JENNIFER SYLVESTER
Jacksonville
Summary
Dedicated and passionate individual with a strong background in managing and guiding students, particularly those with challenging behaviors. Exceptional literacy and numeracy skills to effectively support students in their academic development. Building positive and productive relationships with students and adults, creating a harmonious learning environment. Solid interpersonal skills for effective communication and collaboration with stakeholders. Exceptional written and verbal communication skills to convey information clearly and concisely. Committed to Special Education, constantly seeking new systems and methods to improve student outcomes.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Lead Exceptional Children Teacher
Onslow County Schools
08.2023 - Current
- Serve as a member of the school's leadership team, participating in strategic planning efforts aimed at continuous improvement initiatives.
- Develop and implement classroom routines to address varying student needs.
- Meet with students, parents and administrators to address and resolve students' behavioral and academic issues.
- Work with staff members and teachers to design comprehensive and individualized plans to optimize student education.
- Participate in department meetings to provide input to colleagues about student achievement and improvement.
- Evaluate students' progress regularly using formative assessments, adjusting instructional strategies as needed for optimal learning outcomes.
- Serve as a mentor to new teachers entering the field, offering guidance, support, and sharing best practices for successful classroom management.
- Participate actively in school-wide initiatives focused on improving overall student achievement levels and school climate.
- Promote a positive classroom culture by implementing effective behavior management strategies and clear expectations for conduct.
- Create and manage IEPs to define student learning objectives and educational strategies, in addition to applying instructional knowledge and methods to support goals.
- Modify general education curriculum for special-needs students using various instructional techniques and technologies.
- Teach students across multiple classifications and degrees of special needs.
- Encourage students to take ownership of learning by providing choices.
- Collaborate with other educators to develop instructional strategies.
- Monitor student performance to evaluate effectiveness of instructional strategies.
- Help students with special needs integrate into general classroom environments by advocating for individual requirements and helping teachers solve problems.
- Mentor new teachers on student progress monitoring and legal document preparation.
- Provide professional development training to educate faculty and staff on laws and regulations governing special education.
- Maintain patience and level-headedness in diverse situations to support student development and personal growth.
- Mentor new teachers, sharing best practices and providing guidance to help them adapt to their new roles successfully.
- Utilize data-driven instruction to tailor lessons for improved academic performance.
- Demonstrate respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
- Assist with day-to-day tasks and demands, working efficiently and productively with all team members.
- Develop and maintain courteous and effective working relationships.
- Assist with the hiring process by attending interviews and providing feedback to administration on prospective EC teachers or EC instructional assistants.
- Run weekly department meetings when needed effectively and within guidelines from district coach and county.
- Interpret out-of-state IEPs and facilitate the proper educational placement.
Exceptional Children Resource Teacher
Onslow County Schools
08.2021 - 06.2023
- Facilitated small group instruction to address individual learning needs.
- Planned daily activities to keep students engaged and on track with learning goals.
- Implemented behavior modification techniques to improve student social and academic performance.
- Collaborated with other educators to develop instructional strategies.
- Conducted assessments of students to determine individual needs.
- Maintained accurate records of student progress and attendance.
- Monitored student performance to evaluate effectiveness of instructional strategies.
- Developed and implemented behavior management plans to improve student behavior.
- Designed individual education plans to encourage student growth according to different learning abilities and needs.
- Worked closely with parents and guardians to address students' issues on multiple fronts.
- Improved behavior by modeling positive choices and teaching socially-acceptable options.
- Provided emotional support to students and families.
- Utilized technology to create meaningful lessons that engage students.
- Facilitated differentiated instruction by providing a variety of resources tailored to meet each student''s unique needs and abilities.
- Assessed student progress regularly using formative assessments, adjusting instructional strategies as needed for optimal learning outcomes.
- Managed classroom behavior effectively, creating a safe and supportive environment conducive to learning.
- Increased student understanding by utilizing various teaching methods and adapting to individual learning styles.
- Developed strong relationships with parents and guardians, fostering open communication about students'' progress and needs.
- Contributed to the improvement of school-wide curriculum by participating in professional development opportunities and sharing best practices with colleagues.
- Led after-school tutoring sessions for students needing additional academic support in core subject areas.
- Modified general education curriculum for special-needs students using various instructional techniques and technologies.
- Taught students across multiple classifications and degrees of special needs.
- Instructed students with physical and cognitive disabilities.
- Taught multiple subjects to students with intellectual or emotional disabilities.
- Delivered effective and differentiated classroom instruction to range of neurodiverse students.
- Created and managed IEPs to define student learning objectives and educational strategies, in addition to applying instructional knowledge and methods to support goals.
- Cultivated connections and strong student rapport to foster classroom engagement, in addition to recording student progress to inform parents and school administration.
- Developed Individual Education Plans for students with special needs.
