activities and cooperative learning strategies.
- Assessed student progress through ongoing observations, data collection, and analysis, ensuring timely modifications to instruction as needed.
- Created and managed IEPs to define student learning objectives and educational strategies, in addition to applying instructional knowledge and methods to support goals.
- Taught students across multiple classifications and degrees of special needs.
- Instructed students with physical and cognitive disabilities.
- Led activities that developed students' physical, emotional, and social growth.
- Redirected students using Positive Behavior Support (PBS).
- Prepared, scheduled and led IEPs to provide right help to meet child's present needs.
- Developed positive relationships with colleagues and students within classroom to implement full-inclusion model.
- Established safe play environment for students.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - English
University of North Carolina At Greensboro
Greensboro, NC12-2020
Skills
- Active learning
- Classroom organization
- Positive reinforcement
- Reading instruction
- Student engagement
- Small group instruction
- Reliability
- Instructional support
- Hands-on learning
- Teamwork
- Time management
- Multitasking
Certification
- Physical Restraint Training Certificate – Crisis Prevention Institute or similar bodies.
Timeline
Special Education Preschool Aide
Wake County Public Schools
10.2024 - Current
ECS 1 Instructional Assistant
Wake County Public Schools
11.2022 - 10.2024
Preschool Special Education Teacher
Wake County Public Schools
08.2022 - 11.2022
First Grade Teacher's Assistant
Wake County Public Schools
Bachelor of Arts - English
University of North Carolina At Greensboro
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