Karla R. Swain
Charleston
Summary
As an educator of students with exceptionalities since 2001, I stay abreast of current research and best practices to ensure all students receive a quality education to meet their individual needs. During my career, I have taught at all levels of education in the public school setting with the majority being K - 5. I have taught in a variety of placement settings including resource, self-contained, blended model, and co-teaching. I strive to give all students the abilities needed to meet and exceed their potential through academic and social emotional instruction, as well as learning self-advocacy.
In addition to typical non-instructional duties of writing IEPs, BIPs, progress monitoring, and reports, and lesson planning, I have also served as team lead, MTSS team member, organized school wide data, and mentored clinical students and new teachers.
These experiences have allowed me the opportunity to be involved in additional activities with students including therapeutic horseback riding. Which in turn afforded me the ability to develop strong relationships with the instructors at CATR, and to speak at their groundbreaking ceremony. I have also been Teacher of the Year at the school level, and Teacher of the Month. Most importantly these opportunities have allowed me to build long lasting relationships with students, families, and colleagues.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Special Education Teacher
Charleston County School District
08.2024 - 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.
- 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.
- Taught students across multiple classifications and degrees of 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.
- Coordinated special education students and teacher assistant schedules with master schedule.
- Led activities that developed students' physical, emotional, and social growth.
- Redirected students using Positive Behavior Support (PBS).
- Encouraged students to take ownership of learning by providing choices.
- Created culturally responsive classroom environment, acknowledging and celebrating diversity among students.
- Adapted teaching methods and materials to meet varied needs of students, enhancing educational accessibility.
- Advocated for rights and needs of students with special education requirements, ensuring access to appropriate resources and accommodations.
- Fostered positive learning environment, reducing classroom disruptions through effective behavior management strategies.
- Developed and executed behavioral intervention plans, leading to decrease in disruptive behaviors and increase in classroom participation.
- Utilized data from student assessments to tailor instruction, resulting in more effective learning outcomes.
- Boosted student engagement in mathematics by introducing problem-solving activities that connected concepts to real-world situations.
- Promoted self-advocacy and independence in students with disabilities by teaching self-management and decision-making skills.
Special Education Teacher
Charleston County School District
08.2004 - 06.2024
- Lead and support special education team at the building level
- Collect and analyze school-wide data to support the MTSS team with determining next steps across Tiers
- 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.
- 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.
- Taught students across multiple classifications and degrees of 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.
- Coordinated special education students and teacher assistant schedules with master schedule.
- Led activities that developed students' physical, emotional, and social growth.
- Redirected students using Positive Behavior Support (PBS).
- Encouraged students to take ownership of learning by providing choices.
- Created culturally responsive classroom environment, acknowledging and celebrating diversity among students.
- Adapted teaching methods and materials to meet varied needs of students, enhancing educational accessibility.
- Advocated for rights and needs of students with special education requirements, ensuring access to appropriate resources and accommodations.
- Fostered positive learning environment, reducing classroom disruptions through effective behavior management strategies.
- Developed and executed behavioral intervention plans, leading to decrease in disruptive behaviors and increase in classroom participation.
- Utilized data from student assessments to tailor instruction, resulting in more effective learning outcomes.
- Boosted student engagement in mathematics by introducing problem-solving activities that connected concepts to real-world situations.
- Promoted self-advocacy and independence in students with disabilities by teaching self-management and decision-making skills.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to provide comprehensive support for students with special needs.
- Taught multiple subjects to students with intellectual or emotional disabilities.
- 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.
- Organized field trips and community-based experiences that enriched students'' understanding of real-world applications for their skills.
- Integrated social skills training into curriculum, facilitating improved peer interactions and social integration.
- Guided students through transition planning processes, preparing them for post-secondary education and employment opportunities.
- Enhanced communication skills in non-verbal students through integration of alternative and augmentative communication systems.
- Enhanced students' understanding of complex topics by incorporating interactive technologies and hands-on learning experiences.
Teacher of Alternative Program
Charleston County School District
08.2003 - 06.2004
- Provided core instruction to students placed in an in school alternative program due to interfering behaviors
- Developed and implemented SEL and behavior plans to aid students in transitioning successfully back into general education environment
- Collaborated with administration, teachers, and support staff as students re-entered the general education environment
- Developed strong relationships with students, parents, and colleagues by maintaining open lines of communication and fostering a supportive learning environment.
- Managed classroom behavior effectively by establishing clear expectations, modeling appropriate conduct, and consistently enforcing established rules and consequences.
Special Education Teacher
Charleston County School District
08.2002 - 06.2003
- Provided core instruction in the areas of Reading, Writing, and Math in a separate classroom for students with specific learning disabilities
- Modified general education curriculum for special-needs students using various instructional techniques and technologies.