Exceptional Children Teacher Assistant
Onslow County Schools
01.2020 - 06.2021
- Maintained composure in difficult situations.
- Received and applied constructive criticism.
- Worked cooperatively with other school personnel such as related services.
- Maintained confidentiality of student information.
- Developed strong rapport with students by demonstrating empathy, patience, and understanding during daily interactions both inside and outside the classroom setting.
- Managed challenging behaviors using de-escalation techniques to maintain a safe and productive learning environment for all students involved.
- Assisted in the implementation of effective behavior management techniques, resulting in a more focused and positive classroom environment.
- Collaborated with teacher to create customized classroom environment integral to students' needs.
- Maintained positive attitude and affirmatively communicated with each student.
- Oversaw class of students in absence of teacher.
- Supported teacher in development of individual learning strategies.
- Documented student behaviors, interventions, and outcomes to enable lead teacher to address pertinent issues.
- Facilitated social skills development through targeted group activities, promoting positive peer relationships and increased self-confidence among special education students.
- Established professional relationships with parents and other teachers to increase rapport and support.
- Alerted instructor to student behavior or issues requiring intervention.
- Created positive and inclusive classroom environment by helping students develop social skills and relationships.
- Observed students' performance and recorded relevant data to assess progress.
- Understood and acclimated to teacher's routine to provide classroom coverage.
- Provided individualized reading, writing and math instruction to support student development.
Substitute Teacher, K-5
Onslow County Schools
09.2019 - 12.2019
- Managed daily classroom routines efficiently, promoting a structured environment conducive to learning.
- Enhanced classroom management skills by implementing clear expectations and consistent consequences for behavior.
- Repeatedly requested as substitute teacher by teachers based on excellent past referrals and trusted performance.
- Developed strong relationships with students, fostering a positive learning environment that promoted academic growth.
- Followed lesson plans designed by absent teachers.
- Utilized variety of instructional strategies to meet individual student needs.
- Fostered a positive rapport with students through genuine interactions that built trust and encouraged open communication.
- Adapted lesson content to accommodate various learning styles within the classroom while maintaining alignment with curriculum standards.
- Utilized assistive technology tools to increase accessibility and engagement for students with diverse abilities in the classroom setting.
- Taught students across multiple classifications and degrees of special needs.
Family Readiness Assistant (Volunteer)
2nd Battalion, 1st Marines
03.2014 - 02.2017
- Assisted the Family Readiness Officer with spreading the word about company events, programs offered, and available activities
- Attended monthly meetings with other company assistants to brainstorm ideas for upcoming family events
Family Readiness Assistant (Volunteer)
3rd Recruit Training Battalion
04.2011 - 12.2012
- Complemented and supported the Family Readiness Officer by welcoming families and providing feedback from the families
- Distributed resource and referral services available
- Served as the point of contact for questions or concerns regarding company or battalion events
- Planned, coordinated, budgeted, and executed company specific outpost parties
Nanny
MacIntyre Family
06.2008 - 06.2010
- Provided care for one young child and was responsible for transportation, extracurricular activities, and meal planning
Education
Continuing Education - Special Education
East Carolina University
Greenville, NC12-2023
Bachelor of Arts - History
University of Massachusetts
Boston, MA12-2007
Skills
- Classroom management
- Relationship building
- Critical thinking
- Behavior management
- Positive role model and mentor
- Growth mindset
- Conflict resolution
- Collaborative learning
- Curriculum implementation
- Proficient in applying the principles of LETRS
- Flexible and adaptive
- Differentiated instruction
Accomplishments
- Named "Teacher of the Year" at Summersill Elementary School in 2024-2025.
- Named "Exceptional Children Teacher of the Year" at Summersill Elementary School in 2023-2024.
- Named "Beginning Teacher of the Year" at Summersill Elementary School in 2021-2022.
- Won “Teacher of the Month” award at Summersill Elementary School in 2022 and 2023.
- Curriculum Implementation - One of the first trained educators in the school district to teach reading to special education students using the SPIRE curriculum adopted by the county.
Certification
- State Teaching License in Special Education, General Curriculum - North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (2024).
Timeline
Lead Exceptional Children Teacher
Onslow County Schools
08.2023 - Current
Exceptional Children Resource Teacher
Onslow County Schools
08.2021 - 06.2023
Exceptional Children Teacher Assistant
Onslow County Schools
01.2020 - 06.2021
Substitute Teacher, K-5
Onslow County Schools
09.2019 - 12.2019
Family Readiness Assistant (Volunteer)
2nd Battalion, 1st Marines
03.2014 - 02.2017
Family Readiness Assistant (Volunteer)
3rd Recruit Training Battalion
04.2011 - 12.2012
Nanny
MacIntyre Family
06.2008 - 06.2010
- State Teaching License in Special Education, General Curriculum - North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (2024).
Continuing Education - Special Education
East Carolina University
Bachelor of Arts - History
University of Massachusetts
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