Kelly O'Connell

Orton Gillingham -Private and Online Tutoring - Atlanta GA

Sandy Springs
Rate : Contact for rate

Experience :

Goal oriented, dedicated, compassionate educator with twenty years of experience in special education; has an innovative approach to maximizing student achievement, engaging students in actively learning. Demonstrates an ability to reach and exceed goals set for students with disabilities in various educational settings while utilizing research-based learning tools to engage students. Promotes and supports the use of computer-based instruction and technology-based programs to track and monitor student performance while exposing students to learning components that encourages them to enhance and practice reading skills. Experienced with diversity in classroom settings and with the ability to develop strong interpersonal relationships with caregivers from various backgrounds. PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE Springfield Public Schools, Springfield, MA 01118 Special Education Teacher, EBD (1996-2003) Developed and implemented appropriate behavioral interventions and functional behavior assessments. Utilized available research to determine what the Functional Behavioral Assessment suggested about individual students. Designed, implemented and evaluated a behavioral modification plan. Met new requirements for special education teachers, IEPs and scientifically based instruction for children with disabilities. • Successfully reengaged students into less restrictive settings from a self-contained environment while collaborating with the general education teachers to meet emotional, behavioral and academic goals according to their IEP. • Participated in intensive pre-service preparation and professional development to improve the academic achievement and functional performance of children with disabilities including scientifically based instructional practices. • Consistently demonstrated high expectations for all students with disabilities, meeting the cognitive and developmental levels, processing strengths and weaknesses, learning styles and interests of the individual students. Springfield Public Schools, Springfield, MA 01118 General Education Teacher, First Grade (2003-2005) Employed and applied teaching strategies that were consistent with IDEA regulations as a READING FIRST participant in a school with a predominant minority enrollment which exhibited an overall student growth of 46% after two years of Reading First implementation. Provided the highest quality of education so that all students were empowered to realize their full-potential and lead fulfilling lives as lifelong learners and responsible citizens. • Successfully instructed students with limited English proficiency to meet and exceeded state standards by the end of first grade. • Planned and implemented a reading and language arts curriculum to cover the five essential components in reading on a “needs-based” placement and pacing model based on Dibels scores and assessment mastery. • Implemented Touch Math and Hands on Standards to provide multisensory and sequential strategies and improve student math comprehension and mastery. Cobb County Schools, Marietta, GA 30061 Special Education Teacher (2005-2019) Worked with students who were diagnosed with emotional and behavioral disorders, mild to moderate cognitive impairments, and specific learning disabilities. Designed lessons and instructed students in 3rd-5th grade in math, reading and writing in co-taught and small group setting. Collected and analyzed data on student mastery of math skills, phonics skills, and reading comprehension and fluency. Implemented and monitored the IEPs of up to 17 students while utilizing up to date research practices. Compile, maintain, and report progress monitoring to guardians and school officials based on goals and objectives with assurance that all due process procedural safeguards are afforded to students and guardians. Consistently addressed individual learning needs through the use of effective strategies, universal design learning and differentiated instruction. • Trained and continued to consult individually with a staff of 42 teachers on the use of Words Their Way to support spelling development. • Successfully advocated for the usage of Dibels as a screening and progress monitoring tool during the RTI and Tier process to properly determine when further testing was appropriate. • Introduced online educational components to the co-taught and small-group classroom; instrumental to the school wide implementation of IXL and RAZ KIDS. Education & Professional Development Clinical Masters Special Education Westfield State College, Westfield, MA, January 2003 3.6 GPA Bachelor of Science Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (formerly North Adams State College), North Adams, MA December 1991 3.25 GPA Major: Education Concentration: Early Childhood Education Skills Currently I am researching and implementing applications students with Autism Spectrum Disorder can utilize with iPads and personal devices to assist with developing their social, emotional and academic skills. I have extensive training in the Orton-Gillingham method and strategies, Benchmark, Recipe for Reading and have also utilize Kurzweil 3000 technology to support students with Dyslexia and language learning disabilities. Successful implementation of SCERTS to support all students in the classroom. Honors & Achievements Education • Dean’s List: Spring 1988, Fall 1988, Spring 1989, Spring 1990, Fall 1990, Spring 1991 • Elected by school personnel to represent the student body on the Standards Based Classroom committee. • Recruited by the college’s student support services to tutor peers with writing. Professional • Nominated for Teacher of the Year Spring 2013, Kemp Elementary School, Powder Springs, GA • Nominated for Teacher of the Year Spring 2018, Nickajack Elementary School, Smyrna, GA

Education :