- 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.
- 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.
- Coordinated with general education teachers to develop accommodations or modifications necessary for successful inclusion of students with special needs in mainstream classrooms.
- Cultivated connections and strong student rapport to foster classroom engagement, in addition to recording student progress to inform parents and school administration.
- Led activities that developed students' physical, emotional, and social growth.
- Encouraged students to take ownership of learning by providing choices.
- Created culturally responsive classroom environment, acknowledging and celebrating diversity among students.
- Adapted teaching methods and materials to meet varied needs of students, enhancing educational accessibility.
- Advocated for rights and needs of students with special education requirements, ensuring access to appropriate resources and accommodations.
- Fostered positive learning environment, reducing classroom disruptions through effective behavior management strategies.
- Utilized data from student assessments to tailor instruction, resulting in more effective learning outcomes.
- Boosted student engagement in mathematics by introducing problem-solving activities that connected concepts to real-world situations.
- Promoted self-advocacy and independence in students with disabilities by teaching self-management and decision-making skills.
Special Education Teacher
Charleston County School District
08.2001 - 06.2002
- Provided core instruction in all academic areas for 9th grade students with a variety of disabilities in a separate classroom setting
- Collaborated with teachers of elective courses to provide students with a variety of experiences and success outside of the separate classroom setting
- Collaborated with students and job path teachers to identify and develop knowledge and skills related to student success after high school completion
- Modified general education curriculum for special-needs students using various instructional techniques and technologies.
- Provided targeted instructional support to struggling learners, identifying specific areas for improvement and designing effective intervention plans.
- Fostered strong relationships with parents and guardians, maintaining open lines of communication to ensure student progress.
- Reduced feelings of isolation among students with special needs by implementing inclusive classroom practices.
- Implemented individualized education plans for students with diverse learning needs, ensuring personalized support.
- Planned daily activities to keep students engaged and on track with learning goals.
- Monitored student performance to evaluate effectiveness of instructional strategies.
- Developed and implemented behavior management plans to improve student behavior.
Special Education Teacher
Charleston County School District
01.2001 - 06.2001
- Provided specialized instruction to support academic needs for 9th grade students in the areas of reading and math.
- Collaborated with teachers of elective courses to provide students with a variety of experiences and success outside of the separate classroom setting.
- Fostered strong relationships with parents and guardians, maintaining open lines of communication to ensure student progress.
- Reduced feelings of isolation among students with special needs by implementing inclusive classroom practices.
- Implemented individualized education plans for students with diverse learning needs, ensuring personalized support.
- Planned daily activities to keep students engaged and on track with learning goals.
- Monitored student performance to evaluate effectiveness of instructional strategies.
- Developed and implemented behavior management plans to improve student behavior.
Long-Term Substitute
Charleston County School District
08.1998 - 06.1999
- Core instruction in reading, writing, and math in a separate classroom setting for students with learning disabilities
- Develop and write IEPs under certified teacher
- Lead IEP meetings under certified teacher
- Kept students on-task with proactive behavior modification and positive reinforcement strategies.
Clinical Drug Trial Data Manager
01.1995 - 01.1997
- Followed protocols for Phase 2 and Phase 3 Alzheimer drugs
- Performed and scheduled routine cognitive and physical medical procedures required by protocols
- Collected, input, and maintained records related to trials as required by government agencies
- Planned and wrote protocols to Institutional Review Board for subject approval
- Developed and wrote grants for research studies for Alzheimer Drugs
Education
M.A.T. - Special Education
College of Charleston
Charleston, SCMasters Program - Sociology
East Tennessee State University
Johnson City, TNB.A. - Sociology
College of Charleston
Charleston, SCSkills
- Competency-based education methods
- Trained in OGAP facilitation
- Targeted teaching strategies
- Development of individual education plans
- Collaborative teaching experience
- Team collaboration
- Data organization
- Equity-focused inclusion strategies
- Certified in CPI
Certification
- South Carolina:
- Special Education: Learning Disabilities K - 12
Timeline
Special Education Teacher
Charleston County School District
08.2024 - Current
Special Education Teacher
Charleston County School District
08.2004 - 06.2024
Teacher of Alternative Program
Charleston County School District
08.2003 - 06.2004
Special Education Teacher
Charleston County School District
08.2002 - 06.2003
Special Education Teacher
Charleston County School District
08.2001 - 06.2002
Special Education Teacher
Charleston County School District
01.2001 - 06.2001
Long-Term Substitute
Charleston County School District
08.1998 - 06.1999
Clinical Drug Trial Data Manager
01.1995 - 01.1997
Masters Program - Sociology
East Tennessee State University
B.A. - Sociology
College of Charleston
M.A.T. - Special Education
College of Charleston
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