Christy Horvath
Mesa
Summary
I am a certified Special Education teacher and advocate for people with disabilities with 13 years of teaching and leadership experience, committed to student growth and accountability. I have extensive experience designing meaningful IEP's with holistic goals to incorporate all students individual needs, including academics, OT, PT, SLI, vision and nursing. My leadership experience is marked by providing professional developments and the supervision of multiple para professionals, while also delegating duties and modeling the skills needed to be successful in the profession.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Self-Contained Special Education Teacher 9-12
Sierra School Of Gilbert- SESI Schools
07.2022 - Current
- Led activities that developed students' emotional, behavioral, and social growth and progress.
- PCM (Professional Crisis Management) trained, annually
- Using ABA and developed student behavior plans to improve student's behavior, collaborating with BCBA staff.
- Cultivated connections and strong student rapport to foster classroom engagement, in addition to recording student progress to inform parents and school administration.
ESS Teacher
Lumos Arts Academy- Graduation Solutions
06.2018 - 05.2022
- Assist students with specific learning disabilities, students with autism, and emotional challenges with school work and create safe space for them to learn
- Presented professional development for colleagues about ESS and childhood trauma
- Worked cooperatively with other teachers, administrators and parents to help students reach learning objectives.
- Communicated frequently with parents, students and faculty (OT, SLP) to provide feedback and discuss instructional strategies.
- Worked closely with families and Vocational Rehab connections to support transition plans and skills
- Taught "Adulting" life skills and Student Council- put on Prom and other large, important events for 2 years
Self Contained Transition Program Director
Paradise Valley High School
06.2016 - 05.2018
- Developed a self contained Transition program including Community Based Instructions and job placements.
- Developed "apartment" to teach independence and life skills
- Supported student physical, mental and social development using classroom games and activities in self-contained setting.
- Provided life skills/ work place programming for students with moderate to severe autism and/or physical and cognitive disabilities within our local community, volunteer opportunites.
- Created and managed IEPs to define student learning objectives and educational strategies, in addition to applying instructional knowledge and methods to support goals.
- Led 3 classroom of varying functioning and facilitated para professionals in a Professional Learning Community to plan program units, assessments, and CBI schedules, daily schedules, modeling skills
Special Needs Instructor for Homebound Services
Paradise Valley Unified School District
07.2013 - 06.2016
- Provided educational tools and lessons in the home environment for medically fragile students
- Supported and trusted by many families, teaching parents how to utilize educational and functional strategies for their student's life skills and quality of life.
- Worked closely with individual nurses or PT's to improve students' sensory- and perceptual-motor skills.
Self-Contained Special Education Teacher 9-12
North Canyon High School
08.2011 - 05.2016
- Taught multiple subjects, including life skills program and Community Based Instruction program to students with moderate to severe intellectual/physical disabilities and autism .
- Cultivated connections with PT, OT, SLP and strong student rapport to foster classroom engagement, in addition to recording student progress to inform parents and school administration.
- Oversaw up to 7 para professionals providing them the tools they need to be successful with their students.
- Communicated verbally/nonverbally and with assistive technology with children to provide comfort, encouragement and positive reinforcement.
- Heavily involved in Special Olympic events and helped start the first Unified PE class for our population at that school.
- Created and implemented the first sensory room at NCHS
- Facilitate state assessments- AIMS-A and AZ Merit
- Awarded KNIX's Teacher of the Week nominated by a parent.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Elementary And Special Education Cross Cat
Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, AZ05.2011
Skills
- TEACCH Certified
- Assistive technology- AAC devices, switches
- Utilizing ABA
- Positive Learning Environment
- PCM- Professional Crisis Management Cert (2023)
- Crisis Prevention Cert (2018)
Timeline
Self-Contained Special Education Teacher 9-12
Sierra School Of Gilbert- SESI Schools
07.2022 - Current
ESS Teacher
Lumos Arts Academy- Graduation Solutions
06.2018 - 05.2022
Self Contained Transition Program Director
Paradise Valley High School
06.2016 - 05.2018
Special Needs Instructor for Homebound Services
Paradise Valley Unified School District
07.2013 - 06.2016
Self-Contained Special Education Teacher 9-12
North Canyon High School
08.2011 - 05.2016
Bachelor of Arts - Elementary And Special Education Cross Cat
Northern Arizona University
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